About

Stay with us in a historic cottage at the Santa Cruz Hostel. We are located on a street lined with Victorian houses and a unique location, only steps away from the beach and boardwalk!

Check out these local favorites: Natural Bridges State Park for monarch butterflies and tidepools and Henry Cowell and Big Basin Redwood forest.
Sandy beaches and volleyball courts, Prime surf spots of Cowell’s and Steamer Lane, Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park, Municipal Wharf, where you can fish, bark with sea lions, eat fresh crab, ride a boat, shop, surfing museum, and cruise on West Cliff Drive with awesome walking and bike paths that line the Pacific Ocean. Eat at a variety of cafes and restaurants for every wallet and palate. Shop eclectic mix of local boutiques.

Cook a hearty meal in our large fully stocked kitchen. Discuss travel plans with other guests over a fresh cup of free coffee. Create lasting friendships during weekly hostel activities for guests. Keep in touch with loved ones at our onsite internet kiosk. Park your car for $5.00/day, passes are limited (free October 1st - May 14th). Access loads of info about Santa Cruz from our friendly staff & bulletin boards.

Things to know:
-Quiet hours are from 10pm to 8am. No check-in after 10PM!
-Upon check out, you must remove your linens and place them in the bin in the laundry room.
-You are expected to clean up after yourself while staying at the hostel (dishes, wiping tables, cleaning any mess you make).
-We collect full payment 48 hrs prior to your arrival date. If they payment does not go through we will email you, you have 24hrs to make payment. If your payment is not collect your booking will be cancelled.

Linkup Events

Book now to join hostel-organised events over your dates.

House Rules

Check In

4:00 - 22:00

Check Out

until 11:00

Age Restriction
No Curfew
Non Smoking
Taxes Not Included

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Facilities

Free City Maps
Free WiFi
Free Luggage Storage
Bicycle Parking
Luggage Storage
Reception (limited hours)
Internet access
Book Exchange

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Reviews

9.6Superb(293)

Value for Money
9.3
Security
9.8
Atmosphere
9.6
Cleanliness
9.8
Staff
9.6
Location
9.8
Facilities
9.3

Summary of traveller reviews

Santa Cruz Hostel in Santa Cruz offers a welcoming atmosphere with exceptionally friendly and helpful staff. Guests frequently praise its immaculate cleanliness and fantastic location, just a short walk from the beach and pier. The bungalow-style accommodation and lovely grounds create a comfortable and secure environment, making it ideal for solo travellers and groups alike.

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Stayed in Jun 2026

Patrick

Male, 41+, USA

An absolutely beautiful establishment.

Stayed in May 2026

mostafa

Male, 18-24, Egypt

Great hostel, and great staff.

Stayed in Apr 2026

Joy

Female, 41+, USA

Amazing experience! I loved the layout with all the separate buildings. Genuinely one of the nicest hostels in the hundreds I've been to by now. It is so nice to see a hostel with such clean spaces, and even porches where you can work on your laptop without having to be inside all the time. Really nice people here, too. So close to everything.

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Location

321 Main Street, Santa Cruz, USA

1.1km from city centre

About Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is central California's easy-going surf capital. A neon-bright amusement park sits right on the beach, while the vibrant downtown area brims with gourmet ice cream bars and vintage stores. On either side of the Main Beach, stretches of golden Pacific coast meet towering redwood forests for a great big slice of the wild western USA.

The Santa Cruz hostel scene includes a classic 18th-century seaside house, or a modern hostel with an indoor swimming pool. If you're looking to meet other travellers, join hostel-led group activities and relax with beers on an outdoor terrace. Some Santa Cruz hostels in town have free breakfast and most have guest kitchens so you can make your own food. You'll also have the choice of a dorm or private room, and many hostels in Santa Cruz also offer free Wi-Fi access.

The downtown Santa Cruz neighbourhood traces the San Lorenzo River towards the sea. Here, Pacific Avenue is the place for vintage clothes shops and artisan coffee. Continue towards the beach for the famous Santa Cruz Boardwalk, a classic amusement park that's been entertaining visitors for over 100 years with its rides, indulgent food stalls and nostalgic vibe. Municipal Wharf is lined with seafood restaurants and has views back to the town and beaches. Truly epic West Coast wilderness is found along the coastal walking and biking trail in Natural Bridges State Beach's rocky coves.

Santa Cruz has plenty of beach-based activities. New surfers might head to the gentle breakers of Cowell Beach, while kayakers can launch straight off Municipal Wharf in town. Adventurous travellers can go on a 3-day hiking trail in Big Basin Redwoods State Park (40 minutes' drive away), or visit just to marvel at these ancient, giant trees. In town, check out the Museum of Art & History, particularly on the first Friday of every month for live music among the exhibitions. For a swim away from the surfer crowds, the 2-hour hike to Garden of Eden offers a secluded natural pool surrounded by woodland.

To get here, fly to San Francisco International Airport and catch the Santa Cruz Airport Flyer shuttle bus down the coast. You can also travel by Greyhound – the station is on Pacific Avenue, and runs connections to San Francisco (3 hours), Santa Barbara (6 hours) and Los Angeles (9 hours). To get around town use the local bus service, which runs from Metro Center (also on Pacific Avenue), and in summer catch the Santa Cruz Trolley shuttle between downtown and the beach.