Drive through California’s Highway 1 and find yourself in one of the best beach towns in America: Santa Cruz County. This laid-back spot is famous for being the first spot in the mainland where surfing was introduced by three Hawaiian princes in the late 1800s. It’s also said to be the birthplace of the O'Neill surfing brand. Today, it carries the tradition of this sport with pride, but that’s not all there is to it. Santa Cruz is home to awe-inspiring natural landscapes and is even a certified wine region. The county is a great starting point for exploring the many treasures of California, including the scenic coastline of Monterey Bay, the quintessential Main Street beauty of Pacific Grove, and the quaint small-town atmosphere of Aptos. Are you ready for your Santa Cruz vacation? Read our list of the best beach resorts near Santa Cruz, California, to complete your itinerary.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and access to beach. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 11, 2024.
1. Seascape Beach Resort in Aptos (from USD 355)
This stylishly contemporary oceanfront property features rooms with a balcony or a patio, where guests can lounge or dine with a view. Each villa, suite, or studio comes with a fully-equipped kitchenette, a TV, and a fireplace.
In this luxury Santa Cruz resort, guests have access to three outdoor swimming pools and hot tubs. Two on-site restaurants have great ocean views, as well. Other amenities guests can enjoy include a spa and wellness center, a fitness center, tennis courts, and a playground for kids.
Seascape Beach Resort
Address: 1 Seascape Resort Drive
28.92 km (18.0 mi) from Marina State Beach
2. Sanctuary Beach Resort in Marina (from USD 509)
Varied pricing, some guests felt it was overpriced, while others found it reasonable for the beachfront location and amenities.
Direct beach access, fire pits, pool, hot tub, bocce ball, volleyball, yoga, and complimentary bike rentals. Dog-friendly with some noise concerns related to pets.
Beautiful beachfront location with stunning ocean views, but some guests experienced noise from neighboring rooms and found the property slightly outdated.
Mixed reviews on the on-site restaurant, Salt Wood, with some guests praising the meals and others expressing disappointment in the food quality and high prices.
Opt for an oceanfront view room and enjoy spectacular views of the majestic Pacific Ocean when you stay at this waterfront resort in Marina. Each room comes with a TV, a fireplace, an MP3 docking station, plus views of your amazing surroundings. It features a fantastic restaurant that serves seasonal dishes with local produce from California.
Within the hotel grounds, you can use the swimming or the hot tub. Local hot spots such as Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row are just a few minutes away by car.
Sanctuary Beach Resort
Address: 3295 Dunes Drive
473 meters (0.3 ft) from Marina State Beach
Other beach accommodations near Santa Cruz
3. Beachfront condo with Monterey Bay views in Watsonville (from USD 295)
This well-appointed two-bedroom condo is just a few steps away from Palm Beach. The unit features a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen, and cozy beds that can accommodate up to eight guests. Outside, you can enjoy the sea breeze while lounging on the pretty patio with a view of the trees and the beach nearby.
Beachfront Condo with Monterey Bay Views!
17.42 km (10.9 mi) from Marina State Beach
4. Seven Gables Inn in Pacific Grove (from USD 255)
High-end pricing in line with quality. Some rooms may feel small.
Charming, well-managed, with comfortable beds and top-notch linens. Some rooms lack modern amenities like TV or microwave.
Fantastic location near the ocean, with stunning views and close to local attractions like Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row.
Delicious and varied breakfast with some limitations. Vegetarian-style breakfast with limited protein options. Some guests wished for a larger breakfast selection.
Almost every room in this historic inn has a great view of the ocean as it sits on the rocky shores of the Monterey Peninsula. It boasts a charming colonial style, making you feel like you’ve traveled back in time. The inn itself is close to many attractions in the area, including the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Course and Monterey Bay Aquarium.
There are several beaches near the inn, as well. Some worthy spots are Lovers Point Park & Beach, Aeneas Beach, and Asilomar State Beach.
