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

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

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

1. Inn At Pasatiempo

3 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Paul

￥16,009

￥18,484 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 19 - Oct 20

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 roller coaster at a seaside amusement park with a beach and pier in the background.

2. Carousel Beach Inn

5 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Carmen

￥12,620

￥14,905 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 30 - Oct 1

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

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.

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

3. Seaside Inn & Suites

4.1 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Justin

￥9,097

￥13,211 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 5 - Oct 6

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.

4. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

4.2 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Grester

￥21,256

￥24,509 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 13 - Oct 14

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

5. Ocean Pacific Lodge

4.4 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Anthony

￥12,938

￥16,944 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 14 - Oct 15

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.

6. Fairfield Inn & Suites Santa Cruz - Capitola

8.6 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Anna Christine

￥21,390

￥24,622 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 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.

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

7. Mission Inn

4.1 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

KimLien

￥16,003

￥19,727 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 27 - Sep 28

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

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

4.8 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Lisa

￥18,700

￥21,645 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 28 - Sep 29

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

A row of motel buildings with orange doors and railings, featuring a central staircase and a parking lot.

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

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.

9. Beachview Inn

4.7 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Michael

￥10,578

￥13,897 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 30 - Oct 1

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 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.

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

3.3 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Steve

￥20,575

￥23,749 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 27 - Sep 28

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

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.

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

11. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

3.3 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Bertha

￥14,744

￥17,065 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 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."

12. Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA

4.1 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Linda

￥19,337

￥22,360 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 1 - Oct 2

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

A spacious living area with wicker furniture, a teal carpet, and large windows with blinds.

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.

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

8.6 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Nathan

￥21,121

￥24,320 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 6 - Oct 7

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

14. Quality Inn & Suites Capitola By the Sea

9.2 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Nhu

￥16,022

￥18,466 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 14 - Oct 15

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

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

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

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

15. Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

13.1 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Michael

￥16,742

￥19,449 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 6 - Oct 7

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

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.

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

4.2 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Natalya

￥19,828

￥22,911 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 4 - Oct 5

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

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.

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

17. Hitching Post Studios Inn

5.1 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Grant

￥11,663

￥13,530 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 29 - Sep 30

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

18. Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel

6.8 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Andrea

￥17,805

￥30,229 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 21 - Oct 22

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

19. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

4.7 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Frank

￥22,735

￥26,173 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 28 - Sep 29

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.

20. Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

3.9 km from University of California, Santa Cruz

Brooke

￥22,791

￥26,235 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 11 - Oct 12

View all properties

Compare popular hotels close to University of California, Santa Cruz

Property	Star rating	Guest rating
Inn At Pasatiempo	8.8 Excellent 1,012 reviews	View
Carousel Beach Inn	9.2 Wonderful 112 reviews	View
Seaside Inn & Suites	8.2 Very good 1,128 reviews	View
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz	9.0 Wonderful 1,002 reviews	View
Ocean Pacific Lodge	8.8 Excellent 1,545 reviews	View

Top University of California Hotel Reviews

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG

10/10 Excellent

"Overall excellent hotel, friendly staff and clean rooms"

Marea Sol Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"Great location right on the beach. Ample parking. Modern property with reasonably good size rooms. Several restaurants within easy walking distance."

Ocean Pacific Lodge

10/10 Excellent

"Great location"

Seaside Inn & Suites

10/10 Excellent

"It was a bit over cast but it was good and clean beds was comfy"

Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

10/10 Excellent

"The location worked well for the activities that I planned. The breakfast was suitable for my needs. The staff very helpful. The room was spacious. The hotel is has two stories and no elevator. Fortunately they sent a message to make me aware of this and I got a needed first floor room."

Hotel Solares

8/10 Good

"Room is clean"

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 429 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 429 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, Felton Covered Bridge Park, and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park are must-sees while exploring the area. Spend some time wandering around University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum, University Terrace Dog Park, and Branciforte Dog Park.

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Our top choices for University of California, Santa Cruz hotels

1. Inn At Pasatiempo

2. Carousel Beach Inn

3. Seaside Inn & Suites

4. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

5. Ocean Pacific Lodge

6. Fairfield Inn & Suites Santa Cruz - Capitola

7. Mission Inn

8. Marea Sol Hotel

9. Beachview Inn

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

11. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

12. Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA

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

14. Quality Inn & Suites Capitola By the Sea

15. Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

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

17. Hitching Post Studios Inn

18. Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel

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

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG

Marea Sol Hotel

Ocean Pacific Lodge

Seaside Inn & Suites

Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

Hotel Solares

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

Explore a world of travel with Expedia