The Best Resorts to Book in Santa Cruz, California

California dreaming? Better believe it. Located on the historic Beach Boardwalk, this Santa Cruz favorite is synonymous with surfing, sunsets, and fresh seafood. You’ll find an effortless retro-chic style in the beachfront hotel’s 165 guest rooms, all of which have ocean views. There’s an outdoor pool just a few steps from the sand, while the hotel is also about a 10-minute walk from the Santa Cruz Wharf.

The colors and textures of Santa Cruz are celebrated at this fully renovated Victorian inn, conveniently located on a bluff across from Cowell’s Beach. The coastal-inspired decor includes blue and white fabrics, rattan furnishings made from recycled wood, and, charmingly, a collection of locally-found artisan accessories. To stretch your legs, head for the historic Boardwalk, bike along the water, or shop at some of the most eclectic stores in California.

There are few places better placed to enjoy Santa Cruz’s endless array of attractions than the Ocean Pacific Lodge. From here you are an easy stroll away from the famous Wharf, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and Santa Cruz Downtown. You’re also a short drive from restaurants and must-see sights like the Mystery Spot and the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse. And, if you still have energy left, hit one of the hiking trails near the hotel to explore the beautiful surroundings and wildlife.

History and natural beauty combine at the Babbling Brook Inn, a former 18th-century corn grits mill that sits among redwood and pine trees close to Santa Cruz’s idyllic beaches. The Inn’s Contessa Suite pays homage to the building’s past and is named after the Austrian Countess who once owned the estate and added the chamber to the original building above the water wheel. Meanwhile, the walls of the Cezanne room are adorned by the works of the Post-Impressionist painter and, in the Fern Grotto, you can enjoy the sounds of the running brook from a renovated private deck next to the water wheel.

You get the best of both worlds at the Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages. Located about 100ft (30m) from Sunny Cove Beach on the Monterey Bay, it sits at the end of a quiet street but is still within easy walking distance of the area’s coffee shops, markets, and eateries. It is also just 20 minutes from Santa Cruz’s famous redwoods and 45 minutes from Silicon Valley and San José Airport.

Situated in the heart of Santa Cruz on Beach Hill and overlooking the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the Edgewater Beach Inn and Suites boasts vistas of wide, sandy beaches that are framed by redwood-covered mountains. Remember to pack your activewear – the Inn is close to some sand volleyball nets – since you are also near the Roaring Camp Beach Train.

Modern but charming, this hotel on Mission Street in the center of Santa Cruz is the ideal perch from which to explore everything Santa Cruz has to offer – from surfing to shopping. From here you have access to almost 31mi (50km) of beaches where you can ride waves, tan, run, play volleyball, or go for a romantic stroll at sunset. To get the blood pumping, head to the Santa Cruz Mountains for a challenging hike among the redwoods. Add some world-class restaurants, local wineries, and boutique stores around Santa Cruz into the mix, and you’ll never be bored during your stay.

The modest rooms at the casual Seaway Inn are comfortable enough but you will be itching to get outside with so many great sights within walking distance. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Mystery Spot, Main Beach, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, and the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum all line up for you to see. The outdoorsy set can go scuba diving, parasailing, mountain biking, and rock climbing.

This Marriott has some funky neon signage on its frontage – Paradox in giant letters – and a giant tree trunk for a reception desk in the lobby beyond, a design statement contrasting urban design with nature that unites the whole resort. Relax in a daybed by the largest pool deck in Santa Cruz, or enjoy the woodland views from the balcony of your room overlooking San Lorenzo Park. Solitaire Restaurant and Bar serves farm-to-table American comfort food; try the grilled Berkshire pork chop with hard cider butter, scallion potato cake, apple butter, and roasted romanesco.

A mountain retreat in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Hilton Santa Cruz Scotts Valley gives you the option to spend the morning hiking Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and the afternoon relaxing at the beach, as Santa Cruz Boardwalk is just a 15-minute drive away. There’s an outdoor pool lined with trees, a fitness center, and Stonehouse Bar and Grill serves a mix of standard favorites and modern California dishes. Check out the Bruzzone Family vineyard, just a short drive away, and try their renowned chardonnay and pinot noir.