Santa Cruz: Vacation meets Staycation

With the cost of plane tickets at ridiculous highs, we looked to drivable destinations for Spring Break. A few years ago, my family chose this beach town for Spring Break, redirecting our airfare funds toward splurgy lodging, and I highly recommend our five-day getaway. We left our house around 9 am the first morning and we were dipping our toes in the water by 11 am. No shuttle buses or security lines required.

The Dream Inn is a modern hotel, situated right on the beach with a hip, LA-style pool area. A toddler pool offers non-swimmers a place to splash around.

We spent our time on the boardwalk, at the beach, in the pool, and in the downtown area. Here’s what you’ll want to know for an easy trip to Santa Cruz with kids.

The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is best for little kids right when it opens because parking is challenging and the crowds get thick in the afternoon. With outdoor food options, outdoor games, and outdoor rides, it is a pretty good option for a covid-cautious family, as well. Many of the rides are appropriate for little ones, like Boardwalk Racers, a pedal car attraction and Wave Rider, an oversized slide.

Parking near the Boardwalk: You need to get change (dollar coins) from a machine to use the meters in the surrounding area or pay for a lot. Arrive before noon for the least amount of stress, and know that the rides open at noon.

Walk straight off the boardwalk onto the beach. The sand is soft and there is a fair amount of shallow area for water play. If you plan to combine beach and boardwalk in one day, consider sending one parent back to the car to drop off or pick up towels so that you aren’t toting them around the boardwalk all day.

Downtown Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is not super spread out, but the distance between most lodging, the boardwalk, and the downtown requires driving. Pacific Avenue, the main drag is packed with casual restaurants and stores. You’ll definitely find a place that suits your family.

Staying in a rental house will allow you to pack a lunch to eat on the go and then head downtown for an early dinner after your day’s adventures. We have enjoyed the casual Hula Grill’s parklet. The menu truly has something for everyone.

The Taco Bar in The Palomar restaurant is super casual and has a full bar. The kid’s menu is perfect for my family.

Activities besides the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

• Roaring Camp Railroads sends you into the redwood forest on a train. Reserve tickets for a ride because capacity is limited.
• The adventurous or folks with teens should consider hiking to the Garden of Eden, a natural swimming hole off the beaten path, about 20 minutes north of downtown Santa Cruz. This short hike is inside Henry Cowell State Park. Consider camping here!
• The Mystery Spot is a highly entertaining and worthwhile (tourist trap) outing. We loved it and talked about it for a long time afterward. Read more >

• Kayaking around the Santa Cruz pier. We loved doing this because you can see the beach from a special angle. It requires fitness and outdoor confidence. You must descend a ladder to get into the kayak on the ocean. Reserve a kayak here.
• Monarch butterfly viewing. Check before you go. If it’s the season for Monarchs to colonize, it’s a really cool thing to see. Learn more here >

Where to Stay in Santa Cruz

• The aforementioned splurgy Dream Inn offers a pool and instant access to the sand. It’s close to the downtown area. I usually find good prices on Booking.com. Click here to compare rates >
• Chaminade is a larger resort with a pool, situated above the town of Santa Cruz, that offers an onsite restaurant and family-friendly rooms and rates.
• We have camped at the Santa Cruz RV Park. It’s definitely car camping with no quiet or privacy, but loads of kids riding their bikes and scooters around, a play structure, and easy hot showers.
• There are hundreds of VRBOs within a block or two of the beach. Click here to start browsing >
• A bit south of Santa Cruz there are miles of beautiful sandy beaches with houses right along them. These are not right up against a town like Santa Cruz, but the views are really spectacular and the beaches are uncrowded. Highly recommend. We’ve stayed in this one and it was lovely.