My daughter went to UCSC, so we went up there at least 1-2 times a year. Beach is ok but we loves to walk around downtown and eat outdoor on a sunny afternoon. Only complaints is too many teen punks in downtown. Must check out UCSC, beautiful campus. Everytime we went there, we think we are in a national park.
Best time to go is in May or June

We went on vacation during the Spring (Mar), right at the end of spring break. We were definetly expecting a little better experience. Here are the Facts and judge for your self:

HOTEL: Beach Inn. The rooms were really clean, staff was very friendly, location was about 4blocks (aprox 8minutes walking) but we found closer hotels for the same ...

and me and my friends always go.
sometimes you need to get away from
tall buildings whenever i go i feel
so welcome. and im always asking when we can
go back :] i recomend it! its great!

I liked everything. The Felton area is like a park/town rolled into one. Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek, and especially Santa Cruz itself, are all so beautiful.
I lived in a bungalow on the beach for a while, and loved to watch the townspeople commune with nature every night after working all day.
The whole area is a state of mind to die for, and I've been to many so-called "paradises".

I love Santa Cruz, its so beautiful! The air, the scenery, the beach I just truly loved it all...I can't wait to go back plus it close to Watsonville, and Hollister!
Hopefully my next vacation will be back again to Santa Cruz!

I've been living here for the past few years and I simply love it. The place is great and the people too. People are really laid back and friendly here unlike the east coast beach towns which I didn't like, too noisy and polluted for my liking. Housing is expensive though, and it ranks among the top five housing markets in the US but ...

If you happen to be from the East Coast and have seen the beach areas of NJ, DE, MD or SC, it might be best to skip Santa Cruz. Or at least stay in Capitola and just visit Santa Cruz for the day. The boardwalk is small and town is filled with homeless types looking for a handout, not unlike the seedy side of Atlantic City. A day of seal, surfer ...

Santa Cruz used to be a pretty nice little town full of surfers and such. The overwhelming influence of the '60's radicals the college, and the nutsy new-agers have subverted the whole town (the people who haven't moved away). The mayor is an avowed, card-carrying Communist and the street are full of burned-out hippies and homeless. ...

I'm from Santa Cruz, but have been away from home for a number of years. After going back several times over the time that I've been gone, I've finally decided enough is enough. I've been all over the USA, and I have to say that there is certainly NO PLACE LIKE HOME!

The beaches are amazing, the people are friendly... and yes, ...