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

A bar area with wooden chairs, a counter with a display, and shelves with bottles.

1. Inn At Pasatiempo

3 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Paul

￥18,804

￥21,618 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 19 - Oct 20

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

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

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

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

2. Fairfield Inn & Suites Santa Cruz - Capitola

8.6 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

William

￥21,356

￥24,583 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 25 - Oct 26

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

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.

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

3. Mission Inn

4.1 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Judy

￥14,484

￥18,020 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 19 - Oct 20

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

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

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.

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

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

8.6 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Michael

￥18,011

￥20,836 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

A spacious cafe with wooden ceilings, hanging pendant lights, and a mural of musicians.

A spacious living area with a black sofa, two armchairs, a coffee table, and a wooden sideboard. The room features a large window, a wall adorned with framed artwork, and a mirror.

A building with a sign reading "SEACLIF" and a "BAR + KITCHEN" sign. There are parking signs visible, and the building is surrounded by landscaping.

A pond with rocks, a waterfall, and various plants.

5. Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

13.1 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

John

￥16,715

￥19,418 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

A beach setting with a fire pit, two white chairs, and a table with a vase and bottles.

A living room with a fireplace, a sofa, a dining table, and a view of a green landscape through large glass doors.

A spacious lobby with a large seating area, a staircase, and large windows.

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a sitting area with a chair, a kitchen with a sink, and a fireplace.

6. Seascape Beach Resort

16.8 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Ryan

￥24,683

￥40,330 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 27 - Oct 28

A library with bookshelves, a chandelier, and a fireplace.

A spacious bedroom with a large bed, wooden beams, a traditional Japanese sliding door, and a small table with chairs.

A brick building with a sign reading "The Inn at Depot Hill."

A room with a fireplace, a sofa, a chair, and a table with books.

7. Inn at Depot Hill

9.8 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Joseph

￥35,361

￥49,119 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 21 - Oct 22

A hotel room with a bed, desk, chair, TV, and a small kitchenette.

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

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

8. Quality Inn & Suites Capitola By the Sea

9.2 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Rochelle

￥15,233

￥17,583 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 10 - Nov 11

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

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

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

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

9. Monarch Cove Inn

10.2 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Matthew

￥30,168

￥34,310 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 25 - Oct 26

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

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

10. Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel

6.8 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Julia

￥11,462

￥23,115 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 3 - Nov 4

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

A multi-story hotel with a central entrance, balconies, and a sign reading "FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON".

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.

11. Four Points by Sheraton Santa Cruz Scotts Valley

7.4 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Candace

￥17,327

￥19,804 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 25 - Oct 26

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

A stone fireplace with a TV mounted above it, a stone wall, a seating area with a sofa and chairs, and a view of trees through large windows.

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

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

12. Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley

5.1 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Brandall

￥18,141

￥20,836 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

A man and a woman standing in a hallway with a patterned floor and a staircase with geometric designs.

13. Chaminade Resort & Spa

6.3 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

SERGIO

￥21,356

￥31,820 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 modern hotel room with a blue sofa, a painting, a floor lamp, a wooden cabinet, and a built-in sink.

A modern hotel room with a wooden desk, a yellow chair, a flat-screen TV, a microwave, a coffee machine, and a mini-fridge.

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

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

3.3 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Jacob

￥19,753

￥22,826 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 16 - Nov 17

A balcony with a bench overlooking a waterfront area, featuring buildings and a clear sky.

A row of terracotta buildings with balconies, each with a small staircase leading to the entrance.

A coastal scene with buildings along the shore, a sandy beach, and a sunset.

A corner room with two windows overlooking a marina, featuring a chair, a small table, and a view of buildings and water.

15. Capitola Venetian Vacation Rentals

9.5 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Elyse

￥32,639

￥37,283 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 11 - Nov 12

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

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

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

16. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

4.2 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Grester

￥18,340

￥21,240 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 9 - Nov 10

A spacious living area with a sofa, armchairs, a coffee table, and a TV. There is a desk with a computer and a lamp. Large windows offer a view of trees and a building outside.

A Best Western Plus Inn with a modern design, including a covered entrance and a landscaped area in front.

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

A spacious lobby with a high ceiling, a fireplace, and a view of the outside through large windows.

17. Best Western Plus Inn Scotts Valley

8.6 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Robin

￥16,548

￥18,921 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 wooden pergola with climbing plants, a central fountain, and a paved walkway leading to a building entrance.

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

18. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

3.3 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Alan

￥15,044

￥17,399 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

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

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

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.

19. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

4.7 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Frank

￥20,013

￥23,117 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 19 - Oct 20

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

A modern bar area with a marble counter, hanging lights, and green patterned walls.

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".

20. Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

3.9 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

cindy

￥20,869

￥24,078 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 15 - Nov 16

View all properties

Compare popular hotels close to University of California, Santa Cruz

Property	Star rating	Guest rating
Inn At Pasatiempo	8.8 Excellent 1,002 reviews	View
Fairfield Inn & Suites Santa Cruz - Capitola	9.4 Exceptional 1,000 reviews	View
Mission Inn	9.0 Wonderful 1,000 reviews	View
Best Western Plus Capitola By-the-sea Inn & Suites	9.2 Wonderful 1,003 reviews	View
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton	8.6 Excellent 1,184 reviews	View

Top University of California Hotel Reviews

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

10/10 Excellent

"Clean room, great spacious parking"

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

10/10 Excellent

"!!!"

Surf City Inn and Suites

10/10 Excellent

"I thought it was going to be ghetto , but its actually worth every dollar."

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG

10/10 Excellent

"Great rooooommmmm, Great food, Great people."

Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley

10/10 Excellent

"Everything was great. Restaurant is good. Room was relatively quiet although the hotel was full. Pool is smaller than anticipated. Personel was friendly and helpful. Not enough towels in the room and no face towels. Easily fixed with calling house keeping."

Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

10/10 Excellent

"Very nice hotel, would definitely stay here again"

Marea Sol Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"We had amazing family time! Short walk to the beach and many restaurants. Highly recommend!"

The Aqua Pacific Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"Great hotel ! Great service , and great location !"

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

10/10 Excellent

"a great find when visiting Santa Cruz!"

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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Mount Hermon Vacation Rentals

Find hotels near University of California, from ￥17,399

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Our top choices for University of California, Santa Cruz hotels

1. Inn At Pasatiempo

2. Fairfield Inn & Suites Santa Cruz - Capitola

3. Mission Inn

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

5. Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

6. Seascape Beach Resort

7. Inn at Depot Hill

8. Quality Inn & Suites Capitola By the Sea

9. Monarch Cove Inn

10. Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel

11. Four Points by Sheraton Santa Cruz Scotts Valley

12. Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley

13. Chaminade Resort & Spa

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

15. Capitola Venetian Vacation Rentals

16. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

17. Best Western Plus Inn Scotts Valley

18. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

19. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

20. Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Compare popular hotels close to University of California, Santa Cruz

Top University of California Hotel Reviews

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

Surf City Inn and Suites

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG

Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley

Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

Marea Sol Hotel

The Aqua Pacific Hotel

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

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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