The Best Hotels Closest to Cowell's Beach in Santa Cruz for 2026

A coastal landscape with a sandy beach, rocky cliffs, and houses on the cliffside.

Change your mind
Book hotels with free cancellation
Treat yourself
Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels
Sign in
Be picky
Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check prices for these dates

Tonight

Tomorrow

Next weekend

In two weeks

Our top choices for Cowell's Beach hotels

A bedroom with a large bed, a desk, a dresser, and a view of the outdoors through a sliding door.

A modern kitchen with a dining table, chairs, a microwave, and a coffee maker.

A modern kitchen with a microwave, refrigerator, and wooden cabinets. There is a round dining table with two chairs and a potted plant.

A multi-story hotel with a central entrance, balconies, and outdoor seating areas.

1. Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel

Eastside Santa Cruz, 2.9 km from Cowell's Beach

Julia

￥14,106

￥25,986 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

A beach with palm trees, waves, and a distant shoreline with buildings.

A modern cafe with wicker pendant lights, a mural of mountains, and large windows offering a view of palm trees.

A balcony with a view of palm trees, a parking lot, and a distant cityscape.

A modern bedroom with a bed, a bench, a TV, and a window.

2. Seaway Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.1 km from Cowell's Beach

Myla

￥18,418

￥21,321 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

A modern lobby with a wooden floor, seating area, large windows, and a plant.

A modern reception area with a wooden log wall, a beverage refrigerator, and a view of the sea.

A spacious lobby with a wooden reception desk, a large wall mural, and a modern chandelier.

A modern hotel lobby with a round table, yellow chairs, a large potted plant, and a patterned carpet.

3. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

Beach Hill - Beach Flats, 0.4 km from Cowell's Beach

Frank

￥18,668

￥21,603 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

A beach view with a sign for Marea Sol Hotel, palm trees, and a pier with boats.

A hotel room with a bed, a desk, a chair, a TV, and a painting on the wall.

A balcony with a table and chairs, overlooking a beach and pier with palm trees.

A modern living room with a grey sectional sofa, a round coffee table, and a blue ottoman. There is a desk with a chair, a framed picture on the wall, and a large window with curtains.

4. Marea Sol Hotel

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.4 km from Cowell's Beach

Sofia

￥18,213

￥21,093 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 27 - Oct 28

A building with a yellow facade, a covered outdoor area with a palm tree, and a large flowering bush.

A hot tub with two people, a wooden deck, and a lattice wall with hanging flower baskets.

A kitchen with a water dispenser, a coffee machine, and a view of pink flowers through the window.

A residential building with a tiled roof, a covered patio area, and a palm tree.

5. Mission Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 2 km from Cowell's Beach

Judy

￥14,366

￥17,874 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 2 - Nov 3

A covered outdoor seating area with stone pillars, a metal fence, and a table with chairs.

A reception desk with a "Welcome to the Golden State" sign, a "Treats" sign, and two refrigerated display cases.

A snack and beverage section with refrigerated display cases and shelves stocked with snacks and drinks.

A hotel with a flat facade, multiple windows, and a sign that reads "Champs Ely."

6. Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA

Westside Santa Cruz, 2.2 km from Cowell's Beach

Ingrid

￥15,519

￥18,071 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 12 - Nov 13

A Hyatt Place hotel entrance with a covered walkway, a clear sky, and a well-lit facade.

A modern lounge area with sofas, a coffee table, surfboards on the wall, and a fireplace.

A bar area with wooden beams, hanging pendant lights, a wine display, and bar stools.

7. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.4 km from Cowell's Beach

Grester

￥17,867

￥20,703 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 10 - Nov 11

The Ocean Pacific Lodge building with a clear blue sky.

A hotel room with a large bed, bedside tables, a desk, and a bathroom visible through an open door.

A building with a blue and yellow facade, a sign indicating no vacancies, and the name "Ocean Pacific Lodge".

A reception area with two sofas, a plant, a map display, and a view of the outside.

8. Ocean Pacific Lodge

Downtown, 0.5 km from Cowell's Beach

Tasia

￥11,605

￥15,436 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 4 - Nov 5

A beach with rocky cliffs and a clear view of the ocean.

