Santa Cruz Gay Guide and Hotels

Motiv, previously Dakota, was a gay, now straight-friendly bar. The bar has won many awards, including 'Best DJ' and 'Best Atmosphere'. There is also a secret upstairs bar that you can sneak off to! Motiv is also recognized for its gallery for local art, food, and live music.

It's well known for the amazing cocktails and the lively dancefloor. Check out their website for more information.

Features:

Live music

Live DJ

cocktail bar

Art gallery

Mon: Closed

Tue: Closed

Wed:17:00 - 02:00

Thu:17:00 - 02:00

Fri:17:00 - 02:00

Sat:17:00 - 02:00

Sun: Closed

Last updated on: 13 Jun 2025

Last updated on: 13-Jun-2025

Front & Cooper

725 Front St, Santa Cruz, USA

Front & Cooper is a popular, gay-friendly cocktail bar.

Slightly hidden away from the hustle and bustle, this institution is a must-visit! It has two separate bars for wine/beer and cutting-edge craft cocktails. This place is busy with locals for its delicious drinks and yummy food. It has a very cosy atmosphere and features a fireplace too. It is worth a visit if you are in the Santa-Cruz area.

Mon:11:00 - 22:00

Tue:11:00 - 22:00

Wed:11:00 - 22:00

Thu:11:00 - 22:00

Fri:11:00 - 23:00

Sat:11:00 - 23:00

Sun:11:00 - 22:00

Last updated on: 13 Jun 2025

Last updated on: 13-Jun-2025

Blue Lagoon Cocktail Lounge

923 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, USA

The Blue Lagoon Cocktail Lounge is a gay-popular bar. It has a large bar and a lively, varied crowd, and cheap drinks. What's not to love? There is a live DJ on Thursday and a Happy Hour every day from 4-9 pm, as well as 5-dollar pints. This is the perfect place to go if you want an affordable but fun night out.

Mon:16:00 - 01:30

Tue:16:00 - 01:30

Wed:16:00 - 01:30

Thu:16:00 - 01:30

Fri:11:00 - 01:30

Sat:16:00 - 01:30

Sun:16:00 - 01:30

Last updated on: 13 Jun 2025

Last updated on: 13-Jun-2025

Hotels in Santa Cruz

Chaminade Resort And Spa

★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★

1 Chaminade Ln ;,, Santa Cruz

Why this hotel? Wellness Retreat. Mountaintop Views.

The Chaminade Hotel & Spa is a gorgeous environmentally friendly hotel that doubles as a mountaintop retreat, which is perfect for gay travelers.

The hotel, which underwent recent renovations, is known for its relaxing atmosphere and great service. On-site treehouse restaurant, The View, is a must-visit purely for the amazing mountaintop views, as well as the brunch.

There is also an outdoor patio, as well as private balconies that come with the rooms that also give great views of the mountains, Monterey Bay, and the large pool.

The Chaminade is also a 5-minute walk from the beach, and gay-popular nightlife spots are nearby, including Motiv, which is only a 12-minute drive away.

Seascape Beach Resort

★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★

1 Seascape Resort Dr, Santa Cruz

Why this hotel?

Seascape Beach Resort is a beachfront gay-friendly luxury resort, located right on Summer Beach.

The hotel overlooks Monterey Bay, and its location is great for exploring the area. The suites each have their own private balconies that look out to the Ocean, and they also come with kitchenettes and fireplaces.

There is an on-site fine dining restaurant, and other options are nearby. Gay popular spots in the area include The Blue Lounge, which is only a 16-minute drive away.

Features:

Beach

Fireplace

Golf Course

housekeeping

Kitchenette

Pool

private balcony

Restaurant

Room Service

wi-fi

Check Rates & Book Direct

Casablanca On The Beach

★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★

101 Main St ;,, Santa Cruz

Why this hotel? Beach Front. Amazing Ocean Views.

Casablanca Inn is a luxury beachfront, gay-friendly hotel located directly opposite Santa Cruz Beach.

The historical building has amazing views of the ocean and the rooms feature kitchenettes and private balconies.

Casablanca Inn is only a 4-minute drive from gay-popular hotspot Motiv, and other nightlife.

Features:

Beach

housekeeping

Kitchenette

Oceanview

private balcony

vending machine

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★

611 Ocean St ;,, Santa Cruz

Why this hotel?

Hotel Paradox is a gay-popular boutique hotel, located a 6-minute drive away from the beach.

The hotel is surrounded by woods and mountains, which provides great views from the modern rooms.

The large pool is a great place to hang out and mingle. For popular gay nightlife spots like The Blue Lounge, are only a 5-minute drive away.

Santa Cruz Dream Inn

★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★

175 West Cliff Drive,, Santa Cruz

Why this hotel? Ocean Views.

The Dream Inn is a gorgeous gay-friendly hotel, located in between the ocean and the city center.

The hotel rooms have private balconies which provide great views of the ocean, perfect for a romantic getaway.

There is a pool, as well as a bar and lounge where you can grab a drink from. Popular gay hotspots like The Blue Lounge and Motiv, are around a 5-minute drive away.

Features:

bar/lounge

Beach

bike rental

Fireplace

Free Wi-Fi

housekeeping

Pool

private balcony

Room Service

valet parking

Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★

407 Broadway Avenue Santa Cruz, California, USA,,, Santa Cruz

Why this hotel? Close to Gay hotspots. Pool deck.

Hyatt Place Santa Cruz is a gay-friendly hotel located near the Boardwalk and Downtown.

The Hyatt has great features such as an outside pool as well as a patio, which are perfect for soaking up the Californian sun.

There is a bar and lounge, as well as an on-site restaurant that are great options for a drink and a meal. However, other options are nearby. Popular gay nightlife spots in the area include The Blue Lounge, which is only a 3-minute drive away.

Features:

Free breakfast

Free Wi-Fi

Gym

housekeeping

paid parking

Pool

Room Service

Hilton Santa Cruz / Scotts Valley

★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★

6001 La Madrona Drive, Santa Cruz, California, 95060, USA,, Santa Cruz

Why this hotel? Close to attractions. Mountaintop views.

The Hilton Santa Cruz is popular with gay travelers, as it is budget-friendly, whilst still offering great service.

The Hilton has wonderful features like a large pool, an on-site restaurant, all while providing great mountain views that can be seen from the rooms.

The hotel is pet-friendly and close to attractions such as Ocean View Park, and gay-popular nightlife spots include Front & Copper which is only an 11-minute drive away.

Features:

air purifier

bar/lounge

Fireplace

free parking

Free Wi-Fi

Gym

pets allowed

Pool

The Blue Lagoon

★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★
★

923 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

Why this hotel?

The Blue Lagoon is a gay-popular cocktail bar located near the San Lorenzo River.

The bar plays host to events, popular with an alternative crowd, including comedy nights, goth/industrial nights, and more! Check out their website for more information.