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.

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

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

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

1. Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel

Eastside Santa Cruz, 2.9 km from Cowell's Beach

Julia

￥15,027

￥27,112 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 3 - Nov 4

A wooden interior with large windows overlooking a beach.

A spacious lobby with high ceilings, arched windows, and a variety of seating arrangements including sofas, armchairs, and a bar area.

A row of colorful houses along a waterfront.

A modern interior with a view of an outdoor patio area.

2. La Bahia Hotel and Spa

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.4 km from Cowell's Beach

Josh

￥41,404

￥55,312 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 18 - Oct 19

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

￥22,588

￥33,092 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 2 - Nov 3

A spacious indoor area with wicker furniture, large windows offering a view of the beach and ocean, and a surf shop sign.

A hotel room with a large bed, a desk, a chair, a nightstand, and a view of the ocean.

A modern building with multiple dining areas, large windows, and a view of the beach and palm trees.

A balcony with a sofa, armchairs, and a table with drinks, overlooking a pool and umbrellas.

4. Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz, < 0.1 km from Cowell's Beach

Jiexin

￥39,719

￥45,227 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 21 - Oct 22

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

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

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

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

5. Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA

Westside Santa Cruz, 2.2 km from Cowell's Beach

Ingrid

￥18,029

￥20,892 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

A Seaway Inn building with a modern design, large windows, and a covered outdoor seating area.

A rocky shoreline with waves crashing against the rocks and the ocean extending to the horizon under a clear sky.

Three palm trees against a clear blue sky.

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

6. Seaway Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.1 km from Cowell's Beach

Roxanna

￥20,817

￥24,019 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 15 - Oct 16

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

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

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

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

7. Mission Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 2 km from Cowell's Beach

Erin

￥14,499

￥18,039 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 12 - Oct 13

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

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

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

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.

8. Marea Sol Hotel

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.4 km from Cowell's Beach

Sherlyn

￥17,344

￥20,123 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

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

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.

A modern lobby with a stone fireplace, a sofa, a round table, and a reception desk.

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

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

Westside Santa Cruz, 3.1 km from Cowell's Beach

Anna

￥18,689

￥21,633 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 roller coaster at a seaside amusement park with a beach and pier in the background.

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.

10. Carousel Beach Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.7 km from Cowell's Beach

Nova

￥13,115

￥15,462 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 2 - Nov 3

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

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.

11. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.4 km from Cowell's Beach

Grester

￥20,089

￥23,203 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 2 - Nov 3

A wooden bench and a small table in a courtyard with potted plants and a building in the background.

A neatly made bed in a room with light blue walls, wooden flooring, and two bedside tables with lamps.

A multi-story hotel with a blue and white exterior, balconies, and a sign indicating it is a Blue Inn.

A modern living room with a fireplace, a mounted TV, and a wooden dining table with a chair.

12. Pacific Blue Inn

Downtown Santa Cruz, 0.7 km from Cowell's Beach

Sharon

￥15,660

￥18,656 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 8 - Oct 9

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

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

13. Ocean Pacific Lodge

Downtown, 0.5 km from Cowell's Beach

James

￥11,712

￥15,579 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

An outdoor seating area with round tables and chairs, string lights overhead, and a large tree in the center.

A hotel room with a bed, a seating area with a table, a desk, and a mirror.

A building entrance with a large illuminated sign reading "SOLAIR".

A modern lobby with a large wooden sculpture, seating area, and a bar.

14. Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.7 km from Cowell's Beach

Brooke

￥21,354

￥24,623 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

A hotel room with a large bed, a fireplace, a television, and a view of the city.

A room with a bay window, two armchairs, a round rug, and a small table with a lamp.

A large, two-story building with a balcony and a porch, surrounded by a well-maintained lawn.

A beach with people walking and swimming, a lifeguard tower, and houses in the background.

15. West Cliff Inn - A Four Sisters Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.2 km from Cowell's Beach

Molly

￥34,326

￥39,109 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 2 - Nov 3

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

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

A hotel room with a wooden desk, a flat-screen TV, a microwave, a mini-fridge, a chair, a lamp, and a window with curtains.

