"Charming historic Victorian mansion with modern rooms and amenities."
Pat c from United States
read full review
"The Rio Vista is a beautiful Victorian home with several charming rooms close to beach and running paths."
Cindi R from United States
read full review
"Historic and charming Victorian converted to a hotel."
Michael from United States
read full review
"Very clean with its own style and a beautiful building - very interesting to see the history of the place."
Capt from United States
read full review
"This hotel stands out in a crowd of chain motels."
Tim D from United States
read full review
Rio Vista Inn & Suites Santa Cruz - A historic 4-star Victorian hotel with river views and modern amenities
Originally constructed as a private estate in 1890, Rio Vista Inn & Suites Santa Cruz is a 4-star hotel on iconic Beach Hill, offering views of the San Lorenzo River and proximity to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The property features 12 elegantly restored guestrooms, blending Victorian architecture with modern amenities like 40-inch LED HDTVs, iPod docking stations, and ADA-compliant accessibility features. Select rooms, such as the ADA Deluxe Queen and Room 8, provide river views, while others include jetted tubs or open-concept showers. Guests have access to a lounge with a fireplace, complimentary Wi-Fi, and concierge services for local activity recommendations. The hotel is 34 miles from Mineta San Jose International Airport and within walking distance of landmarks like the Santa Cruz Wharf (0.5 miles) and Tea House Spa (0.5 miles). A $12 nightly resort fee applies.
Pros
The historic Victorian architecture retains original features like hardwood floors and stained glass windows.
Rooms include modern amenities such as iPod docking stations, gas fireplaces, and premium toiletries.
Proximity to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and multiple dining options within 0.5 miles.
ADA-compliant rooms feature roll-in showers, lowered counter heights, and visual alarms.
Complimentary concierge services and lounge access with a fireplace.
Cons
No on-site dining options; nearby restaurants require walking or driving.
All rooms accommodate only two guests, with no rollaway beds or cribs available.
Must-do experiences
Visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for classic seaside fun.
Try the calamari at The Fish Hopper for a delicious waterfront meal.
Explore the mystery of the Mystery Spot just a short drive away.
Stroll through the Santa Cruz Farmers Market on Wednesdays for local produce.
Don't miss the quirky exhibits at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art.
Select your room type
Find detailed information on rooms, amenities, and exclusive deals for your ideal beach holiday
Deluxe Queen Room # 5
2 persons
21 sq. feet
1 King-size bed
Air conditioning
Fireplace
room details
Deluxe Queen Room # 2
2 persons
21 sq. feet
1 King-size bed
Air conditioning
Fireplace
room details
Queen Room #17 Annexed
2 persons
13 sq. feet
1 King-size bed
Air conditioning
Bathtub
room details
Show all rooms
Prices and availability
View real-time room availability and secure the best rate for your travel dates
September 2026 - September 2027
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
September 2026
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
October 2026
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
November 2026
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
December 2026
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
January 2027
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
February 2027
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
March 2027
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
April 2027
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
May 2027
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
June 2027
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
July 2027
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
August 2027
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
Choose dates to see prices
Check-in/ Check-out
Facilities
Enjoy modern comforts, from ocean-view suites to family-friendly options with breakfast included
Facilities: Great
8.3/10Review score
General
No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Adults only
Sports & Fitness
Golf course
Guest Parking
Private parking is possible on site for free.
Services
Housekeeping
Business
Fax/Photocopying
Spa & Leisure
Beach access
Garden area
Room features
Air conditioning
Heating
Sitting area
Ironing facilities
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Media
Flat-screen TV
Room decor
Parquet floor
Show more
Location
611 Third Street, Santa Cruz, 95060,
Explore Santa Cruz
Explore Santa Cruz
Top Attractions
Activities
Dining
Entertainment
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
7-minute walk
Amusement park with rides and games. A classic California experience, perfect for families and thrill-seekers.
Santa Cruz Wharf
10-minute walk
Historic wharf with shops and restaurants. Great for sightseeing and marine wildlife observations.
Museum of Art and History
14-minute walk
Local art and history exhibits. Offers free admission on the first Friday of each month.
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center
10-minute walk
Interactive marine exhibits showcasing the local ecosystem. Ideal for families and educational outings.
Surfing Lessons
7-minute drive
Surf schools offer lessons for all skill levels. Rentals available nearby; ideal for thrill-seekers.
Well Within Spa
10-minute walk
Relaxation and wellness experiences, including massages and yoga classes, perfect for rejuvenation.
Biking along San Lorenzo River
15-minute walk
Scenic biking trails with views of nature and wildlife. Rentals nearby for easy access.
Beach Street Cafe
7-minute walk
Casual dining with fresh seafood and breakfast all day. Great for families and offers vegetarian options.
Casablanca Bistro
8-minute walk
Mediterranean cuisine with a cozy atmosphere and excellent seafood dishes. Reservations are recommended.
The Picnic Basket
10-minute walk
Farm-to-table cafe offering organic options, perfect for lunch with a focus on local ingredients.
Catalyst Club
12-minute walk
Live music venue with a diverse range of acts. Family-friendly shows are featured on special occasions.
Del Mar Theatre
14-minute walk
Historic theater showcasing indie films and classic cinema. Offers a unique atmosphere for movie lovers.
How to get around?
City Centre
Santa Cruz 10 min · 2700 ft
Airports
Mineta San Jose International (SJC) 81 min · 33.6 mi
Monterey Peninsula (MRY) 102 min · 42.2 mi
Bus
Bus stop 3 min · 700 ft
Want to get the best booking rate?
Access special rates for early reservations and start planning your dream beach holiday
Check Rates
Property information and rules
Check-in
from 15:00-23:30
Check-out
from 06:00-11:00
Guest Parking
Private parking is possible on site for free.
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.
Children & extra beds
There are no cots provided in a room.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Languages
Spanish, Hindi
Number of rooms:
16
Former name
rio vista suites
Reviews and Ratings
Feedback about Rio Vista Inn & Suites Santa Cruz from previous guests about their experience.
Review score
Based on 419 verified reviews
8.4 /10
Great
85 %
Recommend
Cleanliness
8.6/10
Comfort
8.7/10
Facilities
8.3/10
Free Wi-Fi
8.3/10
Location
9.0/10
Staff
8.6/10
Value for money
8.2/10
Pros
Excellent location
Clean rooms
Complimentary refreshments
Cons
Maintenance issues
Inconsistent pricing
Noise issues
Guest reviews
based on 753 reviews
8.3/10
No reviews yet on our siteUnfortunately, our guests have not yet left any reviews for this hotel, but you can read reviews from Booking.com.