COVID-19 alert: Travel requirements are changing rapidly, including need for pre-travel COVID-19 testing and quarantine on arrival.

Check restrictions for your trip.Opens in new tab or window

University of California Santa Cruz
Vacation Travel Guide

Photo by Yesenia Moran
Photo by Yesenia Moran

Top things to do in University of California Santa Cruz

Image for Monterey, Carmel & Pacific Coast Highway - Full Day Tour

Monterey, Carmel & Pacific Coast Highway - Full Day Tour

$99
Per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Monterey, Carmel & Pacific Coast Highway - Full Day Tour
Image for San Francisco Airport Same Day Luggage Services

San Francisco Airport Same Day Luggage Services

$35
Per adult
San Francisco Airport Same Day Luggage Services
Image for Spa-Quality On Demand Massage - Silicon Valley

Spa-Quality On Demand Massage - Silicon Valley

$128
Per adult
Spa-Quality On Demand Massage - Silicon Valley
Image for Whale Watching Monterey Bay With Sea Goddess

Whale Watching Monterey Bay With Sea Goddess

$58
Per adult
Whale Watching Monterey Bay With Sea Goddess
Image for San Jose Scavenger Hunt: The Heart of Silicon Valley

San Jose Scavenger Hunt: The Heart of Silicon Valley

$20
Per adult
San Jose Scavenger Hunt: The Heart of Silicon Valley
Image for Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

$119
Per adult
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz
See all activities in Santa Cruz

Top Hotels Close to University of California Santa Cruz

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz, an IHG Hotel
2.5 out of 5
1410 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is $161 per night from Jun 24 to Jun 24
Located in Westside Santa Cruz, this hotel is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Ocean Street and within 3 mi (5 km) of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay. Pacific ...
4.2/5Very Good! (972 reviews)
"Take the good with the bad... We couldn’t check in until 2:30, and were told that’s a strict policy. If you get into town early, beware that your room won’t be ready. When we came back at 3:00, there was caution tape everywhere and the floors were being waxed. The staff was then annoyed we had to ..."

Reviewed on Jun 16, 2021

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz, an IHG Hotel
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz
3 out of 5
407 Broadway, Santa Cruz, CA
Free Cancellation
The price is $233 per night from Jun 28 to Jun 28
Located in Westside Santa Cruz, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Ocean Street and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Monterey Bay is 1.4 mi (2.2 km) away.
4.4/5Excellent! (948 reviews)
"Friendly staff. Clean"

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2021

Hyatt Place Santa Cruz
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is $499 per night from Jun 20 to Jun 20
Located in Westside Santa Cruz, this beachfront resort is in the city center and within a 5-minute walk of Santa Cruz Main Beach and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. ...
4.6/5Wonderful! (962 reviews)
"Great hotel"

Reviewed on Jun 17, 2021

Dream Inn Santa Cruz
See all 637 properties in University of California 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.

Read travel guides and advice on visiting University of California Santa Cruz

Best piers in America

Best piers in America

Best piers in America
The Best Cities to Take a Literary Tour

The Best Cities to Take a Literary Tour

The Best Cities to Take a Literary Tour
10 of the nation’s smelliest cities

10 of the nation’s smelliest cities

10 of the nation’s smelliest cities

Popular places to visit in University of California Santa Cruz

Image for Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

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
Image for Mystery Spot

Mystery Spot

You can learn more about the history of Santa Cruz when you make a stop at a top site like Mystery Spot. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the surfing spots.

Mystery Spot
Image for Capitola Beach

Capitola Beach

Nothing says vacation like spending a lazy day at Capitola Beach, a popular beach in Capitola. While in this quaint area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

Capitola Beach
Image for Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Explore the great outdoors with a trip to Big Basin Redwoods State Park, a popular green space in Santa Cruz. Wander the forest or discover the mountain views in this relaxing area.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Image for Rio Del Mar Beach

Rio Del Mar Beach

Nothing says vacation like spending a lazy day at Rio Del Mar Beach, a popular beach in Rio del Mar. Discover the sunsets while you're in the area.

Rio Del Mar Beach
Image for Roaring Camp Railroads

Roaring Camp Railroads

Enjoy a trip to Roaring Camp Railroads, a well-known attraction in Felton. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the surfing spots.

Roaring Camp Railroads

University of California Santa Cruz

Choose one or more items to build your trip:

Best Lodging Options Near University of California Santa Cruz

Ocean Lodge
Ocean Lodge
2 out of 5
1015 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is $95 per night from Jun 21 to Jun 21
Ocean Lodge
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz
3 out of 5
407 Broadway, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is $233 per night from Jun 28 to Jun 28
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz, an IHG Hotel
2.5 out of 5
1410 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is $161 per night from Jun 24 to Jun 24
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz, an IHG Hotel
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is $499 per night from Jun 20 to Jun 20
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Comfort Inn Santa Cruz
Comfort Inn Santa Cruz
2.5 out of 5
110 Plymouth St, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is $159 per night from Jun 20 to Jun 20
Comfort Inn Santa Cruz
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
4 out of 5
611 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is $259 per night from Jun 20 to Jun 20
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Best Western Plus All Suites Inn
Best Western Plus All Suites Inn
2.5 out of 5
500 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is $135 per night from Jun 27 to Jun 27
Best Western Plus All Suites Inn
Best Western Inn
Best Western Inn
2.5 out of 5
126 Plymouth St, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is $145 per night from Jun 20 to Jun 20
Best Western Inn
Inn At Pasatiempo
Inn At Pasatiempo
2.5 out of 5
555 Highway 17, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is $169 per night from Jun 20 to Jun 20
Inn At Pasatiempo
See all 637 properties in University of California 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.