Santa Cruz, CA's Bay Area Vacations
Santa Cruz, California Travel Guide
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If you've heard of Steamer Lane, you're on your way to Santa Cruz, a surfer's paradise. Situated in the stunning Monterey Bay Marine sanctuary, one of the largest such bodies of water in the nation, sea mammals are plentiful in a region that honors wildlife. From towering redwood forests to expansive beaches, enjoy fun on an old fashioned beach train ride that begins in the redwoods and ends on the sand. Few beg to differ with our assessment that when you think of beach vacations in the bay area, you think of Santa Cruz for family fun. Having lived in San Francisco's East Bay (Lafayette), Santa Cruz was always our first choice for a local beach getaway. Many reason add up to preference for this destination but for starters, there's the entertainment. Combining a large beach and warm summer days with a 100-year-old boardwalk amuseument, visitors are provided with simple pleasures ranging from ferris wheels and carnival style rides overlooking the ocean to food vendors selling sweets, fried things and the affordable tasty foods that people crave on a cheap date. Santa Cruz beaches are designed for dating. But they're also made for students to study.
University of California Santa Cruz is located in the city, and its presence makes for a whole lot of fun. Many days throughout the year you'll see college students on a towel in the sand reading books. Now how educational is that? UC Santa Cruz is considered one of the more fun college schools because of its amazing setting in the redwoods, combined with the beach access, the surfing, and the amazing coast beyond Santa Cruz County. Be it cutting edge concert or intellectual lectures, there's a lot going on in Santa Cruz, and some of it is in town, while some can be found on campus.
Beyond the student population, Santa Cruz locals have a passion for the ocean and consider the location their own bit of surfing paradise. Surfing is honored with a surf museum in a lighthouse building overlooking the famed Steamer surfing spot. The wave action is consistent enough to attract surfers from around the globe. With surfboard shapers, wetsuit makers and surfing greats coming from Santa Cruz, surfing, itself, has become an attraction. Surf themed foods and even Surf City Coffee offer the warm and fuzzy feeling that make you want to take up the sport. In the summer you'll find surf camps offering lessons to tourists with all-inclusive packages (wetsuit, board and lesson).
Santa Cruz loves its surfing but the locals also love their coastline. Just beyond the city you'll find great kite and windsurfing at Davenport, and parks with wooded trails in forests leading to the beach. From a mountain or hill view, you can sometimes look out and see the whale migrations, or dolphins offshore.
Santa Cruz is the county seat of Santa Cruz County, and is surrounded by beautiful beaches that are accessible on a Santa Cruz Vacation. Capitola by the Sea, Privates, Seaside and Aptos are a few spots you'll want to check out during your visit.
US - California Hotels > Bay Area Hotels :
Americas Best Value Inn
522 OCEAN STREET
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-6602
2 Star
A quaint AAA 2 Diamond, 2 story Inn with 22 tastefully decorated guestrooms that include Free High-S
Americas Best Value Inn and Suites
505 Riverside Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
1 Star
A pleasant and enjoyable one story Inn centrally located in beautiful and appealing Santa Cruz, Cali
Babbling Brook Inn
1025 Laurel Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
3 Star
Rich in California history the Babbling Brook Inn holds over a century of history and is truly a mus
Bay Front Inn
325 Pacific Aveue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
2 Star
The pet-friendly and comfortable Bay Front Inn is close to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the shopp
Best Western All Suite Inn
500 Ocean Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
3 Star
This Santa Cruz, California hotel boasts convenient access to local beaches, the Santa Cruz Boardwal
Best Western Inn
126 Plymouth Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
2 Star
Whether you have plans to come to Santa Cruz for business or pleasure, the Best Western Inn Santa Cr
Chaminade Resort And Spa
One Chaminade Lane
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
4 Star
After 5 million dollars of renovations, new Contemporary spanish furnishings ref
Coastview Inn Santa Cruz
301 Beach Street
Santa Cruz, CA
2 Star
The Coastview Inn Santa Cruz, Affiliate, Is Located In Santa Cruz, Ca. Right Across The Street From
Comfort Inn Beach/Boardwalk Area
314 Riverside Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
2 Star
100% non smoking hotel. Famous Santa Cruz Boardwalk and beaches 1 block. Restaurants and shopping ne
Comfort Inn Santa Cruz
110 Plymouth St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
2 Star
Convenient location in Santa Cruz where Route 1 and 17 come into town. Resort, 2-story-style complex
Hampton Inn Santa Cruz
1505 Ocean Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
3 Star
The Hampton Inn Santa Cruz hotel in California is located off Hwy. 17 /or Hwy. 1 Exit to Ocean Stree
Hitching Post Motel
1717 Soquel Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
3 Star
The Hitching Post Motel is located in the heart of Santa Cruz. Only five minutes drive from beach bo
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites SANTA CRUZ EAST
1410 OCEAN STREET
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
2 Star
New Santa Cruz, CA Hotel Near the Boardwalk You can relish the comforts of home when you choose to
Howard Johnson Inn Santa Cruz
130 West Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
2 Star
The Howard Johnson Inn overlooking the Ocean and the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf features High Speed
Inn at Pasatiempo
555 Highway 17
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
3 Star
The Inn at Pasatiempo is a Santa Cruz Mountain resort offering the best relaxation for your quiet ge
Knights Inn Santa Cruz
510 Leibrandt Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
1 Star
The Knights Inn Santa Cruz is set in the ideal location for the vacationing family. We are within wa
NATIONAL 9 PLYMOUTH ST
130 Plymouth St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
3 Star
25 unit property with 2 floors and an outdoor swimming pool.
