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The best area to stay in Santa Cruz is near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Municipal Wharf, particularly along Beach Street and Pacific Avenue.


This area is the heart of visitor activity, offering a quintessential Santa Cruz experience. Beach Street runs parallel to the main beach, providing easy access to the sand, the boardwalk's attractions, and the iconic Municipal Wharf. Just a short stroll away, Pacific Avenue is the main street of downtown Santa Cruz, lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes. It's a very walkable area, making it convenient to explore on foot.


Families often find this location ideal due to its proximity to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The boardwalk offers classic amusement park rides, arcades, and family-friendly dining options, ensuring entertainment for all ages. Being able to walk to the beach and the boardwalk from your accommodation is a significant convenience for families with children.


Couples looking for a relaxed yet engaging stay will also appreciate this area. The Municipal Wharf provides opportunities for scenic strolls, fresh seafood dining with ocean views, and spotting sea lions.

Two of the best hotels in Santa Cruz that receive consistently high recommendations from travellers are the Dream Inn Santa Cruz and the Hyatt Place Santa Cruz.


The Dream Inn Santa Cruz, with an impressive 9.2 rating, is highly praised for its location right on the beach. Guests frequently mention the beautiful, clean rooms, the friendly staff, and the excellent beachfront restaurant. It is also conveniently located just 0.2 km from Santa Cruz Wharf and 1.0 km from Lighthouse Point Park.


Another excellent choice is the Hyatt Place Santa Cruz, which boasts a 9.0 rating. Travellers often highlight the spacious, clean rooms, the friendly and helpful staff, and the great complimentary breakfast. The hotel also offers convenient covered and secured valet parking. It is situated 0.5 km from Ocean Street and 1.2 km from Santa Cruz Wharf.


Both hotels are known for providing an excellent guest experience and are highly recommended by those who have stayed there.

For family-friendly hotels in Santa Cruz, consider the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz, the Best Western Plus Capitola By-the-sea Inn & Suites, or the Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection.


The La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz, with an excellent 9.2 rating, is highly praised by guests for its spacious and clean rooms, as well as its delicious complimentary breakfast. It is conveniently located just 0.2 km from Santa Cruz Wharf.


Another highly-rated option is the Best Western Plus Capitola By-the-sea Inn & Suites, also with a 9.2 rating. Guests frequently praise the comfortable and clean rooms, the great breakfast, and the friendly staff. Its location is close to Capitola Wharf, which is just 1.0 km away.


The Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection, rated 8.6, offers comfortable and clean rooms, along with a beautiful outdoor pool area featuring sun loungers and cabanas. It is located just 0.1 km from Ocean Street.


Additionally, the Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz, with an 8.4 rating, is a good choice for families with spacious and clean rooms, a pool, and options for connecting rooms and cribs. It is located 0.6 km from Santa Cruz Wharf.

For excellent spa hotels in Santa Cruz, consider La Bahia Hotel and Spa, Chaminade Resort & Spa, or Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz.


The La Bahia Hotel and Spa, with a superb 9.4 rating, offers an extensive full-service spa with a wide array of treatments. Guests can indulge in Ayurvedic treatments, deep tissue massages, hot stone massages, reflexology, and thalassotherapy. The spa also features a steam room, a sauna, and couples treatment rooms, providing a truly relaxing experience.


Another excellent choice is the Chaminade Resort & Spa, rated 8.0. This resort spa provides various body treatments, including deep tissue and Swedish massages, aromatherapy, and facials. The spa also includes a hot tub, a steam room, a sauna, and couples treatment rooms, ensuring a tranquil retreat.


The Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz, with a solid 8.4 rating, also features a full-service spa. Here, you can enjoy deep tissue massages, hot stone massages, Ayurvedic treatments, and hydrotherapy. The spa is equipped with a sauna and a steam room, offering a pleasant experience.

For beach resorts in Santa Cruz that travellers love, consider the Dream Inn Santa Cruz or the Chaminade Resort & Spa.