A blue building with a sign reading "Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages."

A modern kitchen with white cabinets, a sink, and a stove. There is a dining table with chairs and a clock on the wall.

An outdoor patio with a table set for two, a white fence, and a view of the ocean.

9. Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages

Eastside Santa Cruz, 3.1 km from Cowell's Beach

Brenda Lynn

￥25,847

￥29,608 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

A lobby with a brick wall, a reception desk, a black rug, and a framed picture on the wall.

A hotel room with a bed, a desk with two chairs, a television, a mirror, and a ceiling fan.

A rectangular swimming pool with a metal ladder on one side, surrounded by a concrete deck.

A motel sign with a neon 'NO VACANCY' message.

10. National 9 Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz, 2.7 km from Cowell's Beach

John

￥10,981

￥12,660 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 25 - Oct 26

A modern hotel room with a kitchenette, a bed, a desk, and a view of the outdoors.

A breakfast bar with a variety of food options including cereal, fruit, yogurt, eggs, and milk.

A modern hotel room with a blue sofa, a painting, a floor lamp, a wooden cabinet, and a built-in sink.

A modern living room with a blue sofa, a floor lamp, a large window with a view of trees, and a radiator.

11. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG

Westside Santa Cruz, 2.6 km from Cowell's Beach

Maria

￥19,766

￥22,835 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 3 - Nov 4

A landscaped garden with palm trees, flowering shrubs, and a gravel path.

A compact bathroom with a white sink, a mirror, a microwave, and a small refrigerator.

A hotel room with a bed, a desk, a chair, a nightstand, and a lamp.

A hotel entrance with a sign for 'Hitching Post Studios Inn' indicating availability and amenities like daily kitchen studios and free Wi-Fi.

12. Hitching Post Studios Inn

Eastside Santa Cruz, 3 km from Cowell's Beach

vincent

￥12,565

￥14,536 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 25 - Oct 26

A hotel room with a large bed, a bathroom with a bathtub, and a wooden floor.

A wooden pergola with climbing plants, a central fountain, and a paved walkway leading to a building entrance.

A bathroom with a large mirror, a bathtub, two yellow chairs, and a television on a cabinet.

A reception area with a receptionist desk, a large potted plant, a sofa with a colorful cushion, and a view through the glass doors.

13. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

Westside Santa Cruz, 2.6 km from Cowell's Beach

Alan

￥14,683

￥16,991 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 15 - Nov 16

A street view with a building featuring a pink fence, a tree, and parked cars.

A building with a white picket fence, a porch, and a small wooden bridge.

A hotel room with two beds, a wooden headboard, a nightstand, and a painting on the wall.

A kitchen with a marble countertop, a wooden cabinet with a decorative handle, a chair, and a globe on the counter.

14. Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz

Lower Ocean, 1 km from Cowell's Beach

Christine

￥9,454

￥11,051 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 5 - Nov 6

A hotel room with a bed, bedside tables, a chair, and a desk.

A hotel lobby with a reception desk, a coffee machine, a framed picture, a chair, and a window.

A natural rock arch formation with a clear view of the ocean and a sunset in the background.

A motel with a swimming pool, a sign indicating vacancy, and amenities like cable TV, HBO, AC in rooms, and free WiFi.

15. Islander Motel Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.6 km from Cowell's Beach

Jorge

￥10,000

￥12,596 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 10 - Nov 11

A hotel room with a large bed, bedside tables, a desk, and a chair.

A room with a grey sofa, two wooden chairs, a small table with papers, and a large window with a view of parked cars and greenery outside.

A conference room with round tables and chairs, a mounted TV, and a bulletin board with pamphlets.

A reception area with a counter, a desk, and a chair. There are framed pictures on the wall and a small shelf with magazines.

16. Beachview Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.3 km from Cowell's Beach

Aleksandr

￥9,733

￥12,930 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

An outdoor deck with wicker furniture and a large umbrella, overlooking a beach and pier.

A beach view with palm trees, a chair, and a railing.

