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 $255.

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

  

  Hotel. Stay in the heart of Santa Cruz. 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. The units in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. At La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz every room includes a private bathroom. An American breakfast is available every morning at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz include Cowell's Beach, Santa Cruz Beach and Seabright State Beach. The nearest airport is Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, 51 km from the hotel. Show full description Guest review score 8.7, rooms from around $144.

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• 3 Howard Johnson by Wyndham Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, United States

  

  Hotel. Located a short walk from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Howard Johnson by Wyndham Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk features beautiful ocean views and a hot tub. Free WiFi and a grab-and-go breakfast are included in all guest rooms. All rooms at the Howard Johnson by Wyndham Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk include a flat-screen TV with cable. Comfortably furnished, the bright rooms feature a fridge and microwave. For added convenience, laundry facilities are available. Vending machines offering snacks and beverages are located on site. The University of California Santa Cruz is 12 minutes’ drive from Howard Johnson by Wyndham Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The Santa Cruz Wharf is a short walk away. Show full description Guest review score 7.7, rooms from around $107.

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• 4 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 Boardwalk contain a microwave and a refrigerator for extra convenience. Free local telephone calls can be made from every room. Santa Cruz Comfort Inn 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 7.6, rooms from around $132.

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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 8.2, rooms from around $177.

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

  

  Inn. Stay in the heart of Santa Cruz. 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 8.9, rooms from around $164.

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

  

  Inn. Built in the early 1900s, Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages is located on a quiet cul-de-sac that ends at Monterey Bay's unique Sunny Cove Beach. The inn's cul-de-sac location minimizes traffic and provides for a relaxing and safe beach stay. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is 10 minutes’ drive away. The inn is centrally located between downtown Santa Cruz and Capitola. Roaring Camp Railroad, Henry Cowell Redwood Forest and University of California Santa Cruz are within 20 minutes' drive of Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages. There are also many great wineries in nearby and Santa Cruz schedules great events throughout the year. Singer-songwriters Neil Diamond and John Denver frequented Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages and wrote some of their most beloved songs here. Ocean Echo Inn offers rooms in the main house. These rooms have flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, and microwaves. Cottages surrounding the house also offer fully-equipped kitchens. Select cottages have private patios and balconies with ocean views. BBQ facilities are available for guest use. Select cottages are friendly for small dogs (an additional fee applies). Show full description Guest review score 8.2, rooms from around $182.

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

  

  Inn. Stay in the heart of Santa Cruz. 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 en suite 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 5 km away. San Jose International Airport is 40 minutes’ drive away from Casablanca Inn on the Beach. Show full description Guest review score 8.0, rooms from around $144.

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I try my best to keep this guide up to date and I last refreshed it in December 2025. Did I miss a hotel that should be on this list? Send me an email and let me know!