Santa Cruz Getaway: Riverside Inn & Suites' Unbeatable Ocean Views!

Santa Cruz Getaway: Riverside Inn & Suites – Unbeatable Ocean Views! (Or… Did I Just See a Seagull Steal a French Fry?) - A Review

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to spill the tea (and maybe some lukewarm coffee) on the Riverside Inn & Suites in Santa Cruz. "Unbeatable Ocean Views!" they boast. And, you know what? They're mostly right. Like, holy guacamole, that Pacific stretches out FOREVER. But let's be real, this isn't a perfectly pristine, airbrushed postcard. It's real life. And sometimes, in real life, you find yourself battling a rogue seagull for a single, precious, golden french fry…

Metadata & SEO Stuff (Gotta appease the algorithm, right?):

Keywords: Santa Cruz, Beachfront Hotel, Ocean View, California Hotels, Riverside Inn Review, Wheelchair Accessible, Pool, Spa, Breakfast, Free Wi-Fi, Family-Friendly, Pet-Friendly (though I'm pretty sure I didn't see any actual pets)
Description: Honest and detailed review of Santa Cruz Getaway: Riverside Inn & Suites, focusing on ocean views, accessibility, amenities like the pool and spa, dining options, and the overall experience. Includes personal anecdotes and observations – the good, the bad, and the seagull-related mayhem.

Accessibility (Okay, Serious Time for a Second):

First things first. I'm not using a wheelchair myself, but I made sure to check out their accessibility. They do have the basics: elevators, ramps, and accessible rooms scattered throughout. That's a HUGE plus. Wheelchair accessible rooms and facilities are available and that's a massive thumbs up from me. They're trying and that's a good starting point.

On-Site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: I didn't notice specifically if there was a designated special seating spot, but getting around didn't feel like an impossible mission.

The Rooms (Oh, the Rooms!)

Right, back to the fun stuff. My room… well, the ocean view was the star of the show. Seriously. I spent a good hour just staring out the window, letting the waves hypnotize me with their rhythmic crashing. And the room? Decent! Air conditioning (THANK GOD), a comfy bed, a balcony – CHECK, CHECK, CHECK. They've got the usual suspects: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom Phone, Bathtub, Blackout Curtains (needed those!), Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/Tea Maker, Complimentary Tea, Daily Housekeeping, Desk, Extra-Long Bed, Free Bottled Water, Hair Dryer (essential for my mane, obviously), High Floor, In-Room Safe Box, Internet Access – Wireless (and FREE!), Ironing Facilities, Laptop Workspace (sort of), Linens, Mini Bar (tempting!), Mirror, Non-smoking, On-Demand Movies (never watched, too busy staring at the ocean), Private Bathroom, Reading Light, Refrigerator, Satellite/Cable Channels, Scale (scary, but there!), Seating Area, Separate Shower/Bathtub, Shower, Slippers (luxury!), Smoke Detector, Socket Near the Bed, Sofa (squishy!), Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella (needed!), Visual Alarm, Wake-Up Service, Wi-Fi (all rooms), Window that opens.

However - it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. The decor was… "classic." Let's call it that. Think slightly dated, but clean. Clean is key, especially with all the “Daily Disinfection in Common Areas” and “Rooms Sanitized Between Stays” stuff going on these days. And, you know what? I felt safe. They seem to take Cleanliness and Safety seriously. Especially with the: Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment.

The Bathroom – a microcosm of the hotel experience… Everything functioned. The water pressure was…adequate. Now, I did appreciate the Additional Toilet and Bathroom Phone (for emergency calls to room service, you know?). The toiletries were decent. Not life-changing, but they got the job done. The Mirror was good for selfies… for science.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (French Fry Alert!)

Okay, so let's talk food. They've got a Restaurant with views. And a Poolside Bar. I may or may not have spent a significant portion of my afternoon at that bar, clutching a margarita and contemplating the meaning of life (and the imminent seagull threat). The Poolside bar was delightful. I even enjoyed the Poolside bar's Happy Hour.

The Breakfast [Buffet] was… well, it was a buffet. Asian and Western Breakfasts were offered. They had options, and it filled the hole. But the real highlight? Coffee. They served Coffee/tea in the restaurant. That's a win in my book.

The food itself? I went for the A la Carte in restaurant, and the Salad in restaurant was decent. They have Alternative meal arrangement, which is nice.

