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Torch Lite Inn

2.5 star property
Art Deco motel in Santa Cruz with free parking

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Torch Lite Inn

Signature Room
Lobby sitting area
Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, desk, blackout drapes
Terrace/patio
Front of property
Torch Lite Inn, near Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, offers a relaxed vibe with outdoor furniture and a spacious terrace. Unwind here and enjoy in-room WiFi, free self parking, plus the convenience of 24-hour front desk services. The helpful staff has received rave reviews from past guests.

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • 24/7 front desk
  • Housekeeping
  • Parking included
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 2 of 2 rooms

View all photos for Signature Room

Signature Room

Signature Room

8.2 out of 10
Very good
(69 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
Refrigerator
LCD TV
Premium bedding
Pillowtop bed
Blackout drapes/curtains
Hair dryer
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Deluxe Room

Deluxe Room

Deluxe Room

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(52 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
Refrigerator
LCD TV
Premium bedding
Pillowtop bed
Blackout drapes/curtains
Hair dryer
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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About the area

Located in Westside Santa Cruz, a neighborhood in Santa Cruz, Torch Lite Inn is near theme parks and near the beach. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Monterey Bay and Capitola Beach. Boardwalk Bowl and Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History are also worth visiting. Kayaking and water skiing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and mountain biking nearby.
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Map
500 Riverside Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060

What's nearby

  • Ocean Street - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Santa Cruz Main Beach - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Santa Cruz Wharf - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Cowell's Beach - 13 min walk - 1.1 km

Getting around

  • Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) - 27 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪四姐 Special Noodle - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Boardwalk Bowl - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Cruzin’ Crepes - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Los Viejones - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Hot Dog On Stick - ‬7 min walk

About this property

Torch Lite Inn

Motel near Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Torch Lite Inn provides a terrace and more. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
You'll also find perks like:
  • Free self parking
  • A vending machine, a 24-hour front desk, and smoke-free premises
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Guest reviews give top marks for the helpful staff and location
Room features
All guestrooms at Torch Lite Inn feature perks such as premium bedding and air conditioning, in addition to amenities like free WiFi. Guest reviews speak positively of the clean rooms at the property.
Other conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Shower/tub combinations, free toiletries, and hair dryers
  • 40-inch LCD TVs with premium channels
  • Refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee/tea makers

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking available only on request
  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited onsite parking (max 1 space per unit)

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

  • Outdoor furniture
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Hardwood flooring in room
  • No elevator
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

More

  • 2 buildings
  • 2 floors
  • Art Deco architecture
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Pillowtop mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 40-inch LCD TV with premium cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 6:00 AM
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in fee: USD 45
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
If you are planning to arrive after 10:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
This property's listed general deposit is refundable via credit card within 14 days after check-out, pending room inspection.

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
2 children can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: USD 200.00 per accommodation, per stay

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

This property's listed general deposit is refundable via credit card within 14 days after check-out, pending room inspection.

Optional extras

  • Early check-in fee: USD 45 (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve onsite parking
This property accepts credit cards and cash
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Property is also known as

Torch Lite Inn
Torch Lite Inn Santa Cruz
Torch Lite Santa Cruz
Torch Lite Hotel Santa Cruz
Torch Lite Motel
Torch Lite Inn Motel
Torch Lite Inn Santa Cruz
Torch Lite Inn Motel Santa Cruz

Frequently asked questions

Is Torch Lite Inn pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Torch Lite Inn?

As of Aug 31, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Torch Lite Inn on Sept 14, 2025 start from CA $115.63, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Torch Lite Inn?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Torch Lite Inn?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 6:00 AM. Early check-in is available for a fee of USD 45 (subject to availability). Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Torch Lite Inn?

Check-out is at 11 AM.

Where is Torch Lite Inn located?

Located in Westside Santa Cruz, this motel is within a 10-minute walk of Ocean Street and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Monterey Bay is 1.7 mi (2.8 km) away.

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Torch Lite Inn Reviews

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 403 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 247 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 168 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 81 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 104 out of 1003 reviews

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

6.8/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Oved

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very accessible to walk to the beach restaurants a d friendly owner or manager!!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Kirsten

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Our family enjoyed our quick stay here!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice, helpful front desk. This hotel is in the perfect location to avoid the expensive parking at the nearby locations. Our room was comfortable. There is a nice view from the shared outdoor patio.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

ashley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Best property within walking distance of the boardwalk. I have had an exceptional time every time with the clean rooms.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peter

Very nice reception
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Arron

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It’s not fancy but quiet, very clean, affordable and the owner couldn’t have been more hospitable. My brief interaction with him and his young son at check out started my day with a smile on my face. What’s better than that?
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elsa

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Rooms updated like pix, very clean, parking is good, extremely walkable to all the main Santa Cruz attractions beach, boardwalk, warf, West Cliff Drive, Pacific Garden Mall, Warrior area. Great value, this place has location and the rooms are clean. It's a safe area. The grounds needs some sprucing up and the pool has been removed.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anthony

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This hotel is a surprise. While it is a basic hotel it offers a clean room with laminate floors. The rooms do not flare up my asthma to which can be a major issue for me when staying at other cheap hotels. The front desk staff is incredibly nice! We have stayed at the hotel quite a few times and will return when we are in need of an affordable and clean night’s stay in Santa Cruz.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Nathan

Liked: Staff & service
Nice room but pictures can be misleading. Floors and walls are paper thin. And somewhat of a sketchy area.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

bernabe

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice staff
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Makenna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff super friendly and was a very easy stay overall. Definitely alleviated travel stress!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Mindie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Needs a little help on the outside - but overall a VERY convenient location nice staff and owners! Should make big dirt pile a garden with palm trees- improve the outside paint touch up- great parking clean updated rooms - perfect surfer town stop - I would stay again
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kathy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The couple running(owners?) property were the nicest people. We will definitely be staying with them again soon. Everything was very clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peter Jacob

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Good location, clean. Parking is a little odd but made it work.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicole

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I felt safe and they were very kind people!
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

4/10 Poor

Myra

Disliked: Amenities
Location ok, but the room have some flaws ,broken coffeemaker didn't even offer to replace, no shampoo
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Kate

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Not as advertised- 20 minute walk to the Boardwalk along very busy streets. Sheets appeared dirty. Minimal amenities- one hand towel and one wash cloth for four people.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Definitely coming back, close to the boardwalk. Lots of things walking distance!
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

4/10 Poor

Kathina

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
When we first initially came to stay here we were excited to be able to be closer to the beach. That part was solely my fault because of my lack of research of how far it truly was. My father’s truck Got broken into and
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kayla

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was wonderful!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Joshua

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great place to stay

Great place to stay
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The host was spectacular and kind. The room was very clean and comfortable. Enjoyed our quick stay in the quaint town.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Caren

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Family trip

It was very clean inside and outside. Close to things. Good parking. Close to things to walk.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Arma

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
For an airport hotel, you couldn’t ask for more.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024