The Best Hotels Closest to University of California in for 2026

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Our top choices for University of California, Santa Cruz hotels

A spacious living area with a fireplace, comfortable seating, and a view of the outdoors.

A hotel room with a bed, a desk, and a chair. There is a television on the wall and a painting above the desk.

A lobby with a wooden ceiling, a reception desk, and a fireplace.

A cozy lounge area with a stone fireplace, comfortable seating, and a bar area with a neon sign.

1. Inn At Pasatiempo

3 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Paul

￥15,918

￥18,379 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 19 - Oct 20

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

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."

A modern kitchen with a central island, bar stools, and pendant lighting.

2. Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA

4.1 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Ingrid

￥19,227

￥22,233 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 6 - Oct 7

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 hotel room with a bed, a bedside table with a phone, a vase of flowers, a nightstand with a lamp, a mirror, and a painting of a beach scene.

3. Mission Inn

4.1 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Erin

￥14,425

￥17,947 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 4 - Oct 5

A spacious lobby with a fireplace, seating area, and large windows offering views of the night sky.

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

A two-story building with a covered entrance, arched windows, and a tiled roof.

A pool area with a clear sky, a building with a tiled roof, and outdoor furniture.

4. Fairfield Inn & Suites Santa Cruz - Capitola

8.6 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

William

￥21,269

￥24,482 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 6 - Oct 7

A lakeside hotel with a dining area, a bridge, and a pond.

An outdoor dining area with tables set for guests, surrounded by a garden with a pond and various plants.

A spacious restaurant with a long wooden table, multiple chairs, hanging pendant lights, and a bar area with shelves of bottles.

A lobby with a mural of a forest and moon, seating area with sofas and a coffee table, and a stone wall.

5. Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

13.1 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Michael

￥16,651

￥19,343 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 15 - Oct 16

A spacious living area with a stone fireplace, green walls, and a large window.

A spacious dining area with wooden tables and chairs, a mural of tropical plants on the wall, and large windows offering a view of the outdoors.

A hotel room with a large bed, a night sky mural, a wall-mounted heater, and a nightstand with a lamp.

An outdoor patio with a wooden table and chairs, green umbrellas, and potted plants.

6. Best Western Plus Capitola By-the-sea Inn & Suites

8.6 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Nathan

￥21,001

￥24,182 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 6 - Oct 7

A hotel room with a large window, a desk with a computer, a chair, a small table, and a decorative branch on the wall.

A modern dining area with red chairs and a wooden table, a kitchen with red cabinets, and a fireplace.

A residential building with a paved pathway, wooden benches, and lush greenery.

7. Quality Inn & Suites Capitola By the Sea

9.2 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Steven

￥15,396

￥17,763 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 29 - Oct 30

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

A kitchen counter with a stainless steel container, a white appliance, and wicker baskets.

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.

8. Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel

6.8 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Andrea

￥15,934

￥28,075 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

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 modern kitchen with a large island, bar seating, and built-in appliances.

9. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

4.2 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Grester

￥21,245

￥24,497 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 6 - Oct 7

A wicker chair with a brown cushion, overlooking a balcony with a white railing, palm trees, and a view of the ocean.

A room with a large bed, a mirror, and a view of the sea.

A table with a wine bottle, a glass, and a vase with a flower.

A room with a window overlooking the sea, a decorative peacock, and a birdcage.

10. Monarch Cove Inn

10.2 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Deborah

￥30,044

￥34,169 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 1 - Oct 2

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 hot tub with a metal ladder, surrounded by greenery and a concrete deck.

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

11. Ocean Pacific Lodge

4.4 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

James

￥11,652

￥15,499 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

A balcony with two chairs, a small table with a vase of flowers, and a view of a parking lot and amusement park.

A restaurant with a wooden dining table, chairs, and a vase of flowers.

A red popcorn machine with a large container of popcorn, a pot, and a phone receiver.