The biggest crisis? The aforementioned French fry incident. I’m not kidding. I saw a seagull swoop down and snatch a fry right out of a poor unsuspecting tourist’s hand. Don't underestimate these avian thugs. The Snack bars were not safe from the seagull attacks.

Services and Conveniences (The Little Things)

They have all the usual suspects: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.

The concierge was friendly and helpful. The elevator was a lifesaver (hello, high floor!). They offer Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking which is essential in a busy place like Santa Cruz.

For the Kids (They Do have them!):

Babysitting service? Yes. Family/child friendly? Definitely. Kids facilities? I can't say I noticed a dedicated playground, but the pool seemed to be a hit. Kids meal? Probably.

The Spa, Pool, and Relaxing Stuff

This is where the Riverside Inn really shines. Okay, yes the Sauna was amazing. The Swimming pool [outdoor] with view was stunning. It had a Pool with a view! I also saw: Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Fitness center.

I wasn't too keen on: Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage.

Getting Around

Airport transfer? Nope. Bicycle parking? Yes! Car park [free of charge]? Yes, but they fill up. The parking can be a bit of a scramble, so get there early.

The Bottom Line

Santa Cruz's Riverside Inn & Suites is a solid choice. It's not perfect, but it's got charm. The ocean views are the real star, and they can make you forget all the little imperfections – like, say, the seagulls that have clearly weaponized their fry-snatching skills.

Read More

My Final Verdict? Worth it. Just bring a net for your fries. And maybe a water gun to fend off any avian invaders. I give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars. Would stay again.

Denver's Hottest Hotel: Hyatt Centric Downtown Review!

Book Now

Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz (CA) United States

Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly planned vacation itinerary. We're diving headfirst into the wild, messy, and utterly unpredictable world of a trip to Santa Cruz, California, staying at the… (checks phone, squinting) Riverside Inn & Suites. Sounds promising, right? Let’s see how this unraveled:

Riverside Inn & Suites, Santa Cruz: A Chaotic Chronicle

Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and Attempted Zen

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: The Great Highway Heist (a.k.a. Driving from Oakland)

Okay, first off, let's talk about traffic. This is California, people. Traffic is basically a second language. I was expecting it, but holy moly. It was a slow crawl, punctuated by the existential dread of "Am I even going the right way?" and the soundtrack of my own increasingly frantic humming along to whatever garbage fire of a playlist I'd thrown together on Spotify. Made a wrong turn and ended up missing the exit. Fantastic start.
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Check-in & Initial Impressions. (Spoiler: the air smells like chlorine and vaguely of disappointment)

Finally made it. Riverside Inn & Suites. The website photos were…generous, to put it mildly. The lobby was… well, beige. Beige carpet, beige walls, a beige-ish woman at the front desk who seemed mildly surprised to see a human being. My room (let's call it "The Detention Room") was… compact. And I swear, the TV was older than me. Sigh. Okay, deep breaths. Fake it 'til you make it, right?
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Beach-Bound…Sort Of.

I had grand visions of immediate beach bliss. Golden hour, waves crashing, the whole nine yards. Reality hit me like a rogue Frisbee. Parking was a nightmare. Ended up circling the beach for, like, twenty minutes, finally abandoning the car a mile away and basically jogging until I reached the sandy oasis.

Then, I immediately regretted bringing the wrong type of shoes. Then, I got sand in my shoes. Then I felt the itch of a rash sprouting on my arms from a combination of walking in the sun, anxiety, and probably some weird tree i brushed up against.

But the ocean? The ocean was beautiful. It was worth it. At least for a few minutes before the inevitable sand-in-everything situation really set in, where even my underwear felt slightly sandy.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Mandatory Tourist Trap Fuel-Up:

I got ravenous. No way to stay longer on the beach, not with the sand. That meant a stop at the Boardwalk. So many people. So much noise. But the fried food smelled glorious. I got a corn dog and a churro. (Judgement is welcome). I'll also admit I spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to win a giant stuffed panda at one of those ring toss games. Didn't win. My inner five-year-old was devastated.
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner and Despair at Some Average Restaurant

Tried to find a place that wasn't packed, didn't have a two-hour wait, and also didn't look like it was going to charge me three hundred dollars for a grilled cheese. Settled for somewhere "local" looking. The food was…fine. The service was a little slow. And the whole time, I was plagued by the nagging feeling that I should have just gone back to the room and ordered pizza. I probably should have.
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: The Detention Room: Netflix, Nightmares, and an Attempted Sleep

Back at the Riverside Inn to unwind in cramped quarters. Found the local news on TV, which was depressing. Attempted a meditation app on my phone which was instantly ruined by the sound of a noisy air conditioner. Eventually, I gave up, surfed on the phone until falling asleep at some point.

