Here's Travel for Kids list of best family vacation rentals in Santa Cruz, all styles and price ranges, and close to the beach.

A vacation rental has lots of advantages for families - a full kitchen and refrigerator, so you don't need to eat all your meals in restaurants, room to spread out all your stuff (kids can have a room of their own), washer and dryer, boogie boards, beach gear to borrow, and more. Rental policies can change, however, so be sure to check at the time you make your reservation to be sure your desired family amenities are still available.

Also check out our list of Santa Cruz family hotels.

This neighborhood has the best of both the beach and Boardwalk.

• Clean Seabright Home - Three bedroom house, master suite with queen bed, second bedroom has queen bed, third bedroom two twin bunk beds, single bed with trundle bed (sleep 8); two and half baths; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave, and kitchenette; living and dining area; washer and dryer; kids toys, puzzles; pack n play, baby gate, high chair; jacuzzi; outdoor shower; deck with gas grill and outdoor dining; bikes (adults and kids), beach towels and chairs, sand toys, cooler, boogie boards, wagon, wet suits available; one block from the beach; 2 - 3 nights minimum stay.
• Great Home! Great Beach! - Two blocks to beach, three bedroom house, master bedroom has king bed, queen bed in second bedroom, third bedroom two twin, one double bunk beds (sleep 8) two and half baths; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; living and dining area; washer and dryer; beach towels and chairs, boogie boards, surf board, wagon, wet suits, sand toys, bikes available; enclosed back yard; deck with gas grill, outdoor table and chairs; 3 - 7 nights minimum stay.
• Sunny Seabright Beach House - Four bedroom house, queen beds in three bedrooms, fourth bedroom has queen bed and two twin beds (sleep 8); three baths; living and dining area; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, dishwasher; patio with gas grill, outdoor table and chairs; garage parking; washer and dryer; beach towels and chairs, boogie boards, sand toys, bikes, cooler, wagon available; one block to the beach; 3 - 7 nights minimum stay.
• Walk to Seabright Beach - Three bedroom townhouse, two bedrooms have queen beds, third loft bedroom and twin bed with trundle bed, two futons (sleep 8); two and half baths; living and dining area; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave;toys and games; two off street parking spaces; deck with gas grill; washer and dryer; beach towels and chairs, boogie boards, sand toys available; 2 nights minimum stay.
• 5 Houses from Boardwalk - Three bedroom house, one bedroom with king beds, second and third bedrooms have queen beds; sofa bed in TV room (sleep 8 ); three baths; washer and dryer; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; living and dining area; games, puzzles; deck with outdoor tables and chairs, gas grill; beach towels and chairs, boogie boards, sand toys, cooler, bikes available; patio with fire pit; easy access to beach and boardwalk; 3 - 5 nights minimum stay.
• Townhouse, 4 Blocks to Seabright Beach - 292 5 - three bedroom townhouse, master bedroom with king bed, second bedroom with two twin beds, loft with two twin beds and queen aerobed (sleep 8); two and half baths; living and dining area; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; washer and dryer; family games; beach towels and chairs, umbrella, cooler, bikes available; deck with gas grill; four blocks to the beach, walk to boardwalk; 2 - 4 nights minimum stay.
• Adorable Seabright Bungalow - Right across from the beach; two bedroom house, master bedroom with queen beds, second bedroom has two twin beds, queen sofa bed in living room (sleep 6) one and half baths; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; living and dining area; washer and dryer; games; patio with outdoor table and chairs, gas grill; beach towels and chairs, available; outdoor shower; 2 - 7 nights minimum stay.
• Beach House Steps from Best Santa Cruz Beach - Steps to the beach; three bedroom house, one bedroom with queen bed, second bedroom has double bed with trundle bed, kids loft queen bed (sleep 6); one bath; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; living and dining area; board games; washer and dryer; gas grill; beach towels and chairs, sand toys, cooler, umbrella; boogie boards, bikes available; 2 - 5 nights minimum stay.
• Walk to Boardwalk, Seabright Beach - three bedroom house, bedrooms have queen beds, sofa bed in living room(sleep 8); two and half baths; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; living and dining area; washer and dryer; two patios, with chairs, outdoor table, umbrella, gas grill; pack n play, high chair, baby gate; beach towels and chairs, boogie boards, sand toys available; one block to beach, walk to boardwalk; 2 - 3 nights minimum stay.
