The 10 best cheap hotels in Santa Cruz, USA | Booking.com
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Cheap hotels in Santa Cruz

Find the cheap hotels that appeal to you the most

The best cheap hotels in Santa Cruz

Check out our pick of great cheap hotels in Santa Cruz

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Looking for a cheap hotel?

For those on a budget, these cheap and cheerful hotels still have a lot to offer, with most offering WiFi and convenient locations. Popular with backpackers, many properties can be found in central locations and include comfortable rooms with private or shared bathrooms. You’ll also find a number of options which feature a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage.

Most booked cheap hotels in Santa Cruz and surroundings in the past month

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Enjoy breakfast in Santa Cruz and nearby

  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
    Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 12 reviews

    Set in Santa Cruz, Beach Hill Bungalow offers a restaurant, 700 metres from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and 1.3 km from Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse.

  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.9
    Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 181 reviews

    Featuring barbecue facilities and a garden, Santa Cruz Hostel is located in Santa Cruz, 500 metres from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. This property also provides guests with a sun terrace.

  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 1,705 reviews

    Located 2 minutes’ walk away from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Carousel Beach Inn offers rooms equipped with a private balcony. It serves a daily continental breakfast.

    From US$126.35 per night

  • Sea & Sand Inn

    Santa Cruz
    Breakfast options
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.9
    Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 242 reviews

    Located within 10 minutes’ walk from Santa Cruz Wharf and Boardwalk, this hotel features rooms with free Wi-Fi. It offers a 24-hour reception and free guest parking for one vehicle.

    From US$339.48 per night
  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 990 reviews

    Set in Santa Cruz, 1.5 km from Santa Cruz Beach, SeaSide Inn & Suites offers accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking.

    From US$90.94 per night

  • Harbor Inn

    Santa Cruz
    Breakfast options
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 23 reviews

    Within 10 minutes’ drive of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Pleasure Point, this Santa Cruz inn offers accommodations with charming décor and free WiFi in all rooms.

  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 10.0
    Exceptional - What previous guests thought, 4 reviews

    Comprising a spa and wellness centre and a garden, Gorgeous Santa Cruz Villa - Modern Beachside Paradise with NEW Hot Tub & Fast Wi-Fi is a recently renovated accommodation in Santa Cruz located close...

    From US$1,226.99 per night
  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.6
    Exceptional - What previous guests thought, 14 reviews

    Featuring 3-star accommodation, Swell House Santa Cruz is situated in Santa Cruz, 4 km from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and 5.5 km from Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse.

    From US$236.43 per night

Stay connected in Santa Cruz and nearby. Cheap hotels with free WiFi

  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
    Good - What previous guests thought, 949 reviews

    Aqua Breeze Inn is located across the street from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Free WiFi and parking are included.

    From US$202.26 per night
  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
    Good - What previous guests thought, 479 reviews

    Located less than 5 minutes’ walk from the beach, this hotel is less than 10 minutes’ walk from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and 10 minutes’ drive from University of California -Santa Cruz.

    From US$112.93 per night
  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 78 reviews

    A short walk from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Municipal Wharf in California, the Seaway Inn offers easy beach access and comfortably furnished rooms with free WiFi.

    From US$211.13 per night
  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
    Good - What previous guests thought, 1,481 reviews

    Located within 5 minutes' walk of Santa Cruz Beach, Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf.

    From US$97.28 per night
  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 869 reviews

    This central Santa Cruz motel is just an 8-minute walk from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It features guest rooms with free Wi-Fi access and a cable TV.

    From US$91.23 per night
  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.2
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 282 reviews

    Offering a seasonal outdoor pool, this motel is 5 minutes' walk from downtown Santa Cruz. It offers free WiFi and free parking.

    From US$97.74 per night
  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 714 reviews

    This motel is off the Santa Cruz Highway One and is 2 miles from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The motel offers an outdoor pool and rooms with free Wi-Fi.

    From US$97.45 per night
  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 344 reviews

    This Newly renovated Santa Cruz, California Inn features free Wi-Fi. It is 8.5 km from the University of California Santa Cruz and guest rooms provide a flat-screen HD TV with HBO channels.

