Important: This destination may have COVID-19 travel restrictions in place, including specific restrictions for lodging. Check any national, local, and health advisories for this destination before you book.

Find Hotels in Santa Cruz, CA

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Howard Johnson by Wyndham Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
2 out of 5
130 W Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA
Free CancellationReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $81 per night
1.03 mi from city center
3.4/5Good! (875 reviews)

"Easy parking, close to boardwalk, clean, nice staff, safe with cameras in parking lot and common areas of hotel"…"

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2020

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Ocean Gate Inn
Ocean Gate Inn
1.5 out of 5
111 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA
Free CancellationReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $89 per night
0.77 mi from city center
3/5 (729 reviews)

"Hard to hear through the night window but nice location"…"

Reviewed on Jun 25, 2020

Ocean Gate Inn
Seaway Inn
Seaway Inn
2.5 out of 5
176 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA
Free CancellationReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $148 per night
1.11 mi from city center
4.3/5Excellent! (152 reviews)

"location is perfect , steps to the beach , staff very friendly and helpful , rooms very clean , comfortable beds"…"

Reviewed on May 15, 2020

Seaway Inn
Continental Inn
Continental Inn
2 out of 5
414 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA
Free CancellationReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $94 per night
0.44 mi from city center
4/5Very Good! (982 reviews)

"very good ! Very clean !"…"

Reviewed on Jun 27, 2020

Continental Inn
Aqua Breeze Inn
Aqua Breeze Inn
1.5 out of 5
204 Second Street, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is $119 per night
0.89 mi from city center
3.4/5 (996 reviews)

"No coffee pot, no iron in room. The floor was really dirty"…"

Reviewed on Jun 20, 2020

Aqua Breeze Inn
Fireside Inn Santa Cruz
Fireside Inn Santa Cruz
2 out of 5
311 2nd Street, Santa Cruz, CA
Free CancellationReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $90 per night
0.9 mi from city center
3.5/5Good! (452 reviews)

"Good location, Simple but nice, very close to the beach"…"

Reviewed on Jun 14, 2020

Fireside Inn Santa Cruz
Mission Inn
Mission Inn
2.5 out of 5
2250 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, CA
Free CancellationReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $124 per night
1.69 mi from city center
4.2/5Very Good! (646 reviews)

"Check in was easy and professional. Helpful with tips to get around town."…"

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2020

Mission Inn
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA
Free CancellationReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $399 per night
1.15 mi from city center
4.4/5Wonderful! (2,187 reviews)

"Right on the beach. Great staff. Very comfortable stay! Will be back with the kids next time"…"

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2020

Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
4 out of 5
611 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA
Free CancellationReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $164 per night
0.23 mi from city center
4.3/5Excellent! (998 reviews)

"Modern vibe. All the amenities where closed during my stay because of Covid."…"

Reviewed on Jun 9, 2020

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz, CA
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz, CA
3 out of 5
2956 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA
Free CancellationReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $139 per night
2.28 mi from city center
4.5/5Wonderful! (448 reviews)

"This hotel was really nice and quiet. The rooms were new and updated. The only thing I wasn’t impressed was that the price includes a hot buffet breakfast. They don’t tell you that they replaced it with a bagged breakfast due to COVID. The bag included a water bottle, granola bar and orange. The ..."…"

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2020

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz, CA
Casablanca On The Beach
Casablanca On The Beach
3.5 out of 5
101 Main St, Santa Cruz, CA
Free CancellationReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $320 per night
1.01 mi from city center
3.9/5Very Good! (1,107 reviews)

"This property has a very botique feel to it. It is very close to the pier and boardwalk. We had a very relaxing stay."…"

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2020

Casablanca On The Beach
Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz
Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz
2.5 out of 5
325 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Free CancellationReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $123 per night
0.88 mi from city center
3.2/5 (990 reviews)

"I loved this place! It was super cheap but still included everything that I wanted for the price. The price was right and was very clean and the sheets and other reviews seemed irrelevant because there wasn't anything on the walls. Everything was working properly, one bad thing was checking in took ..."…"

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2020

Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz
Best Western Plus All Suites Inn
Best Western Plus All Suites Inn
2.5 out of 5
500 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA
Free CancellationReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $135 per night
0.4 mi from city center
3.9/5Very Good! (1,003 reviews)

"Had no problem with this hotel. Other than the couch/pull out bed was outdated but hotel was pretty decent."…"

