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.

Santa Cruz, CA's Bay Area Vacations

US - California Hotels > Bay Area Hotels :

Americas Best Value Inn & 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 Santa Cruz
325 Pacific Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA

3 Star

We are located on Pacific Ave. just minutes away from lively downtown Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Beach B

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

The AAA Four Diamond awardwinning Chaminade Resort and Spa is a spectacular mountaintop retreat in S

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

DREAM INN SANTA CRUZ
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

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 s

Hotel Pure Beach Inn
600 Riverside Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

For comfort and hospitality at a comfortable price, Hotel PURE Beach Inn is the place. We feature 80

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

2 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

You Have to Be 21 years of age and over to make a reservation. The Knights Inn Santa Cruz is set in

Motel Santa Cruz
370 Ocean Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

2 Star

Welcome to the first step to a great destination. Whether you are visiting Santa Cruz for pleasure o

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 100 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 St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

2 Star

Ramada Limited Santa Cruz Water Street is located in Downtown Santa Cruz within walking distance to

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

Super 8 Santa Cruz/Beach Boardwalk East
338 Riverside Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

1 Star

AAA approved/2 Diamonds. Newly renovated rooms. 100% smoke free hotel. Wireless High Speed Internet

Super 8 Santa Cruz/Beach/Boardwalk West
321 Riverside Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

2 Star

AAA Approved, 2 Diamonds, Complimentary SuperStart Breakfast, Wireless High Speed Internet, Outdoor

Torch Lite Inn
500 Riverside Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

2 Star

The Torch Lite Inn offers guests a relaxing atmosphere with modern amenities at an affordable price.

Travelodge Santa Cruz Riviera
619 Riverside Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

2 Star

A 2-story, 61 unit family motel, with indoor swimming pool seasonally heated, and hot tub open year

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

Aptos
Ben Lomond
Capitola
Santa Cruz
Scotts Valley

Santa Cruz Hotel Chains

Americas Best Value Inn
Best Western
Comfort Inns
GenaRes Worldwide Reservation Services
Holiday Inn Express
Howard Johnson
Independent Hotels
InnLink Inns
InnPoints Reserv
Joie de Vivre
Knights Inn
Quality Inns
Ramada
Super 8
Synxis Hotels and Resorts
TravelClick
Travelodge