The 8 Best Resorts in Santa Cruz CA – Hand-Picked for 2025
We analyzed all the available options and found the best resorts in Santa Cruz CA that offer comfort, convenience, and stunning coastline settings for your next vacation on the California coast.
Santa Cruz is one of the most beautiful parts of the state, and finding the right resort can give you the chance to get right on the beachfront and truly unwind.
Table of Contents
Methodology
To figure out the best resorts Santa Cruz CA has to offer, we went through hundreds of real-world experiences and public feedback.
We sorted through ratings, reviews, and traveler photos on Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, and Expedia to get a realistic view of how these properties actually operate day-to-day.
We also considered key factors like how close each property is to the beach or nature attractions, the size and style of rooms, quality of pools, spas, and dining, and how suitable each resort is for couples, solo travelers, or families. In other words, we took a close look at what really matters during a visit.
The 8 Best Santa Cruz Resorts – 2025 Full Guide
8. Seascape Beach Resort
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Direct access to 17 miles of beachfront on Monterey Bay
- 285 villa-style suites with full kitchens and ocean views
- Multiple fire pits and tennis courts spread across 45 acres
Seascape Beach Resort is the kind of relaxing oceanfront retreat that makes you forget you’re just 20 minutes from downtown Santa Cruz resorts.
It’s slightly tucked away in the Aptos area, but still part of the greater Santa Cruz CA resorts selection. With condo-style suites spread across blufftops overlooking Monterey Bay, the vibe is calm, private, and family-friendly without feeling overly busy.
The suites, by the way, are bigger than you’d probably expect. Each one has a full kitchen, a separate bedroom, and some even include fireplaces and private patios that look out over the water. That’s actually not something you’ll find often with most resorts Santa Cruz CA has.
The beach is incredibly close—you can walk down a short path and be standing on the sand in a few minutes. Food options include Sanderlings Restaurant, which offers ocean views and California coastal cuisine.
Pools are basic but heated, and there’s a full-service spa offering body wraps and massage therapy right on-site.
All in all, this is easily one of the best resorts in Santa Cruz if you want a condo-like setup and direct beach access.
7. Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley – Most Affordable
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Only 10 minutes from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- One of the most budget-friendly resorts in Santa Cruz CA
- Surrounded by redwood trees in a forested hillside location
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley is basically your best bet for people who want solid value without giving up comfort.
While it’s not located right on the coastline, it’s still considered one of the more well-rounded Santa Cruz CA resorts thanks to its large rooms, clean facilities, and consistently reliable service.
It sits in a more wooded, peaceful section just off Highway 17, which makes it great for those wanting to be close to both downtown and the redwood trails.
Rooms are modern and fairly big, and there’s an on-site restaurant and bar serving casual meals and local drinks. Plus, parking is free—which is something you don’t always get at other resorts Santa Cruz CA options.
Even though it doesn’t offer ocean views, the mountain and redwood backdrop gives it a different kind of natural vibe. It’s also pet-friendly, which could be a deciding factor for families or road-trippers.
If you’re just looking for one of the most budget-friendly resorts in Santa Cruz CA, this is probably the smartest pick.
6. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- 5-minute walk to downtown Santa Cruz
- Room options include two-bedroom family suites
- Outdoor pool and 24/7 food and drink options
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz offers more of a city-located experience that’s still just a quick trip to the beach, which, frankly, makes it great for travelers who want to walk everywhere.
The property gives off a modern, simple atmosphere that’s definitely more functional than fancy, yet still very clean and stylish in that urban California way.
The rooms include options that work really well for groups and families, with some larger suites that have multiple beds, pullouts, and even wet bars.
Breakfast is complimentary, and there’s also a small market and coffee bar that’s open all day and night, which is a nice convenience if you’re arriving late or heading out early.
While the resort doesn’t offer sea views, you can get to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in under 10 minutes by car or even by bike. Guests can use the heated pool and fitness center, and the whole setup is geared more toward a balance of work and play.
Among the Santa Cruz CA resorts close to downtown, this is a pretty solid middle-ground choice.
5. Beach Street Inn And Suites
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Directly across from Main Beach and Santa Cruz Wharf
- Infinity-style hot tub overlooking the ocean
- Beach-view rooms with kitchenettes available
Beach Street Inn and Suites is actually one of the more underrated Santa Cruz CA resorts, mostly because of its location—you’re literally across the street from the beach.
The energy here is lively, upbeat, and it’s very clearly designed for beachgoers who want quick sand access without sacrificing comfort.
Rooms come in different styles, including ocean-view options with sliding glass doors that open right up to patio seating. Some have small kitchens or kitchenettes, which makes it easier if you’re traveling with kids or planning longer stays.
