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Santa Cruz hotels

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for hotels in Santa Cruz, California

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Booking Insights

Best Santa Cruz hotels

Discover the best hotels in Santa Cruz and compare prices, ratings, and locations to find the right stay for your trip.
These are the best prices for 10-11 Oct.
Dream Inn Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz - Restaurant
Dream Inn Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz - Restaurant
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
8.7Very Good(1584)
Free Wi-Fi
Pool
Air conditioning
R7 579+
Check availability
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection - Santa Cruz - Pool
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection - Santa Cruz - Pool
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
8.0Very Good(885)
Free Wi-Fi
Pool
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
R3 098+
Check availability
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley - Santa Cruz - Lobby
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley - Santa Cruz - Lobby
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
7.8Good(1228)
Free Wi-Fi
Pool
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
R2 665+
Check availability
Best Western Plus All Suites Inn - Santa Cruz - Building
Best Western Plus All Suites Inn - Santa Cruz - Building
Best Western Plus All Suites Inn
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
7.2Good(1142)
Free Wi-Fi
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
R2 311+
Check availability
Chaminade Resort & Spa - Santa Cruz - Restaurant
Chaminade Resort & Spa - Santa Cruz - Restaurant
Chaminade Resort & Spa
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
7.7Good(658)
Free Wi-Fi
Pool
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
R6 469+
Check availability
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG - Santa Cruz - Bedroom
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG - Santa Cruz - Bedroom
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
8.0Very Good(955)
Free Wi-Fi
Pool
Air conditioning
R2 700+
Check availability
Pacific Blue Inn - Santa Cruz - Patio
Pacific Blue Inn - Santa Cruz - Patio
Pacific Blue Inn
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
8.6Very Good(751)
Free Wi-Fi
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
R2 279+
Check availability
SureStay by Best Western Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz - Front desk
SureStay by Best Western Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz - Front desk
SureStay by Best Western Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
6.7Okay(1184)
Parking
Free Wi-Fi
Pool
Air conditioning
R1 739+
Check availability
Continental Inn - Santa Cruz
Continental Inn - Santa Cruz
Continental Inn
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
7.4Good(1115)
Parking
Free Wi-Fi
Pool
Pet-friendly
R1 696+
Check availability

Cheap hotels in Santa Cruz

These are the cheapest hotels for 10-11 Oct.
Seaside Inn & Suites - Santa Cruz - Bedroom
Seaside Inn & Suites
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
7.6Good(678)
Parking
Free Wi-Fi
Air conditioning
R1 397+
Check availability
Fireside Inn Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz
Fireside Inn Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
7.0Good(1133)
Parking
Free Wi-Fi
Air conditioning
R1 459+
Check availability
The Aqua Pacific Hotel - Santa Cruz - Pool
The Aqua Pacific Hotel
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
7.2Good(460)
Parking
Free Wi-Fi
Pool
Pet-friendly
R1 485+
Check availability
The Islander Motel - Santa Cruz
The Islander Motel
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
8.2Very Good(802)
Parking
Free Wi-Fi
Pool
Air conditioning
R1 528+
Check availability
Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West - Santa Cruz - Patio
Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
8.0Very Good(410)
Parking
Free Wi-Fi
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
R2 702+
Check availability
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz - Lobby
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
8.5Very Good(434)
Free Wi-Fi
Pool
Air conditioning
R2 727+
Check availability

