Carousel Beach Inn

Property class: 2.5
Hotel near Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Carousel Beach Inn

A balcony with two chairs, a small table with a vase of flowers, and a view of a parking lot and amusement park.
A restaurant with a wooden dining table, chairs, and a vase of flowers.
A hotel room with two beds, a balcony, and large colorful wall art.
A red popcorn machine with a large container of popcorn, a pot, and a phone receiver.
A roller coaster at a seaside amusement park with a beach and pier in the background.

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Housekeeping
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

View in a map
110 Riverside Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
  • Place, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Santa Cruz Main Beach
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Santa Cruz Wharf
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Airport, San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪58 min drive‬

Room options

Double Room, Balcony

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(14 reviews)
  • 280 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Room, 1 King Bed, Patio

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 226 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Double Room, Balcony, Park View

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(9 reviews)
  • Park view
  • 280 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

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About the neighborhood

Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz stay.A stay at this Westside Santa Cruz hotel places you within half a mile (1 km) of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and 2 miles (3 km) of Monterey Bay. Santa Cruz Main Beach and Cocoanut Grove are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Santa Cruz Main Beach - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Pacific Avenue - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Ocean Street - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Santa Cruz Wharf - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles

Getting around

  • Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) - 30 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Ideal Bar & Grill - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Las Palmas Taco Bar - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Boardwalk Bowl - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪El Chipotle Taqueria - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Brews At The Beach - ‬3 min walk

About this property

Carousel Beach Inn

Hotel near Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz
Free breakfast is served daily. Public spaces have free WiFi. Carousel Beach Inn also features a vending machine and an elevator. Self parking is free.

This Santa Cruz hotel is smoke free.

  • 34 guestrooms or units
  • Buffet breakfast (free)
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Elevator
  • No smoking on site
Carousel Beach Inn offers 34 air-conditioned accommodations with hair dryers and irons/ironing boards. Rooms open to patios. Refrigerators and microwaves are provided. Bathrooms include bathtubs or showers.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices)). Cable television is provided. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices)
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free uncovered self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Food and drink

  • Free buffet breakfast available daily 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Braille/raised signage
  • Elevator (42 inch wide door)
  • Null
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to elevator
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • TV with cable channels

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone
  • Window screens

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Property payment types

  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Mastercard
  • Visa

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • 0.2 percent destination fee will be charged

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A credit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and debit cards. Cash is not accepted. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher in each accommodation.

Frequently asked questions

How close is Carousel Beach Inn to the airport?

Carousel Beach Inn is 17.4 mi (30-min drive) away from the Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

How much does it cost to stay at Carousel Beach Inn?

As of Nov 14, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Carousel Beach Inn on Nov 15, 2026 start from $116, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Does Carousel Beach Inn have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at Carousel Beach Inn.

How close is Carousel Beach Inn to the beach?

This hotel is a short 3-minute walk from Santa Cruz Main Beach and 10-minute walk from Cowell's Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Carousel Beach Inn offer free breakfast?

Carousel Beach Inn offers free buffet breakfast every day from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

Is there a casino at Carousel Beach Inn?

No, there is no casino at this hotel.

What time is check-in at Carousel Beach Inn?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime.

Is there free parking at Carousel Beach Inn?

This hotel offers free self parking.

Does Carousel Beach Inn have a pool?

Carousel Beach Inn does not have a pool.

Does Carousel Beach Inn have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this hotel.

How close is Carousel Beach Inn to downtown Santa Cruz?

Carousel Beach Inn is 1 mi away from Santa Cruz.