The hot tub overlooks the ocean and is set on a deck where you can watch the sunset roll in. Pretty unforgettable, honestly.
It’s close to the Santa Cruz Wharf, meaning restaurants, shops, and even sea lions are just steps away. You’re also a few minutes from the iconic Boardwalk.
It’s one of the more walkable beach resorts Santa Cruz CA has on the map, and the vibe is relaxed but still polished enough to appeal to couples and families alike.
4. Dream Inn Santa Cruz – Best-Seller
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- All rooms face the ocean with balconies or patios
- Pool and hot tub directly next to Cowell Beach
- Jack O’Neill Lounge and restaurant with ocean views
Dream Inn is basically the best-seller of the Santa Cruz resorts crowd for a reason.
It’s the only full-service beachfront hotel in the city where every single room includes an ocean-facing view. That’s pretty rare anywhere on the California coast, let alone right in the heart of a beach town like this one.
The energy is retro-chic, blending mid-century design with updated, modern comforts. The pool and hot tub sit just a few feet from Cowell Beach, and from most of the rooms, you can see the wharf, Boardwalk, and surfers riding waves just below your balcony, making it one of the best beachfront resorts in Santa Cruz CA.
The rooms are bright and colorful without feeling dated. Meanwhile, dining includes fresh seafood and cocktails at the Jack O’Neill Lounge, named after the surf legend, and service overall is smooth and friendly.
It’s not the cheapest option, but when it comes to resorts in Santa Cruz CA with real beachfront, it’s more or less the go-to pick for ocean lovers and people who want that full Pacific view experience.
3. West Cliff Inn
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- 10-room Victorian inn directly above Cowell Beach
- Afternoon wine and cheese service included
- Private balconies and fireplaces in select rooms
West Cliff Inn is a more intimate option, offering a cozy, boutique atmosphere that’s very different from the larger Santa Cruz resorts on this list.
Housed in a historic Victorian building, the inn overlooks Cowell Beach and the surrounding oceanfront with crisp, unobstructed views.
There are only 10 rooms, but each is uniquely decorated and several include private balconies, oversized soaking tubs, or even in-room fireplaces.
Morning breakfast is included and made fresh, and the inn also hosts a wine and cheese hour that feels more like a quiet social gathering than a resort happy hour.
The setting is quiet but central, within walking distance to the Boardwalk and the wharf. It’s a better fit for adults or couples than families with young kids.
For those looking to avoid bigger crowds but still be close to the action, West Cliff Inn is one of the most relaxed Santa Cruz CA resorts you’ll come across.
2. Chaminade Resort & Spa – Top Value Pick
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- 300-acre wooded hilltop property
- Full-service spa and heated outdoor pool
- Two restaurants with ocean and mountain views
Chaminade Resort & Spa feels completely different from beachside properties—it’s set on a hilltop covered in eucalyptus trees and rolling forest land.
That, in a way, makes it the most peaceful out of all the resorts in Santa Cruz CA. The size of the property is huge, with winding walking trails, tennis courts, and a full fitness center spread out over 300 acres.
The rooms are warm and modern, with patios or balconies that face out toward nature. There’s a high-end spa offering deep tissue massages, facials, and full body treatments.
A heated outdoor pool sits beside the fitness area, and the resort also features fire pits and lounges perfect for cool coastal nights.
On-site dining includes The View, a restaurant with—you guessed it—panoramic views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Monterey Bay beyond.
Even though you’re not directly on the beach, you’re only 10 to 12 minutes away by car. Chaminade gives off an upscale but unpretentious energy that makes it a very strong pick among Santa Cruz CA resorts for couples or wellness-focused travelers.
1. Sea & Sand Inn – Top Overall
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Oceanfront rooms just above Cowell Beach
- Wine and cheese served daily with a sunset view
- Walking distance to wharf, Boardwalk, and Lighthouse Point
Sea & Sand Inn ranks at the top thanks to a mix of ideal location, ocean views, and thoughtful extras that make each stay feel a little special, making it the best resort in Santa Cruz on the beach.
Every room on this cliffside property faces the ocean, offering either patios or balconies where you can relax and watch waves come in. It’s a smaller, more personalized resort but still within minutes of all the Santa Cruz action.
The resort is located right above Cowell Beach, just a short walk from the Santa Cruz Wharf and close enough to stroll to Steamer Lane or Lighthouse Point.
Many rooms include fireplaces and whirlpool tubs, and complimentary wine and cheese is offered every evening. It’s definitely one of the more romantic resorts Santa Cruz CA has available.
The atmosphere is calm and casual, but everything feels polished and well-maintained. You can hear the surf from your bed. Parking is free, and breakfast is included, which adds to the overall value.
If you’re searching for the best resort in Santa Cruz that offer a real oceanfront experience with no major compromises, this is it.
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