Family-friendly vacation rentals in Santa Cruz

This is our favorite place to stay in Santa Cruz. There are little markets walking distance, some restaurants but the best part is the ocean is right there 2minute walk! Also, if the ocean is too cold for us adults to get in, the house has a jacuzzi for us to enjoy in the evening. In the mornings, I enjoy sitting on the balcony listening to the birds and smelling the ocean breeze while I enjoy my hot cup of coffee. Great place to take the family. The host is very responsive.

Sun was very helpful and communicative. Sun’s place is a short drive to some lovely beaches, close to a nice park, and centrally located for all the activities we had planned. We had 4 young kids with us (ages: 1, 3, 6, and 9), and it was very family and kid-friendly. Would recommend highly!

Had a lovely stay at Annette and Fred’s place - the location was great, the house was fully stocked and the hosts were extremely responsive when we had questions. Having a hot tub and gas fireplaces were an added bonus for spending the evenings admiring the views.

Tranquility Base…surely lived up to its name. So comfortable, so charming we felt like a part of the forest. The whole place had so much personality we felt right at home Magical and enchanting getaway Highly recommended We’ll be back

What a beautiful and relaxing short stay we had at Sea Otter Cottage! From soaking in the soothing hot tub to playing in the charming garden, every moment was delightful. Our 5-year-old loved exploring the lovely surroundings, the toys in the house and we truly felt at home in this cozy, welcoming house. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful space with us—we will cherish the memories made here and hope to return at some point!

Felt like it was just lke my home accept they have a hot tub that I used almost every night during my stay also had a beautiful garden. Is very quiet and relaxing.

Joyce’s place was clean and had a really great location. We thought we were right on the Cliff so that was kind of a bummer to have a house in front of our ocean view. But the place was really nice, and very clean! The space was really cool and had great decoration. Beds were comfortable. Kids were happy. We loved playing in the hot tub and in the garden in the backyard.

It was an absolute pleasure staying at Delia's Airbnb! She was a truly wonderful host, making us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. Her place is a haven of peace and quiet – exactly what we needed to relax and unwind. And the breakfasts she prepared for us were such a treat! Delicious and a lovely way to start the day. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would highly recommend Delia's place to anyone looking for a tranquil getaway with a fantastic host.

We cannot save enough good things about Lisa's place- we didn't want to leave. The place had the best location! Described as 28 steps to the beach, it really is that! I was looking for a beachfront property, and this was just that. The beach was also easy to get to, unlike some of the other listings. The home was very clean and comfortable- it had a lot of high tech items, like the Lululemon exercise mirror, the table that is a high/low, standing or sitting, the sleep number beds, the restroom mirrors/shower. Lots of items were included to ensure an amazing stay-- binoculars for whale watching, sand toys on the patio, and aquarium passes. So very thoughtful! Lisa was very responsive, and I really appreciate the later checkout upon request. I wasn't feeling well that last full day and was really grateful. We were also lucky that we got to be here when the heated pools were available! My absolute favorite part was the views and proximity to the beach!

We had a wonderful short getaway at Sue’s place! The condo is just steps from the beach, pool, and jacuzzi. Falling asleep to the sound of the waves was relaxing, and the ocean breeze was very refreshing. It was exactly what we needed to reset and recharge. Everything was just as described, and we would stay here again! Thank you, Sue!

The lodging is in the back, in a garden and near the swimming pool and tennis court. The backdrop is beautiful, and the host and hostess were friendly and accommodating. There is privacy and the area offers much in terms of restaurants and shopping. The internet is broadband, so one can work in the lodging. Amy and Lou are wonderful people----worthy of friendship in any circumstance.

We loved staying at Shelli’s home in Monterey Dunes Colony. Every room was set up nicely and clean, and you could tell Shelli has put a lot of care into the home. There were 7 of us and each family member enjoyed their stay. We love staying at Monterey Dunes Colony because the location can’t be beat. Every home has their quirks but honestly we didn’t find any at Shelli’s. It was comfortable to hang out and enjoy the beach and scenery, and close enough to outdoor activities and the aquarium. The living room is set up comfortably for a big group, while offering privacy too. It was a restful and rejuvenating getaway! We plan to book again.