Seven Gables Inn on Monterey Bay, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel
Address: 555 Ocean View Boulevard
12.45 km (7.8 mi) from Marina State Beach
5. Spindrift Inn in Monterey (from USD 319)
Reasonable valet parking, complimentary breakfast, and ocean view upgrades available.
Fireplace, sauna, spacious rooms, oceanfront views, and convenient valet parking.
Perfectly situated on Cannery Row, walking distance to attractions, restaurants, and the beach.
Delicious breakfast delivered to the room, wine & cheese hour, and nearby dining options.
This elegant Monterey inn offers plush and opulent furnishings in all guest rooms, plus expansive windows that give visitors views of McAbee Beach. You can have complimentary breakfast in your room, served literally on a silver platter.
In the evening, dine at the in-house Lalla Oceanside Grill, then cap off the day with a cocktail at Angel’s Share lounge. The iconic Monterey Bay Aquarium is just four minutes from the property.
Spindrift Inn
Address: 652 Cannery Row, Monterey City Center, Monterey (CA), United States, 93940
12.1 km (7.6 mi) from Marina State Beach
6. Monterey Tides (from USD 199)
Contemporary comfort plus sweeping views of the ocean await guests at Monterey Tides. Each en-suite bedroom in this beachfront property has amazing views of either the waters or the garden. The rooms also have plus plush amenities to make your stay as cozy as possible. Enjoy your meals while taking in your surroundings at Tides Waterfront Kitchen, then end your day with a cocktail at Bayside Bar and Lounge.
Monterey Tides
Address: 2600 Sand Dunes Dr
10.48 km (6.6 mi) from Marina State Beach
7. Monterey Bay Inn (from USD 394)
Reasonable pricing for spacious, well-appointed rooms with stunning bay views.
Convenient parking, in-room breakfast, spa, fire pit, and binoculars provided.
Perfect location on Cannery Row, walking distance to shops, restaurants, beach, and aquarium.
Delightful in-room continental breakfast, though some guests desired more variety.
Stay in the Monterey Bay Inn, where you can enjoy either a view of the bay or the historic Cannery Row nearby from the balcony of your room. Enjoy a continental breakfast in bed and avail of their in-room massage services, as well. From the property, you can walk directly to San Carlos Beach. A two-minute drive will get you to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Monterey Bay Inn
Address: 242 Cannery Row
12.3 km (7.7 mi) from Marina State Beach
8. Well-equipped apartment at Seascape Villa in Aptos (from USD 495)
This two-bedroom apartment is a relaxing accommodation with everything you need, including beddings for up to six guests. Within the property, you can enjoy the use of a hot tub and the fitness center. You can even rent a bike or play tennis. Enjoy direct access to Seascape Park Beach, but note that you will have to climb down some stairs to get to it.
Romantic Getaway to Seascape Villa
Address: 522 Seascape Resort Drive
28.63 km (17.8 mi) from Marina State Beach
9. Oceanfront three-bedroom townhouse in La Selva Beach (from USD 478)
Reasonable pricing, especially compared to similar properties on other platforms.
Spacious, well-equipped home with beautiful decor, new appliances, and private beach access.
Idyllic beachfront location with stunning views, easy beach access, and a quiet, peaceful atmosphere.
No specific mentions of dining experiences at the hotel.
This home away from home has three bedrooms that can easily accommodate up to eight guests, making it great for groups or families. The furnishings are cozy and have a laid-back vibe, which fits the view from the balcony. From the townhouse, you can easily get to the private beach to swim and work on your tan.
Ocean Front Getaway in La Selva Beach
Address: 436 Oceanview Drive
26.06 km (16.2 mi) from Marina State Beach
Fall in love with Santa Cruz and its neighboring cities
Enjoy the fantastic seascapes and landscapes of Santa Cruz and its neighboring cities. You’ll never run out of places to explore, sights to admire, and things to do at night in Santa Cruz, California. So what are you waiting for? Plan your seaside getaway soon.
If you’re looking for more accommodation options, check out these amazing vacation rentals with a private pool near Santa Cruz, California.
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