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The 10 Best Beach Hotels in Santa Cruz, USA

Check out our pick of great beach hotels in Santa Cruz

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Superb: 9+ Very good: 8+ Good: 7+ Pleasant: 6+

Beach access

Beachfront
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Centrally located in Santa Cruz, this inn is across from Main Beach. The inn features a courtyard area with picnic tables, an outdoor pool and guest rooms with free WiFi.

Each room at Beach Street Inn and Suites includes a microwave and a refrigerator. Coffee facilities are also provided along with cable TV.

Everything. Such a cool and quirky hotel. Surfing themed rooms is a great idea. Comfortable beds, great staff and a perfect location.

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9
Superb
1,552 reviews
Price from
£138
per night

Located in Santa Cruz, within 100 metres of Sunny Cove Beach and 600 metres of Black’s Beach, Sunny Cove Motel provides accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool and free WiFi as well as free private parking for guests who drive. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a sun terrace. Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse is 6.5 km from the motel and Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is 6.5 km away.

Wait. Was there a breakfast. Yes this place is older but you really can't beat everything you get. A great location. The room have kitchens or kitchenettes and my room had a little separate alcove for the bed. The staff is beyond nice and helpful

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9.1
Superb
131 reviews
Price from
£137
per night

Nestled on a bluff across from Cowell's Beach, this 3-story Victorian home is a restful bed and breakfast that offers unique guestrooms and thoughtful amenities just steps from the Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk.

perfect, a stay like you can rarely have. I’m often in hotels, believe me, this one is something else. human size, high level service, on going care and perfect location. A must in Santa Cruz.

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9
Superb
280 reviews
Price from
£202
per night

Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse is 8.6 km from the holiday home, while Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is 8.6 km away. The nearest airport is Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, 56 km from Beach Haven.

Excellent! Quiet and friendly neighborhood very close to surfing beach. Kitchen was perfect, house nicely decorated, beds and bedding impeccable, good lighting in all rooms, very clean, fantastic attention to comfort and details.

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9.5
Exceptional
16 reviews
Price from
£321
per night

Located 2 minutes’ walk away from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Carousel Beach Inn offers rooms equipped with a private balcony. It serves a daily continental breakfast.

Guests are greeted by a 24-hour front desk at the Carousel Beach Inn. Free guest parking is available. Vending machines featuring snacks and drinks are offered on-site.

great spot, close to boardwalk

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8.2
Very good
1,727 reviews
Price from
£110
per night

Located 3 blocks from the historic Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk, Ocean Pacific Lodge is 100% non-smoking and offers guest rooms with free WiFi. Free on-site parking is available at this pet-friendly motel.

Walking distance to the wharf and Santa Cruz board walk. The pool is salt water and enjoyable

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8.1
Very good
1,225 reviews
Price from
£92
per night

This beachfront hotel is located next to Santa Cruz’s famous boardwalk and steps from the city centre, making it an ideal destination for a weekend escape, corporate event, family holiday or romantic getaway.

Fantastic location with great rooms and we had a balcony overlooking the pool as well as the beach - ideally situated you can walk to the beach in seconds - 0nto the main pier and down to the boardwalk and fun fair. Hotel is Very Clean, Very modern - Could have spent all day in the pool looking out at the beach - fantastic.

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8.7
Fabulous
1,004 reviews
Price from
£227
per night

Set in Santa Cruz, 1.5 km from Santa Cruz Beach, SeaSide Inn & Suites offers accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking. The property is located 1.8 km from Cowell's Beach, 1.5 km from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and 49 km from San Jose Convention Center. The property is non-smoking and is situated 1.6 km from Seabright State Beach.

The hospitality was fabulous, we spoke with Andy who was a great source of information and always a pleasure to chat with. Though there was no continental breakfast, the coffee was good and the complimentary pastries were a nice touch! Rooms were clean and recently updated, great comfort and state of the art appliances. Even the location wasn't too far from the boardwalk and other fun things to do in the area.