Carousel Beach Inn Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 140 out of 209 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 41 out of 209 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 18 out of 209 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 6 out of 209 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 209 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, great location, super nice staff.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff, secure property, clean room and basically on the boardwalk. Offered free breakfast and the price was great
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything was clean the room was nice location was perfect breakfast was amazing
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location, walkable to the boardwalk and the beach!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great stay
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved everything about our stay. The location is super convenient to the boardwalk and parking is a plus the beds were comfortable. The rooms were clean. Breakfast was fantastic. We would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really loved our stay here! Quick access to the boardwalk, friendly staff, and a great breakfast! They have a make your own waffle station, or you can enjoy hard boiled eggs and yogurt, amongst other items. The room was clean and spacious. Would definitely stay here again and recommend to others!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Short walk to boardwalk and very friendly staff that treat kids amazing
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly place since the moment we walked in! Customer service to the fullest would not hesitate to stay there again
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, nice staff, parking was great, and closest you can get to the boardwalk. Not to mention an amazing free breakfast. Everything you can ask for . Great experience. Highly recommend
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location for walking to the Boardwalk but hotel needs updates and deep cleaning. It is tidy but old and needs upgrades
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff were very helpful and professional. Room was clean. Continental breakfast was good. We did have to wait about 25 minutes after the check-in time for our room.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything about the Carousel Inn was a great. The stay, the staff, the cleanliness. Especially the location. The room with a balcony. Yes! Room was big and airy. We cannot wait to go back and book a longer stay at the Carousel. Parking included was a plus for us.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, directly across the street from the boardwalk. Free breakfast with hot coffee, tea, waffles etc. Cold water available all day as well as popcorn. Would definitely stay again only downside was the mattress was a little lumpy but after a long day on the beach/boardwalk you still get a great night sleep. Also has a private balcony which always nice to sit out and have coffee. 10/10 :)
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I had a great experience staying at this hotel. The front desk staff went above and beyond to help me when my car battery died. They quickly assisted me in getting my car started, and their kindness, professionalism, and willingness to help made a stressful situation much easier. The customer service was outstanding, and I truly appreciate the support I received. Thank you to the entire reception team for your excellent service. I highly recommend this hotel and would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was great. Excellent location to the Boardwalk. Less than a block away. Room was nice and clean. Comfortable for a family of 4. I’m not sure how other rooms are but I wish the body wash/shampoo dispenser was o note back wall of the shower. I knocked mine off twice with my elbow. After the boardwalk closes, there are taco trucks right across the street so you can grab a great meal before you head to your room for the night. Awesome stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I love that the place is close to the Boardwalk. Perfect when you have kids so it’s easy to go back to the inn when the kids are tired from walking. The rooms are clean and they have shampoo, conditioner, body wash and hand soaps already in the room. Staff are available. Parking was easy when we went, we were there exactly at 3pm. Breakfast was ok,waffles and bagles,I wish they had more choices but overall,it is ok. The only area maybe to improve on is maybe have the rooms ready by 3?We went on a Tuesday but still had to wait. Will go back again though. Thank you to all the staff
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Disliked: Amenities
Tv didn’t work lights in the room didn’t work..room was small for the very high nightly rate the breakfast could had more choices…I had to park on the street an pay the meter..an I had to pay a 200 dollar deposit for which I’m still trying to get back
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It sounds like you're writing a hotel review. Here's a polished version that keeps your positive experience while making it flow more naturally: We had a great experience! Our room was clean, spacious, and very comfortable. We especially loved the balcony with views of the Boardwalk, including the Big Dipper and the log ride. The location is fantastic—within easy walking distance of both the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Wharf. The complimentary continental breakfast had a nice variety, including oatmeal, cereal, waffles, bagels, toast, hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruit, and breakfast bars. They also offered coffee, juice, and other morning beverages, plus fresh popcorn available throughout the day, which was a nice touch. The room included a good-sized mini refrigerator, microwave, and single-serve coffee maker, making our stay even more convenient. The bedding and towels smelled fresh and were exceptionally clean. The only improvement I would suggest is for Room 311. The air conditioner was quite loud, and the window could use a blackout shade. The sliding glass door already has one, but adding a blackout shade to the window would make the room even more comfortable.Overall, we really enjoyed our stay and would definitely consider staying here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The front desk staff were so nice and the location is unbeatable, especially with the balcony rooms with a view of the boardwalk! Clean rooms, bathrooms, and felt safe with locked access to elevators, stairs, etc. We can’t wait to stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Our stay was excellent !! It’s literally next to the boardwalk which was perfect!! The room and the property were very clean. The hotel staff was super friendly. Definitely recommend staying here. Our stay was excellent
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Beautiful view ..will definitely stay there again !!! 10/10
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We decided to extend our stay at the last minute and needed a hotel. So glad this one was available for my family of 4. The room was clean, it was so close to the boardwalk and the kids loved watching the rides from the balcony! Breakfast is also included which is a huge win for my early risers. We can’t wait to come back!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nos gustó mucho la comodidad
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Thank u! My favorite part of this hotel is the outside shower that is available when you come back from the beach and are full of sand.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026