The Dream Inn Santa Cruz, with an outstanding 9.2 rating, is highly recommended. It offers beautiful, clean rooms and is praised for its excellent, friendly staff. Guests particularly love its location right on the beach, with many rooms offering stunning ocean views. The hotel also features a lovely outdoor pool with sun loungers and a poolside bar. It is conveniently located just 0.2 km from Santa Cruz Wharf and 1.1 km from Its Beach.


Another great option is the Chaminade Resort & Spa, rated 8.0. This resort is known for its spacious, clean rooms and comfortable amenities. While not directly on the beach, it is situated in a beautiful location with easy access to nearby beaches. The resort boasts an extensive spa with a hot tub, sauna, steam room, and a wide array of treatments including deep tissue massage and aromatherapy. See more stays near the beach in Santa Cruz

For hotels in Santa Cruz that offer complimentary breakfast, consider the Fairfield Inn & Suites Santa Cruz - Capitola, La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz, Mission Inn, Best Western Plus Capitola By-the-sea Inn & Suites, and West Cliff Inn - A Four Sisters Inn.


The Fairfield Inn & Suites Santa Cruz - Capitola, with an excellent 9.4 rating, provides a free continental breakfast. Guests frequently mention the clean, spacious rooms, friendly staff, and delicious breakfast. It is conveniently located near Capitola Wharf, just 1.0 km away, and Esplanade Park Beach, 1.4 km away.


Another great option is the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz, rated 9.2. This hotel also offers a free breakfast. Customers appreciate the spacious, clean rooms, nice breakfast, and excellent location, being only 0.2 km from Santa Cruz Wharf and 1.4 km from the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.


The Mission Inn, rated 9.2, provides a free breakfast daily, which guests find convenient and good. Reviewers often highlight the comfortable, clean rooms and helpful staff. It is well-situated near Natural Bridges State Beach, 1.6 km away, and the University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum, 1.8 km away.


The Best Western Plus Capitola By-the-sea Inn & Suites, with a 9.2 rating, includes a free continental breakfast. Guests praise the comfortable, clean rooms and great breakfast. Its location is close to the beach, with Capitola Wharf just 1.0 km away and Esplanade Park Beach 1.3 km away.


Finally, the West Cliff Inn - A Four Sisters Inn, rated 9.0, offers a complimentary full breakfast. Visitors often praise its convenient location, friendly staff, and the nice breakfast. It is just 0.1 km from Santa Cruz Wharf and 1.2 km from the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.

For top pet-friendly hotels in Santa Cruz, consider the Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages, Chaminade Resort & Spa, Ocean Pacific Lodge, La Bahia Hotel and Spa, and Continental Inn.


The Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages, with an 8.8 rating, warmly welcomes dogs and provides food and water bowls. Guests frequently praise its great location, being just 0.2 km from Sunny Cove Beach and 0.4 km from Santa Maria's Beach. The staff are also described as friendly and extremely helpful.


Another excellent option is the Chaminade Resort & Spa, rated 8.0. This resort permits dogs and offers food and water bowls, with Pacheco Dog Park just 1.6 km away. Guests appreciate the beautiful location, spacious and clean rooms, and comfortable amenities, along with the friendly and amazing staff. The hotel also boasts a nice pool.


The Ocean Pacific Lodge, with an 8.8 rating, is another highly-rated pet-friendly hotel that provides food and water bowls. It is conveniently located 0.4 km from Santa Cruz Wharf and 1.4 km from Lighthouse Point Park. Reviewers consistently highlight the great location, friendly and helpful staff, spacious and clean rooms, and comfortable beds. Free and easy parking is also a significant plus.


The La Bahia Hotel and Spa, boasting an impressive 9.4 rating, is very accommodating for both dogs and cats, providing food and water bowls. It is exceptionally close to Santa Cruz Wharf, just 0.2 km away, and 1.3 km from Lighthouse Point Park.