Day 2: A Rollercoaster of Emotions (Both Literal and Figurative)

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Continental Breakfast…of Champions?

Riverside Inn breakfast: "Continental." Continental means stale muffins, instant coffee that tastes suspiciously like burnt pennies, and the faint aroma of regret. I ate the muffin anyway. What else am I gonna do?
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Real Reason I Came: Riding the Giant Dipper (And Cursing Myself for Not Buying Motion Sickness Pills)

Okay, this. This was the highlight. The Giant Dipper. The legendary wooden roller coaster. The reason I braved the traffic, the crowds, the mediocre Inn. And it was amazing. The first ride was a mix of exhilaration, terror, and the sickening realization that I was old. I had to ride it three times in a row. The second time was the best. The third time? I felt slightly green.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Post-Roller Coaster Recovery

Needed a break after the Dipper. Stumbled around the Boardwalk. Ate some more fried food (shamefacedly). Successfully won a small, slightly mangled stuffed animal. (Success!)
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Beach Re-Do (with Better Shoes and More Sunscreen!)

Learned from my mistakes! Proper footwear, sunblock applied with religious fervor. Strolled along the sand, watched the surfers, and actually enjoyed the moment. Ah, that’s what I imagined.
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Trying to Be Intellectual – The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum and Some Random Book.

Decided to try to be cultured. The Surfing Museum was cool. Learned some stuff. Took a walk to the bookstore, bought a random book I thought I could read.
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM: The Dinner That Almost Ruined Everything

Decided to be adventurous. Found a restaurant with, from the outside, an interesting combination of cuisine, supposedly locally sourced. I made a reservation. It was supposed to be amazing. The waiter was awful. The food was overpriced and disappointing. The whole experience left me feeling cranky and ripped off. I almost walked out.
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Back to The Detention Room and a Crisis of Faith

Fuming. Ordered pizza. Comfort food it is. Watched some more TV so I could forget. Realized this Inn isn’t all that bad. Maybe. It's definitely not the Ritz. But it's a place to sleep.

Day 3: Farewell, Santa Cruz, and the Promise of a Clean Towel

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: The Same Breakfast, The Same Regret.

I feel as though the breakfast has always been like this.
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Last Beach Walk - A Sigh of Relief.

Went back to the beach. This time, it felt different. The sand. The sun. The ocean. It all felt…right. Gave some thought to the meaning of life. Thought the beach was great. Said farewell.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Check-out and Existential Doubts at the Riverside Inn.

Packing and leaving. Will I ever be back? I still can't tell.
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Drive Home (with slightly more optimism, and a desperate yearning for my own bed).

California, you crazy place. I'm exhausted, sunburnt, and slightly broke. But I saw the ocean, rode a rollercoaster, and ate enough fried food to last a lifetime. And hey, at least I can say I survived the Riverside Inn & Suites. (And, maybe, just maybe, I'll ask for a room with a view next time.)

Overall, a decent, if messy, trip.

Hotel de Paris Sanremo: Your Dream Italian Riviera Escape Awaits!

Book Now

Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz (CA) United States```html

Santa Cruz Getaway: Riverside Inn & Suites - FAQs (Because Let's Be Real, You Have Questions!)

(And I'm gonna be brutally honest answering them... because, well, I've been there.)

Okay, spill. Is that "Unbeatable Ocean View" really, really unbeatable? Or is it like, "You can kinda see the ocean if you squint and the fog isn't rolling in?"

Alright, buckle up, friend, because this is where it gets real. Yes. Mostly. Look, I've stayed in rooms where the "ocean view" was a sliver of blue between two condos. NOT here. I'm talking... *breathtaking*. Picture this: You're sipping your (probably lukewarm) coffee on the balcony... I, uh, might have forgotten to bring cream that time, but the view? Glorious! The waves crashing, the pier, the gulls squawking... it *almost* makes you forget you're still wearing your pajamas at noon (which, confession, I totally was). BUT, and this is a big BUT – the fog? It's Santa Cruz. It rolls in. Sometimes, the view is... well, it's *white*. But even then, you're still *there*. You still feel the ocean, the salty air. It's an experience, okay?

