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Torch Lite Inn

2.5 star property

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Torch Lite Inn

Marina
Terrace/patio
Front of property
Lobby
Signature Room | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, pillow-top beds, desk

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
500 Riverside Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Main Beach
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Santa Cruz Wharf
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪48 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Signature Room

Signature Room | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, pillow-top beds, desk

Signature Room

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Deluxe Room

Deluxe Room | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, pillow-top beds, desk

Deluxe Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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About this property

Torch Lite Inn

Art Deco motel in Santa Cruz with free parking
A 24-hour front desk, free self-parking and free Wi-Fi in public areas are available at this smoke-free motel. Other amenities include a vending machine.
Torch Lite Inn offers 38 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and a hairdryer. Pillowtop beds feature premium bedding. 40-inch LCD televisions come with premium cable channels. Guests can make use of the in-room fridges and microwaves. Bathrooms include a combined bath/shower unit and complimentary toiletries.

This Santa Cruz motel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and telephones. Additionally, rooms include an iron/ironing board and blackout curtains. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.
Our customers tell us that they can't get enough of the helpful staff at Torch Lite Inn. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. You'll find features such as free WiFi in public areas and free self-parking.
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self-parking
  • Amenities include a terrace and a vending machine
  • Guests have great things to say about the clean guestrooms and the helpful staff
  • 7 minutes by foot from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and a 4-minute drive from Monterey Bay
As a guest of Torch Lite Inn, you'll find a terrace and a vending machine. WiFi is free in public spaces. Limited free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This Art Deco Santa Cruz motel is smoke free.

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Onsite parking available only on request
  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site parking (max 1 space per unit)

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

  • Outdoor furniture
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Hardwood flooring in room
  • No lift
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

More

  • 2 buildings
  • 2 floors
  • Art Deco architecture
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Pillowtop mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 40-inch LCD TV with premium cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 6:00 AM
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in fee: USD 45
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
If you are planning to arrive after 10:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
This property's listed general deposit is refundable via credit card within 14 days after check-out, pending room inspection.

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Up to 2 children stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Deposit: USD 200.00 per accommodation, per stay

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

This property's listed general deposit is refundable via credit card within 14 days after check-out, pending room inspection.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Early check-in fee: USD 45 (subject to availability)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve on-site parking
This property accepts credit cards and cash
This property reserves the right to pre-authorise the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Guests arriving after 10:00 PM must make advance arrangements by contacting the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.

We should mention

  • Up to 2 children stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.

Property is also known as

Torch Lite Inn
Torch Lite Inn Santa Cruz
Torch Lite Santa Cruz
Torch Lite Hotel Santa Cruz
Torch Lite Motel
Torch Lite Inn Motel
Torch Lite Inn Santa Cruz
Torch Lite Inn Motel Santa Cruz

Torch Lite Inn Reviews

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 393 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 253 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 168 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 77 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 111 out of 1002 reviews

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

6.8/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Nichola

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Good enough
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mitch

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Not where I normally stay in Santa Cruz but was in town for a night and didn't want to pay $300. Will probably stay here again, the room was nice, the location excellent, with lots of parking. Easy walk to the beach, boardwalk, wharf, and downtown, what else do you need?
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Eileen

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
It was great for the price, and the staff was supportive. Made small talk, and the process was smooth, definitely give it a solid 8/10. The only suggestion I have is cleaning the rooms a little more through.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sergio

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The host was spectacular and kind. The room was very clean and comfortable. Enjoyed our quick stay in the quaint town.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Maria, Reno

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Staff way very understanding with check in late..
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

dylan

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great stay
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Bryan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Santa Cruz is a vibe

It was a good stay. The room was clean. Stayed for one night. I would stay here again. Decent amount of parking. Good spot to rest your head.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Nicole

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

CheyAnn

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marisa

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Manon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Sofia

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ralph

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Esau

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Tv was great sizes.

Hotel was nice inside. Great tv size too.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Chandra

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

Fabian, Salinas

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was below average , it was a little out dated but overall clean . No issues with parking , the tiles in my room were lifting from the ground causing a hazard of potentialy cutting your foot on the edge so that wasn’t cool . Only reason it gets a three is the pricing , felt secure , and was reasonably clean. Just outdated
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jame

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

The Torch stayed lit up!

This hotel is a hidden gem and very conveniant as far as bars and restaurants. The rooms were very clean and the manager of the hotel was very professional. The price of the room wasvery affordable and right by the wharf.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

Ulises

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great stay they require a 100 deposit and will return after they check out room
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

Jonathan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
Room was great but parking was impossible and the surrounding area is very very unsafe. Drove around for almost an hour trying to find something safe.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

2/10 Terrible

Gerardo

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
For an airport hotel, you couldn’t ask for more.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

Jessica

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
First impression of the property were not very positive. I checked-in at night and I did not realize how sketchy it was outside. Checking in was difficult since the clerk didn’t speak much English. I gave a $100 insurance deposit for the stay and I have not been reimbursed (it’s been 5 days). They gave me a room with two queen beds (they never mentioned that during my check-in so I was surprised because I was the only one staying in this room). The balcony door was unlocked so that didn’t help the nerves. Barely slept that night with how unsafe I felt. Do what you will with this information.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joseph

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024