Search Cheap Hotels in Santa Cruz

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Check availability on Santa Cruz Cheap Hotels

Tonight
30 Dec - 31 Dec
Tomorrow
31 Dec - 1 Jan
This weekend
2 Jan - 4 Jan
Next weekend
9 Jan - 11 Jan

Our top choices for Santa Cruz cheap hotels

Exterior
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley

Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley

Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
4.0 star property
Santa Cruz
8.2 out of 10, Very good, (1244)
"Location was great close to the beach and the Redwoods. "
United States
Malinda
The price is ฿2,774
฿3,213 total
includes taxes & fees
11 Jan - 12 Jan 2026
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
Terrace/patio
Seaside Inn & Suites

Seaside Inn & Suites

Seaside Inn & Suites
2.5 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (928)
"Always a great stay here, clean, and friendly! "
United States
Paulo
Seaside Inn & Suites
Front of property
Ocean Pacific Lodge

Ocean Pacific Lodge

Ocean Pacific Lodge
2.0 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, (1278)
"Wonderful place to stay."
United States
Sara
Ocean Pacific Lodge
Indoor spa tub
Surf City Inn and Suites

Surf City Inn and Suites

Surf City Inn and Suites
2.0 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
7.8 out of 10, Good, (1006)
"Everything Staff is great and clean and quiet !"
United States
Richard
The price is ฿1,735
฿2,216 total
includes taxes & fees
5 Jan - 6 Jan 2026
Surf City Inn and Suites
Deluxe Cottage, 1 Bedroom, Fireplace, Garden Area (Cottage 11B) | Individually decorated, individually furnished, blackout curtains
Fern River Resort

Fern River Resort

Fern River Resort
3.0 star property
Felton
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (467)
"Great location"
United States
Echo
The price is ฿2,607
฿3,396 total
includes taxes & fees
11 Jan - 12 Jan 2026
Fern River Resort
Property amenity
Four Points by Sheraton Santa Cruz Scotts Valley

Four Points by Sheraton Santa Cruz Scotts Valley

Four Points by Sheraton Santa Cruz Scotts Valley
3.0 star property
Scotts Valley
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (1005)
"everything was great, can’t wait to comeback "
United States
Xochitl
The price is ฿3,228
฿3,691 total
includes taxes & fees
4 Jan - 5 Jan 2026
Four Points by Sheraton Santa Cruz Scotts Valley
Front of property
Mission Inn

Mission Inn

Mission Inn
2.5 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (1004)
"Excellent service, breakfast was very good."
United States
Diane
The price is ฿2,535
฿3,197 total
includes taxes & fees
4 Jan - 5 Jan 2026
Mission Inn
Queen Room | Individually furnished, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi
Beachview Inn

Beachview Inn

Beachview Inn
2.0 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
8.2 out of 10, Very good, (1000)
"Great location and nice staff "
United States
Ibby
The price is ฿2,141
฿2,810 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Jan - 2 Jan 2026
Beachview Inn
Terrace/patio
Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA

Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA

Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA
2.5 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (621)
"Great hotel! "
United States
Mihai
The price is ฿3,156
฿3,669 total
includes taxes & fees
18 Jan - 19 Jan 2026
Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA
Terrace/patio
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
3.0 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (1244)
"Breakfast was good, close to boardwalk! "
United States
Daniel
The price is ฿3,667
฿4,243 total
includes taxes & fees
4 Jan - 5 Jan 2026
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
View all properties

Top Santa Cruz Hotel Reviews

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

10/10 Excellent
"Absolutely loved my stay the staff was amazing I loved seeing Rainbow was still working there after 3 years since my last trip and the rooms have been redecorated and it was beautiful. Can’t wait to come back"
Cartier 2-night trip
Posted 1 day ago
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

10/10 Excellent
"The best thing about this property is its prime location right on the beachfront. The views are wonderful. You can walk along the cliffs or down onto the wharf and enjoy all that Santa Cruz has to offer as a beach town. They have updated the property so it has a retro modern feeling, which is done well and cute."
Nicole 2-night trip
Posted 7 days ago
Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Frequently asked questions

What is Santa Cruz like for travellers on a budget?
Santa Cruz has a variety of cheap accommodation options and things to do, making it a great getaway spot for budget travellers. In addition to its well-known attractions such as Monterey Bay, this destination is home to University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum and Pleasure Point Park, which you can enjoy while spending very little.
What's the best budget-friendly accommodation in Santa Cruz?
Based on our traveller reviews, Ocean Pacific Lodge is a top choice for a less expensive stay. Other choices to stay on the cheap include Beachview Inn and Torch Lite Inn.
When is the best time for a budget trip to Santa Cruz?
Weather will likely play an important role when you plan your trip to Santa Cruz, but bear in mind that cheaper options are usually available when the weather isn't as good. The hottest months are usually September and August, with an average temperature of 17°C, while the coldest months are February and March, with an average of 11°C. Average annual precipitation for Santa Cruz is 677 mm.
What is there to see and do in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz is known for its sporting events and surfing, and offers plenty to see and do without spending a fortune. You can budget for the top local attractions that interest you most, such as Monterey Bay, and then look for sights and activities that cost little or nothing at all. Enjoy the outdoors at Main Beach and Santa Cruz Main Beach, or hunt for bargains with some shopping at Ocean Street.
How can I get to Santa Cruz and get around on a budget?
Scoping out the transportation options in Santa Cruz is a smart way to keep your trip affordable. The most convenient airport is 13.4 mi (21.6 km) from the centre in Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal). However, if that doesn't suit your budget, you can look into flights to San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.), which is 27.6 mi (44.3 km) away. Santa Cruz might not have very many public transport options so renting a car could be a reasonable alternative to see more of the area.