A room with a bed, a window, and a view of the beach.

A beach view from a window with palm trees, a pier, and beach umbrellas.

17. Casablanca On The Beach

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.3 km from Cowell's Beach

Harjeet

￥13,726

￥22,181 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 10 - Nov 11

A hotel room with a large bed, a sofa, a desk with a chair, a TV, and a small table.

A multi-story building with a modern design, featuring a central entrance with glass doors, parking spaces on either side, and a blue-lit facade.

A reception desk with a modern design, a large window offering a view of the street, and a decorative mural on the wall.

A Pepsi vending machine with various drink options.

18. Seaside Inn & Suites

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.6 km from Cowell's Beach

Natalie

￥9,052

￥13,131 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

A hotel lobby with a reception desk, bar area, and seating.

An indoor swimming pool with a tiled edge, benches around the perimeter, and a ladder leading into the water.

A coffee station with four dispensers labeled 'Hot Water,' 'Decaf Roast,' 'Light Roast,' and 'Dark Roast.' There are cups and a small trash bin on the counter.

A dining area with a central table and chairs, a decorative wall with geometric patterns, and a ceiling light fixture.

19. Hampton Inn Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz, 2.6 km from Cowell's Beach

Arturo

￥17,880

￥20,720 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 10 - Nov 11

A hotel room with two beds, a nightstand, a lamp, and a window with curtains.

A building with a mural of animals and a sign indicating an office and internet access.

A kitchen with a bar area, large windows, and a view of the street.

A motel with outdoor seating and umbrellas, a sign indicating 'No Diving', and a view of a parking lot and distant buildings.

20. Aqua Breeze Inn

Beach Hill - Beach Flats, 0.6 km from Cowell's Beach

John

￥13,962

￥16,100 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 25 - Oct 26

View all properties

Compare top hotels near Cowell's Beach

Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel Eastside Santa Cruz, 2.9 km from Cowell's Beach View	Seaway Inn Westside Santa Cruz, 0.1 km from Cowell's Beach View	La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz Beach Hill - Beach Flats, 0.4 km from Cowell's Beach View	Marea Sol Hotel Westside Santa Cruz, 0.4 km from Cowell's Beach View	Mission Inn Westside Santa Cruz, 2 km from Cowell's Beach View
9.8 Exceptional 19 reviews	9.2 Wonderful 317 reviews	9.2 Wonderful 1,352 reviews	9.0 Wonderful 1,637 reviews	9.0 Wonderful 1,007 reviews
￥14,106 ￥25,986 total includes taxes & fees Oct 26 - Oct 27	￥18,418 ￥21,321 total includes taxes & fees Oct 26 - Oct 27	￥18,668 ￥21,603 total includes taxes & fees Nov 1 - Nov 2	￥18,213 ￥21,093 total includes taxes & fees Oct 27 - Oct 28	￥14,366 ￥17,874 total includes taxes & fees Nov 2 - Nov 3

Top Cowell's Beach Hotel Reviews

Carousel Beach Inn

10/10 Excellent

"Excellent staff, fun rooms and delicious included breakfast!"

Edgewater Beach Inn

10/10 Excellent

"Just went for a sleep and left the next morning but it was very cute and very clean. Quiet too. Felt like a cottage atmosphere. Recommend for simple but everything one needs for a peaceful place to stay."

Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz

10/10 Excellent

"I wasn't there too long -- just one night. But it was perfect for just me: clean, comfortable, and quiet. (I was a little concerned when I saw packages of earplugs on the nightstands, but it was a peaceful night.) The person working the front desk was great! I asked her advice on a quick place to eat within walking distance and she suggested the perfect restaurant! A great place with great staff!"

Casablanca On The Beach

10/10 Excellent

"Loved this place! I’ll be back"

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

10/10 Excellent

"Excellent stay! We will be back."

Beachview Inn

10/10 Excellent

"Awesome property right in the heart of it all!"

Seaside Inn & Suites

8/10 Good

"Very Clean room, helpful staff. Many shops near by and a 15 minute walk to the boardwalk ."

Other attractions near Cowell's Beach

A pier extending into the ocean with a roller coaster in the background.

