Travel Budget for Santa Cruz Visit Santa Cruz on a Budget or Travel in Style

The most affordable highest rated hotels in Santa Cruz include:

• The Babbling Brook Inn starting at $275
• Pacific Blue Inn starting at $213
• Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz starting at $192
• Beach Street Inn and Suites starting at $236
• Sunset Inn Santa Cruz starting at $190

Tips to Save Money on Accommodation in Santa Cruz

When visiting Santa Cruz with your family, look for an apartment or accommodation that offers more space to keep everyone comfortable.

If you travel during the low or shoulder season (and avoid summer), you'll find lower accommodation prices and less tourist crowds.

Exploring Santa Cruz by foot is a favorite activity for many, so it's wise to find a centrally located place to stay. Just be aware that this may cost more.

Transportation Tips

If you're using a car, make sure your hotel has convenient parking available.

When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Santa Cruz is around $70 ($70) per person, with previous travelers spending from $31 to $135. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.

Typical meal prices in Santa Cruz are as follows:

• Breakfast: $7 to $21
• Lunch: $11 to $28
• Dinner: $21 to $49
• Coffee: $6
• Fast Food or Street Food: $11

Lillian's Italian Kitchen is famous for its black truffle-stuffed gnocchi and diners likewise rave about the hearty and delicious Sunday Gravy on pasta. Tasty Italian fare for a moderate price will always draw in a crowd and while an hour-long wait is not unusual, Lillian's fortunately will take your phone number and call you when your table is ready so you can peruse the neighborhood while you wait.

Stop into Linda's Seabreeze Cafe for huge portions of brunch dishes like chicken chorizo, bacon waffles, and huevos rancheros at moderate prices.

Santa Cruz is a college town and there's a restaurant to fit every budget. Give your wallet a break when you go to Cafe Campesino for tacos, mole, and the tortilla bean soup. If you're not in the mood for Mexican, Betty's Burgers serves burgers, fries, and grinders for prices that even college students can afford. For even lighter fare, try the hummus plate or the best falafel in town at Mediterranean Grill & Go.

If you're looking for a swanky night out, Shadowbrook is well-known for its romantic ambiance and trolley car ride to and from the restaurant and venue for beautiful views of gardens and waterfalls. Often frequented for special occasion dinners, Shadowbrook features filet mignon, baked brie, and fresh seafood.

Those with a sweet tooth will love Marianne's Ice Cream, which serves artisan flavors like horchata, lavender, and butter brickle at a reasonable price. The Penny Ice Creamery is stiff competition, serving up whiskey custard cream, strawberry peppercorn, and dark chocolate sorbet, all made from locally-sourced organic ingredients. Don't forget to drop into the Pacific Cookie Company for their famous lemon drop cookies, coconut macaroons, and Dr. Midnight dark chocolate chip cookies.

Food & Dining Tips

When traveling with children, look for restaurants with a kids menu. This can save you plenty of money as these options tend to be much lower in price. Some restaurants don't list the kids' options on their menu, so ask the waiter before you order.

Many accommodations throw in breakfast at no extra cost, though others might charge you for it. The price and quality can greatly vary by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you figure out if you need to spend more money. You might find the hotel's buffet is worth it, or you may prefer to grab a cheaper bite at a local bakery or cafe.

Fill up a water bottle rather than buying drinks every chance you get. It's also kinder to the earth.

Before you head out on a tour, be sure to find out which meals are included. You could end up paying for some meals out of pocket, which can impact your budget.

The Santa Cruz Wharf offers a variety of stores for shopping, restaurants for dining, and recreational activities like boat cruises, fishing trips, and Bocce Ball.

Following the main street Cliff Drive southwest, you'll come across the Lighthouse Field State Beach, aka Its Beach, where you can see Seal Rock, where many seals sprawl out to rest, and the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, which houses the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. Admission is free.

With 14 state parks, Santa Cruz's beautiful natural scenery is sure to bring peaceful vibes to all visitors. Drive or better yet, park your car and walk the three miles between the Santa Cruz Wharf to Natural Bridges State Park to take in the gorgeous views of West Cliff Drive, the perfect place to people watch. Keep an eye out for dolphins, seals and even whales.

