Santa Cruz Vacations from $257

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Your Santa Cruz Vacation

Its laid-back lifestyle, surfing and progressive thinking are among the many reasons to book a vacation package to Santa Cruz. Whatever is taking you to this coastal city, you're sure to have a fantastic experience. You'll want to go sightseeing during your trip to Santa Cruz. Make time for top attractions such as Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, University of California, Santa Cruz and Natural Bridges State Park. Expedia will help you escape your daily routine. Tailor your vacation to Santa Cruz to suit your travel style, whatever that may be!

The Latest Santa Cruz vacation packages

Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Jose Airport-Downtown

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Jose Airport-Downtown

3 out of 5
Hyde Park
Save 100% on your flight
per person
Aug 14 - Aug 17
found 1 day ago
Roundtrip flight included
Las Vegas (LAS) to San Jose (SJC)
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,071 reviews)
Easy peasy. Great location. Hope they have some weekend specials

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Shashi Hotel Mountain View Palo Alto

Shashi Hotel Mountain View Palo Alto

5 out of 5
Save 100% on your flight
per person
Aug 17 - Aug 20
found 1 day ago
Roundtrip flight included
Denver (DEN) to San Jose (SJC)
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,010 reviews)
The staff was so accommodating. It was clean and very relaxing! Loved the spa!

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Hyatt Place San Jose Airport

Hyatt Place San Jose Airport

3 out of 5
North San Jose
Save 100% on your flight
per person
Aug 17 - Aug 20
found 1 day ago
Roundtrip flight included
Denver (DEN) to San Jose (SJC)
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,403 reviews)
Perfect hotel for those who have flights the following morning. The rooms are clean, there’s a fridge in each room. There’s a breakfast option available if you want it. They also have drinks available for purchase in the lobby.

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Aqua Breeze Inn

Aqua Breeze Inn

2.5 out of 5
Westside Santa Cruz
Save 100% on your flight
per person
Aug 29 - Sep 1
found 1 day ago
Roundtrip flight included
Denver (DEN) to San Jose (SJC)
8/10 Very Good! (1,008 reviews)
Pros: good price, nice staff, separate bedroom, very close to the boardwalk and beach, free parking/availability, fridge, microwave, allow pets, good plumbing/hot water. Cons: paper thin walls, uncomfortable beds (can feel the springs), bad WiFi, cheap towels & bedding. It’s definitely a 2-3 star motel but if you’re traveling on a small budget, you’ll appreciate it.

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Chaminade Resort & Spa

Chaminade Resort & Spa

4 out of 5
Save 100% on your flight
per person
Aug 29 - Sep 1
found 1 day ago
Roundtrip flight included
Denver (DEN) to San Jose (SJC)
8/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
The location was great. The service was hit and miss. The pool was freezing though supposed to be heated and the Hot Tub did not function properly.

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

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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 showing 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(2,586 area reviews)

Westside Santa Cruz is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Santa Cruz.

Find hotels in Westside Santa Cruz

Discover the most popular places to visit in Santa Cruz

Another beautiful sunset 🌇

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

4.5/5(2,013 reviews)

Enjoy the thrills at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and find out why people love this theme park in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
The place where you can't stay straight.

Mystery Spot

4/5(639 reviews)

Find out about the history of Santa Cruz with a stop at Mystery Spot. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the surfing spots.

Mystery Spot
Santa Cruz Wharf

Santa Cruz Wharf

4.5/5(85 reviews)

Explore the waterfront of Santa Cruz Wharf and enjoy activities such as surfing in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.

