Westside Warmth

Santa Cruz’s Mission Street – also known as California’s iconic Highway One – travels through town, linking the westside with the downtown area. Travelers coming southbound on Highway One from San Francisco or the peninsula will arrive on the westside as they enter Santa Cruz County. This once-industrial area known for processing fruit and vegetables grown on the north coast has been reimagined and is now a hip, stylish destination filled with a laid-back vibe. Within walking distance to the Swift Street Courtyard, a brand-new hotel is ready to welcome small groups and conferences. The Hampton Inn – Santa Cruz West was built from the ground up and is newly open. This mid-level service, two-story hotel offers 60 guest rooms.

Guests can enjoy a short walk to lunch at a Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, a private wine tasting experience at Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard, or dinner at the Instagram-friendly Venus Cocktails & Kitchen.  

Walk nearby scenic West Cliff Drive and admire talented surfers, shorebirds, marine life just off the coast, or dip your toes in the sand at Natural Bridges State Beach and inhale the fresh sea air. Mitchell’s Cove, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, and Lighthouse Field State beach are all within a two-mile radius of the property. Crave sun but don’t have time for a walk?  Soak in the rays on the Hampton Inn’s outdoor patio.

Southern Charm

The south county region is Santa Cruz County’s hidden gem in many ways. This bucolic area is home to rolling fields of agricultural land and miles of wide-open beaches which are lightly traveled – perfect for watching the sunset or a long contemplative walk. Nearby rural wineries can provide a scenic way for conference attendees to relax and enjoy local boutique varietals, or have an impromptu breakout session. 

Here, a brand-new four-story Hampton Inn & Suites with easy access to Sunset State Beach includes 112 rooms and 792 square feet of meeting space. The hotel, which features parking for 132 cars including six charging stations utilizes Hilton’s Connected Room Initiative, enabling guests to control the temperature, lights, and sync their streaming service to the TV, all from the Hilton Honors app on their smartphone. 

Other nearby offsite locations for teambuilding and connection include the Agricultural History Museum, Annieglass Studios featuring Craftbar, Martinelli’s tasting room, and Sunset State Beach which is a mere six minutes away. 

The team at Visit Santa Cruz County looks forward to welcoming you back in 2021! Be sure to follow Meet in Santa Cruz on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest news and information.