⭐ Top 10 Hotels Near Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center 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 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.

1. Bella Notte, a ZenStay Hotel

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

Julia

S$203

includes taxes & fees

4 Nov - 5 Nov

A wooden interior with large windows overlooking a beach.

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

A row of colorful houses along a waterfront.

A dining area with a long table set for a meal, large windows offering a view, and a modern ceiling design.

2. La Bahia Hotel and Spa

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

Devin

S$522

includes taxes & fees

19 Oct - 20 Oct

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

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

A balcony with a view of the beach, a sofa with cushions, a glass table with a tray of food and drinks, and a potted plant.

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

3. Dream Inn Santa Cruz

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

Jiexin

S$288

includes taxes & fees

29 Oct - 30 Oct

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

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

4. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

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

Frank

S$198

includes taxes & fees

19 Oct - 20 Oct

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

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

A view from a balcony overlooking a street with palm trees, a parking lot, and a building with a balcony.

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

5. Seaway Inn

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

Myla

S$172

includes taxes & fees

19 Oct - 20 Oct

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.

6. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

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

Grester

S$172

includes taxes & fees

9 Nov - 10 Nov

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

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

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.

7. Mission Inn

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

Judy

S$146

includes taxes & fees

19 Oct - 20 Oct

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

8. Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA

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

Philip

S$169

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

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 modern hotel lobby with a long reception desk, bar seating, and artwork on the walls.

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

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

Anna

S$175

includes taxes & fees

25 Oct - 26 Oct

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

10. Marea Sol Hotel

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

Sofia

S$172

includes taxes & fees

29 Oct - 30 Oct

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

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

11. Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

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

cindy

S$195

includes taxes & fees

15 Nov - 16 Nov

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

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

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

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

12. Pacific Blue Inn

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

Sharon

S$137

includes taxes & fees

22 Oct - 23 Oct

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

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

13. Ocean Pacific Lodge

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

Tasia

S$126

includes taxes & fees

2 Nov - 3 Nov

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

A table with a book, two glasses of wine, a plate of fruit, and a straw hat.

14. West Cliff Inn - A Four Sisters Inn

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

Molly

S$268

includes taxes & fees

15 Nov - 16 Nov

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

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

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.

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

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

Jacob

S$185

includes taxes & fees

16 Nov - 17 Nov

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.

An outdoor patio with a table set for two, a white fence, and a view of the ocean.

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

16. Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages

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

Richard

S$254

includes taxes & fees

22 Oct - 23 Oct

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 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.

17. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

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

Alan

S$141

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

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

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.

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

18. Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz

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

Leslie

S$187

includes taxes & fees

1 Nov - 2 Nov

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

A beach view with palm trees, a chair, and a railing.

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

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

19. Casablanca On The Beach

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

Johnnie

S$181

includes taxes & fees

8 Nov - 9 Nov

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

20. Hitching Post Studios Inn

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

vincent

S$119

includes taxes & fees

18 Oct - 19 Oct

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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	9.8 Exceptional 19 reviews	View
La Bahia Hotel and Spa	9.6 Exceptional 569 reviews	View
Dream Inn Santa Cruz	9.4 Exceptional 1,043 reviews	View
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz	9.2 Wonderful 1,346 reviews	View
Seaway Inn	9.2 Wonderful 310 reviews	View

Top Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center Hotel Reviews

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

10/10 Excellent

"Clean room, great spacious parking"

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

10/10 Excellent

"Fantastic location with a great view of the ocean, pier and boardwalk. We stayed in the tower section that always has a nice view. Staff was friendly, courteous and knowledgeable. So much is within walking distance. Downtown, pier, boardwalk, surfing, people watching. My number one place to stay when coming to Santa Cruz."

Edgewater Beach Inn

10/10 Excellent

"Great location and an even better jet bath tub."

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!"

Seaside Inn & Suites

10/10 Excellent

"Me and my family decided to have a last minute beach visit we had no idea we were going to want to stay the night and once we figured we would I called everywhere (it was 7pm) and only this hotel answered there was always someone to help at the desk and it was fast and easy to book and it was a great price and me and my family would definitely recommend my only complaint would be you can hear the trash people early in the morning but everything else was just what we wanted"

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 cycling trails.

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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 exciting rides at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and see why everyone loves this theme park in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling 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 cycling 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 cycling trails.

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Pacific Garden Mall

7.6/10 (4 reviews)

You can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Pacific Garden Mall during your visit to 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, take a look at the 174 hotels and other accommodation options you'll find within a mile.

What's the best place 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 traveller 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 can I expect to find close to Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center?

Expedia has 174 hotels and other accommodation options 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 fully refundable as long as you cancel before the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which is usually within 24-48 hours of your check-in date. If you have a reservation that's non-refundable, you may still be able to cancel and get 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 review the best deals available near 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 Bahia Hotel and Spa

3. Dream Inn Santa Cruz

4. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

5. Seaway Inn

6. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

7. Mission Inn

8. Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA

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

10. Marea Sol Hotel

11. Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

12. Pacific Blue Inn

13. Ocean Pacific Lodge

14. West Cliff Inn - A Four Sisters Inn

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

16. Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages

17. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

18. Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz

19. Casablanca On The Beach

20. Hitching Post Studios Inn

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

Top Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center Hotel Reviews

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Edgewater Beach Inn

Marea Sol Hotel

The Aqua Pacific Hotel

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Seaside Inn & Suites

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