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Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz

2.5 star property
Travelers can unwind by the seasonal outdoor pool or explore the beautiful garden at this Santa Cruz retreat where relaxation meets scenic views

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Photo gallery for Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz

Seasonal outdoor pool - Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz)
Reception - Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz)
Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds | Free WiFi, bed sheets - Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz)
Property grounds - Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz)
Reception - Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz)
Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz provides a peaceful getaway with its beautiful garden and welcoming terrace. Guests can enjoy the seasonal outdoor pool while staying connected with WiFi. The staff consistently receives high marks from previous visitors for their helpfulness.

Reviews

7.2 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 3 of 3 rooms

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(63 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

8.2 out of 10
Very good
(51 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Family Room

Family Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Room

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(9 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 Queen Beds
  • Free WiFi

About the neighborhood

Located near the beach, Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz is in Westside Santa Cruz, a neighborhood in Santa Cruz. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Monterey Bay and Capitola Beach, while Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Roaring Camp Railroads are popular area attractions. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center and Boardwalk Bowl are also worth visiting. Visit our Santa Cruz travel guide
View more Motels in Santa Cruz
Map
325 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060

What's nearby

  • CWFJJA USA California CA Santa Cruz clock tower and trolley on Pacific Avenue
    Pacific Avenue
    1 min walk - 0.0 miles
  • Pier at Santa Cruz, California
    Santa Cruz Wharf
    5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
    Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
    8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center
    3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Santa Cruz Main Beach
    5 min walk - 0.3 miles

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge
    7 min walk
  • Ideal Bar & Grill
    6 min walk
  • Boardwalk Bowl
    9 min walk
  • Las Palmas Taco Bar
    3 min walk
  • Craft Beer at The Boardwalk
    10 min walk

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Property amenities

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

Family friendly

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

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (on request)

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • On the bay
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

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

More

  • 2 floors
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 32-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels

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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

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 allowed for an extra charge of USD 25 per pet, per night
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: USD 100 per accommodation, per stay

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • 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)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

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 fire extinguisher and a smoke detector

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
The seasonal pool will be open from March 19 to September 13
Construction is underway at a neighboring building and there may be noise disturbance from the construction work

Frequently asked questions

Does Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz have a pool?

Yes, this property has a seasonal outdoor pool. The pool is closed seasonally each year from September 22 to March 20.

Is Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. There's a fee of USD 25 per pet, per night. Service animals are exempt from fees.

How much is parking?

Limited spots are available.

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 is available for a fee of USD 25 (subject to availability).

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

Check-out is at 11:00 AM. Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability).

Where is Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz located?

Located in Westside Santa Cruz, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Monterey Bay is 1.3 mi (2 km) away.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz Reviews

7.2

Good

7.4

Cleanliness

10

Location

7.6

Staff & service

7.0

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 345 out of 1021 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 228 out of 1021 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 211 out of 1021 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 126 out of 1021 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 111 out of 1021 reviews

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brady

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice size room easy parking great location
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I like the hotel and the room was clean. The hotel was close to the beach and everything! I don't mind staying there again. It was perfect!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Nicole

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The staff is really awesome, they made it a great stay on a busy holiday weekend. Location is a walkable trip to the boardwalk but if you have little ones who tire, bring a wagon. Thank you!
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cristina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great spot for my family and our fur baby. We love the boardwalk and the hotel was perfect for our family vacay.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A great spot to book, in walking distance to the pier and beach. We ate at an Italian restaurant Iveta and it was so good, pretty well right next to the hotel. Across the street is a coffee shop and we grabbed food in the morning. The room is spacious and clean. For the price you can’t go wrong!!
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Leonard

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Clean room no frills, quiet; great location,bang for buck
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kim

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very spacious and clean rooms especially when accommodating family with children
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kim

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff was wonderful location was primo
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

priscilla

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff was so helpful and welcoming. Not currently doing early check in but they allow free parking the day off, if you arrive early. An easy 5 minute walk to the beach. Room was clean and came with all amenities besides an iron. Plenty of restaurants within a 15 minute walk or a 5 minute drive. AC worked amazing. Will be returning.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

BRETT

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Over all GREAT location. Super close to pretty much everything. If you need a place to sleep/ park Shower and hold your cold breverages this is it. Your a 4 mins walk to the boardwalk and 4- 6 min walk to in town breakfast spots. For the price you can beat it if your not looking to spend your vacation in your room lol. Who is? Very strick on 3 pm check in. So get there at 2:55 and park and wait at the door! Enjoy!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Crystal

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Was worried that my room was going to be canceled due to a late arrival but they had the keys in a lock box for me to get when I arrived. Comfortable bed.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Ma Concepcion

The air condition is strong and the parking is safe. Quite close to the shopping center downtown and walking to the beach area.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carol

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We enjoyed a pleasant walk to beach. There are eateries and sundries shops nearby. Staff was friendly and helpful. Room was adequately furnished and very comfortable. Pillows too puffy!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Galvin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The property for us os clean and simple. Could have used a chair or two with a small table. Staff is friendly. Shops and restaurants are close by, felt very safe. The worf and ocean are close by. Have stayed there several times.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

6/10 Okay

Myra

Check in was easy, plenty of parking, pool was open. The shower flooded the entire bathroom no matter how I positioned the head. I had to lay down towels to soak up the water.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Sean

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This was a great place to stay if you’re just needing somewhere to sleep. Super comfy soft beds, but small pillows. The floor was sticky which was kinda gross but everything else was great. Definitely a good deal for what it’s worth. Parking was a struggle, but at the same time it’s free so…. Overall, a great place to stay if you’re just needing a bed and a shower.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Isaac

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely cozy place near the beach
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Smooth check in. Great service and a great price for the month of January . The 3 bedroom is super spacious
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

4/10 Poor

Angela

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
Very pet friendly. Heater and A/C worked. Rooms were not very good. Gap in between door and doorframe. The people next door had to slam their door so it would shut properly which was annoying in the middle of the night. Very thin walls. No sitting area in the room. Parking was very limited. Staff was friendly.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

4/10 Poor

David

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
The parking was poor, we checked in at 4:30 pm and the parking lot was full already. The front desk said there was a paid parking lot around the corner but now our car would be out of our sight and we would have to pay more. When we got to our room, the floor didn’t feel clean and there were hairs still stuck in the towels and in the shower drain. The property did not feel maintained, you had to lift up on the door handle to get in versus the typical pull down. We witnessed other guests having trouble getting inside their rooms. We only stayed 1 night, the morning shift front desk was helpful when we were checking out. They recommended some breakfast places when we asked for their insight. Another positive about this property was the close proximity to the Santa Cruz boardwalk. Overall, we would not come back to stay here.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Front desk staff was very accommodating and welcoming.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Alejandro

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The location is definitely a strong point, very close to the beach, which makes it very convenient. We knew this was not a five-star hotel, so our expectations were aligned with that. Overall, the stay was acceptable. That said, there are several small maintenance issues that, if addressed, could significantly improve the guest experience. For example, a worn-out door lock, a dripping shower, and curtains that don’t fully close. Nothing major, but these details do impact the overall impression.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Great staff. Convenient location.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic comfortable bed and very close broadwalk, we be back again
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jaimon

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff, clean & easy to get to beach
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025