A hotel room with two beds, a balcony, and large colorful wall art.

12. Carousel Beach Inn

5 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Edwin

￥13,088

￥15,429 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 29 - Oct 30

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

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

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

A desk with a telephone and a lamp, a chair, and a window with a view of a bridge and a body of water.

13. Marea Sol Hotel

4.8 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Donna

￥17,256

￥20,021 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

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 Pepsi vending machine with various drink options.

A balcony with a view of a parking lot, a building with multiple floors, and palm trees.

14. Seaside Inn & Suites

4.1 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Justin

￥8,580

￥12,616 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 5 - Oct 6

A spacious lobby with a stone accent wall, a reception desk, a seating area with a coffee table, and a staircase.

A modern reception area with a counter, refrigerated beverage dispensers, snack shelves, and decorative wall art.

A stone building with a turret, a covered entrance, and a parking area with handicapped accessibility.

A poolside area with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and a swimming pool.

15. Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley

5.1 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Christopher

￥18,230

￥20,931 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 20 - Oct 21

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

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

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

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

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

3.3 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Steve

￥19,986

￥23,084 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 4 - Oct 5

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

A hotel room with two beds, a stone wall, a mural of a pier, and a window.

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.

17. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

4.7 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Frank

￥21,269

￥24,524 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 4 - Oct 5

A spacious living area with leather sofas, a central coffee table, and a kitchen in the background.

An outdoor lounge area with wicker furniture, large umbrellas, and a tiled floor.

A bar area with a long counter, stools, and a TV screen.

A living room with leather sofas, a central coffee table, a fireplace, and two flat-screen TVs mounted on the walls.

18. Four Points by Sheraton Santa Cruz Scotts Valley

7.4 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Fabian

￥17,311

￥19,784 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

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.

19. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

3.3 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Bertha

￥14,985

￥17,332 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 25 - Oct 26

An outdoor patio with round tables and chairs, a stone fireplace, and a railing.

A modern hotel lobby with a long reception desk, bar seating, and artwork on the walls.

A self-service beverage and snack vending area with various brands and types of products.

A hotel reception area with two reception desks, a digital check-in kiosk, a wall with a 'Less Monday More Summer' sign, and a blue decorative wall.

20. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz, CA

4.2 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Natalya

￥19,031

￥22,013 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

View all properties

Compare popular hotels close to University of California, Santa Cruz

Property	Star rating	Guest rating
Inn At Pasatiempo	8.8 Excellent 1,015 reviews	View
Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA	9.0 Wonderful 713 reviews	View
Mission Inn	9.0 Wonderful 1,019 reviews	View
Fairfield Inn & Suites Santa Cruz - Capitola	9.4 Exceptional 1,006 reviews	View
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton	8.6 Excellent 1,187 reviews	View

Top University of California Hotel Reviews

Marea Sol Hotel

8/10 Good

"Clean, cute, convenient, comfortable beds, flat pillows, and no luggage carts - which made it difficult for us traveling by motorcycle. We paid for a partial ocean view and to be fair you could see the ocean if went out on the balcony and looked real hard :)."

Seaside Inn & Suites

10/10 Excellent

"Love this place great location very clean . No weird smell and loved the room being inside the building made us feel safer"

Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

10/10 Excellent

"10 stars for the underground parking, and for the excellent valets!"

The Aqua Pacific Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"Peaceful, restful and the Jacuzzi tub made it all possible 😃"

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

10/10 Excellent

"Beautiful"

Casablanca On The Beach

10/10 Excellent

"customer service"

Surf City Inn and Suites

8/10 Good

"The kitchenette was"

Other attractions near University of California, Santa Cruz

A church with a wooden door and a bell tower.

Mission Santa Cruz

8.2/10 (121 reviews)

You can learn about the history of Santa Cruz with a trip to Mission Santa Cruz. You can seek out the surfing spots and biking trails in this walkable area.

