Members-only rates
4.3 / 5 Excellent

Carousel Beach Inn

Carousel Beach Inn
Carousel Beach Inn – Santa Cruz, CA
Carousel Beach Inn – Santa Cruz, CA
Check in 3:00 PM
Check out 11:00 AM

About Carousel Beach Inn

Located 2 minutes’ walk away from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Carousel Beach Inn offers rooms equipped with a private balcony. It serves a daily continental breakfast. A flat-screen TV with cable channels is featured in each room as well as a private patio, a microwave, a refrigerator, a hairdryer and an alarm clock. Free WiFi is available in every room. Select rooms offer a spa bath for two or views of the amusement park. Guests are greeted by a 24-hour front desk at the Carousel Beach Inn. Free guest parking is available. Vending machines featuring snacks and drinks are offered on-site. Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is less than 2 mi away. A variety of activities are nearby, such as golf, water sports, fishing, sailing, and state parks. The University of Santa Cruz is 5 mi away. Shopping and dining opportunities in Santa Cruz town center are 6 minutes’ drive away.

Amenities

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Express check-in / check-out
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Family friendly
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Smoke-free property
  • Elevator

Reviews

4.3 / 5
Excellent 1544 reviews
  • Engine customer Aug 2026

    Beautiful view ..will definitely stay there again !!! 10/10

  • Engine customer Aug 2026

    We decided to extend our stay at the last minute and needed a hotel. So glad this one was available for my family of 4. The room was clean, it was so close to the boardwalk and the kids loved watching the rides from the balcony! Breakfast is also included which is a huge win for my early risers. We can’t wait to come back!

  • Engine customer Aug 2026

    Nos gustó mucho la comodidad

  • Engine customer Aug 2026

    Great location for walking to the Boardwalk but hotel needs updates and deep cleaning. It is tidy but old and needs upgrades

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    Thank u! My favorite part of this hotel is the outside shower that is available when you come back from the beach and are full of sand.

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    Clean room, directly across the street from the boardwalk. Free breakfast with hot coffee, tea, waffles etc. Cold water available all day as well as popcorn. Would definitely stay again only downside was the mattress was a little lumpy but after a long day on the beach/boardwalk you still get a great night sleep. Also has a private balcony which always nice to sit out and have coffee. 10/10 :)

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    We loved everything about our stay. The location is super convenient to the boardwalk and parking is a plus the beds were comfortable. The rooms were clean. Breakfast was fantastic. We would definitely stay there again.

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    We had a great experience! Our room was clean, spacious, and very comfortable. We especially loved the balcony with views of the Boardwalk, including the Big Dipper and the log ride. The location is fantastic—within easy walking distance of both the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Wharf. The complimentary continental breakfast had a nice variety, including oatmeal, cereal, waffles, bagels, toast, hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruit, and breakfast bars. They also offered coffee, juice, and other morning beverages, plus fresh popcorn available throughout the day, which was a nice touch. The room included a good-sized mini refrigerator, microwave, and single-serve coffee maker, making our stay even more convenient. The bedding and towels smelled fresh and were exceptionally clean. The only improvement I would suggest is for Room 311. The air conditioner was quite loud, and the window could use a blackout shade. The sliding glass door already has one, but adding a blackout shade to the window would make the room even more comfortable.Overall, we really enjoyed our stay and would definitely consider staying here again.

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    The room was great. Excellent location to the Boardwalk. Less than a block away. Room was nice and clean. Comfortable for a family of 4. I’m not sure how other rooms are but I wish the body wash/shampoo dispenser was o note back wall of the shower. I knocked mine off twice with my elbow. After the boardwalk closes, there are taco trucks right across the street so you can grab a great meal before you head to your room for the night. Awesome stay.

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    If your visiting the Board Walk, you can't beat being across the street from the Carosel. You can buy discounted tickets from them too.

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    Staff were very helpful and professional. Room was clean. Continental breakfast was good. We did have to wait about 25 minutes after the check-in time for our room.

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    Clean room, nice staff, parking was great, and closest you can get to the boardwalk. Not to mention an amazing free breakfast. Everything you can ask for . Great experience. Highly recommend

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    The customer service was outstanding, and I truly appreciate the support I received. Thank you to the entire reception team for your excellent service. I highly recommend this hotel and would definitely stay here again!

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    Very friendly place since the moment we walked in! Customer service to the fullest would not hesitate to stay there again

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    Tv didn’t work lights in the room didn’t work..room was small for the very high nightly rate the breakfast could had more choices…I had to park on the street an pay the meter..an I had to pay a 200 dollar deposit for which I’m still trying to get back

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    Short walk to boardwalk and very friendly staff that treat kids amazing

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    but overall,it is ok. The only area maybe to improve on is maybe have the rooms ready by 3?We went on a Tuesday but still had to wait. Will go back again though. Thank you to all the staff

  • Engine customer Jul 2026

    Room was big and airy. We cannot wait to go back and book a longer stay at the Carousel. Parking included was a plus for us.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    The location was perfect an 2 minute walk to the beach and the included parking was a bonus. The continental breakfast was adequate and the staff was outstanding. Despite being next to the boardwalk the noise was minimal except the courtyard of the hotel was an echo chamber when guests walked through. Our room was in the back so away from the busy street but was next to the stairwell and every time the door opened it was noisy. Bring earplugs or sound machine. Very pleased overall though and would book again.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    The property was as described and directly across the street from the Boardwalk. I highly recommend.

Frequently asked questions about Carousel Beach Inn

Does Carousel Beach Inn have free Wi-Fi?
Yes, Carousel Beach Inn offers free Wi-Fi for all guests.
Does Carousel Beach Inn offer parking?
Yes, Carousel Beach Inn offers free parking on-site.
Does Carousel Beach Inn have meeting spaces, conference centers, or conference rooms?
Carousel Beach Inn does not list dedicated meeting or conference facilities. For business event venues in Santa Cruz, see business hotels in Santa Cruz.
Does Carousel Beach Inn have a fitness center?
Carousel Beach Inn does not list an on-site fitness center. Some properties partner with nearby gyms — check directly with the hotel.
Where is Carousel Beach Inn located, and how walkable is the area?
Carousel Beach Inn is located at 110 Riverside Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. With a Walk Score of 85, the area is rated Very Walkable. Most errands can be completed on foot, with public transit and rideshare easily accessible.

What's nearby

Map of points of interest near Carousel Beach Inn
  • University of California, Santa Cruz 3.0 mi
  • 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake 9.3 mi

Why no public rates?

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