• Ocean Views 2 Doors from Seabright Beach - Steps to the beach; three story, three bedroom house, king bed in master bedroom, queen beds in two bedrooms, kids loft with queen and two twin beds, media room has sofa bed (sleep 8); two and half baths; air conditioning; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; living and dining area; washer and dryer; deck with outdoor table and chairs; carport parking; beach towels and chairs, sand toys, bikes available; 4 nights minimum stay.
• Seabright Beach House - Half block to beach; three bedroom house, master bedroom with king bed, queen bed in second bedroom, third bedroom has two twin bunk beds (sleep 6); two baths; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; living and dining area; rooftop deck with outdoor table; washer and dryer; beach towels and chairs, boogie boards, bicycles, cooler available; garage parking; outdoor shower; 3 nights minimum stay.
• Walk to the Beach, Yacht Harbor, Boardwalk - Two bedroom townhouse, queen bed in one bedroom, second bedroom has twin and double bunk bed, futon in loft (sleep 6); two baths; living and dining area; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; toys, board games and puzzles; washer and dryer; beach towels and chairs, sand toys, available; outdoor shower; enclosed back yard; two blocks to beach; 2 - 5 nights minimum stay.
• 301 Seabright Walk to the Beach - Three bedroom house queen, master bedroom has queen bed, second bedroom twin and double bunk beds, third bedroom with two twin beds (sleep 8); two and half baths; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; living and dining area; deck with umbrella, outdoor table and chairs, gas grill; washer and dryer; boogie boards available; garage and driveway parking; two blocks to beach, walk to boardwalk; 2 - 4 nights minimum stay.
• Walk to the Beach and Boardwalk -; two bedroom house, one bedroom with queen bed, second bedroom with two twin beds (sleep 4); one bath; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; living and dining area; patio with outdoor table and chairs; three blocks to beach, walk to boardwalk; 2 - 3 nights minimum stay.
Twin Lakes Beach
• Delightfully Remodeled Beach Cottage - One block from the beach, enclosed backyard; two bedroom house; master bedroom with king bed, second bedroom with king bed, kids suite has two twin bunks, double futon (sleep 8); three baths; fully equipped kitchen with stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator; living and dining area; patio with outdoor table and chairs; kids toys and games; portable crib, high chair, baby gate; washer and dryer; beach towels and chairs, boogie boards, sand toys, available; outdoor shower; 3 nights minimum stay.
• Bright and Colorful - Family Friendly - Three bedroom house, one bedroom with queen bed, second bedroom with bunk bed and trundle bed, double bed in third bedroom, (sleep 7); two baths; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; living and dining area; enclosed grass backyard with play structure, patio with gas grill; games and puzzles for kids; washer and dryer; beach towels and chairs, boogie boards, sand toys, wet suits, wagon available; outdoor shower; three blocks to the beach, market close by 3 - 5 nights minimum stay.
• Beach House Santa Cruz - One block from the beach; b three bedroom house, one bedroom with king bed, second bedroom queen bed, third bedroom with two sets of twin bunk beds, two twins daybed (sleep 8); three baths; washer and dryer; fully equipped kitchens with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; living and dining area; bikes, beach chairs, boogie boards, beach gear available; deck with outdoor table; outdoor shower; 3 nights minimum stay.
• Beautiful 3 Bedroom 3 Bath - Three bedroom house, with separate cottage (with kitchenette), master bedroom has king bed, and sofa bed, second bedroom with two twin beds, separate cottage has queen bed (sleep 8); two and half baths; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; living and dining area; games, puzzles, toys; backyard with jacuzzi, outdoor table and chairs, gas grill; washer and dryer; driveway parking; beach towels and chairs, boogie boards, sand toys, cooler, wagon available; outdoor shower; 2 - 3 nights minimum stay.
• Eco-Friendly Harbor Beach House - Three bedroom house, master bedroom with king bed, second bedroom has queen bed, third bedroom with twin bunk bed (sleep 6); two and half baths; living and dining area; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; patio with outdoor dining and gas grill; washer and dryer; beach chairs, umbrella, boogie boards available; outdoor shower; quiet neighborhood, two blocks to the beach; 2 - 5 nights minimum stay.
• Designer Home Steps 2 Beach - two bedroom house, one bedroom with queen bed; second bedroom with queen bed plus twin day bed; sofa bed in living room (sleep 6); one bath; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; living and dining area; washer and dryer; beach towels and chairs, available; outdoor shower; on-site parking; enclosed backyard with gas grill, outdoor dining; 2 - 7 nights minimum stay.
Capitola