Santa Cruz Wharf

What to do in Santa Cruz

Train Ride Adventure through Mother Natures Giant Redwoods Park

Train Ride Adventure through Mother Natures Giant Redwoods Park

$249
per adult
Train Ride Adventure through Mother Natures Giant Redwoods Park
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

$129
per adult
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz
5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

$139
per adult
5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic
See all activities in Santa Cruz

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
$219 nightly
The price is $250 total per night from Aug 11 to Aug 12
$250 total
Aug 11 - Aug 12
Total includes taxes and fees
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,215 reviews)
"👍"

Reviewed on Jul 10, 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
$339 nightly
The price is $384 total per night from Aug 11 to Aug 12
$384 total
Aug 11 - Aug 12
Total includes taxes and fees
9/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
"They charge"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
3 out of 5
313 Riverside Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$179 nightly
The price is $205 total per night from Aug 4 to Aug 5
$205 total
Aug 4 - Aug 5
Total includes taxes and fees
8.2/10 Very Good! (862 reviews)
"The room was very clean and comfortable and the pool and Bistro were excellent. Quick and easy check in and check out."

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
See all 703 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.

Find the Best Santa Cruz Vacation Packages

Santa Cruz Beach Vacation

If you want a break from the city crowds, a Santa Cruz vacation 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 (3 miles 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 vacation homes, including Marea Sol Hotel and Seaside Inn & Suites, are popular with travelers of all types. Check out the amenities and get ready for your vacation 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 in 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 vacation 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
60ºF
Max Temp Summer
75ºF
Top Sights
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Rio Del Mar Beach and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

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Frequently asked questions

How much does a Santa Cruz vacation package cost?
You can pick up a vacation package to this top destination from $257 on Expedia. However, how much your vacation 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'd like to snag a cheap Santa Cruz vacation package, consider visiting in October, November and December. You'll typically find lower prices on accommodations and flights during these quieter months --- perfect for a budget-friendly break.
How many days is enough for Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz vacations come in all shapes and sizes, but to really get a feel for this destination, we reckon 2 days is a good ballpark. This will mean you can visit top attractions like Cowell's Beach and Main Beach and seek out some underrated gems. Don't skip neighborhoods such as Westside Santa Cruz and Lower Ocean either. If you're clever with your time, you may even be able to take a day trip from Santa Cruz too.
Is it worth booking a vacation package to Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has everything you need for a memorable break --- surfing, cycling and history are just the start. Whether you'd like to visit attractions such as Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Natural Bridges State Park, or take the road less traveled, there's plenty to do on your Santa Cruz vacation.
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 vacation as a package?
An Expedia vacation package could score you significant savings when compared to booking flights and accommodations separately. Better still, you can customize 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 vacation package to Santa Cruz?
If you've got your Santa Cruz vacation 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 the best time to travel: Your schedule, preferred season and the type of weather you enjoy can all influence your decision on when to travel to Santa Cruz.
  2. Figure out your budget: Make sure you have enough money to pay for everything from transportation and food to airfares and activities. Your accommodations will probably be the largest expense during your trip to Santa Cruz.
  3. Use our trip planning tool to explore Santa Cruz: Research every part of your trip to Santa Cruz with this handy planner. Invite friends or family to collaborate on a group trip, search for hotels or things to do and make bookings.
  4. Decide how long to go for: Now that you're up to speed on Santa Cruz, you can figure out the perfect length of your vacation. Create a draft plan and allocate enough time to cover everything you want to see.
  5. Combine your airfare and accommodations: After you've nailed down your trip dates and duration, book the perfect Santa Cruz vacation package for you.
  6. Add on excursions and experiences: Have a look at our dedicated travel guide to find some incredible things to do in Santa Cruz. Book tickets or make reservations in advance to save time and skip the hassle of trying to find activities once you arrive.

Does Expedia offer Book Now, Pay Later Santa Cruz vacation packages?
If you're like us, you love exploring new places but are not a fan of the big price tag that can come with it. That's why we offer Book Now, Pay Later vacations. With help from online lender Affirm, you can break down the total cost of your Santa Cruz break across 3, 6 or 12 months. There are also no hidden costs or late payment fees, so you can secure cheap vacation packages with payment plans as soon as you spot them.
* Savings based on package bookings compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings not available on all packages.