Santa Cruz Hostel
321 Main Street, Beach Hill, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-5017
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About
#1 of 8 Specialty lodging in Santa Cruz
Location
4.4
Cleanliness
4.1
Service
3.7
Value
3.6
Private rooms and dorm rooms located throughout 5 beautiful historic cottages in the heart of Santa Cruz. Just 1 block away from Santa Cruz's boardwalk and wharf area, as well as world-famous surf spots, the location of this hostel just can't be beat! During your stay with us you'll cross paths with surfers, bikers, backpackers, and all other sorts of travelers. Share a cup of tea in our communal kitchen & dining room space before taking a brief walk downtown, located only a few blocks away. The west coast vibes are as real as they come in Santa Cruz, and our hostel is dedicated to showing you how our town gets down! Between the great outdoors, active night-life, and friendly faces all around, you'll be sure to find a memorable time here!
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Property amenities
Free public parking nearby
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Beach
Patio
Baggage storage
Non-smoking hotel
Self-serve laundry
Paid public parking nearby
Complimentary tea
Board games / puzzles
Outdoor furniture
Shared bathroom
Shared kitchen
Shared lounge / TV area
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Room features
Housekeeping
Coffee / tea maker
Kitchenette
Dishwasher
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Stovetop
Electric kettle
Kitchenware
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Room types
Mountain view
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Location
90Good for walkers
Grade: 90 out of 100
20Restaurantswithin 0.3 miles
10Attractionswithin 0.3 miles
Contact
321 Main Street, Beach Hill, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-5017
Getting there
Rental CarsSee rental cars from $37/day
Nearby restaurants
Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge
154 reviews5 minAmerican
The Picnic Basket
433 reviews4 minAmerican
Ideal Bar & Grill
762 reviews4 minAmerican
Beach Street Cafe
147 reviews4 minAmerican
See all nearby restaurantsNearby attractions
West Cliff Drive
1,338 reviews3 minScenic Drives
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
3,639 reviews6 minAmusement & Theme Parks
Santa Cruz Wharf
1,335 reviews6 minPiers & Boardwalks
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center
114 reviews4 minSpeciality Museums
See all nearby attractions80Reviews5Q+A8Room tips
Reviews
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We had 8 men stay in two of the cottages for a golf trip. The facilities and grounds were in great condition and had all of the amenities needed for a few nights stay. The staff was excellent and assisted with whatever was needed.
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Date of stay: April 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Close to the beach in a quiet location. About three blocks from the boardwalk and reasonable prices. Friendly service and clean. The old cottages are such a treat to stay in. Loretta is great at managing the place and making you feel welcome and safe. No alcohol on the premise which can be a blessing and keeps in quiet.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
I just visited this amazing Historic hostel in Santa Cruz. I had no idea what to expect although I had read great reviews of this place. SC Hostel exceeded all the reviews that I read. It's incredibly CLEAN!! Beautifully and 'cheerfully' decorated, so that you can feel like you can relax and 'chill' And!! Speaking of 'chilling' I was concerned about the lock out rule during the day that the reviews mentioned! Well, NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT This 'rule' is no longer in effect. Guests can and are even WELCOMED to hang out at the hostel all day. So I definitely recommend the Santa Cruz Hostel to travelers to come visit and hang out!
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Date of stay: July 2019Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip: Guest can hang out at the hostel ALL Day!!!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Great location walking distance to the boardwalk and set in a quiet residential area. Parking wasn’t too bad we were able to find parking at a meter and then we purchased a permit from staff who were very friendly and helpful. On both days we found a space within a five mins walk from the hostel. We had a family room which was ok although one of the windows did not have a curtain on it. Toilets and shower were clean and OK. There is some nice seating outside and also a large shared area with large fridges washing machine and tumbler driers. One complaint as people have mentioned before is that you have to vacate between 11-3 which they have now stopped doing . But great value and location for where it was
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Date of stay: July 2019Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
I have visited the Carmelita Cottages 3 times and have always enjoyed it. I am so glad the in/out time has changed, it made my last stay a more pleasant experience. It is a cute, comfortable place with nice staff. I appreciate the no alcohol policy and believe it adds to the family friendly environment. It is clean, quiet and the location absolutely cannot be beat. Beautiful beaches, great hiking, and nice restaurants within walking distance. Parking is the only challenge. I have gone prior to the May15 parking restrictions (permit only parking at that time) and have been able to find parking within a 1/2 a block from the hostel.
