Search Santa Cruz, CA hostels

12 available hostel offers

2 nights
2
1
  • airbnb
  • booking
  • bookabach
  • expedia
  • tripadvisor
  • tripcom
  • agoda
  • homestay
  • tuivillas
  • hostelworld
  • hotelscom
  • hotelopia
Santa Cruz, CA hostels
Choose the perfect holiday accommodation
Price per night
Accommodation type
Rating

12 Hostels in Santa Cruz, CA

Best Santa Cruz, CA hostels with breakfast

Among the 12 accommodations in Santa Cruz, CA, here are the 1 best hostels with breakfast

Private Room W/ensuite: Sleeps 4, Walk To Beach! - Santa Cruz, CA
9.8 58 reviews

Private Room W/ensuite: Sleeps 4, Walk To Beach!

hostel, Santa Cruz
This Santa Cruz guesthouse, sleeping up to four, offers a private family room with a queen bed and twin-over-twin bunk beds and shared hostel facilities, including a fully equipped kitchen and free Wi-Fi.
The self-catering unit provides bed linens and towels; precise location within Santa Cruz requires further clarification to specify proximity to local attractions.

Best Santa Cruz, CA hostels with a locker

Santa Cruz Hostel - Santa Cruz, CA
9.2 17 reviews

Santa Cruz Hostel

hostel, Santa Cruz
Hostel rental with an excellent rating of 92% based on 17 reviews. You will be located in Santa Cruz.
Services and facilities include a terrace, fast check-in and check-out and a kitchen. This accommodation also has a garden!
Santa Cruz Hostel - Santa Cruz, CA
9.6 1142 reviews

Santa Cruz Hostel

hostel, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Hostel is located just a short walk from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, in the heart of the action, with Pacific Avenue and its shops and restaurants within easy reach. It has consistently received excellent ratings for location, cleanliness, and overall experience.
The hostel has a communal feel, perfect for meeting other travellers. Guests can relax in the garden, enjoy the sunshine on the terrace, or make use of the barbecue facilities.

Frequently asked questions about hostels in Santa Cruz, CA

  • What affordable attractions should backpackers visit in Santa Cruz, CA?

    Santa Cruz is full of free and cheap things to do! You can spend a day at the beach, explore the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, or visit the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. The Santa Cruz Wharf is also a great spot to watch the sunset and people-watch.
  • What are the best hostels in Santa Cruz, CA?

    Among the hostels in Santa Cruz, CA, Santa Cruz Hostel and Dorm Style Roomshare are the most popular ones.

  • What nightlife options are popular among hostel guests in Santa Cruz, CA?

    The pubs on the Santa Cruz Wharf are always popular with hostel guests, especially The Crow's Nest and The Waterfront. The pubs in the downtown area are also good options, with live music and a relaxed atmosphere.
  • What are the best hostels for families and kids in Santa Cruz, CA?

    The best hostel for families and kids in Santa Cruz, CA is Santa Cruz Hostel.

  • What budget-friendly events or festivals are taking place in and around Santa Cruz, CA?

    Santa Cruz has a lot of free events throughout the year, such as the Santa Cruz Farmers Market, the Downtown Santa Cruz Art Walk, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk's free summer concerts. The Santa Cruz Film Festival is also a popular event, and there are often discounts for students and locals.
  • What are the best hostels with parking in Santa Cruz, CA?

    The best hostel with parking in Santa Cruz, CA is Santa Cruz Hostel.

  • What are the top social spots in Santa Cruz, CA for hostel guests to meet other travelers?

    The hostel common areas are a good place to meet other travellers, especially if you're staying at the Santa Cruz Hostel. The pubs on the Santa Cruz Wharf are also a popular spot for backpackers to socialise, and there are often pub crawls organised for hostel guests.
  • What’s the best budget-friendly way to reach Santa Cruz, CA?

    The cheapest way to get to Santa Cruz is by bus, with services running from San Francisco and San Jose. You can also take the train to the Santa Cruz station, but it's more expensive. If you're coming from further afield, you can fly into San Jose International Airport and then take a bus to Santa Cruz.
  • What should you know before renting a hostel in Santa Cruz, CA?

    Most hostels in Santa Cruz are located in the downtown area or near the beach. Make sure to book in advance, especially during peak season. You should also check the hostel's reviews online to get an idea of what other travellers have said about it.
  • What's the best time of the year to visit Santa Cruz, CA?

    The best time to visit Santa Cruz is during the summer, when the weather is warm and sunny. However, it can get crowded during this time. If you prefer a quieter experience, you can visit during the spring or autumn.
  • Where in Santa Cruz, CA can you find the best areas to stay in a hostel?

    Most hostels in Santa Cruz are located in the downtown area, which is close to the beach, the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, and the Santa Cruz Wharf. There are also a few hostels located in the Westside area, which is closer to the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Popular destinations

Best Santa Cruz, CA hostels with air conditioning

Salt Air Lodge - Santa Cruz, CA
No reviews

Salt Air Lodge

motel, Santa Cruz
This motel offers a prime location in Santa Cruz's Boardwalk district, situated just 300 metres from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and a 4-minute walk from Sky Glider.
Guests can enjoy an outdoor swimming pool, free WiFi, on-site parking, and rooms equipped with a refrigerator and microwave, with a business centre also available.

Best Santa Cruz, CA hostels with laundry available

Private Room W/shared Bathroom: Walk To Beach - Santa Cruz, CA
9.8 39 reviews

Private Room W/shared Bathroom: Walk To Beach

hostel, Santa Cruz
This Santa Cruz guesthouse offers a one-bedroom, one-bathroom stay sleeping up to three guests, conveniently located near Santa Cruz's shops and restaurants, with proximity to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz Wharf, and downtown Santa Cruz likely within a short driving distance (distances unspecified).
The self-catering property includes a kitchen and internet access; further details on the interior design and precise distances to local attractions are unavailable.
Private Room W/ensuite: Sleeps 4, Walk To Beach! - Santa Cruz, CA
9.8 58 reviews

Private Room W/ensuite: Sleeps 4, Walk To Beach!

hostel, Santa Cruz
This Santa Cruz guesthouse, sleeping up to four, offers a private family room with a queen bed and twin-over-twin bunk beds and shared hostel facilities, including a fully equipped kitchen and free Wi-Fi.
The self-catering unit provides bed linens and towels; precise location within Santa Cruz requires further clarification to specify proximity to local attractions.
Santa Cruz Hostel - Santa Cruz, CA
9.6 1142 reviews

Santa Cruz Hostel

hostel, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Hostel is located just a short walk from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, in the heart of the action, with Pacific Avenue and its shops and restaurants within easy reach. It has consistently received excellent ratings for location, cleanliness, and overall experience.
The hostel has a communal feel, perfect for meeting other travellers. Guests can relax in the garden, enjoy the sunshine on the terrace, or make use of the barbecue facilities.
Walk To Beach - Private Bathroom - Ada Accessible - Santa Cruz, CA
9.8 90 reviews

Walk To Beach - Private Bathroom - Ada Accessible

hostel, Santa Cruz
This accessible Santa Cruz cottage is situated 0.3km from the beaches and surfing spots, and 0.6km from the downtown area, close to the Santa Cruz Wharf and Boardwalk.
The one-bedroom property sleeps three, offering a queen bed, a pull-out twin, a private bathroom, and shared access to a firepit, patio, and garden; nearby restaurants and local dining options are easily accessible.
©2026 cozycozy.com