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Motels in Santa Cruz

Find the motels that appeal to you the most

August 2026

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The best motels in Santa Cruz

Check out our selection of great motels in Santa Cruz

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Sunny Cove Motel

Eastside Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz

Located in Santa Cruz, within a few steps of Sunny Cove Beach and 2.7 miles of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Sunny Cove Motel provides accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool and free WiFi as well...

J
Julie
From
New Zealand
This place is great. Very close to the beach. The staff were great and the room was clean. It’s a quirky place, which added to its charm.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.2
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 595 reviews
Price from
$115
1 night, 2 adults

Carousel Beach Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz

Located 2 minutes’ walk away from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Carousel Beach Inn offers rooms equipped with a private balcony. It serves a daily continental breakfast.

J
Joao
From
Australia
Location! Bagels at breakfast!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 1,753 reviews
Price from
$132.05
1 night, 2 adults

Seaway Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz

A short walk from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Municipal Wharf in California, the Seaway Inn offers easy beach access and comfortably furnished rooms with free WiFi.

A
Anthony
From
United States
Great location friendly & understanding staff
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 150 reviews
Price from
$209
1 night, 2 adults

National 9 Motel

Westside Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz

This motel is off the Santa Cruz Highway One and is 2 miles from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The motel offers an outdoor pool and rooms with free Wi-Fi.

j
joe
From
United States
The owner's manager's Are really nice people. They have been very accommodating the facilities. Our clean well maintained. And it's a very safe place I drive for lyft, so my car is my business and I feel very safe parking, my car overnight. The location is perfect, as it is right near the freeway entrance. Also, conveniently located near several restaurants. The hotel has an icemaker which is extremely convenient as I carry a large stanley cup with water and I can always fill up my cup with ice which is a great convenience. It is by go to place whenever in santa cruz
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 634 reviews
Price from
$75
1 night, 2 adults

Hitching Post Studios Inn

Eastside Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz

This Newly renovated Santa Cruz, California Inn features free Wi-Fi. It is 5.3 mi from the University of California Santa Cruz and guest rooms provide a flat-screen HD TV with HBO channels.

J
JT
From
United States
What's not to like at the hitching Post? ( They are remodeling several of the rooms). But don't let that stay away! Staff is always pleasant and helpful in any thing you may need.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 416 reviews
Price from
$103.50
1 night, 2 adults

Ocean Pacific Lodge

Westside Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz

Located 3 blocks from the historic Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk, Ocean Pacific Lodge is 100% nonsmoking and offers guest rooms with free WiFi.

N
Nadine
From
United States
I absolutely loved our stay!! The lodge was roomy, comfortable, convenient location and super clean. The ladies at the front desk were the best!! The walk to the beach and Boardwalk was easy as can be, and the lodge is next to a large park and playground.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 993 reviews
Price from
$110.20
1 night, 2 adults

Islander Motel Santa Cruz CA

Westside Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz

Offering a seasonal outdoor pool, this motel is 5 minutes' walk from downtown Santa Cruz. It offers free WiFi and free parking.

C
CHARLOTTE
From
United States
The room was clean and big and the bed was amazing.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 267 reviews
Price from
$84.99
1 night, 2 adults

Bay Front Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz

Located 2 minutes’ drive from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Bay Front Inn offers an outdoor pool and rooms with free WiFi.

M
Martha
From
United States
The room was clean and comfortable! And the location was perfect very close to the beach!!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.2
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,219 reviews
Price from
$80
1 night, 2 adults

Surf City Inn & Suites

Westside Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz

Surf City Inn & Suites is just 10 minutes' walk away from Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk. It features an indoor pool and hot tub. All guest rooms offer free WiFi.

