Santa Cruz Beach Travel Guide

Santa Cruz Beach Travel Guide

Other Guides for Santa Cruz

Beach Destinations Near Santa Cruz

Travel Guides Near Santa Cruz

Pacific Coast Beach States/Provinces

Beach Travel Destinations

advertisement
Coastline in Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz coastline (Stockbyte)

On This Page:

Santa Cruz Beach Travel Tips

By Travel Expert: Ludmilla Alexander

  • Brave 55-mph twists and turns on the boardwalk's Giant Dipper, a classic wooden coaster.
  • Brush up on boardwalk trivia at The Art & History Museum in downtown Santa Cruz.
  • Toss steel rings into a clown's mouth on the 95-year-old Looff Carousel.
  • Trace 100 years of surfing history at the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. Two inventive claims to fame: the wet suit and surfboard leash.

Santa Cruz Overview

For a small bayside city, Santa Cruz has a lot to offer. The main show, of course, is the Beach Boardwalk, which attracts millions of visitors each year. But past the arcades and cotton candy is a surprisingly diverse and energetic city with a little something for everyone: Shopping, hiking, mountain biking, sailing, fishing, kayaking, surfing, wine tasting, golfing, whale-watching—the list of things to do here is almost endless, making Santa Cruz one of the premier family destinations on the California coast. Read More

Ask a Question

Hotels

from: $231

Seascape Resort Monterey Bay

One Seascape Resort Drive
Aptos, CA 95003 Map

Distance: 0.0 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
5.0

Santa Cruz KOA

1186 San Andreas Road
La Selva Beach, CA Map

Distance: 0.0 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
from: $169

L Auberge Carmel

Monte Verde and 7th Avenue
Carmel, CA 93921 Map

Distance: 29.7 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 5 class stars

expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
All Santa Cruz Hotels »
advertisement

compare rates

Attractions

Cowell/Main Beach

expert favorite attraction
Santa Cruz, California

Distance: 1.1 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Main Beach and Cowell Beach are located on either side of the Santa Cruz Municipal Pier, near the... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0

Steamer Lane

expert favorite attraction
Hwy. 1 to Bay St. towards ocean
West Cliff Dr.
Santa Cruz, California

Distance: 1.5 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Steamer Lane is a famous surfing site in Santa Cruz, California. It's home to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, which is housed in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse.... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0

Natural Bridges State Beach

Swift Ave. west from Hwy. 1
Santa Cruz, California

Distance: 2.1 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Natural Bridges State Beach is a popular spot for observing shore birds, migrating whales, and... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
4_0
All Santa Cruz Attractions »

Airports

Major Airports near Santa Cruz

Distance (mi.)
San Jose International Airport 26.9 map Flight Deals to SJC
San Francisco International Airport 48.5 map Flight Deals to SFO
Oakland International Airport 52.4 map Flight Deals to OAK

Other Smaller Airports near Santa Cruz

Distance (mi.)
Carmel/Monterey Peninsula Airport 28.8 map
Modesto Municipal Airport 74.1 map
Merced Municipal Airport 86.1 map

Flight Deals to Santa Cruz

Originating From
San Diego (SAN) to San Jose (SJC) $146
Denver (DEN) to San Jose (SJC) $166
Omaha (OMA) to San Jose (SJC) $224
Austin (AUS) to San Jose (SJC) $243
Philadelphia (PHL) to San Jose (SJC) $267

Feature Articles

  • Easy Rollers
    outside
    The best beaches for practicing your moves offer slow, gentle waves and a no-pressure atmosphere. Here are six of our faves.
  • Swellsville, USA
    outside
    Bare feet on hot sand. Surfboard on the waves. Lobster in the pot. A long, hot season to stay wet and never go back inside. summer starts here—don't let the screen door hit you on the way out.
  • August Family Travel Guide
  • San Francisco
    outside
    IF YOU'VE HAD your fill of lingering summer fog, yoga-mat gridlock, and a whole lotta dazed and confused former dotcommers, now's the time to leave your heart in San Francisco but take the rest of you out yonder to Sierra peaks and serene redwood forests.
See All Feature Articles on Santa Cruz »

Trip Ideas

Santa Cruz Vacation Rentals

check rates
from: $267

Bucks Beach Bungalow-7doors to Beach, Hot Tub etc

Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1
Sleeps: 6
Amenities: BBQ, Cable/Satellite TV, DVD Player, Fireplace, Foosball Table, Hot Tub, Internet Access, Non-Smoking, Pets OK, VCR, Wireless Internet Access
check rates
from: $165

Private Pleasure Point Beach Cottage

Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Sleeps: 4
Amenities: BBQ, Hot Tub, Non-Smoking, Pets OK
check rates
from: $195

Luxury Home on an Acre of Redwoods w/Hot Spa

Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
Amenities: Cable/Satellite TV, DVD Player, Fireplace, Full kitchen, Hot Tub, Laundry, No Pets, Non-Smoking
All Santa Cruz Vacation Rentals »

Santa Cruz Beach Travel Guides

Surfing
»  All Beach Guides

Compare Rates

airplane icon Find Flights
From City name or airport code
To City name or airport code
advertisement

Traveler's Currency Converter

Foreign Currency
U.S. Dollar Amount
$

Country
convert Currency

Powered by eZforex
take me fishing
Select a state:
advertisement