Sea & Sand Inn in Santa Cruz, California

Sea & Sand Inn sits on a cliff directly above Cowell Beach, with every room offering an ocean view and a fireplace. The hotel provides a complimentary hot breakfast with fresh baked goods and a free wine and cheese social hour each evening from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. Guests have access to a fenced garden with fire pits, an outdoor terrace, and an oceanfront pet area for dogs.

All 18 rooms feature a sea view, a fireplace, a mini fridge, a microwave, and free WiFi. Select deluxe rooms and cottages include a private hot tub on the deck. Each room has a private bathroom, and some rooms offer board games and puzzles for family entertainment.

Each morning the hotel serves a hot breakfast with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, and fresh blueberry scones. From 3 to 5 PM guests enjoy complimentary fresh cookies from Pacific Cookie Company. A wine and cheese hour runs from 5:30 to 6:30 PM, with 24-hour coffee and tea also available.

The inn is located within a 10-minute walk of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Municipal Wharf. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center is a 5-minute walk away. The University of California Santa Cruz is 2 miles from the hotel.

The property has a fully fenced garden with a lawn and fire pits, making it safe for toddlers to explore. Board games and puzzles are available for family use. The hotel allows pets and provides an oceanfront pet area with direct views of the beach.

Location: On cliffs above Cowell Beach, 10 min walk to Boardwalk

Rooms: Every room with ocean view and fireplace

Dining: Free hot breakfast, afternoon cookies, wine & cheese hour

Amenities: Free parking, outdoor fire pits, pet-friendly

Wellness: Hot tub in select rooms and cottages