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8.1
Very good
398 reviews
Price from
£69
per night

Marea Sol Hotel is well set in Santa Cruz, and features an outdoor swimming pool, free WiFi and a terrace. The property is located 200 metres from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 1.9 km from Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse and 1.9 km from Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. Private parking is available on site.

The hotel was very clean and modern. The room was spacious and the bed was very comfy. We loved the terrace, it has great views and very comfy furniture.

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8.3
Very good
297 reviews
Price from
£137
per night

Well situated in the centre of Santa Cruz, La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz offers air-conditioned rooms, a fitness centre and free WiFi. This property is set a short distance from attractions such as Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, and Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. Private parking is available on site.

Very comfy beds! I missed it already! The room was very nice with a huge bathroom and everything impeccably clean! Heated pool is a plus together with the fitness centre.

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8.8
Fabulous
659 reviews
Price from
£139
per night

Looking for a beach hotel?

There’s nothing quite like waking up to the sound of swirling waves and the smell of sea air through your bedroom window. Beachfront accommodation comes in a variety of forms, from well decked-out resorts to secluded homestays and villas. Beach hotel amenities can include air-conditioned rooms, private terraces overlooking the sea and outdoor pools with adjacent bars.
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Most booked beach hotels in Santa Cruz this month

Beach hotels that guests love in Santa Cruz

  • Avg. price/night: £169.72
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Superb
    Rated superb
     · 1,553 reviews
    Authentic American seaside town accommodation - right on the Ocean with easy walk to the pier and boardwalk. Lovely staff who were helpful and service orientated.
    robert
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: £262.79
    8.7
    Scored 8.7
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 1,005 reviews
    Nice balcony looking over the bay & pier Beach access - had a late Feb dip Restaurant on site Simple breakfast in the morning Suited us as a stop on Route 1 trip
    Gerard
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: £227.55
    7.9
    Scored 7.9
    Good
    Rated good
     · 1,365 reviews
    The room was an ocean view and stunning! Large space and immaculate. An unobstructed view of Sunrise/sunsets was amazing. Pricepoint extremely reasonable during the week. I absolutely loved opening my door and sitting in comfy chair on balcony looking out on beach.
    Pamela
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £262.79
    8.7
    Scored 8.7
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 1,005 reviews
    Location is the main selling point of this hotel. On the beach, sea view, sound of ocean waves as you fall asleep. The adjacent Jack ONeill restaurant was very good as well. Not pretentious, great views as well of the beach and high quality food.
    Jennifer
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: £136.56
    8.3
    Scored 8.3
    Very good
    Rated very good
     · 296 reviews
    It’s a great location and the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. It has a nice rooftop and is a stone’s throw away from the beach. We stayed for one night only. It wasn’t a long walk to downtown, which has lots of shops and restaurants, as well as the seaside funfair and longest pier ever!
    hana
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: £262.79
    8.7
    Scored 8.7
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 1,005 reviews
    I loved the bar near the hot tub and fact area is right on the beach. The pool was perfectly heated to an ideal temperature despite it being cool outside.
    Robin
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: £227.55
    7.9
    Scored 7.9
    Good
    Rated good
     · 1,365 reviews
    The location is amazing, right on the beach and boardwalk. Just a beautiful and amazing view.
    CARLOS
    Group
  • Avg. price/night: £262.79
    8.7
    Scored 8.7
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 1,005 reviews
    The location was stunning, right on the beach and the best spot in Santa Cruz. We also really enjoyed chilling at the pool.
    Jamie
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: £262.79
    8.7
    Scored 8.7
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 1,005 reviews
    Great location on the beach Nice surf vibe Friendly staff
    Marco
    Group
  • Avg. price/night: £262.79
    8.7
    Scored 8.7
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 1,005 reviews
    The hotel located right on the beach
    Amir Livne
    Family with young children

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