Reviewed on Jun 16, 2020

Best Western Plus All Suites Inn
Hilton Santa Cruz - Scotts Valley
Hilton Santa Cruz - Scotts Valley
3.5 out of 5
6001 La Madrona Drive, Santa Cruz, CA
Free CancellationReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $127 per night
4.01 mi from city center
4.2/5Very Good! (1,010 reviews)

"We were looking for a quiet comfortable room in a clean"…"

Reviewed on Jun 27, 2020

Hilton Santa Cruz - Scotts Valley
Beach Street Inn and Suites
Beach Street Inn and Suites
2 out of 5
125 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA
Free CancellationReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $299 per night
0.99 mi from city center
4.6/5Wonderful! (644 reviews)

"I stayed at this same property last year, and my family and I loved it so much we came back this year... even under the current restrictions. We upgraded our room type this year, too. The only issue we dealt with was the chintzy shades that were used in our room, which were little more than accordioned ..."…"

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2020

Beach Street Inn and Suites
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Visiting Santa Cruz

Travelers to Santa Cruz give high marks for the beaches, fun sporting events, and entertainment choices. Tourists to the city can also enjoy its walkable location. Top sights in the city include Mystery Spot, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and Main Beach.

  • There are 242 hotels and other accommodations in Santa Cruz
  • The closest major airport is in Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal), 19.3 mi (31 km) from the city center
  • The next closest is in San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.), 22.7 mi (36.5 km) away

Sightseeing and Staying in Santa Cruz

Cultural venues in the city include Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center. Attractions like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Roaring Camp Railroads are fun for everyone, not just kids. The city is notable for landmarks like Mystery Spot, Mission Santa Cruz, and Town Clock.

In Santa Cruz, you'll be able to select from 242 hotels and other lodging options so you'll have plenty of choices for a perfect holiday retreat. Here you'll find top ranked ones based on Expedia user reviews:

  • West Cliff Inn - A Four Sisters Inn - Guests who stay at this 3.5-star bed & breakfast in Westside Santa Cruz can enjoy access to free breakfast and free parking, along with free WiFi. It's a favorite with Expedia travelers for its convenient parking and clean, comfortable rooms.
  • Monarch Cove Inn - Our customers like the beach locale and helpful staff at this B&B. This 3.5-star bed & breakfast features free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking.
  • Fairfield Inn & Suites Santa Cruz - Capitola - This 2.5-star hotel features free breakfast, an outdoor pool, and free WiFi. Expedia customers like its beach locale and clean, comfortable rooms.

Other favorite sights in Santa Cruz include Main Beach, Natural Bridges State Park, and Monterey Bay. Popular places to visit outside the city include Winchester Mystery House, 19 mi/30.6 km from the city center, and Westfield Valley Fair Shopping Mall, which is 19.4 mi (31.3 km) away.

Dressing for Santa Cruz

  • Between January and March, daytime temperatures average 69°F, while nighttime temperatures stay around 36°F
  • From April to June, the average is 84°F during the day and 41°F at night
  • July through September sees average temperatures of 86°F during the day and 47°F at night
  • In October-December, you can expect 82°F as the daytime average and 36°F as the nighttime average
  • About 49.92 inches of rain falls on Santa Cruz each year
  • August and September are usually the hottest months averaging 85°F, while December and January are usually the coldest with an average temperature of 37°F

