Find Cheap Hotels in Santa Cruz, CA

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Compare Santa Cruz Cheap Hotels room rates, reviews, and availability. Most hotels are fully refundable.

Mission Inn

2.5 star property
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (1004)
"Clean comfortable room, quiet. Nice front desk staff. We always stay here when we visit our son."
The price is AED 294
AED 371 total
includes taxes & fees
5 Jan - 6 January 2025
Mission Inn

Beachview Inn

2.0 star property
8.2 out of 10, Very Good, (1001)
"Overall just great "
The price is AED 235
AED 304 total
includes taxes & fees
23 Dec - 24 Dec
Beachview Inn

The Aqua Pacific Hotel

2.0 star property
7.8 out of 10, Good, (505)
"The host was the friendliest guy. Makes you feel welcome and he is very knowledgeable. "
The price is AED 393
AED 523 total
includes taxes & fees
28 Dec - 29 Dec
The Aqua Pacific Hotel

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz, CA

3.0 star property
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (1004)
"We drive from halfway up BC Canada down to San Diego and back up again. We stayed at some 4 star hotels and other Fairfields. This was the best all around hotel for comfort, service, cleanliness, convenient location, ease of finding it, free parking, free breakfast selection and taste. There's 24hr guest laundry access (my only complaint is that they need to have the washing machine serviced to clean it as it has a musty smell). The beds were incredibly comfortable. It's within walking distance...
The price is AED 371
AED 431 total
includes taxes & fees
24 Dec - 25 Dec
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz, CA

Ocean Pacific Lodge

2.0 star property
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, (1005)
"The office staff is so accomodating. Hassle free check in!!! Keep up the good work!!!"
The price is AED 261
AED 349 total
includes taxes & fees
5 Jan - 6 January 2025
Ocean Pacific Lodge

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

4.0 star property
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (1005)
"Very nice even pulling in late at night. Directly across the street from the ocean and right on pacific coast highway. Nice fireplace. "
The price is AED 951
AED 1,082 total
includes taxes & fees
23 Dec - 24 Dec
Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Beach Street Inn and Suites

2.0 star property
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (1003)
"This is overall a great place to stay right at the beach and across from the Boardwalk. Staff is friendly. I downgraded my rating for two reasons. 1) Parking is an additional $15 per night, which for a non-urban motel seems quite steep and mostly unadvertised. 2) There is basically no maid service. They came in an emptied trash once during our 4 night stay. That’s it. I really did not mind that, although again this was mentioned at check in. Did not leave the maid a tip. "
The price is AED 409
AED 474 total
includes taxes & fees
23 Dec - 24 Dec
Beach Street Inn and Suites

Continental Inn

2.0 star property
7.8 out of 10, Good, (1001)
"Staff and service very nice"
The price is AED 245
AED 327 total
includes taxes & fees
5 Jan - 6 January 2025
Continental Inn

Surf City Inn and Suites

2.0 star property
6.8 out of 10, (1003)
"Wonderful!"
The price is AED 235
AED 294 total
includes taxes & fees
5 Jan - 6 January 2025
Surf City Inn and Suites

Torch Lite Inn

2.5 star property
7.4 out of 10, Good, (1003)
"great customer service check in was fast and easy, very clean & walking distance to the boardwalk definitely recommend!!"
The price is AED 234
AED 274 total
includes taxes & fees
5 Jan - 6 January 2025
Torch Lite Inn
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.
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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 Monterey Bay, this destination is home to University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum and Natural Bridges State 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.
How many inexpensive hotels should I expect to find in Santa Cruz?
Choose a hotel that suits your wallet among Expedia’s 16 budget hotels in Santa Cruz.
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 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 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.