Santa Cruz Holidays

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Our guide on where to stay in Santa Cruz

Find the best Santa Cruz areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Santa Cruz
A coastal cityscape with a beach, pier, and amusement park.

Westside Santa Cruz

6 out of top 10 points of interest in this area

Travellers to Westside Santa Cruz praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay.

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A rocky coastline with waves crashing against the rocks.

Eastside Santa Cruz

1 out of top 10 points of interest in this area

Travellers come to Eastside Santa Cruz for its beaches, and you can see top attractions like Monterey Bay and Twin Lakes State Beach while you're in town.

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A crowded beach with numerous boats and people.

Pleasure Point

While visiting Pleasure Point, you might make a stop by sights like Monterey Bay and 38th Avenue Beach Access.

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A street with a clock tower, a tram, and a building with a sign.

Beach Hill - Beach Flats

While there might not be top attractions in Beach Hill - Beach Flats, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Santa Cruz Main Beach.

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A historic building with a distinctive corner turret, surrounded by autumn-colored trees and a clear street.

Downtown Santa Cruz

Unique features of Downtown Santa Cruz include the beaches and restaurants. Make a stop by Pacific Avenue or Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History while you're exploring the area.

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Santa Cruz Holiday

Santa Cruz Beach Holiday

If you want a break from the city crowds, a Santa Cruz holiday is just the ticket. There's no end to the gorgeous views to soak up on a trip to Santa Cruz. Those who love the water may already be familiar with Natural Bridges State Park (5 kilometres away) and will probably want to stay nearby. But don't worry if the nearest accommodation options are full. Many visitors to the area also book Santa Cruz packages near Cowell's Beach and Santa Cruz Main Beach.

Things You Should Know About Santa Cruz

  • If ocean breezes and strolls along the shore are your idea of a dreamy escape, why not consider one of our Santa Cruz beach hotels? Staying near the water is the perfect cure for life's daily stresses.
  • Our private holiday homes, including Marea Sol Hotel and Seaside Inn & Suites, are popular with travellers of all types. Check out the amenities and get ready for your holiday in Santa Cruz!
  • Our Santa Cruz things to do page is a terrific place to find activities around here. Of course, there's nothing like a bit of local knowledge. With a population of 163 068 cm Santa Cruz, we're sure you'll find a few people who'll point you in the right direction.
  • Get some great deals with a Santa Cruz holiday package. With all that extra money in your pocket, you won't regret indulging in this destination's best offerings. Capitola Beach, Santa Cruz Wharf and Santa Cruz Wharf are amazing places to start.

Our pick of the best Santa Cruz Hotel Deals

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

215 Beach Street Santa Cruz CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
NZ$622
17 Sept - 18 Sept
includes taxes & fees
9.6/10 Exceptional! (495 reviews)
"It was great"

Reviewed on 15 Sept 2026

La Bahia Hotel and Spa
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

550 2nd St Santa Cruz CA
NZ$286
28 Sept - 29 Sept
includes taxes & fees
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Seaside Inn & Suites

Seaside Inn & Suites

525 Ocean St Santa Cruz CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
NZ$143
13 Oct - 14 Oct
includes taxes & fees
8.2/10 Very good! (1,116 reviews)
"Room was nice and clean, just had a bit of a smell when we came in so we had to open the windows. Wifi didn’t work. AC kept turning on and off during our 2nd night. But place was good if you’re on a budget."

Reviewed on 16 Sept 2026

Seaside Inn & Suites
See all 753 properties in Santa Cruz
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Stay near popular Santa Cruz attractions

A pier with colorful cable cars, a beach, and a sign that reads "WORLD FAMOUS."
Photo by Adri VDM Photography

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

8.8/10 (6,089 reviews)
Experience America's classic seaside fun at this historic amusement park, home to two National Historic Landmarks. Ride the 1924 Giant Dipper wooden coaster or enjoy carnival games before stepping onto the sandy beach.
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A pier extending into the ocean with a roller coaster in the background.

Santa Cruz Wharf

9.0/10 (2,069 reviews)
The longest timber pile pier on the US coast, Santa Cruz Wharf extends half a mile into Monterey Bay. Dine at seafood restaurants while watching sea lions and otters play in the protected marine sanctuary below.
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A yellow sign with red and black text reading "ENTRANCE To MYSTERY SPOT Santa Cruz, Calif. U.S.A."
Photo by Arup Paul

Mystery Spot

8.4/10 (1,594 reviews)
The Mystery Spot bends perception with gravity-defying illusions in a redwood forest setting. Take the 45-minute guided tour to experience balls rolling uphill and people changing height before your eyes.
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A beach with a natural rock arch formation and a large boulder in the foreground.
Photo by rabbit.Hole

Natural Bridges State Park

9.0/10 (842 reviews)
This coastal haven features a striking natural arch and tide pools teeming with marine life. From October to January, witness thousands of monarch butterflies clustering in the eucalyptus grove.
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A historic half-timbered building with a stone facade, surrounded by trees and a red brick sidewalk.

