The Best Hotels in Santa Cruz, California, for Every Traveler

The muted pastel shades, Georgian fireplaces and traditional furnishings of this bed and breakfast recall an English country home, but the setting – on a rocky bluff overlooking Santa Cruz’s boho boardwalk – is classic NorCal. The inn’s trademark is a wine and cheese mini picnic, perfect for taking to the beach or into the hills.

The marine-themed rooms and suites at this comfortable property – with blue and white textiles and beautiful photography representing the Pacific Ocean – revel in the natural beauty of Opal Cliffs and Capitola Bluffs, both within easy reach of the hotel. The art galleries and craft workshops of Capitola Village are within walking distance and are perfect for picking up one-of-a-kind souvenirs.

The striking neon sign that announces your arrival at Hotel Paradox sets the tone: bold, artsy and a little bit different, this place will help you get the most out of your time in Santa Cruz. Surf lessons are available to help you fit in with the locals, while you can rent bikes nearby to explore the woods of the magnificent Pipeline Road Trail.

The contemporary rooms of Hyatt Place are the perfect comfy base from which to explore everything downtown Santa Cruz has to offer, with many attractions within walking distance. Stroll along the pleasant Santa Cruz Riverwalk, or admire the Spanish architecture and lush gardens of the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park before roaming through Abbott Square Market to pick from food stalls serving Cajun stews and Neapolitan pizzas.

The wooden shutters, a marine color palette and ocean views from your balcony or patio lend a beachy feeling to Dream Inn’s rooms, while the seafood at Jack’s Patio is hard to pass up – the clam pasta is delicious. Rent a board and try your hand at surfing on the beach, or if you’re feeling adventurous, visit Mount Hermon Adventures to zip your way through the redwood canopy.

Providing all the classic comforts you’ve come to expect from Holiday Inn, this contemporary hotel is perfectly placed for exploring Santa Cruz. The Riverwalk Park, Grant Park and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park are within walking distance. And with its outdoor pool, gym and sauna, there’s plenty of scope for working out and relaxing back at the hotel.

At the Beach Street Inn and Suites, the paddles, surfboards and other ocean-themed memorabilia that decorate the rooms’ walls signal that the beach is close by, but you knew that already thanks to the ocean views and smell of the sea air. Occupying a 1940s motel, the inn retains its retro charms while upholding modern levels of comfort, with each room featuring a kitchenette or full kitchen. There’s a complimentary coffee bar downstairs, but there are also fantastic seafood restaurants, beach bars and cafes within easy reach.

This collection of neat duck-egg blue cottages and rooms, set around the historic main house above the scenic Sunny Cove Beach, promises a homey stay with a great location. Sunny Cove is a favored spot for surfing and bodyboarding, while whale-watching trips are another unforgettable way to take in the coast. Inland, the rope swings and boardwalks of Mount Hermon provide a magnificent method for exploring the mighty redwoods.

This lovely old house was built in 1890 and the 12 guest rooms – while featuring conveniences such as microwaves and fridges – maintain a Victorian feel with traditional furnishings, including dark-wood four-poster beds. Overlooking the San Lorenzo River, the hotel is a short walk from the Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, home to arcades, food and drink outlets and mini-golf.

With a heated pool, whirlpool spa and gym, Fairfield Inn and Suites has everything you need for a comfortable stay – and its location is perfect for exploring Santa Cruz’s natural beauty. The Natural Bridges Monarch Trail takes in both the rock bridges of the coast and the magical monarch butterflies who nest inland, while the Moore Creek Preserve, just behind the hotel, is home to beautiful hiking trails.

It may be blue in name, but this downtown inn is green in credentials, committed to low water use, non-toxic paints and a low carbon footprint. Rooms have a homey, unpretentious feel and many of Santa Cruz’s attractions are within walking distance. Don’t miss the Roaring Camp Railroad, where you can board a restored steam train into the redwood forests.