Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz

2.5 star property
Motel near Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz

Seasonal outdoor pool
Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds | Free WiFi, bed sheets
Reception
Exterior
Property grounds

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
325 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
  • Santa Cruz Main Beach
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Santa Cruz Wharf
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪48 min drive‬

Room options

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

8.2 out of 10
Very good
(44 reviews)
  • 280 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(35 reviews)
  • 280 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Family Room

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(5 reviews)
  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 Queen Beds

About the neighborhood

Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz stay.A stay at this Westside Santa Cruz motel places you within half a mile (1 km) of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and 2 miles (3 km) of Monterey Bay. Pacific Avenue and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • Santa Cruz Main Beach - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Main Beach - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Santa Cruz Wharf - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Cowell's Beach - 6 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles

Getting around

  • Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl. Airport (SJC) - 43 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Ideal Bar & Grill - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Boardwalk Bowl - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Marini's at the Beach - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Las Palmas Taco Bar - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪The Catalyst - ‬8 min walk

About this property

Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz

Motel near Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz
As a guest of Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz, you'll find a seasonal outdoor pool, a terrace, and a vending machine. Public spaces have free WiFi. Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz also features a garden, a picnic area, and express check-out.

This Santa Cruz motel is smoke free.

  • 38 guestrooms or units
  • 2 levels
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Express check-out
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Outdoor picnic space
  • No smoking on site
Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz offers 38 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Guests can make use of the in-room refrigerators and microwaves.

This Santa Cruz motel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. 32-inch flat-screen televisions come with cable channels. Housekeeping is provided on request.

Languages

English, Spanish

Similar properties

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Seasonal outdoor pool

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Offsite parking within 0.15 miles (USD 15 per day), from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
  • Street parking available
  • Limited onsite parking

Things to do

  • Seasonal outdoor pool

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • 32-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 6:30 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in fee: USD 25
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 6:30 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Renovations and closures

The following facilities are closed seasonally each year. They will be closed from September 22 to March 20:
  • Swimming pool

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours), lockbox

Pets

  • Pets: USD 25 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

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

  • Deposit: USD 100 per accommodation, per stay

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

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Offsite parking fee: USD 15 per day (0.15 mi away; open 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM)
  • Pet fee: USD 25 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Early check-in fee: USD 25 (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

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
Minimum Spring Break check-in age is 21 years old
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector
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. Minimum Spring Break check-in age is 21 years old. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Cash is not accepted. For guests' safety, the property includes a smoke detector in each accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

We should mention

  • The seasonal pool will open March 19 and close September 13.
  • Guests may experience noise disturbance due to nearby construction work.

Property is also known as

Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz
Bay Front Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Bay Front Inn
Bay Front Hotel Santa Cruz
Bay Front Motel
Bay Front Inn
Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz Motel
Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz Santa Cruz
Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz Motel Santa Cruz

Frequently asked questions

How close is Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz to the airport?

Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz is 17.1 mi (27-min drive) away from the Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz.

How close is Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz to the beach?

This motel is a short 6-minute walk from Santa Cruz Main Beach and 6-minute walk from Main Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz offer free breakfast?

Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz?

No, there is no casino at this motel.

What time is check-in at Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 6:30 PM. Early check-in costs USD 25 (subject to availability).

Is there free parking at Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz?

Free parking is not available at this motel.

Does Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz have a pool?

Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz features a seasonal outdoor pool. The pool is closed seasonally each year from September 22 to March 20.

Does Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this motel.

How close is Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz to downtown Santa Cruz?

Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz is 0.9 mi away from Santa Cruz.

Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz Reviews

Reviews

7.0

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 307 out of 1014 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 260 out of 1014 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 198 out of 1014 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 127 out of 1014 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 122 out of 1014 reviews

7.4/10

Cleanliness

7.6/10

Staff & service

6.6/10

Amenities

6.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Kathleen, FRESNO

Traveled with family and small children, Traveled with partner, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Overpriced for Quality.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Nancy

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Didnt like the shady people in parking lot and lack of parking. Didnt like the front desk not being available for questions and issues such as my coffee keurig did not work but the cleaning staff did assist me and was super nice. Cant say as much for the front desk. Definately did not like last minute notice of 100 deposit required affter i paid for my room.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

samuel

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Lee Ann, Fresno

Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Need a littlelove
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

2/10 Terrible

Myshel

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Front end clerk rude
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Tayler

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Disliked: Cleanliness
We really liked the room but when we went to use the shower, it hadn’t been cleaned and there was hair on the shower wall
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Crystal

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was great stay for great price only issue was the parking was non existent if u left hotel and I had small children and did not want to ask that far with them to boardwalk! But other then that and having trouble getting enough towels for 7 people I had amazing stay beds were comfy and made up most every day there was coffee in room with mugs and the family suite was very spacious nice showers! I woudl definitely stay there again !
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carmen

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Close distance to walk to boardwalk,
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Roy

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The door handle just didn’t work well. No one was around to help out.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kurt

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

2/10 Terrible

Elizabeth

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The hotel room was filthy
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Kutter

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Deborah

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Vanessa

Traveled with family and small children, Traveled with family
Liked: Amenities
Great location in regards to distance of Boardwalk and wharf. Easy walk to those spots. I wouldn't walk anywhere else though if your with kids. Lots of homeless and noise, granted it is spring break time. Our bathroom smelled like dirty cat litter and surfaces had dust, drawers filled with crumbs so didnt use them. They don't answer phones. Instead you get texts that i don't believe really helped. It was an affordable place to sleep and the beds appeared clean and a/c worked great.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Fatima

Liked: Room comfort
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cameron

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Decent for our over night trip with toddler and dogs.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jerod

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alisa

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It nice place to stay ,
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Hayden

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
It is very close to the boardwalk/beach, which is nice.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Abram

Disliked: Staff & service
Okay spot for one night. Their was no AC
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gerard

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Jonathan

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Cindy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

4/10 Poor

Remy

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
My room had cockroaches! And they were crawling on the bed! Had to sleep with the lights on!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sydney

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I liked this property! Clean and staff was very accommodating. Only this is the phone number listed on Expedia is wrong, so just look up the hotel online if you need their contact info.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025