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

16. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

Westside Santa Cruz, 2.6 km from Cowell's Beach

Bertha

￥15,116

￥17,481 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 3 - Nov 4

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

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

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

A two-story house with a white porch, a red umbrella, and a small garden with various shrubs.

17. Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages

Eastside Santa Cruz, 3.1 km from Cowell's Beach

Donald

￥24,753

￥28,388 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 8 - Oct 9

A Holiday Inn Express & Suites building with a clear sky and a large tree to the right.

A modern hotel with a curved exterior, a swimming pool, outdoor seating, and a covered patio area.

A hotel lobby with a patterned carpet, wooden furniture, and a view of the outside through glass doors.

A modern hotel room with a large mirror, a bed, a desk, and a chair.

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

Westside Santa Cruz, 2.6 km from Cowell's Beach

Steve

￥19,931

￥23,026 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 5 - Nov 6

A Courtyard by Marriott hotel with outdoor seating, a fire pit, and potted plants.

A modern lounge area with a sectional sofa, a glass coffee table, and a bar with stools.

A multi-story hotel entrance with a central staircase, surrounded by planters and a sign reading "Courtyard by Marriott".

A modern hotel lobby with a bar area, seating arrangements, and a counter with coffee machines.

19. Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz

Beach Hill - Beach Flats, 0.8 km from Cowell's Beach

Leslie

￥20,033

￥23,139 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 27 - Oct 28

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

A glass door with a poster board displaying various travel brochures.

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

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

20. Hitching Post Studios Inn

Eastside Santa Cruz, 3 km from Cowell's Beach

Grant

￥12,670

￥14,657 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 8 - Oct 9

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Compare popular hotels close to Cowell's Beach

Property	Star rating	Guest rating
Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel	9.8 Exceptional 17 reviews	View
La Bahia Hotel and Spa	9.6 Exceptional 549 reviews	View
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz	9.2 Wonderful 1,354 reviews	View
Dream Inn Santa Cruz	9.2 Wonderful 1,036 reviews	View
Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA	9.0 Wonderful 714 reviews	View

Top Cowell's Beach Hotel Reviews

Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz

10/10 Excellent

"Great hotel, great location (short walk to the boardwalk). Also good onsite restaurant."

Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz

8/10 Good

"Good service at affordable price, staff very friendly."

Casablanca On The Beach

8/10 Good

"Weds a good update of the property. Security gates on the property were all broken and taped so homeless individuals were sleeping inside the property gates at night. Great view however from the sun deck and they gave us blankets for sit with our fire pit at night."

Carousel Beach Inn

10/10 Excellent

"Great place to stay. Clean and breakfast and staff especially FANTASTIC !!!. Would recommend."

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

10/10 Excellent

"Friendly and helpful staff as always. Beach view is amazing (you’re on the beach). Love the pool/hot tub. Pool bar great (male bartender)."

Marea Sol Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"I was very pleased with my stay it was very clean and it’s at a great location"

Edgewater Beach Inn

8/10 Good

"Nice clean room, great shower. Nice location."

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 ￥14,657

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Treat yourself

Be picky

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Our top choices for Cowell's Beach hotels

1. Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel

2. La Bahia Hotel and Spa

3. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

4. Dream Inn Santa Cruz

5. Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA

6. Seaway Inn

7. Mission Inn

8. Marea Sol Hotel

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

10. Carousel Beach Inn

11. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

12. Pacific Blue Inn

13. Ocean Pacific Lodge

14. Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

15. West Cliff Inn - A Four Sisters Inn

16. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

17. Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages

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

19. Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz

20. Hitching Post Studios Inn

Compare popular hotels close to Cowell's Beach

Top Cowell's Beach Hotel Reviews

Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz

Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz

Casablanca On The Beach

Carousel Beach Inn

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Marea Sol Hotel

Edgewater Beach Inn

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