Himani has been very responsive to answer all questions and give good local recommendations. More importantly, the living area is well designed that you can stay so comfortable as like your home. You won’t feel cold to take shower during midnight and the comfortability of the bed is so great. It’s a very comfortable stay. I recommended this place well suited for family travel.

Staying at Seascape was the perfect kid-friendly vacation. The pool was easy to access from our condo and the views were beautiful. The condo's set-up with two bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs and a half bath downstairs was great for our family of 5. The private beach was beautiful - we saw otters, whales, and my son found two perfect sand dollars walking down the beach. It was a little bit of a trek to get down to the beach with three little kids and all the beach gear, but once we were there no one wanted to leave. Several near-by restaurants were delicious, especially the newly opened Dos Pescados. It was fairly easy to get into Santa Cruz too, but we did have to time traffic or it would double the drive time (to almost 45 minutes).

We had a wonderful stay at Bill's guest cottage. We found everything as advertised, and the surroundings, especially at sunrise, were serene. The vines were lovely and the morning air fresh and crisp. The beds were very comfortable, and the living space fully accommodated our party of three (two adults, one teenager). We spent most of our daytime out and about with nearby family, so we did not have a chance to try out the kitchen, but it was well-stocked. Bill was highly responsive throughout the booking process and answered our questions. We highly recommend!

A very nice location with many super markets (whole food, Walmart etc.) nearby. The place is neat and clean with all the things you need. The host is very kind and responsive.

Perfect place to stay near the beach. Was too cold for beach activities but enjoyed walking the neighborhoods along the beaches with all the spring flowers blooming. House had everything we needed for a relaxing weekend. Great hosts!

We had a great stay! Five of us coworkers shared the house, and it accommodated us perfectly. Everyone was comfortable, we all slept well, and there was plenty of space for getting ready in the mornings. The home is charming with a cute beach-themed decor. The neighborhood felt safe and quiet, and Janiece provided clear, detailed instructions that made check-in and the stay smooth. We would definitely stay here again!

We planned a family getaway with our adult kids and their spouses as a belated Christmas gift. Everyone picked Half Moon Bay as the destination. We have stayed in a lot of Airbnbs through the years, so many have been amazing but this one in particular offered such incredible touches to make us feel at home. Nancy really offers what an Airbnb experience should be. The house was perfectly clean, stocked with everything any of us could need along with special treats to enjoy. But what really struck me was not having to work through an endless list of rules and the fact that checking out was as simple as leaving a beautiful hotel stay. No endless cleaning or ridiculous particulars after spending $$$ for a stay. We felt pampered. Nancy is a 5 star host. We will definitely be back.

We had a great stay! The place was spotless and exactly as described in the listing. Check-in instructions were clear and easy to follow, which made the whole process smooth. Lovely rooms, enough space for all 4 of us. The location is fantastic—close to local shops, restaurants, and public transport. Lei Anna was very helpful and responsive, making sure everything was perfect throughout my stay. Highly recommend!

The house was really clean with nice amenities and well stocked. Sheets, towels, beds and furniture were comfortable and of good quality. Nice view of the cove and a short walk to the beach - although it’s a pretty steep street so the walk back up will get your heart pumping.

We had a great stay at Sharon’s home in San Mateo! We were displaced for a few nights and had to find somewhere quick- lucky this place had a couple nights free! Completely equipped with all toddler/baby needs-we were SO impressed!

Kenny was an exceptional host who went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable and stress-free. He graciously allowed us to check in early. He even communicated in advance that, due to our early arrival, the dishwasher might still be running and we might find clean dishes in the sink — a thoughtful heads-up that showed his attention to detail. Throughout our stay, Kenny was incredibly communicative, kind, and accommodating. Even after we checked out, he kindly accepted a package that arrived late and is helping arrange for a friend to pick it up. Kenny truly exemplifies what it means to be a gracious and thoughtful host. I highly recommend staying at his property — you’ll be well cared for!

Great experience, beautiful and clean rooms