RV Rentals Santa Cruz, California

Popular RV Rentals Near Santa Cruz, California, for Any Budget

Get ready to explore beautiful Santa Cruz, California, and the surrounding area from the comfort of a luxury home on wheels. For a Class A motorhome in this area, you can expect to pay around $185 a night. Class B motorhomes start at around $149, and you'll pay around $179 per night for a Class C motorhome. Towable RVs, which include fifth-wheels, travel trailers, and popup trailers start at around $70 a night for a fifth-wheel, $60 per night for a travel trailer, and popup trailers start at around $65 per night.

RVshare’s Top Vacation Destinations Near Santa Cruz, California, No Matter the Duration 

San Jose is a historic California town that has also become the technology capital of the U.S. thanks to the area known as Silicon Valley. While you're there, be sure and visit Apple Park in Cupertino or the Chinese Cultural Garden. 

San Francisco is known for its famous wharf, charming trolleys, and the massive and delightful Chinatown. When visiting, don't forget to take a trip to the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory.

Monterey is located on the other side of Monterey Bay and is just a short and scenic drive down the California coastline. A stop to this gorgeous city allows you to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium or the Pebble Beach Golf Links, America's largest and most spectacular public course. 

Explore Santa Cruz, California, in an RVshare RV Rental

Long before the arrival of Spanish soldiers, explorers, missionaries, and colonists in the late 18th century, Santa Cruz County had been inhabited by indigenous peoples for at least 12,000 years. Most of the region was home to the Awaswas tribe, which was a fairly small tribe made up of no more than 1,000 people. It was, however, just one of many that lived in numerous small villages that were scattered around the Monterey Bay and San Francisco Bay areas. 

The first Europeans arrived in the region in 1769 via an expedition led by Gaspar de Portolá. In 1791, Father Fermín Lasuén established La Misión de la Exaltación de la Santa Cruz, which was the 12th of the 21 Spanish missions established in the area as a means of converting local indigenous tribes to Christianity and teaching them the Spanish way of life. The missions themselves became small communities, however, and the communities that grew up around them generally took on the name of the mission. In the 1820s, the region fell under the control of a newly independent Mexico. The new government attempted to rename the community that had grown up around the Santa Cruz Mission, but the new name didn't catch on and the community went right on being called Santa Cruz. 

In the 1840s, immigrants from the eastern portion of the ever-expanding United States began to arrive in steadily increasing numbers. In 1848, following the Mexican–American War, Mexico ceded the territory of Alta California to the U.S. Alta California consisted of what would later become the states of California, Nevada, and Utah, as well as parts of Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. In 1850, California became the first region in the territory to become a U.S. state. That same year, Santa Cruz County was established, and Santa Cruz was incorporated as a town in 1866.

While you're in Santa Cruz, you'll definitely want to visit one of the area's most famous attractions, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Fans of '80s movies will recognize this location as the scene of the cult classic vampire movie "The Lost Boys." 

Discover Nearby Towns and Cities 

Monterey, California - Just a 45-mile drive down the California coastline, Monterey offers spectacular views, historic attractions, and of course, the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Links. 

• 30+ Restaurants

• 20+ Gas Stations

• 3 Rest Areas

• 9 Campgrounds

• 7 Nearby National Forests

• 10+ Nearby State Parks

• 1 Nearby RV Parks

• 2 Dump Stations within 20 miles

Watsonville, California - One of the agricultural hubs of California, Watsonville produces much of the nation's strawberries, cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce, and raspberries, making this a great place to pick up some fresh produce. 

• 30+ Restaurants

• 20+ Gas Stations

• 3 Rest Areas

• 5 Campgrounds

• 5 Nearby National Forests

• 20+ Nearby State Parks

• 3 Nearby RV Parks

• 3 Dump Stations within 20 miles

Best National Parks Near Santa Cruz, California

Coastal and Central California are home to a number of great national parks and scenic outdoor wonders. Head just a bit east to Pinnacles National Park, which offers a variety of terrain to explore, from grasslands and woodlands to canyon bottoms and bat caves. No visit to central California would be complete without a trip to Yosemite National Park, which offers nearly 1,200 square miles of high cliffs and outcroppings, waterfalls, ancient sequoias, and wilderness. Of course, Half Dome and Yosemite Falls are not to be missed as well. Kings Canyon National Park is home to giant impressive-looking sequoia groves and the General Grant Tree, which was proclaimed The Nation’s Christmas Tree by President Coolidge.

