Chaminade Resort & Spa

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Chaminade Resort, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was getting into. The drive up Chaminade Lane is this winding climb through redwoods that feels like you’re leaving Santa Cruz behind completely, which I guess is sort of the point. It’s perched on this hillside spot that most locals know about but tourists usually stumble onto by accident, and honestly? That’s part of its charm.

The place has this interesting split personality – it’s technically a resort, but it doesn’t feel like those massive, sterile hotel complexes you’d find in Monterey or down in Big Sur. The buildings are scattered across the property in a way that actually works, with these mission-style vibes that don’t feel forced. You know what really got me though? The views. I mean, everyone talks about Santa Cruz having great ocean views, but from up here you get this whole panoramic thing – the bay, the boardwalk in the distance, sometimes you can even spot surfers at Steamer Lane if you squint. The spa building sits right at the edge of the property, and I spent way too much time on their deck just watching the fog roll in during late afternoons.

What surprised me most was how quiet it gets, especially considering you’re only like ten minutes from downtown Santa Cruz. Sure, you’ll hear some conference groups during weekdays (they do a lot of corporate retreats), but evenings are genuinely peaceful. The rooms are… well, they’re fine. Not fancy, but clean and comfortable with that slightly dated California casual thing going on. Some have fireplaces that actually work, which is clutch during those foggy summer nights when it drops to like 55 degrees and everyone visiting from inland is shocked. Parking’s free and plentiful, thank god, because trying to park anywhere near the beach in Santa Cruz is basically a nightmare. The restaurant situation is decent – nothing that’ll blow your mind, but the breakfast is solid and they know how to make a proper California burrito. Plus, if you’re feeling adventurous, you’re close enough to hit up some of the better spots downtown, or even drive over to Capitola for dinner. Just don’t expect luxury resort service – this is more like a really nice retreat center that happens to take regular guests, and once you adjust your expectations accordingly, it’s actually pretty great for what it is.