All these rentals are walking distance to Capitola Beach.

• Beach Front Condo Capitola - Venetian Front Row - Step out onto Capitola Beach; one bedroom condo, bedroom has a queen bed, two twin beds bunk bed, full-sized futon sofa in living area (sleep 6); one bath; fully equipped kitchen with , stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator; living and dining area; washer and dryer; parking pass; restaurants, cafes near by; 1 - 7 nights minimum stay.
• Fantastic View, Beach Front Condo - Two bedroom condo, queen bed in one bedroom, second bedroom with two twin beds and futon sofa (sleep 5); one bath; fully equipped kitchen with stove, oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave; living and dining area; washer and dryer; gas grill on the deck; boogie boards, beach towels and chairs available; 1 - 7 nights minimum stay.
• Ideal Location! Steps to Beach - Three bedroom house, two bedrooms with queen beds, third bedroom has two sets of bunk beds (twin and double bed), plus two single futons (sleep 10); one and half baths; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; living and dining area (dining room expands to seat 10); private patio with outdoor table, gas grill; washer and dryer; beach towels and chairs, boogie boards available; outdoor shower; 1 - 7 nights minimum stay.
• 150 Steps to the Sand! - Two bedroom condo, one bedroom with queen bed, second bedroom has twin bunk beds and double bed, queen sofa bed in living area (sleep 8); two baths; living and dining area; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; washer and dryer; beach towels available; back patio with outdoor table and chairs, gas grill; covered parking for two cars; 2 nights minimum stay.
• Capitola Rose Cottage - Two bedroom cottage, one bedroom with queen bed, second bedroom with two twin beds, sun room with two twin beds (sleep 6); two baths; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, dishwasher; living and dining area; off street parking; washer and dryer; beach towels and chairs, sand toys, boogie boards available; large deck with outdoor dining, gas grill; outdoor shower; two blocks from the beach; 3 nights minimum stay.
• Capitola Beach Front Venetian Condo - Open the front door, you're at the beach; one bedroom condo with queen bed and two twin bunk beds, king sofa bed in living area (sleep 5); one bath; fully equipped kitchen with stove, oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave; living and dining area; charcoal grill; 2 - 7 nights minimum stay.
• A Slice of Heaven in Capitola - Two bedroom house, master bedroom with queen bed, second bedroom has double bed, double sofa bed in the living room (sleep 6); one bath; living and dining area; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; washer and dryer; large outdoor deck on the river with gas grill, outdoor table, umbrella, and chairs; kayaks and canoe available; 2 - 7 nights minimum stay.
• Comfy Capitola Condo - Two bedroom condo, master bedroom has king bed, second bedroom with twin and double bunk beds, sofa bed in living area (sleep 7); one and half baths; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; living and dining area; washer and dryer; beach towels and chairs, boogie boards available; deck with outdoor table; covered parking for two cars; 1 - 4 nights minimum stay.
• Surf and Sand of Capitola Beach - Two bedroom condo, queen bed in one bedroom, second bedroom has two twin beds; queen sofa bed in living area (sleep 6); two baths; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; living and dining area; garage parking; washer and dryer; 2 - 3 nights minimum stay.
• Gorgeous 3 Bedroom House - Three bedroom house, three bedrooms with queen bed, queen sofa bed in den (sleep 8); two and half baths; washer and dryer; fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave; living and dining area; patio with gas grill, outdoor table; garage and off street parking; enclosed backyard; 3 nights minimum stay.