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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

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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Popular with guests booking cheap hotels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very good - What previous guests thought, 795 reviews

Popular with guests booking cheap hotels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
Very good - What previous guests thought, 851 reviews

Popular with guests booking cheap hotels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 934 reviews

Popular with guests booking cheap hotels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.1
Superb - What previous guests thought, 399 reviews

Popular with guests booking cheap hotels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
Very good - What previous guests thought, 1,101 reviews

Popular with guests booking cheap hotels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,412 reviews

Popular with guests booking cheap hotels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
Very good - What previous guests thought, 1,023 reviews

Popular with guests booking cheap hotels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 1,187 reviews

Popular with guests booking cheap hotels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very good - What previous guests thought, 841 reviews

Popular with guests booking cheap hotels in Santa Cruz

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very good - What previous guests thought, 1,677 reviews

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

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 934 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

Beachview Inn

Santa Cruz
Central location
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 463 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$90.53 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 370 reviews

Just 10 minutes’ walk from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, this eco-friendly hotel offers en suite rooms with flat-screen cable TVs and iPod docking stations.

From US$114.93 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,412 reviews

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

From US$87.20 per night

Drift Inn, LLC

Santa Cruz
Central location
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
Very good - What previous guests thought, 856 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$81.15 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very good - What previous guests thought, 263 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$86.54 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
Very good - What previous guests thought, 851 reviews

Located in Santa Cruz, California, 10 minutes from Lighthouse Field State Beach, this hotel features an outdoor pool and bright, contemporary rooms with a 42-inch flat-screen TV.

From US$133.40 per night

Mission Inn

Santa Cruz
Central location
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very good - What previous guests thought, 900 reviews

Seymore Marine Discovery is 2 miles from this Santa Cruz area inn. A free breakfast is provided and all rooms offer free WiFi. A flat-screen cable TV is featured in all rooms at the Mission Inn.

From US$121.33 per night

Enjoy breakfast in Santa Cruz and nearby

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
Very good - What previous guests thought, 749 reviews

The Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North Santa Cruz is conveniently located where Highway 1 and Highway 17 meet. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.

From US$97.67 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
Very good - What previous guests thought, 611 reviews

This motel, just 10 minutes' walk from Capitola beach and village, offers free Wi-Fi. A seasonal outdoor swimming pool and guest launderette are available for guest use.

From US$131.32 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 11 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, 185 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.

Harbor Inn

Santa Cruz
Breakfast options
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
Very good - What previous guests thought, 22 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
Exceptional - What previous guests thought, 5 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$1,151.85 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Superb - What previous guests thought, 49 reviews

Situated in Santa Cruz, the recently renovated The Midtown Cottage- w/ Private Entrance and Views features accommodation 2.9 km from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and 4.3 km from Mark Abbott Memorial...

From US$216.41 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 10
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...

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

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very good - What previous guests thought, 706 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$89.61 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very good - What previous guests thought, 358 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$97.45 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 10
Exceptional - What previous guests thought, 1 review

Set in Santa Cruz in the California region, Cottage at the Point - For 4 features a patio. Both free WiFi and parking on-site are accessible at the holiday home free of charge.

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 9.1
Superb - What previous guests thought, 281 reviews

Featuring access to the private River Beach, this Felton resort is 8 miles away from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. A campfire and game areas are featured.

From US$136.98 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
Very good - What previous guests thought, 3 reviews

Boasting a spa bath, Aptos Home with Decks and Hot Tub - 2 Mi to Beach! is situated in Aptos.

FAQ about cheap hotels in Santa Cruz

Cheap hotels that guests love in Santa Cruz

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Avg. price/night: US$136.71
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 1,187 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
Avg. price/night: US$136.71
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.7
Fabulous - What previous guests thought, 1,187 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
Avg. price/night: US$86.54
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very good - What previous guests thought, 263 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
Avg. price/night: US$87.20
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,412 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
Avg. price/night: US$92.53
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very good - What previous guests thought, 795 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
Avg. price/night: US$126.43
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very good - What previous guests thought, 841 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
Avg. price/night: US$90.53
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 463 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
Avg. price/night: US$81.15
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
Very good - What previous guests thought, 856 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