Best Hotels & Lodging in Santa Cruz County

Most visitors to Santa Cruz County, California choose to stay within the city of Santa Cruz so that they can be close to the action surrounding the beach, boardwalk, and University of California Santa Cruz. Most lodging in Santa Cruz is situated along Ocean and Beach Streets. It is best to stay west of the San Lorenzo River if you are planning on walking to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and beach.

Of course, the other regions in Santa Cruz County also provide great accommodations. For those who want a more relaxed beach experience, there are some very nice accommodation options offered in Capitola, California’s oldest seaside resort. Close to San Jose Silicon Valley and Santa Cruz’s beaches, Scotts Valley offers accommodations perfect for mixing business with pleasure. Visitors interested in exploring Santa Cruz County’s natural beauty often find accommodations in Davenport. Staying in Aptos provides visitors with a nice, quaint home base from which to explore the redwoods, windswept beaches, boutiques and historical sites of Santa Cruz County.

Seascape Resort – Monterey Bay

Aptos CA

Phone: 831-688-6800

Located just south of Santa Cruz off Highway 1, Seascape Beach Resort offers 283 all-suites accommodations overlooking the Monterey Bay. You’ll find the comforts of home—plus the services and features of a four-diamond resort. Each studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom suite has a kitchen and fireplace with a beach home feeling, which is why Seascape is unlike any other Monterey Bay resort. With 17 miles of Monterey Bay beach to explore, spacious all-suite accommodations, delicious fine dining, and a full range of activities to choose from, Seascape is the premier Santa Cruz luxury resort. Seascape provides everything to make your Santa Cruz lodging experience memorable, including a host of resort options and amenities. It all adds up to being one of the best Monterey Bay resort destinations you’ll experience. That’s why guests return year after year.

A Heaven’s Roost

Aptos CA

Phone: 925-997-4437

Aptos ocean view! Feel the ocean mist from the decks of this dream vacation home “Heaven’s Roost”. It is warm, inviting and quiet. 2 bedroom, 2 bath house with ocean views. Spacious rooftop deck with a 360-degree view. There is a full view clear across the Monterey Bay. Only 1/2 block (2-minute walk) to the Rio Del Mar (Seacliff) State Beach, fishing pier, and concrete freighter, The Palo Alto (commonly known as the “cement ship”). Lovely weather year-round.

Merrybrook Lodge

Boulder Creek CA

Phone: 831-338-6813

The beautiful valley with Redwood trees surrounded in the Santa Cruz Mountains. See the inspiring settings of the green ferns and wildflowers in its natural beauty. Relax in this peaceful settings through the warm days and cool nights. Just minutes away from Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club and Big Basin State Park. Very attractive furnished individual six cottages and four motel units in the Redwood trees bordering on the banks of Boulder creek. Some overlook the mountain stream with a spacious porch to relax and enjoy the beauty. All large cabins have a living room, bedroom, kitchen, and a shower to accommodate 2-4 people. All are with the wood stove, electric heater, and fully equipped kitchen (some with microwave). Open all year round. AAA Approved. Please call (831) 338 6813 for more details and to make a reservation.

Capitola Hotel

Capitola CA

Phone: 831-476-1278

Steps to the beach, in the heart of the Capitola Village, our boutique hotel offers clean, comfortable rooms with high-quality linens and breezy Caribbean décor. Relax with a complimentary cup of gourmet coffee, tea, and freshly baked pastries or biscotti available in our lobby each morning. Keep in touch with free Wi-Fi access available throughout the property. Park once at the walk to fine restaurants, unique shops, and galleries. Enjoy live music, wine tasting, the beach and Capitola Wharf, all within steps of your room. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is ready to welcome you. We are looking forward to your visit!

Ocean Gate Inn

Santa Cruz CA

Phone: 831-429-8244

The Ocean Gate Inn is ideally located in the heart of Santa Cruz. Our affordable 25-room hotel is just a short walk from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, downtown shops, and restaurants. Ocean Gate Inn offers large, spacious rooms. Each room has its own private balcony where you can enjoy boardwalk or mountain views. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, we know that you have a choice of where to lodge. However, when you choose to stay with us at Ocean Gate Inn in Santa Cruz, CA, you will discover why we are reputed to be Santa Cruz’s best value. We are committed to providing all our guests with a great level of service and comfort that is customary for the establishment of our reputation. We want to make every guest’s stay the best it can be.

