Why Book with HI

Global Network

4,000 unique hostels
in 90 countries
Quality Orientated

Assured standards of
comfort and safety
Fantastic Value

Great selection of affordable rooms, only 5% deposit secures your booking even on multi-stage bookings
Discover the real
hostel experience!

HI Santa Cruz Hostel

HI - Santa Cruz

321 Main St
PO Box 1241
95061 Santa Cruz
USA

Tel. 1 831 423 8304
Fax. 1 831 429 8541

Customer Rating

Total:	88%	88% 100 78
Friendliness of Staff:	88%	88%
Efficiency of Service:	84%	84%
Comfort:	85%	85%
Cleanliness:	89%	89%
Security:	87%	87%
Location:	96%	96%

Green Rating:	97%	97%

HI Santa Cruz is cozy and convenient, with a cottage setting perched atop a historic Beach Hill neighborhood. The hostel is 2 blocks from beaches, wharf and Boardwalk Amusement Park; 5 blocks to Downtown Santa Cruz. All public transportation within walking distance.

Enjoy hiking in redwoods, prime surfing, UCSC campus, and the eclectic downtown scene all within easy reach of the Santa Cruz hostel. Relax in our informal gardens and common room; internet and laundry available on site; large kitchen and dining hall great for the individual or group.

Dorms start at $25 and sleep up to 6. Private rooms available. Shared baths. No alcohol/drugs allowed. Check in between 5pm and 10pm only. Quiet hours and curfew begin at 11pm. Hostel has daytime lock out from 11am-5pm.

Hostel bed capacity

Beds per room:						Total beds
Number of rooms:	1	4	1	3	2	37

Opening times

Opening times (daily/weekly):	Office: 8-11 am; 5-10 pm Hostel Closed: 11am-5pm (lock-out period)
Opening times (over the year):	All Year

Street Map and Route Planning

Directions

Bus:	From Bus Station (Metro, Greyhound, and Amtrak), walk towards Beach on Pacific Ave. At Pacific/Front St. intersection, cross to walk uphill. Turn Left at top, walk 1 block, turn Right on Main Street. 1/2 block down on Right.(approx. 10 min. walk)
Metro:	Metro Station 10 mintue walk to Hostel. Or, take #7 bus to Second and Main. Half Block up Main on Left (runs 8am-5pm only on weekdays)
Parking:	Parking on Front Street Hill Only (5 minute walk to hostel) with permit bought at hostel for $2/day. Parking is not guaranteed. NO Parking on Main Street May 15-Sept. 30.
Location:	Beach Hill between 2nd & 3rd Streets. 75 miles south of San Francisco, 33 miles west of San Jose, 43 miles north of Monterey. From all highways take Ocean Street until it ends, turn right on San Lorenzo Blvd. Turn left on Riverside, turn right on 3rd St, turn left on Main. The hostel is 1/2 block on the right. Restricted parking by permit only, directions and parking permits available at hostel for a small fee.
Rail:	Amtrak: Arrives at Bus Station. 10 minute walk to hostel.
Airport:	San Jose Airport: 34 miles-requires multiple transfers for public transport San Francisco Airport: 61 miles From all Highways take Ocean Street until end. Turn right on San Lorenzo, Left on Riverside, Right on 3rd Street. At top of hill, turn Left on Main Street. 1/2 block down on Right.

Attractions

	Cultural centre nearby		Museums/art galleries nearby
	City centre location		Historical sites nearby
	River/harbour/lake nearby		Hiking area
	Main attractions nearby		Nightlife nearby
	Botanical gardens nearby		Restaurants nearby
	Shopping centre/market nearby		Beach at or near hostel
	Meet other travellers! Read their tips for things to do in HI - Santa Cruz

Facilities

	Discounts and concessions available		Family rooms available
	Suitable for wheelchair users		Self-catering kitchen
	Groups welcome		Common room(s)
	Sheets in price		Laundry facilities
	Cycle rental available at or near the hostel		Internet access
	Credit card accepted		Individual traveller welcome
	Luggage Store		Lockers available
	Non smoking room/area		Basic store available at or near the hostel
	Garden		Rates include local tax
	BBQ

Customer Reviews HI - Santa Cruz

03 May 2012 Cecelia, USA	100%	100%
Stayed two nights and enjoyed spending time there. Very quiet and very convenient to all Santa Cruz has to offer.
01 May 2012 David, USA	93%	93%
A very friendly place to stay.
30 Apr 2012 Katharina, Germany	100%	100%
Tthe 11pm curfew and closing hours during the day are the only annoying thing about this wonderful hostel being a great place if you seek some privacy and a cozy place. The staff was really friendly and helpful!
25 Apr 2012 Tyrone, Australia	53%	53%
11pm curfew r u Kidding me . Plus my room flooded and the fact that we r locked out of our room during the day is not. Acceptable.. I booked 3 night and cut it down to 2 before I even got into the office. Worse hostel in north America and 26countrys of Europe !!! Hostel response: Hi Tyrone, We apologize your stay with us didn't meet your expectations. We do what we can to meet the expectations of everyone, but sometimes we fall short. I appreciate your feedback. The curfew and the daytime lock out are imposed to us by the City of Santa Cruz due to our neighborhood location in Carmelita Cottages City Park and the wishes of the property owner who donated this location to the City. We understand how limiting this can be - It is definitely a trade off, but we felt the benefits of offering budget accommodations and cultural programming in the Santa Cruz area was/is paramount. We understand that our policies might not suit everyone's needs and understand if you don't want to return. Are there other things we could improve upon to make the trade off a bit easier for you? Thanks again for your feedback. Happy travels!!!
23 Apr 2012 Andrew, Australia	93%	93%
Great place to chill out, however there is no breakfast included and you aren't allowed to stay within the hostel during 11am and 5pm - rather annoying. Other than that it's great
15 Apr 2012 Michael, USA	53%	53%
There was a curfew at 11 pm. What a ridiculous rule. Also there was a prohibition of alcohol in the fridge. I will never again stay at these hostel when I will come to Santa Cruz. Hostel response: Hi Michael, Sorry to hear your experience with us wasn't what you had hoped. We do our best to meet the expectations of everyone, but sometimes we fall short. We appreciate the feedback we get from folks like you. The curfew is imposed to us by the City of Santa Cruz due to our neighborhood location in Carmelita Cottages City Park and the wishes of the property owner who donated this location to the City. We understand how limiting this can be - It is definitely a trade off, but we felt the benefits of offering budget accommodations and cultural programming in the Santa Cruz area was/is paramount. Our no alcohol policy is an organizational (Hostelling International) policy - not only is it not allowed in the refrigerator, it isn't allowed on hostel grounds. We understand the policy doesn't suit everyone, but our guest make the trade off. Thanks again for your feedback. Happy travels!!!
11 Apr 2012 Stacey, USA	100%	100%
The 11pm curfew is a bummer, but everything else was great. The cottages are SO charming. I also really love the dinner plates out front!
10 Apr 2012 William, USA	100%	100%
Have stayed in HI in New Zealand, Canada, Spain, Scotland, at least 5 others in USA. Santa Cruz is my favorite!
09 Apr 2012 Krishna, USA	93%	93%
The Santa Cruz Hostel is my new favorite! Staying in a restored cottage so close to the beach and the centre of town is excellent! The pots and pans and cooking utensils do need some attention, though - not enough and the ones available are not very clean.
06 Apr 2012 Cailin, USA	93%	93%
When we woke up in the morning a homeless man was playing the piano intoxicated. Very friendly guy but still a litte concerning. He had written down the Key code to our room