Hotel deals for the weekend

Some of KAYAK users' favourite hotels available 10-11 Oct.
Super 8 by Wyndham Santa Cruz Beach - Santa Cruz - Front desk
Super 8 by Wyndham Santa Cruz Beach
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
7.0Good(1088)
Free Wi-Fi
Pool
Air conditioning
R1 879+
Check availability
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz - Bedroom
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
7.5Good(2007)
Free Wi-Fi
Air conditioning
R2 728+
Check availability
Hampton Inn Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz - Bedroom
Hampton Inn Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
8.6Very Good(269)
Parking
Free Wi-Fi
Pool
Air conditioning
R2 988+
Check availability
Inn at Pasatiempo - Santa Cruz - Bathroom
Inn at Pasatiempo
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
7.7Good(824)
Parking
Free Wi-Fi
Pool
Air conditioning
R2 544+
Check availability
Comfort Inn Beach/Boardwalk Area - Santa Cruz - Bedroom
Comfort Inn Beach/Boardwalk Area
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
7.2Good(775)
Parking
Free Wi-Fi
Pool
Air conditioning
R2 104+
Check availability
Ocean Gate Inn - Santa Cruz - Building
Ocean Gate Inn
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
7.6Good(814)
Parking
Free Wi-Fi
Air conditioning
R1 599+
Check availability

Top-rated hotels

Stay at the hotels that our users loved the most 10-11 Oct.
La Bahia Hotel And Spa - Santa Cruz - Pool
La Bahia Hotel And Spa
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
9.1Wonderful(61)
Free Wi-Fi
Pool
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
R8 126+
Check availability
Sea & Sand Inn - Santa Cruz - Bedroom
Sea & Sand Inn
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
9.0Wonderful(449)
Parking
Free Wi-Fi
Air conditioning
R5 571+
Check availability
West Cliff Inn, A Four Sisters Inn - Santa Cruz - Bedroom
West Cliff Inn, A Four Sisters Inn
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
8.9Very Good(478)
Parking
Free Wi-Fi
R5 358+
Check availability
Swell House Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz
Swell House Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
8.8Very Good(23)
Parking
Free Wi-Fi
R3 758+
Check availability
Dream Inn Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz - Restaurant
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
8.7Very Good(1584)
Free Wi-Fi
Pool
Air conditioning
R7 579+
Check availability
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz - Patio
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA, United States
8.7Very Good(1099)
Free Wi-Fi
Pool
Air conditioning
R2 744+
Check availability

Popular filters in Santa Cruz hotels

Hotels with parking
Hotel Solares, SureStay by Best Western Santa Cruz and others
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Hotels with free cancellation
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Hotels with a pool
Dream Inn Santa Cruz, Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection, and 12 more
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Booking Insights

KAYAK’s insights for hotels in Santa Cruz

Discover seasonal trends, ideal booking windows, and other data-driven tips to plan your stay in Santa Cruz with confidence.

Which month has the cheapest hotel rates in Santa Cruz?

Hotels are cheapest in Santa Cruz in January, with average rates of R2 327/night. In comparison, June is the most expensive month, with prices at R4 752/night.

What is the cheapest day of the week to book a hotel in Santa Cruz?

Monday offers the lowest rates in Santa Cruz, with an average nightly price of R2 481/night. The highest prices are found on Saturday, with average rates at R5 314/night.

How much is a hotel in Santa Cruz for tonight?

The best deal for a 3-star hotel room in Santa Cruz found by KAYAK users in the last 3 days was R1 911, while a 4-star hotel the lowest price was R1 425. The cheapest room found overall was for R1 355.

How much is a hotel in Santa Cruz for this weekend?

The cheapest hotel room in Santa Cruz for the upcoming weekend found on KAYAK in the last 3 days was for R2 232 per night. For the same dates, 3-star hotel rooms have been found for as low as R3 284 per night and 4-star hotel rooms from R2 232 per night.

How early should you book a accommodation in Santa Cruz?

Book at least 67 days before your stay begins to get the best price for your Santa Cruz accommodation.

Find deals

Booking a hotel in Santa Cruz: the best tips from KAYAK users

Insights shared by verified guests who stayed in a hotel in Santa Cruz. 
Verified travelerAug 2026
Stayed at Ocean Gate Inn
Be aware of your surroundings and plan accordingly to the season you visit. Summer visit is the busiest time of the year, plan for long waits and extended drive time around town.
DavidFeb 2025
I would recommend a stay along Mission or Ocean Streets. There are lots of diversions and opportunities to explore varying food options.

