Santa Cruz Hotels from $129

Find Great Places to Stay in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is what happens when you combine an amazing boardwalk with perfect weather and fabulous surfing. In fact, surfers from around the globe come here to chase down righteous waves. You have a vast selection of Santa Cruz hotels to choose from when you plan a holiday in this celebrated beach resort community. Of course, the obvious choice for anyone looking for some serious relaxation is to stay at a hotel close to the beach. There is no shortage of luxury resorts and state-of-the-art hotels to choose from if a little pampering is on your mind. Imagine arriving at your suite and swinging open the doors leading to your balcony to look out at stunning views of Monterey Bay. Alternatively, families might want to stay at a place within walking distance of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, and oceanfront amusement park that has been delighting families since 1907. Looking for the downtown experience? Focus your search for hotels in Santa Cruz near Pacific Avenue. Accommodations in this vicinity will expose you to the artistry and culture that make Santa Cruz unique.

The Best Time to Visit Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is an extraordinary destination because it offers ideal weather and travel-friendly temperatures all year long. The best part of all is that you can pack light for your upcoming trip because you won’t need a lot of layers while enjoying this city’s Mediterranean climate. In fact, you can enjoy the quintessential California experience without feeling like you're baking in the sun because it generally never gets scorching hot here. You can expect temperatures close to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during summer’s peak. If you come during the holidays or in the thick of winter, you'll find that wintertime temperatures typically stay close to a comfortable 55 degrees Fahrenheit. To top it all off, you can find cheap deals on hotels in Santa Cruz that can accommodate families, couples, and business travelers during any season.

Cruising Around Santa Cruz

Leaving your hotel every morning and getting around Santa Cruz can be a breeze if you do a little planning regarding transportation. If you’re looking for an easy way to get to the beach from downtown, consider the Santa Cruz Trolley. It services the city’s top attractions along the way, such as the Main Beach, Santa Cruz Wharf, and the Monterey Bay Exploration Center. The city’s bus system, the Santa Cruz Metro, is another great option if you’re looking for an economical way to get to popular attractions and shopping centers, as it also services the region’s North and South County. Prefer to drive yourself? Reserve a Santa Cruz car rental to enjoy some adventurous sightseeing through the city’s redwood forests and enchanted neighborhoods. In fact, hopping in a car and taking a scenic drive along West Cliff Drive to admire the surf is one of the most popular things to do while visiting Santa Cruz.

Discover Santa Cruz’s Top Attractions

When it comes to choosing hotels in Santa Cruz, the options are endless. If you’re looking for family-friendly fun, look for a hotel that’s close to the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. You’ll love the energetic atmosphere that surrounds all of the arcade games, rides, food stands, and live performers. If you prefer to skip the crowds, look for lodging next to gorgeous Pleasure Point Beach or Santa Cruz Harbor Beach instead of the city’s main beach. Meanwhile, if you want to stay within close distance to enticing shops and enjoy leisurely strolls that often include sea lion sightings, narrow your search down to places within walking distance of the Santa Cruz Wharf. Other great spots that should definitely make your itinerary include the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, and the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. If surfing and windsurfing are on your mind, be sure to make your way to Waddell State Beach, which is famous for amazing waves and gorgeous views.

Snag Discount Offers at Santa Cruz CA Hotels

If you want to get near the beach without getting close to the bottom of your bank account, turn to Expedia.com for Santa Cruz hotel deals. We've gone the extra mile to put everything you need to plan an amazing trip right in the palm of your hand. Our online travel technology gives you the power to instantly search for great rates at the nicest places to stay in town. Are you interested in bundling your overnight stay with some very affordable flights to Santa Cruz? Find out how our Santa Cruz vacation packages can help you save time and money. To top it all off, we even have a team of friendly travel experts waiting in the wings to help you choose fun excursions and discover savvy ways to trim costs along the way. Of course, booking your trip as soon as possible is the surest way to snag the best offers before they're gone. Are you ready to wave hello to big surf and even bigger savings? Take a moment to browse our exceptional offers and book a fabulous vacation right here on Expedia today.