Top 10 Hotels Near 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.

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.

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

1. Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel

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

Andrea

P6,745

P11,633 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 30 - Oct 1

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

A spacious lobby with a wooden reception desk, a large wall mural, and a modern chandelier.

A modern reception area with a wooden log wall, a beverage refrigerator, and a view of the sea.

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

2. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

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

Frank

P8,480

P9,777 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 28 - Sep 29

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.

3. Mission Inn

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

KimLien

P6,344

P7,820 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 27 - Sep 28

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

A balcony with a view of palm trees, a parking lot, and a distant cityscape.

A modern cafe with wicker pendant lights, a mural of mountains, and large windows offering a view of palm trees.

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

4. Seaway Inn

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

Roxanna

P9,332

P10,733 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 29 - Sep 30

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

A bar area with wooden beams, hanging pendant lights, a wine display, and bar stools.

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

5. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

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

Grester

P8,455

P9,749 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 7 - Oct 8

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 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.

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

6. Marea Sol Hotel

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

Lisa

P7,413

P8,581 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 28 - Sep 29

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 reception desk with a "Welcome to the Golden State" sign, a "Treats" sign, and two refrigerated display cases.

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

7. Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA

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

Linda

P7,652

P8,849 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 1 - Oct 2

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

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

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.

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

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

Natalya

P7,588

P8,776 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

The Ocean Pacific Lodge building with a clear blue sky.

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

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

A hotel room with a large bed, bedside tables, a desk, and a bathroom visible through an open door.

9. Ocean Pacific Lodge

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

Anthony

P5,026

P6,606 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

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 room with a wooden floor, a black leather chair, a small table with a laptop, and a window with blinds.

10. Pacific Blue Inn

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

Sharon

P6,200

P7,387 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 bathroom with a large mirror, a bathtub, two yellow chairs, and a television on a cabinet.

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.

11. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

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

Bertha

P5,845

P6,765 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 19 - Oct 20

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 hotel entrance with a sign for 'Hitching Post Studios Inn' indicating availability and amenities like daily kitchen studios and free Wi-Fi.

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

12. Hitching Post Studios Inn

Eastside Santa Cruz, 2.8 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Grant

P5,017

P5,804 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 28 - Sep 29

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

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

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

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

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

Steve

P7,968

P9,204 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 4 - Oct 5

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

A building with a white picket fence, a small bridge, and a bush.

A building with a white picket fence, a porch, and a small wooden bridge.

A hotel room with two beds, a wooden headboard, a nightstand, and a painting on the wall.

14. Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz

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

Siddharth

P4,259

P4,955 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 14 - Oct 15

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

A modern office space with cubicles, seating areas, and a large TV screen.

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

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

15. Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz

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

jessika

P8,503

P9,803 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 18 - Oct 19

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.

16. Beachview Inn

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

Michael

P4,453

P5,798 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 28 - Sep 29

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

A Pepsi vending machine with various drink options.

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

17. Seaside Inn & Suites

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.4 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Justin

P3,711

P5,352 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 27 - Sep 28

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

A motel with a swimming pool, a sign indicating vacancy, and amenities like cable TV, HBO, AC in rooms, and free WiFi.

A parking lot with a swimming pool, a white car, and a building with a balcony.

A natural rock arch formation with a clear view of the ocean and a sunset in the background.

18. Islander Motel Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.4 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Irinea

P4,697

P5,818 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 28 - Sep 29

An outdoor deck with wicker furniture and a large umbrella, overlooking a beach and pier.

A beach view from a window with palm trees, a pier, and beach umbrellas.

A room with a bed, a window, and a view of the beach.

A beachfront hotel with multiple balconies, beach umbrellas, and a sandy beach area.

19. Casablanca On The Beach

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

Madeline

P6,991

P10,553 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 29 - Sep 30

A lobby with a brick wall, a reception desk, a black rug, and a framed picture on the wall.

A rectangular swimming pool with a metal ladder on one side, surrounded by a concrete deck.

A hotel room with a bed, a desk with two chairs, a television, a mirror, and a ceiling fan.

A motel sign with a neon 'NO VACANCY' message.

20. National 9 Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz, 2.5 km from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

James

P4,384

P5,054 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 27 - Sep 28

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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	10.0 Exceptional 13 reviews	View
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz	9.2 Wonderful 1,350 reviews	View
Mission Inn	9.0 Wonderful 1,014 reviews	View
Seaway Inn	9.2 Wonderful 301 reviews	View
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz	9.0 Wonderful 1,003 reviews	View

Top Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center Hotel Reviews

Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz

8/10 Good

"It was a nice sized room and clean. Helpful staff. Location was good and walking distance to the pier. Would stay there again."

Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

10/10 Excellent

"Improvement can be done to the shower head but everything else was great"

Carousel Beach Inn

8/10 Good

"Great place with super location! Loved the waffles and free breakfast"

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"

Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz

10/10 Excellent

"It was a true suite. We were pleased with the cleanliness of the rooms in this friendliness of the staff."

Hotel Solares

8/10 Good

"Room is clean"

Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz

10/10 Excellent

"I have stayed here every time I go to Santa Cruz. It's close to the boardwalk and it's very well maintained"

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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A coastal landscape with a sandy beach, rocky cliffs, and houses on the cliffside.

Cowell's Beach

9.0/10 (6 reviews)

During your trip to Santa Cruz, enjoy the surf and sand at Cowell's Beach along with the surfing. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.

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A pier with colorful cable cars, a beach, and a sign that reads "WORLD FAMOUS."

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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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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Pacific Garden Mall

7.6/10 (4 reviews)

You can do some window-shopping at Pacific Garden Mall during your stay in Santa Cruz. Stroll along the seaside or attend a sporting event in this family-friendly area.

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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 173 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 173 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.

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.

Hotels near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Change your mind

Treat yourself

Be picky

Check prices for these dates

Filter by

Star rating

Guest rating

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

1. Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel

2. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

3. Mission Inn

4. Seaway Inn

5. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

6. Marea Sol Hotel

7. Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA

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

9. Ocean Pacific Lodge

10. Pacific Blue Inn

11. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

12. Hitching Post Studios Inn

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

14. Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz

15. Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz

16. Beachview Inn

17. Seaside Inn & Suites

18. Islander Motel Santa Cruz

19. Casablanca On The Beach

20. National 9 Santa Cruz

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

Top Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center Hotel Reviews

Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz

Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

Carousel Beach Inn

Ocean Pacific Lodge

Seaside Inn & Suites

Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz

Hotel Solares

Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz

Other attractions near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Santa Cruz Wharf

Cowell's Beach

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Cocoanut Grove

Sky Glider

Santa Cruz Main Beach

Neary Lagoon Park

Pacific Garden Mall

Frequently asked questions