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A historic half-timbered building with a stone facade, surrounded by trees and a red brick sidewalk.

Ocean Street

8.6/10 (1,332 reviews)

During your visit to Santa Cruz, you can enjoy retail therapy at Ocean Street. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

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Elena Baskin Visual Arts Center

Enjoy an outing to Elena Baskin Visual Arts Center during your stay in Santa Cruz. Experience the entertainment choices or attend a sporting event in this walkable area.

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University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum

8.4/10 (103 reviews)

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

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Pasatiempo Golf Course

7.4/10 (99 reviews)

Play a round of golf in Santa Cruz at Pasatiempo Golf Course, and enjoy other activities such as surfing. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.

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Scandinavian Cultural Center

Enjoy an outing to Scandinavian Cultural Center during your stay in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.

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Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park

7.0/10 (6 reviews)

Explore the lovely green spaces of Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park and enjoy the surfing in Santa Cruz. Stroll along the seaside in this romantic area, or check out its top-notch restaurants.

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Town Clock

6.8/10 (5 reviews)

Learn about the local history of Santa Cruz when you take a trip to Town Clock. Amble around this family-friendly area's beautiful beaches, or seek out the surfing spots.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the area like around University of California, Santa Cruz?

University of California, Santa Cruz is located in an area that travelers like for its sporting events. You'll find 431 hotels and other accommodations within a few miles for a convenient home base.

What's the best hotel to stay near University of California, Santa Cruz?

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. It's located 3 mi (4.8 km) from University of California, Santa Cruz. Other good choices within 5 miles include Seaside Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG.

How many hotels will I be able to find close to University of California, Santa Cruz?

Expedia has 431 hotels and other accommodations a few miles from University of California, Santa Cruz.

If I need to cancel the hotel reservation for my stay near University of California, Santa Cruz, will I receive a refund?

Yes! Most room reservations are fully refundable if you cancel before the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which is usually within 24-48 hours of your scheduled arrival. If you have a reservation that's non-refundable, you might be able to still cancel and receive a refund within a 24-hour period of your booking. Add dates, click "Search", then you can filter by "fully refundable" to view the best deals near University of California, Santa Cruz.

Where can I learn more about changing or cancelling my trip in the area near University of California, Santa Cruz?

For additional details about picking new dates or cancelling your stay near University of California, Santa Cruz, head over to our customer service page.

What can I see and do near University of California, Santa Cruz?

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, Seymour Marine Discovery Center at Long Marine Laboratory, and Lighthouse Point Park feature a variety of fascinating exhibits to see while you're in town. Sights like Roaring Camp Railroads, Williams-Reynolds House, and Felton Covered Bridge Park are must-sees while exploring the area. Spend some time wandering around University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum, University Terrace Dog Park, and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.

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Our top choices for University of California, Santa Cruz hotels

1. Inn At Pasatiempo

2. Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA

3. Mission Inn

4. Fairfield Inn & Suites Santa Cruz - Capitola

5. Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

6. Best Western Plus Capitola By-the-sea Inn & Suites

7. Quality Inn & Suites Capitola By the Sea

8. Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel

9. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

10. Monarch Cove Inn

11. Ocean Pacific Lodge

12. Carousel Beach Inn

13. Marea Sol Hotel

14. Seaside Inn & Suites

15. Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley

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

17. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

18. Four Points by Sheraton Santa Cruz Scotts Valley

19. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

20. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santa Cruz, CA

Compare popular hotels close to University of California, Santa Cruz

Top University of California Hotel Reviews

Marea Sol Hotel

Seaside Inn & Suites

Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

The Aqua Pacific Hotel

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

Casablanca On The Beach

Surf City Inn and Suites

Other attractions near University of California, Santa Cruz

Mission Santa Cruz

Ocean Street

Elena Baskin Visual Arts Center

University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum

Pasatiempo Golf Course

Scandinavian Cultural Center

Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park

Town Clock

Frequently asked questions

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