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

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Check availability on Santa Cruz Cheap Hotels

Next weekend
13 Nov - 15 Nov
In two weeks
20 Nov - 22 Nov

Our top choices for Santa Cruz cheap hotels

A wooden interior with large windows overlooking a beach.

1. La Bahia Hotel and Spa

La Bahia Hotel and Spa
4.5 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (601 reviews)
"amazing stay"
United States
Devin
The price is AED 897
AED 1,212 total
includes taxes & fees
9 Nov - 10 Nov
La Bahia Hotel and Spa
A spacious indoor area with wicker furniture, large windows offering a view of the beach and ocean, and a surf shop sign.

2. Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Dream Inn Santa Cruz
4.0 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (1,040 reviews)
"Awesome view great staff clean facilities"
United States
Janet
The price is AED 878
AED 1,000 total
includes taxes & fees
29 Nov - 30 Nov
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
A coastal building with a wooden door, numbered 118, adjacent to a beach with palm trees and a clear sky.

3. Edgewater Beach Inn

Edgewater Beach Inn
2.0 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (75 reviews)
"Very convenient to the boardwalk and downtown."
United States
Marlene
The price is AED 368
AED 425 total
includes taxes & fees
19 Nov - 20 Nov
Edgewater Beach Inn
A modern lobby with a wooden floor, seating area, large windows, and a plant.

4. 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, (1,364 reviews)
"Always a great stay! Our second time staying here on our yearly Santa Cruz trip and it was great as always!"
United States
Rosio
The price is AED 437
AED 506 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
A modern cafe with wicker pendant lights, a mural of mountains, and large windows offering a view of palm trees.

5. Seaway Inn

Seaway Inn
2.5 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (328 reviews)
"Great location, clean perfect stay"
United States
Myla
The price is AED 441
AED 510 total
includes taxes & fees
15 Nov - 16 Nov
Seaway Inn
A hotel room with a bed, a bedside table with a phone, a vase of flowers, a nightstand with a lamp, a mirror, and a painting of a beach scene.

6. Mission Inn

Mission Inn
2.5 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (1,008 reviews)
"I will stay there again"
United States
Judy
The price is AED 337
AED 419 total
includes taxes & fees
9 Nov - 10 Nov
Mission Inn
A hotel room with a bed, a desk, a chair, a TV, and a painting on the wall.

7. Marea Sol Hotel

Marea Sol Hotel
2.0 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (1,654 reviews)
"The view was great and our stay was great."
United States
Jacqueline
The price is AED 393
AED 457 total
includes taxes & fees
9 Nov - 10 Nov
Marea Sol Hotel
A large, two-story building with a balcony and a porch, surrounded by a well-maintained lawn.

8. West Cliff Inn - A Four Sisters Inn

West Cliff Inn - A Four Sisters Inn
3.5 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (1,000 reviews)
"This place is an absolute gem. Terrific location, charming and with so much attention to the guest’s experience. If I could rate higher than 10 I would."
United States
Molly
The price is AED 606
AED 694 total
includes taxes & fees
16 Nov - 17 Nov
West Cliff Inn - A Four Sisters Inn
A covered outdoor seating area with stone pillars, a metal fence, and a table with chairs.

9. 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, (726 reviews)
"Overall it was nice but I was in the street side and it was very loud, had to use white noise to sleep. Otherwise it was a nice room."
United States
Nicole
The price is AED 391
AED 454 total
includes taxes & fees
18 Nov - 19 Nov
Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA
A balcony with two chairs, a small table with a vase of flowers, and a view of a parking lot and amusement park.

10. Carousel Beach Inn

Carousel Beach Inn
2.5 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (207 reviews)
"Great place to stay !"
United States
Deina
The price is AED 358
AED 419 total
includes taxes & fees
9 Nov - 10 Nov
Carousel Beach Inn
An outdoor seating area with fire pits and string lights, surrounded by a building with multiple windows and a palm tree.

11. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

Hyatt Place Santa Cruz
3.0 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (1,004 reviews)
"Room was clean and the breakfast was great!"
United States
Alissa
The price is AED 492
AED 568 total
includes taxes & fees
10 Nov - 11 Nov
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz
A courtyard with stone flooring, wooden benches, potted plants, and a fire pit.

