10 Best Hotels in Downtown, Santa Cruz for 2026

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Where to stay in Downtown

Find the best Downtown areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Downtown

Westside Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Santa Cruz.

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Eastside Santa Cruz

Eastside Santa Cruz is known for its beaches, and you can plan a trip to Monterey Bay and Twin Lakes State Beach while you're in town.

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Jack O'Neill Memorial Paddle Out Surfers

Pleasure Point

World-renowned surf spot with a strong surf culture, Pleasure Point offers picturesque ocean views along East Cliff Drive and a walkable path with separate bike lanes. Enjoy amenities at Pleasure Point Park and nearby 41st Ave commercial district.

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CWFJJA USA California CA Santa Cruz clock tower and trolley on Pacific Avenue

Beach Hill - Beach Flats

Beach Hill - Beach Flats might not have many top sights, but Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

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Downtown Santa Cruz

Unique features of Downtown Santa Cruz include the beaches and restaurants. Make a stop by Pacific Avenue or Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History while you're exploring the area.

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Top Downtown Hotel Reviews

Ocean Pacific Lodge

4/10 Poor

"The walls were very thin and I could clearly hear the people next door as if they were in the same room. The particular room I was in smelled very bad like bad body odor. The room was clean but the place generally looked pretty run down. I will stay elsewhere next time."

Marea Sol Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"Amazing location right across from Santa Cruz main beach! Coming from Australia to visit for the first time and so glad we chose Marea Sol. Beautifully renovated - everything is clean, modern and high quality. Spanish charm to the architecture of the place but it was the staff, especially the legend of a manager Katrina, who made our stay so fun and special. We had a luxury double room and it was so comfortable and spacious with everything we needed. Balcony looked out to the beach and there was also a huge rooftop balcony with the best breeze and views to eat and drink at, which we loved. Parking on site, a great pool area to relax by and coffee shop on site for a lovely brew. Incredible value especially for the location which was only a five minute walk to the iconic Broadwalk. Katrina had so much energy and positive vibes with great local knowledge and recommendations which really elevated our stay. Wouldn't stay anywhere else in Santa Cruz! Can't wait to return 🏄🎢"

Surf City Inn and Suites

2/10 Terrible

"Attention!!!!! Be aware of this property!!!!! Last weekend my family & I stayed in this hotel, when we arrived the check in was easy and everything was going well. The room was so dirty, not well cleaned, left over used toilet paper, the doors were stain of makeup and some type of orange sticky food, could be Cheetos, the walls were all dirty and the certain was full of dryed ice cream from days before. That’s not it there is more! Friday afternoon we got some dinner sat in the patio where there is tables and chair, and a person first asked how to get a hold of front desk and we told him where to go, he then came back and ask for a water bottle, left to his room and came back downstairs and sat in the patio, he started mentioning all the types of drugs he was selling and also that he was hiding from the cops!!!! When this was heard I didn’t feel comfortable I try to get a hold of the front desk for hours and no answer no reply, until the next day and still didn’t want to give my money back!!!!! Will not stay here again, this was my 2nd time staying in this hotel and 1st time didn’t have a problem but this time it was unacceptable, I will not be staying here and if you have small kids be aware because this hotels approves a lot of drug dealers to walk in and out of the property. Is a very nice place but will not be staying here ever. Be aware!!!!! Always read the reviews!!!!!"

Frequently asked questions

What is Downtown like?

Travelers to the Downtown neighborhood in Santa Cruz will be sure to enjoy their stay. Be sure to check out Pacific Avenue and Williams-Reynolds House as part of your Downtown travel plans.

What's the best accommodation in Downtown?

For your stay in Downtown, Ocean Pacific Lodge is one of the top choices based on our traveler data.

How many hotels will I be able to find in Downtown?

With 14 Expedia hotels and other accommodations in Downtown to choose from, this is a good starting point for exploring the greater Santa Cruz area.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Downtown, will I receive a refund?

Yes! You'll find that most hotel bookings are fully refundable if cancelled before the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which often is within 24-48 hours of your scheduled arrival. If you have a non-refundable reservation, it might still be possible to cancel it and get a refund within 24 hours of your booking. Enter your dates, click on "Search", then filter by "fully refundable" to view the best deals in Downtown.

What are the top things to see and do in Downtown?

A few attractions you might want to check out while you're in Downtown are Pacific Avenue and Williams-Reynolds House. When you're sightseeing in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Pacific Garden Mall are also worth a stop.

Hotels in Downtown, Santa Cruz

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Our top choices for Downtown hotels

Ocean Pacific Lodge

The Historic Brookdale Lodge, Santa Cruz Mountains

Monarch Cove Inn

Pacific Blue Inn

Fern River Resort

Bella Notte

Captain's Inn at Moss Landing

Los Gatos Garden Inn Hotel

Hotel Los Gatos

Masood's Lodge

Comfort Inn Watsonville

Chaminade Resort & Spa

Hitching Post Studios Inn

Quality Inn & Suites, Santa Cruz Mountains

Valley Inn

Mission Inn

Hampton Inn & Suites Watsonville

ROYAL INN

Toll House Hotel Los Gatos

Seaway Inn

Where to stay in Downtown

Westside Santa Cruz

Eastside Santa Cruz

Pleasure Point

Beach Hill - Beach Flats

Downtown Santa Cruz

Top Downtown Hotel Reviews

Ocean Pacific Lodge

Frequently asked questions