Nearby is Antonelli Pond, great for fishing, picnicking, or walking your dog. The horseshoe loop around the pond is a short three-fourths of a mile and will give you the opportunity to see lots of birds, turtles, and even the endangered California red-legged frogs that live inside this man-made pond.

For an easy hike or bike ride, head to Wilder Ranch State Park for a stunning trails along the coastline which also lead down to the beach. Beware of Poison Oak!

Further inland is the Spanish Mission Santa Cruz, founded in 1791, which is also free to visit. Another historical site is Pleasure Point Beach, located along the cliffs of Monterey Bay, it is the ideal spot for skilled surfers. Pleasure Point also has lots to offer in the way of shops and restaurants for those strolling the street and is a great spot for recreational activities, such as rollerblading, biking or simply walking down the beach path.

The Mystery Spot is one of the most confounding attractions in Santa Cruz, intriguing visitors of all ages with the defiance of gravity and physics in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The 45-minute tour will amaze and astound visitors. Wear comfortable walking shoes and beware if you suffer from vertigo, as motion sickness is a common experience in this mysterious place.

Thrill seekers will love riding the Big Dipper, a national historic landmark and roller coaster at the iconic Santa Cruz Boardwalk, California's oldest amusement park which is fun and free for visitors of all ages. Also within the park is a video arcade, a mini golf course, laser tag, and of course, plenty of rides. Rides and attractions require ticket purchases for each individual ride or for an all-day wristband.

The steam train at the Roaring Camp Railroads will take you up to the groves of centennial Redwoods or down to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk along the San Lorenzo River. Even your furry friends are welcome here, as long as they're on-leash.

Wine enthusiasts will want to visit the MJA Vineyards Tasting Room, to try craft wines in venue that exudes a relaxed, beach ambiance and friendly down-to-earth customer service. Joining the wine club is free and comes with perks of a free flight for the club member and one guest.

Nature lovers who wish to camp can find campgrounds just next to the railroads, at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park for camping, hiking and other activities. Whether you're an avid hiker or just want to take a short walk, there are many different trails that will suit your preferences.

Water sports are a favorite pastime in Santa Cruz, especially sailing, diving, swimming, paddle-boarding, and surfing. There are a number of shops that rent equipment along the coastline such as Richard Schmidt School of Surfing, located in the roundabout near the Wharf and Adventure Out, which also books tours for outdoor excursions and classes and equipment for rock climbing and surfing. Steamer Lane is the most famous surf spot in Santa Cruz, just near Pleasure Point and is clearly the favorite spot among local surfers and surf kayakers.

For more activities in this dynamic and famous town, check out 101 things to do in Santa Cruz from a local which has a long list of attractions to keep you busy.

Annual Festivals

The Santa Cruz Film Festival - a week-long festival held in June to celebrate cinema.

Scotts Valley Art & Wine Festival - a two-day festival dedicated to fine art, wine, beer and live music, held at Skypark in early August.

Santa Cruz County Fair is held in September, featuring family-friendly activities such as livestock shows, games and rides.

Open Studio Art Tour - takes place the first three weekends in October, held at different venues across the city showcasing works created in every medium of art.

On a more frequent basis, Santa Cruz Farmer's Markets are held weekly in five locations across the city on different days of the week. Check santacruzfarmersmarket.org for hours and locations.

Sightseeing Tips

Beaches:
Many visitors come to Santa Cruz to relax at the beach. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Santa Cruz. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:

• Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot for $190 details
• Capitola Watercolor Journaling Experience for $297 details
• Santa Cruz Guided eBike Ride & Most Fun Bike e-Bike Tour for $110 details

Nightlife Tips

Sure, nightlife is part of the adventure, but cutting down on cocktails can make a surprising difference in your travel budget.

When enjoying the nightlife, stay alert and cautious, as you may attract the attention of pickpockets or other criminals. It's best to stay with a group of people you trust.

Tasting tours and nightlife activities are very popular in Santa Cruz. A few of the favorites from previous visitors include:

• Private Brewery Tour for $500 details
• Private Custom Wine Tour with Hotel Pickup for $750 details