With a stay at Drift Inn in Santa Cruz (Westside Santa Cruz), you'll be a 1-minute drive from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and 9 minutes from Mystery Spot. .This motel is 4.4 mi (7 km) from Capitola Beach and 7.1 mi (11.5 km) from Roaring Camp Railroads.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
Pacific Avenue - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
Santa Cruz Main Beach - 10 min walk - 0.5 miles
Santa Cruz Wharf - 13 min walk - 0.7 miles
Getting around
Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) - 29 min drive
Restaurants
Pizza My Heart
Craft Beer at The Boardwalk - 10 min walk
Boardwalk Bowl - 10 min walk
Fish & Fries - 11 min walk
Melo Melo
About this property
Drift Inn
Drift Inn offers 19 accommodations. Televisions come with cable channels.
Bathrooms include showers. This Santa Cruz motel provides complimentary wireless Internet access, with a speed of 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices). Housekeeping is offered daily and change of bedsheets can be requested.
Make yourself at home in one of the 19 guestrooms featuring microwaves. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms with showers are provided. Conveniences include phones, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Take in the views from a garden.
Take advantage of the motel's room service (during limited hours).
Free self parking is available onsite.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
In-room WiFi speed: 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices)
Parking and transportation
Free self parking on site
Family friendly
In-room microwave
Mini-fridge
Conveniences
24-hour front desk
Guest services
Change of bedsheets (on request)
Housekeeping (daily)
Outdoors
Garden
Accessibility
No elevator
Room amenities
Bathroom
Shampoo
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Entertainment
Cable channels
Food and drink
Limited room service
Microwave
Mini-fridge
More
Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
Heating (climate-controlled)
Phone
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 21
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
If you are planning to arrive after 7:00 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
Access methods
Staffed front desk
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
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.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit 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
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
Property Registration Number BL-109689
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
Property is also known as
Drift Inn Motel
Drift Inn Santa Cruz
Drift Inn Motel Santa Cruz
Drift Inn Reviews
Reviews
8.0
Very Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
The room was clean and comfortable; check-in was a breeze. The Drift Inn is located near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Downtown Santa Cruz, and the Riverwalk. My only negative is that the towels were a little threadbare.
Loved how close the hotel was to the Boardwalk, wharf and beach!
Laura
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review
10/10 Excellent
Megan
Jan 26, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
We had an amazing stay! Ankit at the front desk was extremely helpful and hospitable when we booked our hotel visit last minute. I would definitely recommend this inn for anyone looking for a cozy and conveniently located place to stay in downtown Santa Cruz.
Megan
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified review
8/10 Good
Henry
Dec 5, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
rooms were clean, beds were good, staffs were nice.
We had another great stay here! The staff is always courteous, and the room is always clean and fully stocked. This is our go to place whenever we're in town. Thank you for another great experience! Highly recommend 👌
First of all the receptionist Ankit is amazing and quite personable! Was able to check in a little early before check in time and got a room upgrade with a separate kitchen and balcony. Room was super clean and location was close to amenities. Will definitely be back!
Room was clean. Check-in was super easy and quick. Woman at the desk was friendly and provided us with an upgrade. Location was walkable to beach and boardwalk.
The rooms are extremely clean and the staff is friendly. We enjoyed being within a short walk of both downtown and the boardwalk. This is a great place to stay if you would like to park your car and leave it while you explore town.