How much is a Santa Cruz hotel?

Here are our most popular & best value hotels

Good to know

Low season

High season

Average price (weeknight)

Average price (weekend night)

January
June
R3 078
R4 956
Cheapest month to stay with an average 39% drop in price.
Most expensive month to stay with an average 25% rise in price.
Average Sun - Thu price over the last 2 weeks.
Average Fri & Sat price over the last 2 weeks.

KAYAK's top tips for finding Santa Cruz hotel deals

  • Planning on visiting Santa Cruz with your family? Select a hotel adjacent to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, such as the affordable Aqua Breeze Inn. The Boardwalk is a beachfront amusement park that has a variety of carnival rides and games, making it a very popular attraction for kids.
  • If you’re hoping to spend most of your vacation by the ocean, choose one of the many hotels located within a five-minute walk of Main Beach, such as the Fireside Inn. Main Beach offers volleyball, swimming, and paddle boarding, and there are also lifeguards and public restrooms on site.
  • For art enthusiasts, choose a hotel near Santa Cruz’s Museum of Art and History, such as the Pacific Blue Inn, which is only a 10-minute walk from the museum. This museum contains exhibits highlighting contemporary California artists and history of the local area.
  • Downtown Santa Cruz contains a high concentration of the city’s shops, restaurants, and entertainment, including the Del Mar Theater and the Kuumbwa Jazz Theater. To be within walking distance of these attractions, select a hotel in the heart of this neighborhood, like the Cliff Crest Bed & Breakfast Inn, located just five blocks from Downtown.
  • If you would like to learn about the communities that are indigenous to the area, book a hotel near the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, such as the Ocean Gate Inn, located half a mile from the museum. The museum offers exhibits on the local people, animals, and geography, making it a great way to familiarize yourself with the history of the area.

FAQs when booking a hotel in Santa Cruz

  • What hotels in Santa Cruz are near the Santa Cruz Wharf?

    The Casablanca Inn is less than half a mile to the Wharf and is located directly next to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The Dream Inn is a 4-star choice that is a seven-minute walk to the Wharf, offering rooms with balconies that overlook the ocean.

  • Which hotels in Santa Cruz are near the University of California, Santa Cruz?

    There are several hotel options that are only a short drive away from the University of California campus. The Hampton Inn is only an eight-minute drive from the school, and it has a heated indoor swimming pool. The Best Western Inn is also an eight-minute drive from the campus and has free breakfast.

  • Are there hotels in Santa Cruz that have free parking?

    Because it is quite easy to explore Santa Cruz by car, booking a hotel with free parking helps you save money. The Beach Street Inn and Suites is only a minute walk from Cowell Beach and has free on-site parking and a community picnic area. The Hyatt Place is located 13 minutes on foot from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, with free parking for guests.

  • What hotels in Santa Cruz have a good view?

    The Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages is only a two-minute walk from SunnyCove and offers guests direct views of the ocean. The Seaway Inn is an affordable choice that is only a 10-minute walk from the Santa Cruz Wharf and offers views of the nearby beach.

  • How do I find a hotel in central Santa Cruz?

    After you launch a hotel search on KAYAK, you can refine your research by neighbourhood, which allows you to pick the central Santa Cruz districts. You can also do a search using the city map to choose a specific location, like Santa Cruz city centre

  • How can I find hotels near me?

    Take a look at our extensive hotel map to find the best hotels near you.

  • Are there Santa Cruz hotels with free parking?

    There are many hotels in Santa Cruz that offer both parking and free parking. Popular choices among KAYAK users include Hotel Solares, SureStay by Best Western Santa Cruz and Continental Inn.

Where to stay in Santa Cruz?

Our map will help you find the perfect place to stay in Santa Cruz by showing you the exact location of each hotel.

More options for your stay in Santa Cruz

Complete your trip to Santa Cruz

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