The Best Hotels Closest to Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center in Santa Cruz for 2026

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Our top choices for Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center hotels

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

1. Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel

Eastside Santa Cruz, 2.9 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Julia

₩228,277 total

includes taxes & fees

Dec 8 - Dec 9

A wooden interior with large windows overlooking a beach.

2. La Bahia Hotel and Spa

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.3 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Devin

₩443,343 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 11 - Nov 12

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

3. Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.2 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Janet

₩335,222 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 29 - Nov 30

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

4. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

Beach Hill - Beach Flats, 0.1 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Rosio

₩170,975 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 16 - Nov 17

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

5. Seaway Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.2 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Myla

₩194,269 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 16 - Nov 17

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

6. Mission Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 2 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Judy

₩151,360 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 16 - Nov 17

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

7. West Cliff Inn - A Four Sisters Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.1 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Molly

₩258,050 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 16 - Nov 17

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

8. Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA

Westside Santa Cruz, 2.2 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Nicole

₩163,907 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 18 - Nov 19

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

9. Marea Sol Hotel

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.3 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Jacqueline

₩167,129 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 16 - Nov 17

An outdoor seating area with fire pits and string lights, surrounded by a building with multiple windows and a palm tree.

10. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.2 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Alissa

₩207,689 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 17 - Nov 18

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

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

Westside Santa Cruz, 3.1 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Michelle

₩164,566 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 16 - Nov 17

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

12. Carousel Beach Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.6 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Deina

₩155,738 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 11 - Nov 12

A courtyard with stone flooring, wooden benches, potted plants, and a fire pit.

13. Pacific Blue Inn

Downtown Santa Cruz, 0.5 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Sharon

₩145,349 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 16 - Nov 17

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

14. Ocean Pacific Lodge

Downtown, 0.3 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Tasia

₩132,366 total

includes taxes & fees

Dec 10 - Dec 11

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

15. Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.5 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Oleg

₩186,484 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 15 - Nov 16

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

16. Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages

Eastside Santa Cruz, 3.1 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Tonya

₩197,027 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 11 - Nov 12

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

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

Westside Santa Cruz, 2.3 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Josette

₩195,628 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 24 - Nov 25

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

18. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

Westside Santa Cruz, 2.4 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Kathy

₩125,823 total

includes taxes & fees

Dec 6 - Dec 7

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

19. Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz

Beach Hill - Beach Flats, 0.6 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Anita

₩173,694 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 11 - Nov 12

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

20. Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz

Lower Ocean, 0.8 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

ben

₩106,317 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 29 - Nov 30

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Compare popular hotels close to Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Property	Property class	Guest rating
Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel	4.0 star property	9.6 Exceptional 21 reviews	View
La Bahia Hotel and Spa	4.5 star property	9.6 Exceptional 605 reviews	View
Dream Inn Santa Cruz	4.0 star property	9.4 Exceptional 1,040 reviews	View
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz	3.0 star property	9.2 Wonderful 1,366 reviews	View
Seaway Inn	2.5 star property	9.2 Wonderful 328 reviews	View

Top Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center Hotel Reviews

Surf City Inn and Suites

10/10 Excellent

"Excellent Staff, Clean Room, Affordable Rate on Rooms"

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

8/10 Good

"Stayed at La Bahia for two nights to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Here are some pros and cons: Pros: - nice amenities! The gym was clean with a pretty good selection, the pool was super pretty with a nice sized hot tub, and we loved our spa experience (we got an outdoor couples massage) - the hotel’s decor was well designed and continued in the guest rooms - our room was spacious and liked how big the bathroom was - we had a room with a pool view and it was fun to just hop over the short barrier and grab a drink from the pool bar hehehe - super close to the boardwalk and warf Cons: - some parts of our room didn’t seem the cleanest (our room’s tea kettle had a hair in it and there were some glass rings stuck on the coffee counter) - the bed was really soft (not in a good way) and made it hard for my husband to get a good sleep - the low tide restaurant associated with the hotel was a bit disappointing and it took a long time to receive our breakfast after we ordered - I don’t know how well their text the front desk communication works… tried texting for an item to be sent to our room and after waiting for a reply for 20min, I ended up calling the front desk While I give this place a 4/5, I still don’t think it’s worth the bang for your buck. If you’re paying that much for a nights stay, the place has gotta be pretty close to perfection and I don’t think it’s there yet."

Edgewater Beach Inn

10/10 Excellent

"From phone calls prior to check-in, to the check out process, everything went out smoothly. Staff were really nice, warm, and accommodating. The room we stayed in had a balcony, simple yet good enough to wake up to ocean view. This place is walking distance to the Boardwalk which I believe is convenient especially on heavy traffic days."

Other attractions near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

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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Frequently asked questions

What's the area like around Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center?

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center 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 174 hotels and other accommodations you'll find within a mile.

What's the best hotel to stay near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center?

Adjacent to Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, 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 options within a short distance include La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz and Marea Sol Hotel.

How many hotels are there close to Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center?

Expedia has 174 hotels and other accommodations within a mile from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center.

If I need to cancel the hotel reservation for my stay near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, will I receive a refund?

Yes! You'll find that most hotel room reservations are refundable provided that you cancel prior to the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which in most cases is within 24 or 48 hours of your check-in date. If your reservation is non-refundable, you might be able to still cancel and be given a refund within a 24-hour period of your booking. Enter your dates, click on "Search", then you can use the "fully refundable" filter to view top deals close to Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center.

Where can I learn more about changing or cancelling my trip in the area near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center?

For additional details about rescheduling or cancelling your stay near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, head over to our customer service page.

What can I see and do near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center?

You might want to spend some time browsing the exhibits at Lighthouse Point Park, Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, or Seymour Marine Discovery Center at Long Marine Laboratory. 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. Consider spending a leisurely afternoon outside at University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum, Pleasure Point Park, or Neary Lagoon Park.

Find hotels near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, Santa Cruz from ₩106,317

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Our top choices for Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center hotels

1. Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel

2. La Bahia Hotel and Spa

3. Dream Inn Santa Cruz

4. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

5. Seaway Inn

6. Mission Inn

7. West Cliff Inn - A Four Sisters Inn

8. Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA

9. Marea Sol Hotel

10. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

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

12. Carousel Beach Inn

13. Pacific Blue Inn

14. Ocean Pacific Lodge

15. Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

16. Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages

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

18. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

19. Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz

20. Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz

Compare popular hotels close to Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Top Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center Hotel Reviews

Surf City Inn and Suites

Other attractions near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Santa Cruz Wharf

Frequently asked questions