Budget Hotels in Santa Cruz, California

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Top Santa Cruz Budget Hotels

Mission Inn
Front of property - evening/night

Mission Inn

2.5 star property
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (1001)
"Pleasant surprise."
The price is P5,244
P6,538 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 1 - Dec 2
Mission Inn
Beachview Inn
Individually furnished, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Beachview Inn

2.0 star property
8.2 out of 10, Very Good, (1000)
"Great accommodations for the price. Walking distance to the beach and harbor. "
The price is P4,071
P5,220 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 24 - Nov 25
Beachview Inn
The Aqua Pacific Hotel
Indoor pool, seasonal outdoor pool

The Aqua Pacific Hotel

2.0 star property
7.8 out of 10, Good, (494)
"I liked how it’s close to everything. "
The price is P3,780
P5,477 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 24 - Nov 25
The Aqua Pacific Hotel
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz, CA
Lobby

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz, CA

3.0 star property
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (1001)
"Will definitely be coming back."
The price is P6,187
P7,183 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 4 - Dec 5
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz, CA
Ocean Pacific Lodge
Front of property

Ocean Pacific Lodge

2.0 star property
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, (1010)
"Great location. Walking distance to the ocean and downtown."
The price is P4,195
P5,610 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 8 - Dec 9
Ocean Pacific Lodge
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Outdoor pool, a heated pool, open 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM, pool umbrellas

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

4.0 star property
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (1009)
"The front desk staff was so friendly and professional. Our room had phenomenal views and was beautiful and spacious. I highly recommend this gorgeous hotel!!"
The price is P14,083
P16,042 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 4 - Dec 5
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Beach Street Inn and Suites
Front of property

Beach Street Inn and Suites

2.0 star property
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (1002)
"Excellent location…if you take the balcony room with ocean view, you can experience the spectacular sunrise. Service is great and rooms are clean, nice and comfortable "
The price is P7,596
P8,764 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 5 - Dec 6
Beach Street Inn and Suites
Continental Inn
Property grounds

Continental Inn

2.0 star property
7.8 out of 10, Good, (1001)
"Super clean. Very convenient and easy check in. "
The price is P3,929
P5,259 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 8 - Dec 9
Continental Inn
Surf City Inn and Suites
Indoor spa tub

Surf City Inn and Suites

2.0 star property
6.8 out of 10, (1001)
"Wonderful!"
The price is P3,775
P4,724 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 8 - Dec 9
Surf City Inn and Suites
Torch Lite Inn
Marina

Torch Lite Inn

2.5 star property
7.4 out of 10, Good, (1001)
"Rooms are nice, location isn’t too far from the boardwalk or downtown too. "
The price is P4,012
P4,682 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 8 - Dec 9
Torch Lite Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
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Frequently asked questions

What is Santa Cruz like for travelers on a budget?
Santa Cruz has a variety of cheap accommodations and things to do, making it a great getaway spot for budget travelers. In addition to its well-known attractions like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay, this destination is home to University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum and Pleasure Point Park, which you can enjoy while spending very little.
What's the best accommodation for a budget-friendly stay in Santa Cruz?
Based on our traveler reviews, Ocean Pacific Lodge is a top choice for a less expensive stay. Other choices to stay on the cheap include Beachview Inn and Torch Lite Inn.
How many inexpensive hotels should I expect to find in Santa Cruz?
Choose a hotel that suits your wallet among Expedia’s 16 budget hotels in Santa Cruz.
When is the best time for a budget trip to Santa Cruz?
Weather will likely play an important role when you plan your trip to Santa Cruz, and keep in mind that cheaper options are usually available when the weather isn’t as good. The hottest months are usually September and August with an average temp of 63°F, while the coldest months are February and March with an average of 52°F. Average annual precipitation for Santa Cruz is 27 inches.
What is there to see and do in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz is known for its sporting events and surfing, and offers plenty to see and do without spending a fortune. You can budget for the top local attractions that interest you most, such as Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay, and then look for sights and activities that cost little or nothing at all. Enjoy the outdoors at Main Beach and Santa Cruz Main Beach, or hunt for bargains with some shopping at Ocean Street.
How can I get to Santa Cruz and get around on a budget?
Scoping out the transportation options in Santa Cruz is a smart way to keep your trip affordable. The most convenient airport is 13.4 mi (21.6 km) from the center in Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal). However, if that doesn’t suit your budget, you can look into flights to Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl. Airport (SJC), which is 27.6 mi (44.3 km) away. Santa Cruz might not have very many public transit options so a rental car could be a reasonable alternative to see the area.