According to Expedia, Vrbo, and Hotels.com's "Unpack '26 Summer: The Trends in Travel" report, more travelers are choosing to travel within the United States than traveling abroad. Santa Cruz, California, made the list for summer getaways, drawing visitors' interest due to the city's surfing scene and historic boardwalk. But Santa Cruz is the buzzing beach town where surfing first came to America's mainland, and its quintessential California charm is nothing new. Add in the city's surfing history, a surfing museum, and popular surfing spots for both beginners and experienced surfers, and it continues to be a popular sought-after summer destination to this day. To reach the surf city, the nearest major hub is the San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC), which is 33 miles from downtown Santa Cruz.