Title: Visit Santa Cruz County: 2026 Travel Guide for Santa Cruz County, California | Expedia.com

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# Santa Cruz County, CA

## California

![Capitola Village. Capitola, Santa Cruz County, California, USA.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635996998000/4c725f90-bdec-41af-a2bc-cd11402e3042.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

![Capitola Village. Capitola, Santa Cruz County, California, USA.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635996998000/4c725f90-bdec-41af-a2bc-cd11402e3042.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

![On the way up to Año Nuevo State Reserve, we stopped in at this cove. It's a bit north of Santa Cruz, in the town of Davenport. ](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6085019/f05b9928-bbfb-426b-ac58-cfb618b272e2.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

![Not only is the beach beautiful but there is a refugee for wintering monarch butterflies! This was also where I saw my first sea lion when I moved here! #beachbound ](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6666/5ca6db42-f476-49f4-b79b-1f1575e51ee7.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

![Walk through cave!](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6666/f5e7a2ff-3c08-4003-b2c9-0326dc61e1f4.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

### Popular cities in Santa Cruz County

[Santa Cruz

Known for Walking, Beaches and Sea

](https://expedia.com/Santa-Cruz.dx6666)

This Californian city attracts visitors looking for sun and sand, and has one of the strongest surfing cultures in the country.

## Reasons to visit

- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Mystery Spot
- Santa Cruz Wharf

[Explore City](https://expedia.com/Santa-Cruz.dx6666)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Santa-Cruz-Hotels.d6666.Travel-Guide-Hotels)

[Aptos

Known for Beaches, Dining and Family-friendly

](https://expedia.com/Aptos.dx6435)

Experience the beaches, seaside, and sunsets in Aptos! 

## Reasons to visit

- Rio Del Mar Beach
- Seacliff State Beach
- New Brighton State Beach

[Explore City](https://expedia.com/Aptos.dx6435)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Aptos-Hotels.d6435.Travel-Guide-Hotels)

[Davenport

Known for Dining, Friendly people and Sea

](https://expedia.com/Davenport.dx6085019)

Experience the seaside, bars, and beaches in Davenport! 

## Reasons to visit

- Shark Fin Cove
- West Waddell Creek State Wilderness
- Scott Creek Beach

[Explore City](https://expedia.com/Davenport.dx6085019)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Davenport-Hotels.d6085019.Travel-Guide-Hotels)

[Los Gatos

Known for Dining, Shopping and Family-friendly

](https://expedia.com/Los-Gatos.dx8421)

Los Gatos is calling! Discover its food, hiking, wineries, and more. 

## Reasons to visit

- Vasona Lake County Park
- Regale Winery and Vineyards

[Explore City](https://expedia.com/Los-Gatos.dx8421)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Los-Gatos-Hotels.d8421.Travel-Guide-Hotels)

[Capitola

Known for Beaches, Dining and Shopping

](https://expedia.com/Capitola.dx177416)

Experience quaint Capitola: its beaches, oceanfront, art, and more! 

## Reasons to visit

- Capitola Beach
- Hooper Beach

[Explore City](https://expedia.com/Capitola.dx177416)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Capitola-Hotels.d177416.Travel-Guide-Hotels)

[Watsonville

Known for Beaches, Sports and Biking

](https://expedia.com/Watsonville.dx10460)

Trip time! Discover the baseball, beaches, and surfing in Watsonville. 

## Reasons to visit

- Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve

[Explore City](https://expedia.com/Watsonville.dx10460)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Watsonville-Hotels.d10460.Travel-Guide-Hotels)

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