[2023 PICKS] The Best Boutique Hotels in Santa Cruz, California

The best boutique hotels in Santa Cruz place you in some of the most idyllic locations in California.

Santa Cruz is a picturesque coastal city located in California, known for its idyllic beaches, laid-back lifestyle, and abundant natural beauty. Whether you’re a surfer seeking the perfect wave, a nature enthusiast looking to explore the great outdoors, or simply in search of a relaxing getaway, Santa Cruz offers something for everyone.

With its vibrant downtown scene, delicious dining options, and numerous attractions, Santa Cruz is a popular travel destination that attracts visitors from all over the world. Whether you’re traveling solo, with your family, or with a group of friends, Santa Cruz is the perfect place to unwind and soak up the California sun.

We hand-picked top-rated boutique hotels in Santa Cruz to consider for your next getaway!

The 10 Best Santa Cruz Boutique Hotels

1. Hilton Santa Cruz Scotts Valley

8.1 Average Rating
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Located just minutes from area beaches and the famous Santa Cruz Boardwalk, Hilton Santa Cruz-Scotts Valley is the perfect destination for travelers to Santa Cruz, California. The boutique hotel offers spacious and comfortable accommodations, as well as a range of amenities. Guests can enjoy free wireless high-speed internet access, microwaves, and refrigerators in their guestrooms or suite.

For recreation, the hotel features an outdoor pool and a well-equipped fitness center with Precor equipment. Business travelers can stay productive in the hotel’s 24-hour business center. Stonehouse Bar & Grill, located on-site, serves traditional California cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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2. Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

8.2 Average Rating
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Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection offers a variety of amenities for its guests. The modern rooms include free WiFi, soundproofing, bathrobes, a seating area, an electronics charging station, a TV with cable channels, and a coffee machine.

The boutique hotel features an outdoor pool with cabanas available, fire pits, and a fitness center. Solaire Restaurant and Bar is onsite, offering local wine and beer, farm-to-table ingredients, and a seasonal menu. A lending library is available for guests to browse, and a concierge service is provided to assist with dinner reservations and area attractions.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is less than 10 minutes’ drive away, and Capital Village is 14.2 km away. Pacific Avenue with boutique shops and stores is just 15 minutes’ walk from the property.

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3. Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages

8.5 Average Rating
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Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages is an ideal spot for a relaxing and memorable beach stay. Located in a quiet cul-de-sac and only 10 minutes away from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, this inn provides guests with a peaceful and safe environment.

The location of the inn is perfect for exploring the surrounding area. Roaring Camp Railroad, Henry Cowell Redwood Forest and the University of California Santa Cruz are all within 20 minutes’ drive of Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages. There are also many great wineries nearby, and Santa Cruz holds great events throughout the year. Additionally, famous singer-songwriters Neil Diamond and John Denver frequented and wrote some of their most beloved songs here.

Ocean Echo Inn offers rooms in the main house with flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, and microwaves. Cottages surrounding the house offer fully-equipped kitchens, private patios, and balconies with ocean views. BBQ facilities are also available for guest use, and select cottages are pet-friendly (an additional fee applies).

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4. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

8.4 Average Rating
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Hyatt Place Santa Cruz is a 3-star boutique hotel located in Santa Cruz, 1.4 km from Santa Cruz Beach. It features an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, private parking, a shared lounge, a bar, and air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and a private bathroom.

The hotel offers a buffet or American breakfast, a hot tub, a sun terrace, and 24-hour reception staff who speak English and Spanish.

Nearby attractions include Seabright State Beach (1.5 km), Cowell’s Beach (1.7 km), and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (1.4 km). The nearest airport is Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, 50 km from the hotel.

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5. Beach Street Inn and Suites

9.0 Average Rating
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Beach Street Inn and Suites is centrally located in Santa Cruz, across from Main Beach. This inn features a courtyard area with picnic tables, an outdoor pool, and guest rooms with free WiFi. Each room is equipped with a microwave and refrigerator, as well as coffee facilities and cable TV.

Beach Street Inn provides stunning views of Monterey Bay and a beach directly below. Guests can hire bicycles to explore the area. It is just steps to the sand and next to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and 4.2 km away from the University of California Santa Cruz.

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6. Dream Inn Santa Cruz

8.7 Average Rating
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The Dream Inn is the perfect destination for a weekend escape, corporate event, family holiday, or romantic getaway. Located right on the beachfront, next to Santa Cruz’s iconic boardwalk, and steps away from the city center, this hotel is in an ideal spot.

The boutique hotel has a natural, laid-back atmosphere inspired by the ocean. All guestrooms and suites have private balconies or patios with stunning views of Monterey Bay. Guests can enjoy the unforgettable sunsets, watch the surfers, and be comforted by the sound of the ocean waves.

The Dream Inn also boasts a spacious deck with a pool and hot tub. With its great location and luxury amenities, the hotel is an excellent choice for business or pleasure.

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7. Sea & Sand Inn

8.8 Average Rating
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Sea & Sand Inn is located in Santa Cruz, within 10 minutes walking distance of Santa Cruz Wharf and Boardwalk. The boutique hotel offers a 24-hour reception and free guest parking. It also provides free Wi-Fi in all rooms.

Each room is equipped with a TV and a DVD player, as well as a seating area and an en suite bathroom. A sea view is also offered.

A daily continental breakfast is available for guests, featuring fresh baked goods, boiled eggs, yogurt, fresh fruit salad, coffee, tea, and juices. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center is only a 5-minute walk away, and the University of California Santa Cruz is 3.2 km away.

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8. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

8.7 Average Rating
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La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz and offers air-conditioned rooms and free WiFi. Guests can take advantage of the fitness center on-site. Private parking is also available.

Each room is equipped with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a hairdryer.

An American breakfast is available daily.

Popular attractions in the area include Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, Cowell’s Beach, Santa Cruz Beach, and Seabright State Beach.

The nearest airport is Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, 51 km from the boutique hotel.

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9. The Inn at Pasatiempo

8.4 Average Rating
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The Inn at Pasatiempo is a boutique french-country inn located in Santa Cruz, California. It is adjacent to the Pasatiempo Golf Course, designed by Alister MacKenzie. All rooms are equipped with free WiFi, cable TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, and an en suite bathroom. The rooms are decorated in a french-country style with light-colored linens.

The inn features a 24-hour reception and an elevated outdoor terrace surrounded by colorful gardens. Other nearby attractions include the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the University of Santa Cruz, both within a 10-minute drive.

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10. Pacific Blue Inn

8.4 Average Rating
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Pacific Blue Inn, Santa Cruz is an eco-friendly hotel located just 10 minutes’ walk away from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. All rooms at the 100% non-smoking hotel are en suite and feature free WiFi, a flat-screen cable TV, an iPod docking station, a DVD player, an electric fireplace, and a work desk.

Throughout the day, complimentary baked goods and coffee are available for guests. The boutique hotel also features artwork from local artists in the lobby and dining area, a courtyard for guests’ relaxation, and bicycles that are available for rent.

The hotel is conveniently located near some of Santa Cruz’s top attractions. The University of California Santa Cruz is 15 minutes drive away, while Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is 8 km from the property. Santa Cruz town center is 15 minutes walk away.

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