Here's Travel for Kids list of best family hotels in Santa Cruz, Capitola and Aptos, all styles and price ranges, near to fun things to do with kids .

Hotels are selected for their amenities for families, such as swimming pools, rooms with mini-fridge and microwave, restaurants, cafes in the neighborhood, coin-operated laundry, proximity to the beach. Hotel policies can change, however, so be sure to check with the hotel at the time you make your reservation to be sure your desired family amenities are still available.

Also check out our list of Santa Cruz family beach rentals.

• Hotel Paradox – Outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi; rooms with two queen beds (sleep 4); on-site restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with children's menu, room service; mini-fridge in rooms; cafes and restaurants in the neighborhood; fee car parking.
• Beach Street Inn & Suites – Hotel is located right across from the beach; outdoor swimming pool; rooms with two queen beds (sleep 4); all rooms have mini-fridge and microwaves; coin-operated laundry on-site; picnic area; bicycles for rent.
• Edgewater Beach Inn and Suites – Outdoor swimming pool; rooms with two queen beds or two twin beds plus queen bed (sleep 4), family room with sofa bed (sleep 5), deluxe family suites with king bed, two twin beds, sofa bed or queen bed, two bunk beds, sofa bed (sleep 6); rooms with mini-fridge and microwave; suites have dining area and kitchen; free car parking; hotel is located two blocks to the beach and Boardwalk.
• Hyatt Place – Outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi; rooms with two queen beds, plus sofa bed (sleep 4 - 5); breakfast is included in the room rate; mini-fridge in rooms; on-site convenience store; restaurants and cafes in the neighborhood; fee car parking.
• Dream Inn – Hotel is located right at the beach, next to the Boardwalk; outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi; rooms with two queen beds (sleep 4); mini-fridge in rooms; cafes, convenience store, restaurants in the neighborhood; fee car parking.
• Best Western Plus All Suite Inn – Suites with one bedroom, plus sofa bed (sleep 4); microwave and refrigerators in all rooms; jacuzzi; full breakfast buffet included in the room rate; crib available upon request; coin-operated laundry; free parking; restaurants, cafes and convenience store close by.
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Outdoor swimming pool; king suite with king bed plus sofa bed, or queen rooms with two queen beds (sleep 4), queen suite with two queen beds plus sofa bed (sleep 5); breakfast is included in the room rate; mini-fridge and microwaves in rooms; crib available upon request; coin-operated laundry; fee car parking; restaurants, cafes, delis, ice cream in the neighborhood.
• Super 8 Motel - Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk East – Outdoor swimming pool; microwave and refrigerator in rooms; rooms with two queen beds (sleep 4); rollaway bed available upon request; continental breakfast included in the room rate; hotel is located very close to the Boardwalk.
• Quality Inn Santa Cruz – Outdoor swimming pool; rooms with two queen beds (sleep 4); microwaves and refrigerators in rooms; breakfast included in the room rate; restaurants in the neighborhood.
• Ramada Limited Santa Cruz Water Street – Outdoor swimming pool; rooms with two queen beds (sleep 4); refrigerators and microwaves in rooms; continental breakfast included in the room rate; restaurants close by, park with playground in the neighborhood.
• Comfort Inn Santa Cruz – Outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi; rooms with two double beds, or two bedroom suites (sleep 4), extra bed can be requested (sleep 5); breakfast is included in the room rate; microwave and refrigerators in all rooms; crib available upon request; restaurants in the neighborhood.
• Howard Johnson Inn - Fisherman's Wharf – Located one block from the beach; rooms with two queen beds (sleep 4); microwaves and kitchens in some rooms; complimentary continental breakfast; jacuzzi; restaurants close by.
Capitola
• Best Western Capitola By-The-Sea Inn & Suites – One bedroom suites with queen bed, plus sofa bed, or rooms with two queen beds (sleep 4), two room suites with two queen beds and sofa bed (sleep 6); complimentary continental breakfast; outdoor swimming pool; coin-operated laundry; refrigerators and microwaves in rooms; crib or rollaway bed available upon request (for a fee); restaurants down the street.
• Fairfield Inn & Suites – Outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi; suites with two queen beds, or suites with king bed plus sofa bed (sleep 4), two queen beds plus sofa bed (sleep 6); suites have living area, microwave and mini-fridge; continental breakfast is included in the room rate; convenience store on-site; coin-operated laundry.
• Inn at Depot Hill – Charming inn, suite with loft area and twin bed (sleeps 3) (or 4 if the kids are small); fresh cooked breakfast is included (pancakes, eggs, request simpler dishes for kids also); located not far from the beach.
Aptos
• Rio Sands Hotel – Outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi; rooms with two queen beds, or king suite with king bed plus sofa bed (sleep 4); deluxe suite with queen bed and two sofa bed (sleep 5), family suite with two twin beds, sofa bed in bedroom, sofa bed in living room (sleep 6), interconnecting rooms are available; suites have microwave and refrigerator; continental breakfast included in the room rate; free car parking; hotel is walking distance to the beach.
• Seascape Beach Resort – Beach fires and s'mores can be arranged on a private beach; Camp Seascape for kids ages 3 -13 with nature hikes, pizza parties, tennis, swimming; one bedrooms suites with queen bed and sofa bed (sleep 4), plus kitchenette, beach villas have full kitchens and (sleep 6); on-site restaurant with children's menu, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner; outdoor swimming pool; located right at the beach.