A colorful coastal town with a sandy beach and a calm sea.

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Check availability on Santa Cruz Cheap Hotels

Tonight
8 Aug - 9 Aug
Tomorrow
9 Aug - 10 Aug
Next weekend
14 Aug - 16 Aug
In two weeks
21 Aug - 23 Aug

Our top choices for Santa Cruz cheap hotels

1. Ocean Pacific Lodge

Ocean Pacific Lodge
Westside Santa Cruz
United States
Lawrence
฿2,952
฿3,823 total
includes taxes & fees
7 Sept - 8 Sept
Ocean Pacific Lodge

2. Seaside Inn & Suites

Seaside Inn & Suites
Westside Santa Cruz
United States
Sean
฿2,648
฿3,597 total
includes taxes & fees
23 Aug - 24 Aug
Seaside Inn & Suites

3. Beachview Inn

Beachview Inn
Westside Santa Cruz
United States
Jay
฿2,529
฿3,261 total
includes taxes & fees
7 Sept - 8 Sept
Beachview Inn

4. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North
Westside Santa Cruz
United States
Cecelia
฿3,676
฿4,234 total
includes taxes & fees
31 Aug - 1 Sept
Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

5. Surf City Inn and Suites

Surf City Inn and Suites
Westside Santa Cruz
United States
Veronica
฿2,383
฿2,950 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Sept - 3 Sept
Surf City Inn and Suites

6. Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz

Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz
Westside Santa Cruz
United States
Gordon
฿2,410
฿2,797 total
includes taxes & fees
24 Aug - 25 Aug
Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz

7. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

Hyatt Place Santa Cruz
Westside Santa Cruz
United States
Susana
฿4,827
฿5,554 total
includes taxes & fees
31 Aug - 1 Sept
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

8. Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz

Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz
Westside Santa Cruz
United States
Brian
฿2,090
฿2,850 total
includes taxes & fees
7 Sept - 8 Sept
Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz

9. Casablanca On The Beach

Casablanca On The Beach
Westside Santa Cruz
United States
Carol
฿4,558
฿6,357 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Sept - 2 Sept
Casablanca On The Beach

10. Marea Sol Hotel

Marea Sol Hotel
Westside Santa Cruz
United States
Clarissa
฿4,433
฿5,113 total
includes taxes & fees
8 Sept - 9 Sept
Marea Sol Hotel
View all properties

Top Santa Cruz Hotel Reviews

Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz

Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz

10/10 Excellent
"Great location, good value, not a luxury property but everything simple straightforward and worthwhile.Ample free parking and helpful staff when required. Beachfront minutes away and lots of nearby excellent restaurants."
dominic 3-night trip
Posted 7 hours ago
Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz
Ocean Pacific Lodge

Ocean Pacific Lodge

8/10 Good
"Walking distance to boardwalk"
Yolanda 2-night trip
Posted 14 hours ago
Ocean Pacific Lodge
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

8/10 Good
"Reception service was nice. Lobby and restaurant had lovely aesthetics. Room was modern and clean. Restaurant service was unorganized and slow. Food menu was decent though. Pool area was inviting but definitely need to change their pool chairs. The material makes them look super dirty. Yuk."
Elvia 1-night trip
Posted 1 day ago
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Hotel Solares

Hotel Solares

10/10 Excellent
"I liked the hotel's location and the fact that everything was within walking distance. The only thing I didn't like was that coffee was available only in the morning."
Tetiana 3-night trip
Posted 1 day ago
Hotel Solares
Surf City Inn and Suites

Surf City Inn and Suites

10/10 Excellent
"The pool, hot tub and deck area were great for relaxing, walking distance to downtown shops and rest as well as the boardwalk. Trader Joe’s and CVS near by for all the at once needs"
albert g 3-night trip
Posted 3 days ago
Surf City Inn and Suites

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 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and 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 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay, and then look for sights and activities that cost little or nothing at all. Enjoy the outdoors at Santa Cruz Main Beach and Cowell's 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.

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