Cliff Crest Bed & Breakfast Inn

Santa Cruz CA

Phone: 831-427-2609

Built in 1887 and perched on Beach Hill above the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, this historic Queen Anne Victorian overlooks the picturesque Santa Cruz Mountains and beaches. The Inn features five-period guest rooms, each with a private bath and several with fireplaces. The property boasts a colorful backyard with towering redwood trees and ample parking. Experience Old World charm and hospitality. Full breakfast included; fine dining, beaches, and shopping within walking distance. Your new hosts, Adriana and Constantin, welcome you.

Mission Inn

Santa Cruz CA

Phone: 831-425-5455

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa Award-Winning Restaurant Collection With delightfully authentic flavors from around the world just steps away from your room, The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa features an array of award-winning restaurants, each with their own unique ambiance and style. As ambassadors of culinary perfection, the freshest ingredients are transformed into exquisite expressions of delectable artistry, perfectly prepared to satisfy your every mood or special occasion.

Santa Cruz Beach Inn

Santa Cruz CA

Phone: 831-458-9660

Welcome to the Days Inn & Suites in Santa Cruz California, a unique and relaxing hotel in Santa Cruz located just a few blocks from all the fun of downtown and the exciting Beach Boardwalk and historic amusement park. Have a comfortable stay in one of our spacious guest rooms or suites, all of which feature complimentary high-speed internet access and a continental buffet breakfast with hot waffles, fresh fruit, pastries and more. Relax in our heated pool and two Jacuzzis and enjoy all the activities and scenic beauty offered by the incredible central coast of California.

Howden Castle

Ben Lomond CA

Phone: 650-328-1058

Welcome! The Howden Castle is now available for vacation rental. Please check our calendar for available dates. Built in 1927, Robert Howden modeled his castle on his memory of native Scottish castles. The secrets of its history are here for you to discover. Accommodations: Three bedrooms, four baths, a modern kitchen, a grand room with balconies, a recreation room and a laundry room. Sleeps 8 The castle is located in the charming town of Ben Lomond where you can find local conveniences such as market, restaurants, antiques, library, and nightclub with live music. For the kid, there’s a new skate park and a swimming hole one block from the castle with a lifeguard (summer). Just minutes from Santa Cruz, local wineries, and golf courses. The Howden Castle is nestled next to its quaint “beach on the river,” where one can launch their kayak or fish for steelhead (in season) or relax by the fish pond and admire the stone carvings on the castle exterior.

Fairview Manor

Ben Lomond CA

Phone: 831-336-3355

A whole generation can identify with Santa Cruz, America’s beach town. And some grew up nearby, literally, at historic Fairview Manor Bed & Breakfast, in Ben Lomond, CA. It was back when muscle cars ruled, mini skirts were the rage, and the Supremes reigned supreme. High above the San Lorenzo River, nestled in redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Fairview Manor B&B; remembers the “Can-Do” Children of the Sixties

Redwood Croft

Santa Cruz CA

Phone: 831-458-1939

Get Away, Exhale, and Relax on the Beautiful Hill Set in the fragrant Redwood forests above Santa Cruz, the most desirable seaside resort on the West Coast, this country hideaway offers European-style comfort and California relaxed elegance. Magic redwood circles, lush organic cultivated and native gardens, and cool green lawns in a peaceful setting nestle around the Inn. A neighboring Ecological Reserve and nearby State Parks provide trails to hike or stroll to your heart’s content. Wine tasting, artists’ studios and beautiful un-crowded beaches are within minutes from our door. Designed with an Artist’s eye and a Grandma’s heart, each room invites you in . . . to Relax, Regale, Romance, or Retreat in your own way

Coast Santa Cruz Hotel

Santa Cruz CA

Phone: 831-426-4330

The coast Santa Cruz hotel is a seaside resort with Cowell’s beach as its backyard playground. Travelers will be speechless with breathtaking panoramic views of Monterey bay from each of the 163 spacious guest rooms. With the outdoor pool and spa you can relax all day and enjoy the sunshine. And for California cuisine experience the full-service restaurant the mainsail restaurant and bar. The coast Santa Cruz hotel is the only hotel in Santa Cruz located right on the beach and across the street from the boardwalk.

Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages

Santa Cruz CA

Phone: 831-462-4192

Ocean Echo’s quaint cottages are ideal for your next business trip or family vacation. Conveniently located between Capitola Village and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk our guests can make the most of their time in beautiful Santa Cruz. Ocean Echo’s accommodations are perfect for large families or the lone traveler. Many of our rooms can fit 4 or more people comfortably; guests enjoy their own kitchen complete with a gas stove and full-sized refrigerator. Ocean Echo’s smaller rooms, designed for 1-2 people, have a charming beach-side atmosphere with the warm feeling of a locally owned and operated Inn. All rooms will enjoy our beautiful bedding and peaceful setting.

Harbor Inn

Santa Cruz CA

Phone: 831-479-9731

Welcome to the Harbor Inn Your home away from home in beautiful Santa Cruz, California The Harbor Inn is located in a semi-residential area one block east of the picturesque Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor and walking distance to Twin Lakes State Beach, the gateway to the Monterey Bay Sanctuary. Whatever brings you to Santa Cruz, you can be assured of a clean, comfy room with character and sincerely helpful service that only comes with the care of a family-owned and run business.

West Cliff Inn

Santa Cruz CA

Phone: 800-979-0910

This distinctive Santa Cruz, California bed and breakfast inn is situated on a bluff across from Cowell’s Beach and the famous Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk.This fully renovated inn features a breezy, coastal-inspired decor including fabrics in crisp blues and whites, rattan furnishings with a mix of recycled woods and locally found artisan accessories. Walk to the historic Beach Boardwalk, bike along the water or shop at the most eclectic stores in California for the perfect getaway.This Four Sisters Inn blends the modern luxuries and sophisticated services of a boutique hotel with the traditional amenities and architecture of a B & B.Many guest rooms feature ocean views and jetted spa hot tubs. As with all Four Sisters Inns, rates include our celebrated amenities including a sumptuous breakfast buffet, afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres, evening turndown service, morning newspaper delivery, and bicycles to borrow to explore town, making this Santa Cruz California bed and breakfast hotel lodging a perfect romantic getaway.Explore downtown Santa Cruz, the world famous Beach and Boardwalk and beyond from your bed and breakfast hideaway. Your California adventure begins at the doorstep of our one-of-a-kind hotel lodging experience.

Capitola Venetian Hotel

Capitola CA

Phone: 831-476-6471

The Capitola Venetian is an all-suite, boutique hotel on the beach in Capitola Village, five miles south of Santa Cruz and forty miles north of Monterey. A fabulous lodging. Capitola Village has repeatedly been voted one of the best spots on the California coast, a town where you walk everywhere: to shops, art galleries, restaurants and coffee houses, right there at the waterfront. Among the annual events that draw visitors and locals are the Begonia Festival, Art and Wine Festival, and the famous Wharf to Wharf race. The Venetian itself is in the Mediterranean style with hand-carved doors thematic of Venice, Italy; their craftsmanship reflects the quality of the variety of suites available for singles, couples, and sizeable families. See Our Rooms.

Carousel Motel

Santa Cruz CA

Phone: 831-425-7090

Complimentary continental breakfast served daily. Complimentary wireless Internet service in every room. Just steps away from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and mile long Santa Cruz Main Beach. Many nearby attractions, shopping sites, and restaurants. Minutes to golf, water sports, fishing, sailing charters, and state parks Package Ticket Values Boardwalk Attractions Plus Unlimited Ride Package valued at $36.95 plus tax. Boardwalk Endless Summer Season Pass valued at $69.95 plus tax. Big Trees and Pacific Railway adult ticket valued at $23.50. Some Restrictions Apply. NOTE: Transient occupancy tax and admissions tax will be added to all package rates.

Hilton Santa Cruz / Scotts Valley

Santa Cruz CA

Phone: 831-440-1000

Centrally located in the South San Francisco Bay area, between Silicon Valley and Monterey Bay. Our Santa Cruz hotel is only four miles from scenic Highway 1 and just ten minutes away from local beaches and the famous Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Santa Cruz hotel guests are also situated only thirty minutes from the San Jose International Airport, one hour from Monterey/Carmel and just over an hour from San Francisco.

Jaye’s Timberlane Resort

Ben Lomond CA

Phone: 831-336-5479

Situated in the San Lorenzo Valley surrounded by towering redwoods. A great place to relax and play. Ten furnished, individual cabins on seven acres of redwoods forest, with ferns, landscape, and a creek through it. Walking distance from the San Lorenzo River. Guests may enjoy a barbeque on their private patio areas or on the open recreational area, strolls through the woodland, or a swim in the solar heated pool. Table tennis, horseshoe, shuffleboard, games, toys, and books are also available.

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