Popular State Parks Near Santa Cruz, California

New Brighton State Beach is just four miles from Santa Cruz. Long before it became a popular beach in the area, it was a Chinese fishing village and then a private resort. Some of the activities you can enjoy at this park include hiking, fishing, and swimming, as well as numerous opportunities to study a wide range of sea life in its native habitat. Just three miles to the north but high up in the Santa Cruz Mountains, you'll find Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, which offers a fascinating geological view into the watershed of the San Lorenzo River. A 15-minute drive to nearby Watsonville will bring you to Sunset State Beach, which is near multiple harbors, natural preserves, and museums. 

Must-See Monuments and Landmarks Near Santa Cruz, California

Among the finest California landmarks anywhere in the state is Monterey Bay Aquarium. It's known for the array of unique programming and exhibits, which are both educational and entertaining. The aquarium is also conveniently located close to the end of Cannery Row, an area that captivates visitors from all over the world with its luxurious waterfront hotels, enticing restaurants, and captivating boutiques. You'll also want to take a quick visit to the nearby Point Pinos Lighthouse, which is the oldest continually operating lighthouse on the West Coast and is included in the National Register of Historic Places. 

Upcoming Events Near Santa Cruz, California

• Gilroy Garlic Festival - This event takes place every August in nearby Gilroy.

• Carmel Bach Festival - California's oldest music festival, which has been held for 80 years, takes place every fall. 

• Monterey Scottish Games & Celtic Festival - This raucous festival takes place each summer in Monterey. 

Popular POI Activities Near Santa Cruz, California

• Seacliff State Beach Park - Located in Aptos, this park is home to the SS Palo Alto shipwreck, which hosts a variety of marine life. Depending on the time of year, you may spot dolphins, gray whales, and sea otters.

• Castle Rock State Park - The unusual sandstone outcroppings at Castle Rock State Park are perfect for rock climbing.

• Redwood Grove Trail - Located at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, this wheelchair and stroller-accessible trail circles around the park’s oldest and largest trees and is suitable for all age and fitness levels. 

RVshare’s Top Picks for Nearby RV Parks and Campgrounds

The top choices for RV parks in the area include the Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday, which is just outside of nearby Watsonville. This RV park is relatively large and features a number of amenities, including a fully stocked camp store and kitchen, multiple playgrounds, and a location within walking distance of the beach. For those who prefer a smaller park, the Marina Dunes RV Park is located about halfway between Santa Cruz and Monterey in the town of Marina. Conveniently located right off Highway 1, Marina Dunes RV Park features beach access, proximity to a Walmart, and other amenities within walking distance. Santa Cruz Harbor RV Park in downtown Santa Cruz offers a beautiful view of the water right from where you park. You'll even be able to spot the Walton Lighthouse from the park.

Best RV Dump Stations Near Santa Cruz, California

One of the very best conveniences of traveling in an RV is having a traveling bathroom at your disposal, but you'll also want to be sure and take advantage of local dump stations. If you're traveling around the state, a list of the top dump stations in California may come in handy. You can also find local dump stations at Steve's Union 76, New Brighton State Beach, or Pinto Lake Park in Watsonville. 

Popular RV Storage Facilities Near Santa Cruz, California

Whether you want to store your RV for a few days while you explore the area by car or store it over the winter as a great starting point for next summer's adventures, there are a number of great storage options to choose from in the Monterey Bay area. SV Boat & RV Storage, which serves the Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz Valley, and greater Bay Area, is one of the most secure facilities anywhere. In fact, they take security so seriously that they don’t even release their physical address to the public. For indoor, climate-controlled storage, you'll want to check out Garage Unlimited of Monterey, which offers vehicle condos for your RV that are up to 26 feet wide and between 35 and 52 feet long. This facility also offers a dump station with fresh water to fill your tanks, and a number of other amenities that can help you get ready to pack things away or hit the ground running.