This Laid-Back California Surf Town Just Got a Luxury Boutique Hotel

Santa Cruz has always had sweet waves, and now it has a hotel to match. The new La Bahia Hotel & Spa fills a gap in the lineup of offerings in this beloved beach town that was notably lacking in more polished boutique options. Located directly across from the iconic boardwalk and Main Beach, La Bahia solves that, offering up a masterclass in surfside sophistication. 

La Bahia Hotel & Spa

The Spanish-Mediterranean landmark has lived many lives since opening in 1926, including as apartments and neighboring a seaside hotel and casino. And its recent revival keeps that Old World romance intact. Arched doorways, azulejo tiles, and forged iron rail balconies with firepits make it seem like it’s one of California’s historic Spanish colonial revival properties, but it’s the modern touches that bring it to present times. Think a London-style lobby bar stocked with top-tier gins, nightly turndown service with a nostalgic bag of local Marini’s salt water taffy, and beach butler service that makes a day on the sand feel like a summer on the Riviera. 

Thomas J. Story

Surf culture is still front and center. Guests can borrow complimentary Almond surfboards or hop on e-bikes to cruise West Cliff Drive. Complimentary weekend yoga sessions nod to the town’s laid-back spirit. The spa leans into recovery mode with an ocean-view sauna, Zen deck, and sea-inspired treatments, like a surf recovery massage designed for those who’ve tested themselves in the famously punchy breaks. Dining happens in two moods: Low Tide is breezy and coastal-casual, while High Tide offers a more refined experience. Outside, an oversize lap pool and hot tub overlook the sand and boardwalk, allowing guests to witness all the fun without having to be in the thick of it. 

The hotel comes from the same ownership group behind the beloved Dream Inn Santa Cruz at Cowell Beach, which is already a favorite. But where the Dream Inn is playful and easygoing, La Bahia feels tailored and transportive. It’s a welcome addition that fits right in.