Santa Cruz Wharf

9.0/10 (2,069 reviews)

After visiting Santa Cruz Wharf, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the surfing spots.

See properties

A beachside amusement park with a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster, and a building with a red roof.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

8.8/10 (6,089 reviews)

Enjoy the thrills at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and find out why people love this theme park in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.

See properties

A blue door with a metal latch and lock.

Lighthouse Point Park

10.0/10 (1 review)

Explore the lovely green spaces of Lighthouse Point Park and enjoy the surfing in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.

See properties

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

8.0/10 (4 reviews)

You can spend an afternoon studying the exhibits at Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center during your travels in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the surfing spots.

See properties

Cocoanut Grove

Cocoanut Grove is just one of the places to see in Santa Cruz, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the surfing spots.

See properties

Sky Glider

Enjoy an outing to Sky Glider during your stay in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the surfing spots.

See properties

Santa Cruz Main Beach

9.0/10 (19 reviews)

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Santa Cruz Main Beach during your trip to Santa Cruz? Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.

See properties

Neary Lagoon Park

Explore the great outdoors at Neary Lagoon Park, a lovely green space in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.

See properties

Frequently asked questions

What's the area like around Cowell's Beach?

Cowell's Beach is located in a walkable area of Santa Cruz known for its beautiful beaches and sporting events. If you're looking for a convenient place to stay, check out the 166 hotels and other accommodations you'll find within a mile.

What's the best place to stay near Cowell's Beach?

Adjacent to Cowell's Beach, La Bahia Hotel and Spa is one of the top choices for your stay based on our traveler data, and this hotel offers a full-service spa and 3 restaurants. Other good choices within a short distance include La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz and Marea Sol Hotel.

How many hotels should I expect to find near Cowell's Beach?

Expedia has 166 hotels and other accommodations within a mile from Cowell's Beach.

If I need to cancel the hotel reservation for my stay near Cowell's Beach, will I receive a refund?

Yes! Most room reservations are fully refundable as long as you cancel prior to the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which is often 24 or 48 hours before check in. If you booked a non-refundable reservation, you might still have the option to cancel and get a refund within a 24-hour period of your booking. Add dates, click "Search", then use the filter option "fully refundable" to get the top deals on offer near Cowell's Beach.

Where can I learn more about changing or cancelling my trip in the area near Cowell's Beach?

To find more details about rescheduling or cancelling your stay near Cowell's Beach, click here.

What can I see and do near Cowell's Beach?

You might want to spend some time browsing the exhibits at Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, Lighthouse Point Park, or Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. Williams-Reynolds House, Mark Abbot Memorial Lighthouse, and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park are some of the notable landmarks to see in the area. You can wander around University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum, Pleasure Point Park, or Neary Lagoon Park if you want a dose of fresh air.

Find hotels near Cowell's Beach, Santa Cruz from ￥11,051

Change your mind

Treat yourself

Be picky

Check prices for these dates

Filter by

Property class

Guest rating

Our top choices for Cowell's Beach hotels

1. Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel

2. Seaway Inn

3. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

4. Marea Sol Hotel

5. Mission Inn

6. Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA

7. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

8. Ocean Pacific Lodge

9. Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages

10. National 9 Santa Cruz

11. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG

12. Hitching Post Studios Inn

13. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

14. Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz

15. Islander Motel Santa Cruz

16. Beachview Inn

17. Casablanca On The Beach

18. Seaside Inn & Suites

19. Hampton Inn Santa Cruz

20. Aqua Breeze Inn

Compare top hotels near Cowell's Beach

Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel

Seaway Inn

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

Marea Sol Hotel

Mission Inn

Top Cowell's Beach Hotel Reviews

Carousel Beach Inn

Edgewater Beach Inn

Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz

Casablanca On The Beach

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

Beachview Inn

Seaside Inn & Suites

Other attractions near Cowell's Beach

Santa Cruz Wharf

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Lighthouse Point Park

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Cocoanut Grove

Sky Glider

Santa Cruz Main Beach

Neary Lagoon Park

Frequently asked questions