Santa Cruz hotels

Channelling the old-school surfer vibe, Dream Inn is one of the best hotels in Santa Cruz, located just steps away from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The ocean-facing rooms and suites are decorated in a retro-chic style, with colourful decor and 1970s prints. Each one opens out onto a private balcony, with views along Monterey Bay, the beach and the outdoor pool.

The pool sits neatly between the hotel and the sand, with my favourite beach views in the area and cosy sun loungers to relax on with a drink. The ocean theme continues in the on-site dining room, the Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge, which serves freshly caught seafood and produce from nearby organic farms, along with local wines. Within walking distance of the vibrant downtown area, Dream Inn remains one of the best picks for an upscale surf retreat.

As one of the newest boutique hotels in Santa Cruz, Marea Sol Hotel feels like a modern beach house. Just a two-minute walk from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and my other favourite nearby beaches, including Santa Cruz Beach and Cowell’s Beach, it’s a convenient place to bed down in the surf town.

The king rooms and suites are decorated in a homely beach theme, using a blend of blues and neutrals along with timber touches. At sunset, relax by the outdoor pool or head up to the sun deck for beautiful views and a place to mingle.

The surrounding streets offer plenty of outstanding restaurants to try, or you can dive into the vibrant local nightlife just minutes from the hotel. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway, a family holiday, or a solo adventure, Marea Sol Hotel is one of the best hotels in Santa Cruz.

Perched on a bluff overlooking Cowell's Beach, this former Victorian home is now a three-story bed and breakfast not far from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Offering a little more character and intimacy than bigger accommodations, this is one of the best hotels in Santa Cruz for couples.

The charming coastal-inspired rooms feature cosy fireplaces, elegant marble-tile bathrooms, and inviting colour combinations of yellows and blues matched with local artwork. I love the delicious buffet breakfast served each morning, followed by happy hour wines and hors d’oeuvres in the afternoon.

Bicycles are available to rent to explore the town, or you can stroll down to the beach.

If you want to be close to the downtown action, Hyatt Place is one of the top-rated hotels in Santa Cruz to book. While not on the beach, I love that you can still walk to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk within 15 minutes and enjoy the convenience of being close to the city centre and the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History.

The rooms and suites are generously spacious, offering lounges and large en-suite bathrooms that are perfect for families. It’s also one of the best hotels in Santa Cruz for business travellers, with private desk spaces in each room and a business center with co-working spaces.

The Breakfast Bar offers complimentary cooked and cold breakfast options. Later in the day, head to The Placery in the lobby bar for a light lunch or snack, washed down with a cocktail.

Nestled in a tranquil passage leading to Sunny Cove Beach, Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages is one of the most unique hotels in Santa Cruz. Despite being located just 10 minutes from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, it offers a peaceful retreat.

With fully equipped cottages, you can have utmost privacy and enjoy your own little beach shack for the weekend, or stay in one of the coastal-inspired rooms in the main house. It’s the type of place where you can spend all weekend getting lost in the dreamy beach vibe, as I have.

Legendary singer-songwriters Neil Diamond and John Denver penned some of their most beloved songs at Ocean Echo Inn, and it’s not hard to see why. Start your day overlooking Monterey Bay with a complimentary breakfast, before exploring the coast by bike or on foot.