18 Best Hotels in The Monterey Bay Area, California

A short stroll from the boardwalk and wharf, this full-service luxury hotel is the only lodging in Santa Cruz directly on the beach, and its rooms all have private balconies or patios overlooking Monterey Bay. Accommodations have contemporary furnishings, muted retro-chic colors, and upscale linens, but the main draw here is having the ocean at your doorstep. In the Jack O'Neill Restaurant and Lounge, named for the famous wet suit inventor and longtime Santa Cruz resident, you can view vintage photos and memorabilia while sipping surf-theme cocktails.

A multimillion-dollar renovation completed in the early 2020s transformed this 1970s motel, conveniently located near the intersection of Highway 1 and Rio Road, into a hip haven that evokes the region’s natural environment (sand, sea, mountains, pines) and artsy past (mosaic floors, local art, vintage doors). Rooms reflect a mid-century modern vibe (earth tones with orange and blue accents); some have private balconies and pool or mountain views. This is a great place to relax before or after adventures: dine at Shearwater Tavern gastropub, hang out by the firepits in the entry courtyard, or soak in the pool.

This basic but comfy motel, decorated in bold, retro, seaside style and across the street from the boardwalk, is ideal for travelers who want easy access to the sand and the amusement park rides without spending a fortune. All rooms have 42-inch flat-screen TVs, microwaves, small refrigerators, private balconies or patios, and air-conditioning. Some rooms adjoin (great for families) and some have spa tubs and/or provide a peek at the ocean.

A cluster of Spanish-theme buildings in the heart of downtown, Casa Munras pays homage to Monterey's roots and the legacy of Spanish diplomat Don Estéban Munras, who built a residence on the site in 1824. All rooms have hardwood floors, custom-designed headboards, and granite bathrooms with oversize vanities; many have fireplaces.

This sparkling hotel, set in the heart of the tourist district and opened in fall 2022, is a warm, welcoming, haven filled with custom-designed furnishings and local art that reflects the beachy Santa Cruz vibe. Hang out on the sofas in the lobby, private booths in the café, outdoor patio with fire pits, or poolside. Rooms are unusually spacious, with ample amenities.

About a mile from the ocean and two blocks from Pacific Avenue, this stylish, forest-theme complex (part of the Marriott Autograph Collection) is among the few full-service hotels in town. Public spaces and rooms are designed to bring nature indoors—the reception desk is cut from an 18-foot reclaimed eucalyptus log, lamps resemble birds' nests, sculpted squirrels cling to the walls, and tree stumps serve as poolside tables. Room options range from kings with river-rock showers and double queens with tubs to six suites.

High on a hill overlooking the Pacific, this place has superb views and accommodations that include king rooms with fireplaces, suites with personal whirlpool tubs, and full town houses with many perks. The excellent meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) at the inn's California Market at Pacific's Edge restaurant are made from local ingredients; many dishes are vegan and gluten-free. Even if you don't dine here, order a cocktail and appetizers in the ocean-view Sunset Lounge.

Spectacular bay views, upscale amenities, assiduous service, and a superb location next to the aquarium propelled this luxury hotel to immediate stardom. Its spacious rooms, in several Craftsman-style buildings on both sides of Cannery Row, have marble, natural wood, and glass elements that create a feeling of warmth and serenity. All rooms have baths with soaking tubs and walk-in showers, and many have fireplaces and balconies. Unusual artworks abound in the public spaces.

A historic complex of lush gardens and Mediterranean-style buildings, La Playa has light and airy interiors done in Carmel Bay beach-cottage style. Norwegian artist Christopher Jorgensen built this property's original structure in 1905 for his bride, a member of the Ghirardelli Chocolate clan. Some rooms are small but comfortable; some have views of gardens or the ocean. Rates include a daily champagne brunch and afternoon sangria.

Movie star Clint Eastwood owns this sprawling property where accommodations include rooms in a converted barn and several cottages, some with fireplaces. The ranch is nicely decorated but low-key, with a 19th-century farmhouse as the central building, a sheep pasture, bird-filled wetlands, and a sweeping view of the ocean. Though the ranch belongs to Eastwood, relaxation, not celebrity, is the focus here.

Guests at this Cannery Row hotel can see frolicking sea otters from its wide outdoor patio and many room balconies. The architecture blends early California and Mediterranean styles and echoes elements of the old cannery design. Meticulously maintained, the property has both simple and luxurious accommodations. The top-floor spa offers a full array of treatments, perfect after a workout in the penthouse fitness center.

A favorite with generations of visitors, the Pine Inn is four blocks from the beach and has Victorian-style furnishings, complete with a grandfather clock, padded fabric wall panels, antique tapestries, and marble tabletops. The property includes a brick courtyard of specialty shops and a modern Italian restaurant. 

One of Monterey's largest hotels, and locally owned and operated for more than 40 years, the coastal-theme Portola anchors a prime city block between Custom House Plaza and the Monterey Conference Center. A lofty lobby atrium with live trees evokes the essence of Monterey Bay and welcomes you to its popular farm-to-table restaurant, Jacks Monterey, and adjacent Peter B's, a brewpub. The hotel's Spa on the Plaza is the largest day spa in Monterey County.

A sprawling collection of ranch-style buildings on 850 acres of meadows, fairways, and lakes, Quail Lodge offers luxury rooms and outdoor activities at surprisingly affordable rates. The resort is a casual, family-friendly enclave with swimming pools, a boccie court, a 9-hole putting green, 18-hole golf course, nature trails, and conference rooms for business presentations, movie nights, and special events. Rooms are decorated with natural fabrics, wooden furnishings, and Spanish accents. All rooms have decks or patios, smart TVs, and spacious bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and separate showers. All suites and some guest rooms have fireplaces. Dine at Edgar's at the golf clubhouse around the corner or in the Covey Grill.

Walk to the sand from spacious, luxurious bungalows furnished in contemporary, ocean-theme style at this 19-acre, wellness-centered resort next to Marina Dunes Preserve and a secluded stretch of Marina State Beach. Each room has a private patio or deck, a fireplace, binoculars for spotting whales and other wildlife, and at least a partial ocean view; some have living rooms with sleeper sofas and panoramic ocean views. It’s about 10 miles north of Monterey, but the on-site Salt Wood Kitchen and Oysterette restaurant, where meals center on fresh local fare, and the many activities—from nightly bonfires and wine-and-cheese tastings to weekend beach yoga sessions—make it easy to just hang out and enjoy the resort.

Location is the main appeal of this motel atop a waterfront bluff, where all rooms have an ocean view and the boardwalk is just down the street. Standard rooms have a fireplace and a refrigerator, and there are three luxury king spa rooms with balconies and two family cottages with private hot tubs. Studios and suites have kitchenettes, and three rooms have whirlpool tubs.

Families and business travelers like this 6-acre property near Seacliff State Beach that's more resort than hotel. Six two-story lodge buildings encircle a large pool and lush gardens with a koi pond and waterfall—ask for a room in a building away from the busy restaurant and bar, which can get noisy at night. The decent-size rooms have a fresh contemporary look.

This boutique hotel on Cannery Row has beach access and a rooftop garden that overlooks the water. Designed in traditional American style, the spacious rooms (completely renovated in 2023) have sitting areas, hardwood floors, fireplaces, and down comforters. Oceanside rooms have window seats, and some rooms have balconies above Cannery Row. An afternoon wine-and-cheese hour takes place in the light-filled lobby, which has a soaring four-story ceiling.