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place for a stay in Santa Cruz?
Fairfield Inn & Suites Santa Cruz - Capitola is ranked highly by Expedia customers. This hotel is a short 12-minute walk from Monterey Bay, and it offers free breakfast and an outdoor pool. Traveler reviews also recommend Inn at Depot Hill and Monarch Cove Inn as top choices for your stay.
If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Santa Cruz, will I receive a refund?
Yes! You’ll find that most hotel reservations are fully refundable if you cancel prior to the hotel’s cancellation deadline, which is usually within 24-48 hours of the scheduled arrival. If you have a reservation that’s non-refundable, you might be able to cancel it and receive a refund within a 24-hour period of your booking. Enter your dates, click on “Search”, then you can use the “free cancellation” filter to review the best options available in Santa Cruz.
Where can I learn more about changing or cancelling my trip to Santa Cruz?
For more details about changing or cancelling your trip to Santa Cruz, head over to our customer service page.
What's the best accommodation for a budget-friendly stay in Santa Cruz?
Based on reviews, Continental Inn is a popular 2-star hotel for our travelers looking for an economical choice, and features free WiFi and an outdoor pool. Other good options to stay on the cheap include Pacific Inn Santa Cruz and Salt Air Lodge.
Where is the best hotel for a stay in Westside Santa Cruz?
With 67 hotels and other accommodations to choose from in this neighborhood, you should find the perfect place for your trip. Based on Expedia customer reviews, West Cliff Inn - A Four Sisters Inn is the highest ranked property in Westside Santa Cruz. This 3.5-star B&B offers free breakfast and free WiFi. It is located a short 2-minute walk from Main Beach. Other favorite options in the area include Babbling Brook Inn and Pacific Blue Inn.
What's the best accommodation in Downtown Santa Cruz?
Pacific Blue Inn is a favorite with our customers staying in Downtown Santa Cruz. This 3-star B&B offers free breakfast and free WiFi. It is located a short 9-minute walk from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
What's the best hotel for a family vacation to Santa Cruz?
Rio Sands Hotel is a property with free parking and free WiFi, and it’s a top choice on Expedia for families. Other good options for your stay with the kids include Dream Inn Santa Cruz and Best Western Seacliff Inn. Attractions like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Roaring Camp Railroads are also fun for kids of all ages.
What's the best place to stay for a romantic vacation to Santa Cruz?
Babbling Brook Inn is a favorite 3-star B&B for couples, and features free breakfast and free parking. Other good options for your romantic getaway include Inn At Pasatiempo and Inn at Depot Hill.
What's the best pet-friendly accommodation in Santa Cruz?
Hilton Santa Cruz - Scotts Valley is a top dog-friendly hotel, and offers a restaurant along with free WiFi for its human guests. Other good options for you and your pet’s trip include Continental Inn and Best Western Plus Inn Scotts Valley.
Where is the best hotel to stay with easy access to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk?
Adjacent to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Casablanca On The Beach is one of the top choices for your stay based on our traveler data, and this 3.5-star hotel offers a restaurant and free WiFi. Other good options close by include Dream Inn Santa Cruz and Hyatt Place Santa Cruz.
What about the best place to stay near Mystery Spot?
One of the top choices for your stay is Hilton Santa Cruz - Scotts Valley, located 1.7 mi (2.8 km) from Mystery Spot, and this 3.5-star hotel offers a restaurant and an outdoor pool. Chaminade Resort & Spa and Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz are other good choices within a few miles.
What's the best hotel to stay near the beach in Santa Cruz?
Fairfield Inn & Suites Santa Cruz - Capitola is a top 4-star beachfront resort with an outdoor pool and a restaurant. Other good options for your stay near the beach include Ocean Pacific Lodge and Beach Street Inn and Suites. To enjoy some time by the water, head to Capitola Beach or Rio Del Mar Beach.

Recent reviews of Santa Cruz hotels

    Capitola Hotel
    Expedia Verified Review…
    5 / 5
    I loved everything about my stay! The beds were so comfortable and I loved having the windows open getting that ocean breeze. Only downside is that the water took about five minutes to heat up but that really isn’t a downside compared to having such a great trip. This was just the thing we needed to relax. Big thanks to Katie at the front desk, your spectacular service and kindness really made our trip. We can’t wait to come back! Thank you guys!…
    A verified traveler from Fresno, CA stayed at Capitola Hotel
    Posted 2 months ago
    Capitola Hotel
    Fern River Resort
    Expedia Verified Review…
    5 / 5
    Nothing beats the location. This is my third time staying here, and I will continue to return. Location/views are stunning, it’s quiet, and the cabins really are cozy. I also appreciated the extent they went to practice social distancing and maintain cleanliness throughout the resort and within the cabin. So, thank you Fern River! …
    A verified traveler from Los Angeles, CA stayed at Fern River Resort
    Posted 1 month ago
    Fern River Resort
    Best Western Plus Inn Scotts Valley
    Expedia Verified Review…
    5 / 5
    Location was very different but convenient also very peaceful no complaints …
    A verified traveler stayed at Best Western Plus Inn Scotts Valley
    Posted 3 weeks ago
    Best Western Plus Inn Scotts Valley
    Howard Johnson by Wyndham Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
    Expedia Verified Review…
    5 / 5
    Everything was great - super friendly staff and clean bedrooms.…
    A verified traveler stayed at Howard Johnson by Wyndham Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
    Posted 3 weeks ago
    Howard Johnson by Wyndham Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
    Capri Motel
    Expedia Verified Review…
    5 / 5
    It was great, no issues …
    A verified traveler stayed at Capri Motel
    Posted 5 months ago
    Capri Motel

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