Santa Cruz Holidays

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Your Santa Cruz Holiday

Uncover the very best of Santa Cruz with a customised Santa Cruz holiday package. From its laid-back lifestyle and surfing to its progressive thinking, you'll love getting to know this coastal city your way. Ready to explore your surroundings? Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, University of California, Santa Cruz and Natural Bridges State Park are three of the top-rated places to visit during your trip to Santa Cruz. Don't delay visiting this destination any longer. Your perfect Santa Cruz holiday is a few quick clicks away with Expedia.

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
Santa Cruz which includes general coastal views and views as well as an individual male

Westside Santa Cruz

7 out of top 10 points of interest in this area
4/5(16 area reviews)

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.

Find hotels in Westside Santa Cruz

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 64,200 inches 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.

Santa Cruz Essential Information

Language
English
Currency
U.S dollars
Closest Airport
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl. Airport (SJC)
Population
64,200
Max Temp Winter
16ºC
Max Temp Summer
24ºC
Top Sights
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Rio Del Mar Beach and La Selva Beach

Our pick of the best Santa Cruz Hotel Deals

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

3 out of 5
550 2nd St, Santa Cruz, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$381 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
AU$381
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
9/10 Wonderful! (1,221 reviews)
"Was a great stay"

Reviewed on 24 Jul. 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$784 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
AU$784
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
"great location , easy walk to the wharf and boardwalk ."

Reviewed on 21 Jul. 2025

Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

4 out of 5
611 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$269 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
AU$269
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,019 reviews)
"We had a great stay at Paradox."

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
See all 701 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.
All Inclusive Holidays
All Inclusive Holidays
All Inclusive Holidays
Cheap Holidays
Cheap Holidays
Cheap Holidays
beach holidays
Beach Holidays
Beach Holidays

Discover the most popular places to visit in Santa Cruz

Mystery Spot

Mystery Spot

3/5(2 reviews)

Find out about the history of Santa Cruz when you take a trip to Mystery Spot. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the surfing spots.

Mystery Spot
Santa Cruz Harbor

Santa Cruz Harbor

Explore the waterfront in Santa Cruz with a trip to Santa Cruz Harbor. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

Santa Cruz Harbor
Cowell's Beach

Cowell's Beach

Explore the waterfront of Cowell's Beach and enjoy activities such as surfing in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Cowell's Beach

What to do in Santa Cruz

Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

AU$197
per adult
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz
5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

AU$213
per adult
5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

AU$130
per adult
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy
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.

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