The website says "complimentary breakfast." What's the real deal? Cereal and sadness, or a breakfast worth getting out of bed for?

Let's be clear: it's not a Michelin-star brunch. But it's *definitely* not cereal and sadness. I mean, there's juice. Coffee. Maybe some sad-looking pastries (I have a weakness for them, though... don't judge!). And, the holy grail, the waffle maker! I, and I’m not proud, I might have made enough waffles to feed a small army because, look, it's the waffle maker! You get to make your own waffle! And, yeah, it's the same waffle mix you'll find at any hotel, but... fresh waffle! Freshly made with your own sweaty hands...it's pure joy. Okay, look, I’m getting ridiculously happy just thinking about the waffles, so let's move on.

How's the location? I want to be close to the action, but also, you know, not right in the middle of a screaming boardwalk.

Perfect. Seriously. The Riverside Inn is like Goldilocks and the perfect porridge. Close enough to the boardwalk – a pleasant stroll, maybe a quick Uber if your feet are killing you after all those arcade games. But far enough that you don't have to listen to the incessant *thump-thump-thump* of the music until 3 AM. Plus, it's right near the river, which is cool, and you can do those little swan boats... I never did, but I *wanted* to. I almost did. Then I remembered the waffles (again). It's the sweet spot.

Are the rooms... clean? (Because let's be honest, it's a valid question.)

Okay, I’m gonna level with you. My standards are not absurdly high. I’m not inspecting the grout with a magnifying glass. But, yes. The rooms are clean. I didn’t find any… living things I wasn’t expecting. The maid service is good. I left like, a mountain of towels in a pile one time, you know, the usual, and it was magically gone the next day. It's not a palace, but it's a perfectly acceptable place to crash after a day of beach-bumming or boardwalk-walking. So yeah, it's clean. You'll be fine.

Is there parking? And is it... hellishly expensive?

Yes! Praise be! There is parking. And, better still, it's included! I hate paying for parking. It makes me cranky. Public parking can be a nightmare in Santa Cruz. Finding a spot, then realizing you have to feed the meter every hour... it ruins the vibe. So having included parking is a massive win in my book. It’s not spacious, so try and get there early if you can. The parking lot is basically right outside your door. Which, bonus points, makes unloading your luggage a breeze which is great if (like me), you bring way too much stuff.

The reviews mention the staff being friendly. Is it just the usual corporate "smile-and-nod," or are they genuinely nice?

Okay, I'm a skeptic. I have a highly developed "detect bullsh*t" radar. But yes, the staff are genuinely nice. They actually *talk* to you, not just robotically process you. One time, the lock on my door jammed (user error? Possibly. I have a history…) The guy at the front desk, bless him, didn't even roll his eyes (at least, not visibly). He was super helpful, got it fixed quickly, and even made a joke about my "adventures." It’s those little things, you know? It makes a difference when you're already stressed because you locked yourself out of your room. They contribute to making it a pleasant experience.

Is there a pool? And if so, is it an actual pool, or a glorified bathtub?

Yes, there is a pool! And it's a *real* pool. It's a decent size, clean, and if I remember correctly... they had some little pool floats. Look, I'm not a pool expert, but it was definitely bigger than a glorified bathtub. I actually saw some people *swimming* in it. Which, you know, is the point? It's a nice option if you get sick of the sand and salt.

Okay, so for real, what was your absolute BEST memory from staying at the Riverside Inn? Spill!

Alright, this is the moment. The *golden* moment... and it's going to get messy, because I'm telling you what, *nothing* in my life has ever hit that level of bliss. It sounds simple, so maybe I'm just sentimental, but it's all about the balcony, the sunset, and a stupid beach chair. I'd grabbed my coffee (after finally remembering the creamer from the store!) and, remember the fog? It had cleared! Glorious sunshine, painting the ocean in shades of gold and orange. And I was like... *THIS*. This is it. Then, because sometimes the universe gives you a laugh, the rickety little beach chair I’d brought (I'm not a sit-on-the-sand kinda girl), collapsed. I landed with a THUD. At first, I was like, *ugh*, but then I started laughing. And I kept laughing. And I sat there, sprawled on my butt, watching the sunset over the Pacific, feeling the salty breeze, and that, my friends, was pure magicComfy Hotel Finder

Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz (CA) United States

Santa Cruz Getaway: Riverside Inn & Suites' Unbeatable Ocean Views!