Santa Cruz hotels provide a place to stay in one of California’s coolest cities. Whether you’re coming to the California coast to soak up the sun, watch for whales, or sample California wine, you’ll need somewhere to stay once the sun sets. No matter your budget or style, you’ll find the perfect place to stay and rest up for a new day’s adventures.

It’s very easy to make a case that the beach is the best asset of Santa Cruz and perhaps the entire California coast. It’s not surprising that many of the Santa Cruz hotels are close to the beach and the famed Santa Cruz Boardwalk. It’s a quick walk from the Giant Dipper Coaster and the other amusements to the Carousel Motel. Besides the views, perks include a complimentary breakfast and in-room wireless internet access along with discounts for the boardwalk rides. The guestrooms come with a king- or queen-sized beds, and the upgraded rooms have whirlpool tubs and views of the boardwalk.

At the Sea & Sand Inn (pictured above), every room features an ocean view, a rarity for the Central California Coast. While you’re soaking in views of the Monterey Bay and the Boardwalk, you could be relaxing in one of a dozen style of rooms ranging from a standard queen room to the expansive cottage rentals. The suites and the vacation rentals at the seaside inn have flat-screen TVs and spa tubs and some have fireplaces and expansive porches.

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If you’re looking for upscale Santa Cruz hotels that won’t break the bank, you’ll be in luck. Bella Note, the Inn at East Cliff (pictured), opened in 2007, close to Twin Lakes Beach and some excellent eateries in the quiet side of Santa Cruz. The warmly decorated guestrooms feature pillow-top mattresses and heated tile floors in the bath. Some of the rooms even have remote-controlled fireplaces and flat-screen TVs. Guests are invited to head to the lobby each morning to enjoy the complimentary breakfast before heading down to the beach.