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Date of stay: April 2019Trip type: Traveled with family
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
We stood in a small but comfortable family room, very clean and tidy. The shared bathrooms and toilets were in an immaculate condition. There are 2 kitchens in the house, all very well maintained. The staff is absolutely friendly and helpful. They really like what they are doing!
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Date of stay: April 2019Trip type: Traveled with family
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Having stayed in a number of hostels throughout the US and abroad, I must say this hostel was one of my favorite. My travel buddy and I stayed in the Captain Dame cottage which has a men's and women's dorm. The women's dorm has 5 beds (2 sets of bunkbeds and 1 single twin). The beds were comfortable and the room clean. The cottage had a coed restroom/shower and a cozy common area. This cottage was only one of several on the hostel grounds. The check-in process was seamless. James was thorough and also gave me a good suggestion for dinner. I utilized the main kitchen which was located in another building. I also noticed that the same building housed a couple of coin-operated washers/dryers. This place definitely has everything a traveler would need. Another plus is it's location which is only a few short blocks from the waterfront, pier and restaurants. I had one issue which I conveyed to management; ants in the bathroom. I feel confident they addressed my concern.…
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Date of stay: August 2018Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: A parking permit can be purchased from the office for $2.00/day. Park is located 2 & 3 short...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Nice place, friendly staff and pretty garden. Very old charming cottage from another century. Very well located as well...but very difficult to park the car. I recommend it if you want to visit Santa Cruz.
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Date of stay: July 2018Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
I'll start by saying that if this hostel changed some of its policies it would actually be a lovely hostel - pretty cottages, great location, clean rooms. BUT - their policy that you must leave the hostel between 11am and 5pm is just ridiculous - what kind of accomodation doesn't let you have access to the room you have paid for? The whole point of staying in accomodation is that you are travelling and need to use somewhere as a base. It's your home away from home - especially when you have been travelling for months like we have! There was some vague reasoning given that the cottages are a "public park" - but the cottages are not open to the public so I fail to see why paying guests should not be able to access their room and belongings for the day. It's an extremely limiting policy and one that frankly feels unhospitable and stingy. Other issues were a midnight curfew (?? At a youth hostel??), no alcohol allowed on premises (we didn't realise this until too late and had to drink our wine in a nearby park!) and generally unfriendly staff. You get a real "us and them" vibe from the staff, with interactions focused on reiterating policies or checking in/out. Strangely the guest kitchen is in one building, but coffee is served in the staff area which made going there to get it feel like a bit of an imposition. All in all a real disappointment unfortunately. Someone should shake this place up and bring some life to the place!! It's a beautiful spot and you could make it a relaxing 'non-party' hostel, without enforcing these ridiculous policies. I've stayed at many hostels that are tranquil and chilled out and they still allow full access to premises, alcohol on premises and no curfew. It's all about the atmosphere you create. …
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Date of stay: July 2017Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
I've stayed with family members in mixed dorm rooms in several of the cottage-style buildings and enjoyed it each time. The atmosphere is great: both the buildings and the people who share the space with you. Walking distance to the Santa Cruz boardwalk (amusement park rides). Finding parking can be a challenge
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Date of stay: July 2016Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Whatever they have available is nice.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
$51 - $193 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
santa cruz youth hostel carmelita cottages hotel santa cruz
LOCATION
United StatesCaliforniaSanta Cruz
NUMBER OF ROOMS
11
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Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Cruz Hostel
Which popular attractions are close to Santa Cruz Hostel?
Nearby attractions include West Cliff Drive (0.1 miles), Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (0.3 miles), and Santa Cruz Wharf (0.3 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Santa Cruz Hostel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, self serve laundry, and baggage storage.
Which room amenities are available at Santa Cruz Hostel?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, a refrigerator, and a dishwasher.
What food & drink options are available at Santa Cruz Hostel?
Guests can enjoy complimentary tea and free instant coffee during their stay.
Is parking available at Santa Cruz Hostel?
Yes, free public parking nearby and paid public parking nearby are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Santa Cruz Hostel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge, The Picnic Basket, and Ideal Bar & Grill.
Is Santa Cruz Hostel located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.7 miles away from the center of Santa Cruz.
Are there any historical sites close to Santa Cruz Hostel?
Many travelers enjoy visiting San Lorenzo River Railroad Bridge (0.7 miles).
Does Santa Cruz Hostel have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.