W
Wanderinwonder
From
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Every time I stay here, I am pleasantly surprised by the unexpected "upgrade." A couple of stays ago, I was alone and walked in expecting a single room bed. They gave me a two-bedroom room! I didn't even know these existed - or I didn't expect it from this hotel. I didn't even use the room, but that was pretty cool. Also, I needed a wine opener, and the front desk let me borrow one to return whenever. Thanks for the trust! And yes, I returned it. Lastly, I requested a late check-out, and he gave me another hour free of charge. Thelis guy is awesome. The second time I stayed here, I was with a partner, and we were expecting a king-size room. We got a kitchenette with it! Mind blown. Again, I didn't use it, but that's freaking cool that that's an option and an unexpected upgrade. Then, you add that this place has a pool and hot tub for such a great deal!! Maybe I shouldn't be giving this place away by leaving a review... Thanks, Surf City! I'm actually a local and come here for a bit of a staycation, lol.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.9
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 1,609 reviews
Price from
$87.60
1 night, 2 adults

Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk

Westside Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz

Located within 5 minutes' walk of Santa Cruz Beach, Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf.

J
Jennifer
From
United States
The property was clean and nice
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,175 reviews
Price from
$119
1 night, 2 adults
All motels in Santa Cruz

Looking for a motel?

Both travelers on the road and on a budget rely on motels for convenient stops with reasonable rates. Direct access to parking makes a motel an easy place to catch some sleep after a day of driving. The relatively smaller size of this accommodation type can also help make check-in quick and easy.

Most booked motels in Santa Cruz and surrounding area in the past month

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Popular with guests booking motels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.9
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 1,609 reviews

Popular with guests booking motels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.2
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,219 reviews

Popular with guests booking motels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,175 reviews

Popular with guests booking motels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 5.9
Fair - What previous guests thought, 316 reviews

Popular with guests booking motels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.1
Good - What previous guests thought, 425 reviews

Popular with guests booking motels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 993 reviews

Popular with guests booking motels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 634 reviews

Popular with guests booking motels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.2
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 304 reviews

Popular with guests booking motels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 1,753 reviews

Popular with guests booking motels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 935 reviews

Save money on motels in Santa Cruz and nearby – budget options available

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Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.9
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 1,609 reviews

Bay Front Inn

325 Pacific Avenue
Budget options available
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.2
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,219 reviews

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,175 reviews

Motel Santa Cruz

370 Ocean Street
Budget options available
Scored out of 10, guest rating 5.9
Fair - What previous guests thought, 316 reviews

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.1
Good - What previous guests thought, 425 reviews

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 993 reviews

National 9 Motel

130 Plymouth Street
Budget options available
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 634 reviews

Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.2
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 304 reviews

Great access to the city center. Check these motels in Santa Cruz and nearby

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Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 935 reviews

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 1,753 reviews

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 408 reviews

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 150 reviews

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 761 reviews

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 267 reviews

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 416 reviews

Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.2
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 595 reviews

FAQ about motels in Santa Cruz

Motels that guests love in Santa Cruz

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Avg. price/night: $85.70
Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.2
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 304 reviews
This motel is walking distance to the boardwalk/beach. It is also very clean and up to date. The staff is very friendly.
Guest review byVictoria
Young couple
Avg. price/night: $204.99
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 1,753 reviews
Location was amazing and rooms were clean, Free parking was a bonus
Guest review byadam
Family with young children
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 761 reviews
Staff was polite, although they could have kindly given us a heads-up about the 8am concerts happening right on the motel’s property for the local running race.
Guest review byGiovanna
Family with young children
Avg. price/night: $101.98
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 634 reviews
We booked this motel mainly due to price reasons. The room was clean, simple and absolutely as we expected it to be. The guy at the front desk was very kind.
Guest review byConstanze
Group
Avg. price/night: $204.99
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 1,753 reviews
The location was so perfect, and it was great to have the free breakfast in the morning. It really set us up for the day. The free parking was great.
Guest review byGrace
Group
Avg. price/night: $204.99
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 1,753 reviews
We loved the fact, that the motel was located next to the pier or beach walk of Santa Cruz. However we were unlucky, because it was closed on the night that we arrived (we only spent one night there). The check-in staff, was friendly, no issues. The parking spots, free parking, were super convenient, and the security shut our trunk that we left open (thanks for that!). The hallways, that leads to the rooms, look quite old and shabby, they could need some improvement. The rooms were alright, motel style, nothing fancy, but clean.
Guest review byFrank
Family with young children