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Reviews of Santa Cruz Hostel

321 Main St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States

#3 of 59 hotels in Santa Cruz

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 124 hostel reviews

8.8

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.0

  • Comfort

    9.2

  • Location

    9.3

  • Facilities

    9.3

  • Staff

    9.5

  • Value for money

    8.9

  • Free WiFi

    9.5

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 12 August 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The space was beautiful, I felt welcomed and I enjoyed the access to the tower district activities.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 29 July 2025

    10
    An amazing hostel to stay in Santa Cruz.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Nothing.

    Great location, relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff, garden and outdoor tables, nice kitchen and common area.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 26 July 2025

    8.0
    Where The Lost Boys is filmed
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    I just wish there was more a common room. I struggled to meet people here.

    Lovely place,

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 22 July 2025

    9.0
    Wonderful staff also, btw.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    This is definitely one of the most underrated hostels in the world.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 21 July 2025

    10
    Very nice place!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The garden setting…beautiful!

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 15 July 2025

    10
    A warm welcome in a friendly place
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Spotless - great social place - free icecream

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 4 July 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Only stayed 1 night but was enjoyable. Loved that it was really close to the boardwalk

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 29 June 2025

    10
    Great stay near the beach.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Tony and Sara are great and made my stay so much nicer by answering my numerous questions! They are both very intersting people who also enjoy traveling and travelers, so it's a good place to park it for a couple of days. I used to live in SC, so I know the area and this is a great location. It's a very comfy stay and you can cook in the kitchen, which is I did everyday that I was there. There are grocery stores nearby, within 5-10 mins driving distance, including a Trader Joes. Parking can be a challenge because it's so close to the wharf and the Boardwalk and during the summer, there's parking permit requirements. It's a great place to stay and much more homey than a hotel.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 23 June 2025

    10
    Awesome
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Excepted I didn’t get my pillow

    Everything was fine and nice

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 27 May 2025

    10
    Beautiful cottages by the sea
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    I had no complaints.

    The sight was picturesque and close to the water and downtown. Everything on sight was very clean and well maintained. Staff was friendly. Furnishings were cozy and well lit, and the gardens were beautiful.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 19 May 2025

    10
    Amaizing
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Nothing

    Everything was good

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 12 May 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The only problem was the parking around the location, but is also true that is because of it’s really good location close to all the popular things that is hard to find parking

    Everything was nice and modern I am from Europe and we have a really good hostel culture and these felt really close to hostel in Europe. Everything was clean and people were really cool. Also, the Location was amazing.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 2 May 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Location and friendly helpful staff

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 1 May 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Clean, quiet and easy to find.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 23 March 2025

    8.0
    Will definitely stay again.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Just one person I met at the hostel wasn’t very nice to me always putting me down very negative person, but that has nothing to do with the hostel.

    The Accomodation is very clean and tidy, I like the layout and the space the property provided. The staff are super friendly & hopeful, location is close to everything.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 9 March 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Close to the beach, shops and Santa Cruz fair. You can choose to cook or go into town for eats.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 14 February 2025

    10
    Perfect cute hostel near to the beach
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    As always the experience depends on the other people in a hostel. But in my case everything was fine. Maybe the check in could be open one hour longer.

    This is one of the cutest hostels I’ve ever been to! Everything is well organized and clean. The rooms were great and all of the staff is insanely friendly. I would totally recommend. The location is directly at the beach and in a safe and quiet neighborhood. The stay was so good that I extended it:)

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 1 February 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    I like everything

    Everthing incredible, staff was perfect!!!

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 20 January 2025

    10
    Would stay at this quaint, friendly clean hostel again!!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing

    Location. Safe, quiet neighborhood. Clean and stylish. Excellent kitchen.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 3 January 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Exceptionally clean. Great location. Big and organized fridge. Legit hostel experience.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 29 December 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Super nice hostel. Quiet. Free coffee. Free parking on the road in winter.

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 17 December 2024

    10
    highly recommend
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 6 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    the uneven blacktop.. but still okay to roll on.

    the model boats.. in the window nitches

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: 13 November 2024

    8.0
    Nice hostel, but prepare that Santa Cruz parking is really bad on the weekend
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    It was helpful with the parking tag, but I wish it was possible to buy it for more than 1 day at a time, as I had to repark my car at 8am and then the hostel reception was opening only at 9am, so I could get another tag.

    Clean, comfortable place to stay in Santa Cruz. The staff was very helpful and provided a parking tag for the day. I only stayed 2 nights so didn't take part in any of the social activities.

    Stayed in September 2024

  • Reviewed: 12 November 2024

    10
    Pretty gooooood!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    The guest may bring their own disposable toiletries,bath product,snacks,Earplugs and eye masks. But in summary,it's a perfect place.

    This is really a good place for solo travellers, people are friendly and quiet here. And beach is quite near. PERFECT!!!!

    Stayed in November 2024

Showing 1 – 25

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