Our Hostel

Our story

The hostel experience embraces community living, offering dormitory bunking and shared amenities. You can expect to share space and time with fellow travelers, enjoy events and meals together, and connect through casual conversation.

Guests clean up after themselves in shared spaces, which is essential to maintaining the low-cost accommodation, thus opening our beautiful city up to school groups, community organizations, families, cycle tourists and backpackers, and to people from all walks of life who want to experience all there is to enjoy in Santa Cruz.

The Santa Cruz Hostel Society, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help people of all ages appreciate the world through hosteling, has cared for the historic Carmelita Cottages and gardens for over 30 years.

The land was donated to the City of Santa Cruz by Lottie Sly and is now known as Lottie Sly Park. The cottages remain home to the Santa Cruz Hostel and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Prior to the hostel's opening, the property was home to a sea captain, widows, jilted wives, musicians, and a surfing icon, amongst others.

Its enviable location just two blocks from the beach and four blocks from downtown positions the Santa Cruz Hostel as the perfect location to experience all things Santa Cruz.

Individuals, families, and groups are welcome all year round. By providing travelers with lovely, affordable, clean and safe accommodations, the Santa Cruz Hostel promotes intercultural exchange, personal growth, and cultural awareness.