    From US$108.65 per night

Great access to the city centre. Check these cheap hotels in Santa Cruz and nearby

  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 10.0
    Exceptional - What previous guests thought, 2 reviews

    Located in Santa Cruz, less than 1 km from Sunny Cove Beach and 5.1 km from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Relaxing 3 bedroom Santa Cruz house, 5min to beach offers water sports facilities and air...

  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.3
    Superb - What previous guests thought, 3 reviews

    Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a patio, Amazing Santa Cruz Landscaped Paradise is set in Santa Cruz.

  • Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
    Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 6 reviews

    Featuring air-conditioned accommodation with a patio, Tranquil Mountain Retreat in Santa Cruz is set in Santa Cruz.

FAQ about cheap hotels in Santa Cruz

Cheap hotels that guests love in Santa Cruz

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  • La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

    Cheap hotel in Santa Cruz
    Avg. price/night: US$270.23
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
    Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 1,151 reviews
    The room was a good size with good facilities. The hotel was in a great location. The room was very clean.
    Guest review by
    Catherine
    Family with young children

  • La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

    Cheap hotel in Santa Cruz
    Avg. price/night: US$270.23
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
    Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 1,151 reviews
    The hotel is very clean and modern. The staff were friendly and welcoming and the breakfast was good. Our room was very spacious and clean with two queen beds and a sofa seating area. We enjoyed having a balcony too. The hotel is in a nice quiet location but only a short walk from all the fun. The hotel has secure parking. I would recommend this hotel.
    Guest review by
    Bianca
    Family with young children

  • Islander Motel Santa Cruz CA

    Cheap hotel in Santa Cruz
    Avg. price/night: US$97.74
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.2
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 282 reviews
    Lovely owners - very friendly and helpful. Good quality mattresses and very clean rooms. Perfect location for exploring Santa Cruz and within walking distance of everything you need. Highly recommend!
    Guest review by
    Helen
    Group

  • Torch Lite Inn at the Beach Boardwalk

    Cheap hotel in Santa Cruz
    Avg. price/night: US$97.28
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
    Good - What previous guests thought, 1,481 reviews
    Very clean, spacious room, location near the beach and broadwalk. The owner was very nice, I booked the wrong date but he was kind enough to let me changed the date & gave us the better room even though there hotel was fully booked, that was “first class” service. put the customer needs before profits.
    Guest review by
    Tammy
    Group

  • Rio Vista Inn & Suites Santa Cruz

    Cheap hotel in Santa Cruz
    Avg. price/night: US$126.13
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 804 reviews
    From the minute we arrived, I was very impressed by this accommodation. The location was fantastic, onsite parking is always a bonus and the lady who greeted us at front desk and got us checked in was so welcoming. Our room was spotlessly clean, beautifully furnished and the bed was very comfortable. The free coffee/tea/water/soda etc is also a wonderful service. We absolutely loved our stay here and could not recommend Rio Vista Suites & Inn more!
    Guest review by
    PetaDamsma
    Young couple

  • Marea Sol Hotel

    Cheap hotel in Santa Cruz
    Avg. price/night: US$148.83
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 802 reviews
    Spacious and very clean room and bathroom in a great location. Could not be better suited for stepping out onto the boardwalk for a cruise / dinner.
    Guest review by
    Andrew
    Family with young children

  • Beachview Inn

    Cheap hotel in Santa Cruz
    Avg. price/night: US$112.93
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
    Good - What previous guests thought, 479 reviews
    Great lovely hosts, an awesome location, super cheap and the room was very clean. Included even a mini fridge, microwave and TV. Would come back anytime!
    Guest review by
    Malyn
    Group

  • Drift Inn, LLC

    Cheap hotel in Santa Cruz
    Avg. price/night: US$91.23
    Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
    Very good - What previous guests thought, 869 reviews
    Very clean, ideal location for boulevard. A small selection of rooms which is nice because it's not overcrowded. Nice and quiet too. Newly refurbished bathroom.
    Guest review by
    Kiera
    Young couple