Sea & Sand Inn

Hotels
8.9 (292 reviews)
201 West Cliff Drive , Santa Cruz , us

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
24-hour front desk
Heating
Terrace
Family rooms
Garden
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great location
Beautiful views
Friendly staff
Cons:
Noise issues
Renovation disturbances
Limited amenities

Categories

Cleanliness
8.43
The large renovation created dust which affected the stay.
Service
9.4
Staff were kind, but the checkout process was frustrating.
Location
9.94
Great views and proximity to attractions.
Room Quality
7.89
Rooms were small and lacked temperature control.
Amenities
9.42
The complementary breakfast, cookies, and evening wine were enjoyable.
Value for Money
7.38
Overpriced for the experience, especially with recent issues.
Food and Beverage
8.93
Breakfast was appreciated, but some guests felt it was lacking.
Overall Experience
9.8
Despite some setbacks, many enjoyed their stay.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-16 05:23

Property Description

Oceanfront Rooms with Free Wi-Fi
Experience the perfect beach getaway at Sea & Sand Inn, just steps away from Santa Cruz Wharf and Boardwalk. Each room offers stunning sea views and comes equipped with free Wi-Fi, a TV, and a DVD player.

Complimentary Breakfast and Parking
Start your day right with a delicious continental breakfast featuring fresh baked goods, boiled eggs, and more. Take advantage of our free guest parking and explore nearby attractions like Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center.

Convenient Amenities and Nearby Attractions
Relax in our comfortable rooms with a seating area and en suite bathroom. With a 24-hour reception, you'll always have support during your stay. Don't miss the chance to visit the University of California Santa Cruz just 2 miles away. Book your stay at Sea & Sand Inn now for a memorable coastal experience.

Important information:

Please note: Parking is limited to 1 space per room booked.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 5 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    You haven't added any extra beds.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Groups

    No special conditions apply for groups.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.9
Based on 292 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.43
Service: 9.4
Location: 9.94
Room Quality: 7.89
Amenities: 9.42
Value for Money: 7.38
Food and Beverage: 8.93
Overall Experience: 9.8
J
John • couple • us
6
You pay for the view so you’d better REALLY like a view of the ocean and pray the weather is clear
Pros:

Views were incredible. The property was well maintained

Cons:

No beach access. Rooms were small and of average quality. No in room coffee

2026-06-26 • via Nuitee
B
Burns • couple • us
6
Overpriced Motel with a beautiful view
Pros:

The views from the walkway and terraces was beautiful!

Cons:

We paid over $600/night. It was worth $250 because of the view. The rooms were like very basic motel rooms. The night stands were scratched and dented. You got thin plastic glasses in plastic wrap in your room. The breakfast was like a Hampton in for 1/3 the price. There is no AC. You can open your window but there is an outdoor walkway 4 feet from your bed.

2026-06-25 • via Nuitee
K
kaylee • couple • us
8
Cons:

No AC or big fan

2026-06-20 • via Nuitee
S
Sarah • couple • gb
10
I would recommend it highly. So much nicer than big corporate hotels.
Pros:

Loved everything. Apart from great location, lovely big room, great view, nice fire for the cold evenings, we loved the special touch of the afternoon tea/ coffee in the lounge and the early evening wine and cheese, and also a great breakfast. The garden and terraces are fabulous.

Cons:

All great

2026-06-11 • via Nuitee
N
Nicole • solo_traveller • us
10
Pros:

Comfortable bed, nice clean room, atmosphere was amazing, grounds and views were awesome

Cons:

Everything was amazing. No complaints.

2026-06-08 • via Nuitee
A
Alali • family_with_children • us
8
2026-06-07 • via Nuitee
C
Cynthia • extended_group • us
10
2026-06-06 • via Nuitee
S
Sandra • couple • us
10
Pros:

The location is perfect.

2026-05-31 • via Nuitee
S
Sylvia • family_with_children • us
10
Pros:

You could hear the ocean from the room and it also had an ocean view. Everything was very clean and well maintained. Several firepits with comfortable chairs. Beautiful grounds. Good breakfast included, also wine and cheese hour. Very relaxing!

2026-05-30 • via Nuitee
M
Marwan • family_with_children • us
7
Somewhere between fair and good. For the price, I expected more.
Pros:

Location and view were amazing. The room was alright.

Cons:

Bed/pillows could be better. Room is very noisy from people passing right beside it. Sound insulation between units, especially the one above, is terrible. The curtains were all but transparent, giving us no privacy at all from people just passing by.

2026-05-13 • via Nuitee
R
Ruth • family_with_children • us
9
Great staff , very clean room & loved how the lobby felt like a home.
Pros:

It has a beautiful view and very clean!

Cons:

Too little parking close to the rooms.

2026-05-11 • via Nuitee
L
Lamkins • couple • us
10
Beautiful place, a great stay.
Pros:

The landscape was gorgeous!

Cons:

Couldn't access the beach

2026-05-08 • via Nuitee
L
Lucie • solo_traveller • us
9
Great place to chill, close to everything and nice people!
Pros:

Location was amazing with beautiful views of the water and wharf. Immaculate grounds with such colorful flowers. Bargetto wine and cheese in the afternoon was really nice. And breakfast was delicious. Staff very attentive. Even had a small bag of salt water taffy in room!

Cons:

Beds need replacing. If you have a bad back they are not supportive.

2026-05-08 • via Nuitee
M
Meyhar • extended_group • us
10
Pros:

Spacious property, very neat and clean, excellent services.

Cons:

Nothing. We loved it.

2026-04-27 • via Nuitee
C
Carol • couple • us
9
Very pleasant stay.
Pros:

Views were spectacular. Staff was very friendly. Breakfast was great. Very quick walk to the beach. We were able to park our monster of a truck with no trouble. Lovely spaces to sit outside and drink coffee.

Cons:

Tiny tiny quibbles: 1) no direct beach access (hotel next door had direct beach access). 2) The way the breakfast area was set up, people were crashing into each other and into the tables. 3) I didn't think to look inside the ice buckets for the glasses, I guess that one is on me.

2026-04-26 • via Nuitee
T
Taniah • solo_traveller • um
7
2026-04-16 • via Nuitee
S
Sandy • solo_traveller • us
9
Pros:

Great location overlooking the water

Cons:

Nothing I didnt like, nice room but maybe a picture or two would make the roo.m a little cozy

2026-04-16 • via Nuitee
J
Jason • couple • us
10
Perfect spot!
Pros:

I liked the view of the ocean and the multiple patio spots to sit and relax while viewing the ocean. I liked the Cookies and lemonade in the afternoon, the wine and cheese in the late afternoon and the breakfast. I liked sharing stories with Nayeli at the front desk. I liked the short walk to the beach. I liked the heater in the room. I liked the clean room and bathroom. I liked sitting by the fire pit at night. I liked how quiet it was.

Cons:

Nothing.

2026-04-12 • via Nuitee
M
Morvie • solo_traveller • us
9
2026-04-08 • via Nuitee
R
roya • couple • us
10
2026-03-30 • via Nuitee