12. Pacific Blue Inn

Pacific Blue Inn
3.0 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (962 reviews)
"We arrived after hours and self-checkin was super easy. The Inn was lovely and was a great location near downtown."
United States
Sharon
The price is AED 327
AED 391 total
includes taxes & fees
10 Nov - 11 Nov
Pacific Blue Inn
A reception area with two sofas, a plant, a map display, and a view of the outside.

13. Ocean Pacific Lodge

Ocean Pacific Lodge
2.0 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, (1,552 reviews)
"Lovely, spacious , well appointed, clean rooms, professional friendly staff, nice pool and hot tubs, and fantastic location; will definitely be back!"
United States
Tasia
The price is AED 272
AED 358 total
includes taxes & fees
29 Nov - 30 Nov
Ocean Pacific Lodge
An outdoor seating area with round tables and chairs, string lights overhead, and a large tree in the center.

14. Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
4.0 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, (1,364 reviews)
"Great stay"
United States
Oleg
The price is AED 433
AED 502 total
includes taxes & fees
15 Nov - 16 Nov
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
A spacious living area with a fireplace, comfortable seating, and a view of the outdoors.

15. Inn At Pasatiempo

Inn At Pasatiempo
2.5 star property
Santa Cruz
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, (1,002 reviews)
"Great location"
United States
AMY
The price is AED 474
AED 544 total
includes taxes & fees
9 Nov - 10 Nov
Inn At Pasatiempo
A hotel room with a large bed, a bathroom with a bathtub, and a wooden floor.

16. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North
2.5 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (1,355 reviews)
"Very clean rooms, helpful staff and good breakfast"
United States
Kathy
The price is AED 291
AED 339 total
includes taxes & fees
6 Dec - 7 Dec
Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North
A modern hotel room with a kitchenette, a bed, a desk, and a view of the outdoors.

17. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG
2.5 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (1,302 reviews)
"Would stay again. Amazing staff."
United States
Sarika
The price is AED 463
AED 535 total
includes taxes & fees
24 Nov - 25 Nov
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG
A Courtyard by Marriott hotel with outdoor seating, a fire pit, and potted plants.

18. Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz

Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
3.0 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (1,188 reviews)
"Great location."
United States
Anita
The price is AED 403
AED 467 total
includes taxes & fees
10 Nov - 11 Nov
Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
A landscaped garden with palm trees, flowering shrubs, and a gravel path.

19. Hitching Post Studios Inn

Hitching Post Studios Inn
2.0 star property
Eastside Santa Cruz
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (496 reviews)
"Easy parking"
United States
Christian
The price is AED 281
AED 326 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Hitching Post Studios Inn
A hotel room with a bed, bedside tables, a chair, and a desk.

20. Islander Motel Santa Cruz

Islander Motel Santa Cruz
2.0 star property
Westside Santa Cruz
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (1,030 reviews)
"Great place to staying!"
United States
LI
The price is AED 226
AED 286 total
includes taxes & fees
10 Nov - 11 Nov
Islander Motel 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
"You can tell by the way the staff interacts with you that they really enjoy their work, Every member we met, like Blossom at check-in to the restaurant staff, treated us delightfully. This was our first time in an Autograph hotel. The furnishings in the lobby were fun, interesting, and made us feel welcomed in Santa Cruz."
Rex 1-night trip
Posted 1 day ago
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Frequently asked questions

What is Santa Cruz like for travelers on a budget?
Santa Cruz has a variety of cheap accommodations and things to do, making it a great getaway spot for budget travelers. In addition to its well-known attractions like 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 accommodation for a budget-friendly stay in Santa Cruz?
Based on our traveler 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, and keep 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 temp of 63°F, while the coldest months are February and March with an average of 52°F. Average annual precipitation for Santa Cruz is 27 inches.
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 center in Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal). However, if that doesn't suit your budget, you can look into flights to Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl. Airport (SJC), which is 27.6 mi (44.3 km) away. Santa Cruz might not have very many public transit options so a rental car could be a reasonable alternative to see the area.