Opinion about Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages (Santa Maria, Santa Cruz: rentals, hotels)

[ElectroPlumber]

Does anyone have an opinion about whether Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages in Santa Cruz is an Ok place to stay?

[jaijai]

I don't know but is there any reason that you want to be right in Santa Cruz?

[imcurious]

I like Johann's beach . . .stayed at the beach cottages more than 30 year's ago (actually in the houses that face the beach). It was fab with small kids. Might not be a good boogie board beach, though (you have to be careful of the beaches where the waves crash down too dramatically on the shore . . .).

What does their web site say? Does it have pics?

[ElectroPlumber]

Originally Posted by jaijai

I don't know but is there any reason that you want to be right in Santa Cruz?

I'm not really that familiar with Santa Cruz--do you have any other recommendations in the area to stay at for a couple of days?

[ElectroPlumber]

Originally Posted by imcurious

I like Johann's beach . . .stayed at the beach cottages more than 30 year's ago (actually in the houses that face the beach). It was fab with small kids. Might not be a good boogie board beach, though (you have to be careful of the beaches where the waves crash down too dramatically on the shore . . .).

What does their web site say? Does it have pics?

They have some pics of the cottages and the views. The beach is supposed to be only 50 yards away. It looks pretty nice, but when you have a non-chain sort of place it's kind of an unknown quantity--could be very good or not so good. That's why I'm looking for some local opinions.

So, I guess you are saying that it is one of what used to be several cottages on the beach?

Thanks for everyone's input, by the way.

[jaijai]

Originally Posted by ElectroPlumber

I'm not really that familiar with Santa Cruz--do you have any other recommendations in the area to stay at for a couple of days?

Unless you want to be in the "thick of things" i wouldn't stay in Santa Cruz.
And unless you want to be right on the beach you might want to consider what used to be the Capitola Inn but is now a Quality Inn. It's in Capitola ... about a 10 or so minute walk to Capitola Village (oldest beach resort on the CA coast btw). You could also stay there .. in Capitola Village itself which will be more expensive but maybe more fun depending on what kind of stay this is. Family summer vacation?
There's also a shuttle just down the hill from the Quality Inn that will take you down to the village.
And there's a main bus stop in Soquel (just a few minutes walk) that will take you into Santa Cruz.
It's a little frenetic / hopping and touristy in the center of Capitola during "on" season but it's fun too ... very quaint in a way the S.C. isn't.
I don't know what kind of money you want to spend. The Quality Inn will be reasonable. Ask for a room on the second floor in building #1 (the building where the main office is).
I used to stay there when it was the Capitola Inn. It's nothing fancy but it was always clean and the grounds were well kept and the rooms were fine. I assume it's basically the same although i do know that they don't accept dogs now.
There are a number of options in the county.
It's just that Santa Cruz proper can be kind of nutty and frenetic. If you're looking for relaxation, quiet, etc. it may not be the best choice.
If this is a family vacation or a "romantic" one Capitola Village is what i'd recommend. Every thing will be right there for you.
Nice little shops, restaurants, beach ..... it will be more contained and easy and walkable and more fun. There's a nice little beach that children love and you can watch the surfers too when their out.

[imcurious]

Originally Posted by ElectroPlumber

They have some pics of the cottages and the views. The beach is supposed to be only 50 yards away. It looks pretty nice, but when you have a non-chain sort of place it's kind of an unknown quantity--could be very good or not so good. That's why I'm looking for some local opinions.

So, I guess you are saying that it is one of what used to be several cottages on the beach?

Thanks for everyone's input, by the way.

I LOVE that beach. It is very cute, in a cove. As far as Ocean Echo is concerned, I think there are houses you can rent (I rented two of them and they were very nice, but it was many years ago) and I also think they have more of a "motel," which I personally would not like.

I disagree that that area of Santa Cruz is undesirable - "The Avenues" are super cool - it is a great part of Santa Cruz. You have Santa Maria's, Moran Beach, and Pleasure Point to the left, and Johann's Beach itself is just adorable . . . and then there is Twin Lakes and the Yacht Harbor to the right.

I wouldn't stay near the Boardwalk, but this is a far cry from the Boardwalk.

If the pictures look good I think it would be a good choice in terms of the location. I don't think you could go wrong. Star Bene is right across the street, and Southest Nuevo or whatever it's called is close by. You have Rosarita's on 26th . . .you can rent bikes and stuff close by - I think it is perfect and I would prefer it to anything in Capitola - but I am jaded because I view Capitola as too touristy - maybe it's good for tourists, though.

[StandingRoomOnly]

Check out tripadvisor.com for reviews on local hotels/motels/vacation rentals...your place should be listed.

[jaijai]

I wasn't suggesting that Santa Cruz is "undesirable".
It's just that many people have an aversion to it for a variety of reasons.
And yes, Capitola Village is touristy but that's not always a bad thing.
It's all a matter of taste / preference so o.p., gather info and then go with your "gut".

[ElectroPlumber]

Originally Posted by jaijai

Unless you want to be in the "thick of things" i wouldn't stay in Santa Cruz.
And unless you want to be right on the beach you might want to consider what used to be the Capitola Inn but is now a Quality Inn. It's in Capitola ... about a 10 or so minute walk to Capitola Village (oldest beach resort on the CA coast btw). You could also stay there .. in Capitola Village itself which will be more expensive but maybe more fun depending on what kind of stay this is. Family summer vacation?
There's also a shuttle just down the hill from the Quality Inn that will take you down to the village.
And there's a main bus stop in Soquel (just a few minutes walk) that will take you into Santa Cruz.
It's a little frenetic / hopping and touristy in the center of Capitola during "on" season but it's fun too ... very quaint in a way the S.C. isn't.
I don't know what kind of money you want to spend. The Quality Inn will be reasonable. Ask for a room on the second floor in building #1 (the building where the main office is).
I used to stay there when it was the Capitola Inn. It's nothing fancy but it was always clean and the grounds were well kept and the rooms were fine. I assume it's basically the same although i do know that they don't accept dogs now.
There are a number of options in the county.
It's just that Santa Cruz proper can be kind of nutty and frenetic. If you're looking for relaxation, quiet, etc. it may not be the best choice.
If this is a family vacation or a "romantic" one Capitola Village is what i'd recommend. Every thing will be right there for you.
Nice little shops, restaurants, beach ..... it will be more contained and easy and walkable and more fun. There's a nice little beach that children love and you can watch the surfers too when their out.

Thanks for the info! This is a trip for my wife and I and our two college-age kids. We are celebrating one of our kid's graduation from college. So we wanted some time for wife and I and then some time together as a family. I'm sure we will visit the boardwalk, etc, but for me, I just want to look at the beach and read.