Ocean Gate Inn
111 Ocean Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
3 Star
The Ocean Gate Inn is ideally located in the heart of Santa Cruz. Our hotel is just a short walk fro
Ocean Pacific Lodge
301 Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
1 Star
This hotel is conveniently located near Santa Cruz*s famous attractions. Across the street from the
Pacific Inn
330 Ocean Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
1 Star
At the Pacific Inn, you will feel right at home. Our beautiful Mediterranean-style Inn is convenient
Paradise Inn by the Beach
311 2nd Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
3 Star
The Paradise Inn by the Beach in Santa Cruz is a boutique property situated 200 yards from the Santa
Quality Inn Santa Cruz
1101 Ocean Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
2 Star
Walking distance to shops and restaurants. Santa Cruz's famous boardwalk nearby. U of C - Santa Cr
Ramada Limited Santa Cruz Water Street
516 Water Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
2 Star
Ramada Limited Santa Cruz Water Street is located in Downtown Santa Cruz within walking distance to
Santa Cruz Beach Inn
600 Riverside Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
2 Star
Santa Cruz Beach Inn and Suites
600 Riverside Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Conveniently located within walking distance of downtown Santa Cruz, the Historic Santa Cruz Beach B
Santa Cruz Dream Inn
175 West Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
3 Star
The Santa Cruz Dream Inn captures the essence of the Central California Coast like no other. This s
Santa Cruz Dream Inn
175 West Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
3 Star
The santa cruz dream inn captures the essence of the central california coast like no other. This se
Santa Cruz Riviera Travelodge
619 Riverside Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
2 Star
A 2-story, 61 unit family motel, with indoor swimming pool, heated April through September, and hot
Santa Cruz Super 8 Motel
321 Riverside Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
2 Star
AAA Approved, 2 Diamonds, Complimentary SuperStart Breakfast, Wireless High Speed Internet, Outdoor
Santa Cruz Travelodge
525 Ocean St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
2 Star
This exceptionally clean two story hotel offers 55 guestrooms with exterior and interior room access
Super 8 Motel - Santa Cruz
338 Riverside Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
1 Star
AAA approved/2 Diamonds. Newly renovated rooms. 100% smoke free hotel. Wireless High Speed Internet
University Inn
611 Ocean Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
3 Star
Whether you are visiting for business or pleasure, we hope you take advantage of all the UCSC Inn ha
West Cliff Inn
174 West Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
2 Star
Situated on a bluff across from the beach West Cliff Inn was originally built in 1877 as a private h
Hotels in Cities Near Santa Cruz
AptosBen Lomond
Capitola
Santa Cruz
Scotts Valley
Santa Cruz Hotel Chains
Best Value Inn and SuitesBest Western
Comfort Inns
GenaRes Worldwide Reservation Services
Hampton Inn/Hampton Inn and Suites
Holiday Inn Express
Howard Johnson Plazas, Hotels, Inns, and Express Inns
iHotelier
Independent Hotels
InnLink Inns
InnPoints Reserv
Joie de Vivre
Knights Inn
Quality Inns
Ramada Inn
Super 8 Motels
Synxis Hotels and Resorts
Travelodge