Monterey Bay

A crescent of sand from Santa Cruz to Monterey, with Carmel and Pacific Grove around the point.

See the 12 waterfront rentals → Get the weekly letter
5418 waterfront rentals·26 shores·Every listing on the water·Updated 2026-11-12

Monterey Bay curves for about 31 miles of nearly unbroken sand between Santa Cruz and Monterey. Santa Cruz has the boardwalk and the surf breaks. Capitola is a small village on its own beach. Aptos, Rio del Mar and Pajaro Dunes have rows of houses and condos set directly on the sand, which is where most of the bay's beachfront rentals are. At the south end, Monterey has Cannery Row and the aquarium, Pacific Grove has a rocky shore with a walking path, and Carmel has a white sand beach at the foot of the village.

StateCA
Peak seasonJune to October
Best forWaterfront stays
Featured12 rentals
The curated list · 12 rentals

Where we would stay in Monterey Bay.

Affiliate links. About our partners.

Sleeps
Shore
More

Nightly rates are the ones each partner listed when we last read them. The partner gives the final price for your dates. A rental with no rate shown is left out of the price filters.

Oceanfront Watsonville Condo w/ Beach Access!
No. 01

Oceanfront Watsonville Condo w/ Beach Access!

Entire condo
3 bedroom sleeps 10 about $661 a night

Ultimate relaxation in The Golden State awaits at this 3-bedroom, 2-bath Watsonville vacation rental! This lovely condo features 2 flat-screen TVs, a fully equipped kitchen, and close proximity to the area’s most popular attractions. Sip your morning coffee on the furnished balcony, then walk down to the on-site beach and catch some rays! When you’re ready to explore, hit the links at Pajaro Valley Golf Club or embark on a journey with Blue Ocean Whale Watching. It’s up to you! The space 2nd-Floor Condo. Central Location. In-Unit Laundry. Community Tennis Courts Bedroom 1: King Bed. Bedroom 2: Queen Bed. Bedroom 3: 2 Twin Bunk Beds.

Check rates on Whimstay →
Oceanfront. Beach. Boardwalk. Hot Tub. BBQ
No. 03

Oceanfront. Beach. Boardwalk. Hot Tub. BBQ

House
4 bedroom sleeps 8 about $1012 a night

Experience true coastal living at this oceanfront Santa Cruz home on West Cliff Drive. Enjoy panoramic water views, a private hot tub, BBQ patio, and stylish comfort for up to 8 guests. Steps from Steamer Lane, Lighthouse Point, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, this beach retreat is perfect for surfers, families, and ocean lovers. Walk to scenic trails, shops, cafés, and the best of Santa Cruz’s coastal attractions!? HIGHLIGHTS??? 4 Bedrooms: 1x California King Bed, 2x Queens, 1x Twin Bunk Bed? 1 Full-Bathroom & 2 Half-Bathroom w/ Complimentary Toiletries? Fully Equipped Kitchen? Spacious Living Area w/?Smart TV? Spacious Private Patio Lounge? Hot Tub/Jacuzzi? Outdoor Shower?

Check rates on Whimstay →
Compare prices

See Monterey Bay stays on Booking.com.

Search Booking.com →

Affiliate link.

Beachfront Pajaro Dunes Condo w/ Bay Views!
No. 05

Beachfront Pajaro Dunes Condo w/ Bay Views!

Entire condo
2 bedroom sleeps 8 about $464 a night

Find your home-away-from-home in the private and gated beachfront community of Pajaro Dunes in Watsonville, halfway between the Monterey Peninsula and Santa Cruz. Pelican Point is at the quiet, south end of the community. The vacation rental condo boasts a modern interior with 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, and access to several community amenities. Relax on the uncrowded beach just a few steps away or drive along the epic Highway 1 to Big Sur, Monterey, Carmel, Capitola or Santa Cruz. The space Gated Community. Resort Amenities. 1,050 Sq Ft.

Check rates on Whimstay →
Beachfront home with heated pool, hot tub, sports courts, amazing views, & WFH
No. 07

Beachfront home with heated pool, hot tub, sports courts, amazing views, & WFH

House
4 bedroom sleeps 9 private pool about $1168 a night

Indulge in a truly unforgettable oceanfront retreat at Rita-by-the-Sea. This stunning house offers panoramic views of sandy beaches, crashing waves, and windswept dunes, providing the perfect backdrop for a relaxing trip. Situated within the exclusive, gated Monterey Dunes colony, this 2,000-square-foot fully furnished home promises a tranquil escape where you can unwind to the soothing sounds of Monterey Bay in complete seclusion. This corner home boasts easy access to a wealth of amenities. Adjacent to the community clubhouse, you can enjoy many recreational facilities, including a swimming pool, jacuzzi, tennis courts, and bocce ball court.

Check rates on Whimstay →
Browse more in Monterey Bay

Search every rental in Monterey Bay.

Filter by dates, bedrooms, price, and distance to water. These are the full Vrbo and Booking.com inventories for Monterey Bay.

12
curated rentals in Monterey Bay
House 98 - Ocean View
No. 10

House 98 - Ocean View

Oceanfront
4 bedroom sleeps 8

Enjoy sweeping oceanfront views from Monterey to Santa Cruz - any closer and you'd be swimming. This beautifully positioned beachfront home offers direct access to the sand.

Check rates on Vrbo →
On the water
Rent a boat on Sailo

Affiliate link.

Sponsored · Booking.com Partner

Search every stay in Monterey Bay on Booking.com

Hotels, beach houses, apartments, and resorts. Free cancellation on most rooms. Then add a flight in or a rental car for dune drives.

Search stays → Flights to Monterey Bay Car rental

Or browse the same coast on Vrbo: Browse Vrbo →

Affiliate links.

Curated luxury alternative

Prefer a boutique hotel or villa?

If a hand-picked, design-led hotel sounds better than a vacation rental, Skylark Travel Group covers the same destinations with curated boutique stays, Mr & Mrs Smith, exclusive deals, real human concierge.

Sponsored.

Discover Skylark → See exclusive deals
Before you book

Get new waterfront rentals as we add them.

Hand-picked for genuine waterfront. New finds and off-season picks, sent when there is something worth sending. No spam.

Other waterfront towns
Central Coast
Central Coast, CA
Pismo's wide sand, Morro Rock and the quiet towns up to Cambria, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Malibu to Santa Barbara
Malibu to Santa Barbara, CA
The south facing coast, where the houses stand on the sand and the mountains come down behind them.
Orange County
Orange County, CA
Newport's peninsula, Laguna's coves and the Huntington Beach pier, all inside 42 miles of coast.
San Diego
San Diego, CA
Seventy miles of Pacific beach from Imperial Beach to Oceanside, with a boardwalk in the middle of it.
Oregon Coast
Oregon Coast, OR
All 363 miles of it are open to the public, from Cannon Beach to Brookings.
Washington Coast
Washington Coast, WA
Long flat beaches you can drive on, from Moclips down to the Long Beach Peninsula.
Before you book, read these
The Best Time to Visit Myrtle Beach (and the Weeks to Skip)
Swimmable water from May to October, golf-season shoulders, and the cheap, mild winters the snowbirds already know about.
The Best Time to Visit Myrtle Beach (and the Weeks to Skip)
Swimmable water from May to October, golf-season shoulders, and the cheap, mild winters the snowbirds already know about.
The Best Time to Visit Myrtle Beach (and the Weeks to Skip)
Swimmable water from May to October, golf-season shoulders, and the cheap, mild winters the snowbirds already know about.
Get new posts in your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.