Ocean Street

8.6/10 (1,332 reviews)
Ocean Street serves as Santa Cruz's main gateway, lined with hotels and eateries for travellers entering from Highway 17. Stay here for convenient access to the Beach Boardwalk and city centre attractions just minutes away.
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A lighthouse at sunset, rocky shoreline, calm water, and a clear sky.
Photo by Alex Sam

Santa Cruz Harbor

9.0/10 (587 reviews)
This bustling marina offers immediate access to Monterey Bay with over 1,000 boat slips. Enjoy waterfront dining, book a sailing charter, or catch the Wednesday Night Sailboat Races from April through October.
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University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum

8.4/10 (103 reviews)
This living laboratory showcases rare plants from five Mediterranean climate zones worldwide. Wander through Australian, South African, and California native gardens while spotting hummingbirds among vibrant blooms.
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Pasatiempo Golf Course

7.4/10 (99 reviews)
Play a round of golf in Santa Cruz at Pasatiempo Golf Course, and enjoy other activities such as surfing. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.
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What to do in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Beach Hill to Mission Hill Loop Via Downtown

Beach Hill to Historic Downtown Santa Cruz Loop

NZ$75
per adult
Beach Hill to Historic Downtown Santa Cruz Loop
Santa Cruz: Wine Tasting Experience

Santa Cruz: Wine Tasting Experience

NZ$42
per adult
Santa Cruz: Wine Tasting Experience
Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill

Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill

NZ$75
per adult
Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill
See all activities in Santa Cruz

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Santa Cruz holiday package cost?
You can pick up a holiday package to this top destination on Expedia. However, how much your holiday to Santa Cruz costs will depend on factors like the length of stay, hotel choice and season.
What are the cheapest months to go to Santa Cruz?
If you're looking to snag a cheap Santa Cruz holiday package, consider planning a trip in December, January and February. You're likely to find better prices on airfares and hotels during these quieter months — ideal for travellers wishing to save money.
How many days is enough for Santa Cruz?
With about 2 days, you'll have plenty of time to experience popular neighbourhoods such as Westside Santa Cruz and Lower Ocean during your Santa Cruz holiday. Remember to also add Natural Bridges State Park and Cowell's Beach to your must-do list. Looking for more adventures? Consider exploring outside of Santa Cruz on tours and day trips.
Is it worth booking a holiday package to Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has everything you need for the perfect break — surfing, cycling and history are just the start. Whether you'd like to check out attractions like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Santa Cruz Wharf, or take the path less traveled, you'll have plenty to do on your Santa Cruz holiday.
How to find the best Santa Cruz package deals?
Start your search for a Santa Cruz package deal by entering your destination and preferred trip dates under our "Packages" tab. Then apply some filters, like "Popular locations" and "Amenities," to tailor the results to your exact needs. You can also sort by "Package discount" and discover offers that come with huge savings. If you don't find the ideal Santa Cruz package deal straight away, just play around with your dates and search again. Keep in mind that deals are only available for a limited time, so book early and get your Santa Cruz getaway off to a flying start.
Is it cheaper to book a Santa Cruz holiday as a package?
An Expedia holiday package could score you significant savings when compared to booking flights and accommodation separately. Better still, you can customise your Santa Cruz trip to fit your exact style. Pick your preferred flight time, select the hotel type and add a rental car. Explore our bundles to see how much you can save.
When to book a holiday package to Santa Cruz?
If you've got your Santa Cruz holiday dates confirmed, book early to snap up some outstanding deals. With Expedia, you can generally reserve some flights up to one year ahead of time. Prefer spontaneous trips? Our last-minute deals are perfect for impromptu escapes.
How to plan a trip to Santa Cruz?
  1. Pick your travel dates: What you plan to do in Santa Cruz and your preferred season can help you decide when to get away.
  2. Set a budget: Factor in expenses like food, flights and transportation when calculating how much to put aside for your trip to Santa Cruz. Then, choose a property that fits your budget, whether that's a wallet-friendly stay or a high-end retreat.
  3. Decide how long to go away for: Now that you know more about Santa Cruz, you can figure out the perfect length of your holiday. Pull together a rough plan and give yourself enough time to cover everything you want to do.
  4. Bundle your accommodation and airfare: Once you've settled on your trip dates and duration, lock in the ideal Santa Cruz holiday package for you.

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* Savings based on package bookings compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings not available on all packages.