Finally, the Continental Inn, with a 7.6 rating, is a pet-friendly choice that includes food and water bowls. It offers a convenient location, being 0.5 km from Ocean Street and 1.4 km from Santa Cruz Wharf. Guests mention the affordable and clean rooms, friendly and helpful staff, and excellent service. See more pet-friendly hotels in Santa Cruz

For boutique hotels in Santa Cruz, consider the Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages.


The Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages, with an 8.8 rating, is an excellent option for those seeking a boutique experience. This Edwardian property offers complimentary continental breakfast and features rooms with furnished patios, balconies, yards, decks, or terraces, providing lovely outdoor spaces. It is conveniently located just 0.4 kilometres from Santa Maria's Beach and 18.3 kilometres from Monterey Bay. Guests consistently praise its great location and friendly, extremely helpful staff. See all boutique hotels in Santa Cruz

For budget-friendly accommodation in Santa Cruz, two highly-rated options are the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz and the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz, CA.


The La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz boasts an excellent 9.2 review rating. Guests consistently praise its spacious and clean rooms, delicious complimentary breakfast, and the friendly and great staff. Its location is a significant advantage, being just 0.2 km from Santa Cruz Wharf and 1.4 km from the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. Free WiFi, complimentary toiletries, and free continental breakfast are also included.


Another superb choice is the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz, CA, which has an 8.8 rating. Travellers appreciate its comfortable and clean rooms, quiet and great location, and the friendly and helpful staff. This hotel offers complimentary breakfast, including a to-go option, along with free WiFi and free self-parking. It is conveniently located near Natural Bridges State Beach, just 1.1 km away. View all budget hotels in Santa Cruz

For a romantic stay in Santa Cruz, couples should consider the Beach Street Inn and Suites or the Marea Sol Hotel.


The Beach Street Inn and Suites, with a superb 9.4 rating, offers lovely balconies or patios, and many rooms feature ocean views. Guests frequently highlight the comfortable beds and the nice, clean rooms. The hot tub is also a popular feature, great for a relaxing evening together.


Another excellent choice is the Marea Sol Hotel, rated 9.2. This hotel provides magnificent ocean views and balconies, some of which are furnished. It also boasts a rooftop terrace, offering a wonderful spot for couples to enjoy the scenery. Feedback from guests consistently praises the great location and clean rooms.

The best time to visit Santa Cruz is during the summer months, from June to August, when the weather is consistently warm and sunny, superb for enjoying the beaches and outdoor activities.


During this period, the days are long, and the ocean is at its most inviting for swimming, surfing, and paddleboarding. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is fully operational with all its rides and attractions open, making it an ideal time for families looking for classic seaside entertainment.


For couples seeking a relaxing getaway with pleasant weather, late spring (April-May) and early autumn (September-October) are also excellent choices. The crowds are thinner than in mid-summer, but the weather remains mild and agreeable, with plenty of sunshine.

Santa Cruz offers a few distinct areas for evening entertainment, each with a different feel.


Downtown Santa Cruz, particularly along Pacific Avenue, is where you'll find the highest concentration of bars, pubs, and live music venues. There are establishments ranging from casual pubs serving local brews to cocktail bars and places with regular live performances, often featuring local bands. It's also home to a few comedy clubs.


The Santa Cruz Wharf mainly offers restaurants, but some of these have bars that stay open later, providing sea views. It's more about a relaxed drink with dinner than a bustling nightlife scene.


Near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, you'll find a few casual bars and pubs that cater to a mixed crowd, including tourists and locals.

You can cancel your hotel reservation on Expedia, though it depends on the cancellation policy of your booking. Most bookings are refundable if cancelled within 24-48 hours of the scheduled arrival. Be sure to check your booking confirmation for the exact cancellation policy. If free cancellation is available, you can cancel directly through your Expedia account by logging in, going to "My Trips", and selecting your reservation. To find flexible deals, filter your search by "Fully refundable property" for hotels in Santa Cruz.

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