Beachfront hotels in Santa Cruz

Hey! I love staying in a nice beachfront hotel - being able to go straight from your room down to the ocean is a priceless feeling. To help save some time when booking your next vacation I've put together this list of beachfront hotels and resorts in Santa Cruz. I hope you will like it!

• 1 Dream Inn Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, United States

  

  Hotel. This beachfront hotel is located next to Santa Cruz’s famous boardwalk and steps from the center of the city, making it an ideal destination for a weekend escape, corporate event, family vacation or romantic getaway. The Dream Inn features a natural, laid back atmosphere inspired by the ocean. All guest rooms and suites include private balconies or patios with spectacular views of Monterey Bay. Enjoy the memorable sunsets, watch the surfers and let the ocean waves lull you to sleep. The hotel's spacious deck features a pool and hot tub. With a great location and luxurious amenities, the Dream is a great choice for business or pleasure. Show full description Guest review score 8.7, rooms from around $366.

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• 2 La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, United States

  

  Hotel. Located in Santa Cruz, a 3-minute walk from Santa Cruz Beach, La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz provides accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool, private parking, a fitness center and a shared lounge. The property is around 2.4 miles from University of California Santa Cruz, 3. 6 miles from Pasatiempo Golf Club and 30 miles from Winchester Mystery House. The hotel has a terrace and a 24-hour front desk. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with free toiletries, all guest rooms at the hotel have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and certain rooms will provide you with a balcony. The rooms will provide guests with a desk and a coffee machine. Buffet and continental breakfast options are available at La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz. A business center and vending machines with snacks and drinks are available on site at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz include Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse and Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport is 32 miles away. Show full description Guest review score 8.7, rooms from around $183.

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• 3 Comfort Inn Beach Boardwalk Santa Cruz, United States

  

  Hotel. This California hotel is one block from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It features a seasonal outdoor heated pool and rooms include a flat-screen cable TV with HBO. Guest rooms at the Comfort Inn Beach Boardwalk contain a microwave and a refrigerator for extra convenience. Free local telephone calls can be made from every room. Santa Cruz Comfort Inn Beach Boardwalk offers a deluxe continental breakfast. Free Wi-Fi is available in the public areas of the hotel and a 24-hour front desk is on site. Local bus stops are a short walk from the Boardwalk Comfort Inn Santa Cruz. Cowell Beach is within a 10 minute walk away. Show full description Guest review score 7.4, rooms from around $155.

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• 4 La Bahia Hotel & Spa Santa Cruz, United States

  

  Hotel. Facing the beachfront, La Bahia Hotel & Spa offers 5-star accommodation in Santa Cruz and has an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre and terrace. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Private parking is available on site. At the hotel guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot tub. Popular points of interest near La Bahia Hotel & Spa include Santa Cruz Beach, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse. Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport is 52 km from the property. Show full description

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• 5 Seaway Inn Santa Cruz, United States

  

  Motel. A short walk from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Municipal Wharf in California, the Seaway Inn offers easy beach access and comfortably furnished rooms with free WiFi. Featuring cable TV with extended channels, each room at the Seaway Inn is equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, a fridge and microwave. All air-conditioned rooms boast beach inspired décor. Steamer Lane, a popular surfing location, is 1.5 miles from this hotel. Mystery Spot is 14 minutes’ drive away. Show full description Guest review score 8.5, rooms from around $239.

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• 6 Beach Street Inn and Suites Santa Cruz, United States

  

  Inn. 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. Beach Street Inn offers breathtaking views of Monterey Bay and a beach directly below. Guests of the inn can hire bicycles to explore the surrounding area. Just steps to the sand and next to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Beach Street Inn is 2.6 miles away from University of California Santa Cruz. Show full description Guest review score 9.0, rooms from around $222.

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• 7 Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages Santa Cruz, United States

  

  Inn. Discover a modern coastal escape at Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages, located just 100 feet from Sunny Cove Beach on Monterey Bay. Often praised as a “hidden gem by the sea,” our inn sits at the end of a peaceful cul-de-sac, ensuring privacy while keeping you close to local coffee shops, markets, and restaurants. Conveniently located only 20 minutes from the Redwoods and 45 minutes from Silicon Valley and the San José Airport, Ocean Echo Inn offers the perfect blend of beachside relaxation and easy access to everything Santa Cruz has to offer. What truly sets us apart is that most of our accommodations feature fully equipped kitchens—with gas stoves, refrigerators, and microwaves—making them perfect for entertaining, preparing family meals, or enjoying longer stays. Our cottages and rooms can host two to six guests, making them ideal for family reunions, weddings, corporate retreats, or simple getaways. If you prefer a more intimate escape, our rooms capture the serene coastal vibe, whether you’re seeking a tranquil retreat or a romantic escape. Whichever space you choose, you’ll be lulled by the gentle sound of the waves and immersed in a quintessential beachside experience. Show full description Guest review score 8.4, rooms from around $294.

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• 8 Casablanca Inn on The Beach Santa Cruz, United States

  

  Inn. Located across the street from the Santa Cruz Wharf and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Casablanca Inn on The Beach overlooks Monterey Bay. Free WiFi and ocean views are featured in most rooms. Each room includes a TV with cable channels, a coffee machine, a refrigerator, and an private bathroom with a hairdryer and free toiletries. Linens and towels are also provided. Offering ocean view outdoor dining options, Sawasdee by the Sea features Thai cuisine for lunch or dinner daily. To-go menus are also offered at Casablanca Inn. Concierge services are also available to guests. Marine Discovery Center Museum is 3.1 mi away. San Jose International Airport is 40 minutes’ drive away from Casablanca Inn on the Beach. Show full description Guest review score 8.2, rooms from around $232.

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I try my best to keep this guide up to date and I last refreshed it in August 2026. Did I miss a hotel that should be on this list? Send me an email and let me know!