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Torch Lite Inn

2.5 star property

Photo gallery for Torch Lite Inn

Signature Room
Front of property
Terrace/patio
Lobby sitting area
Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, desk, blackout curtains

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

View map
500 Riverside Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Santa Cruz 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

Signature Room

8.2 out of 10
Very good
(69 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Deluxe Room

Deluxe Room

Deluxe Room

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(53 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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About the area

Santa Cruz

With a stay at Torch Lite Inn in Santa Cruz (Westside Santa Cruz), you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay. .This motel is 3.1 mi (5 km) from University of California, Santa Cruz and 4.2 mi (6.7 km) from Mystery Spot.
View more Motels in Santa CruzOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Ocean Street - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Santa Cruz Main Beach - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Santa Cruz Wharf - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Cowell's Beach - 13 min walk - 1.1 km

Getting around

  • Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) - 27 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪四姐 Special Noodle - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Cruzin’ Crepes - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Boardwalk Bowl - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Los Viejones - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Sesame Korean Grill - ‬10 min walk

About this property

Torch Lite Inn

Art Deco motel in Santa Cruz with free parking
Torch Lite Inn offers 38 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Pillowtop beds feature premium bedding. 40-inch LCD televisions come with premium cable channels. Guests can make use of the in-room refrigerators and microwaves. Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations and complimentary toiletries.

This Santa Cruz motel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones. Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is provided daily.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Make yourself at home in one of the 38 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and LCD televisions. Your pillowtop bed comes with premium bedding. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms feature shower/tub combinations, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers.
Take in the views from a terrace and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access and a vending machine.
Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk and a vending machine. Free self parking is available onsite.

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 available

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

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
2 children can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: USD 200.00 per accommodation, per stay

We have included 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

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

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

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 onsite parking
This property accepts credit cards and cash
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize 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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

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

Reviews

Torch Lite Inn Reviews

7.6

Good

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

6.8/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.6/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 406 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 249 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 166 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 81 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 103 out of 1005 reviews

Reviews

8/10 Good

Kirsten

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Our family enjoyed our quick stay here!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Lindsay

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not so impressed. The pictures are far nicer than what's presented, inside and outside especially. The bathroom didn't seem very clean, I could see that the shower hadn't been wiped down well if at all. There were cop cars present almost the entire time, at one point, several of them - some sort of incident seemed to be happening. The walls were paper-thin and I could clearly hear people talking, snoring, and moving around. It was very expensive and there was no mention of an additional $100 'incidental' deposit until we got there.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Jancarlo

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Arma

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

2/10 Terrible

Joely

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The workers live on site Will not answer the phone We’ll see them minimally one time and never see him or hear from them again. Once you had a reservation, they will not give you a refund. I have never been to this city, so I have not seen the areas around or lodging. This is on the strip of the worst ones. Hard to bare.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Caren

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The service was good but the pictures of the property was very misleading, not as nice looking in person. Parking was not great.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Giannina

Travelled with family
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

William

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

anthony

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peter Jacob

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Good location, clean. Parking is a little odd but made it work.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christina

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Karina

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

2/10 Terrible

Houry

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

4/10 Poor

Alysha

Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dominique

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

6/10 Okay

Rose

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Room comfort

Cheap toilet paper

Pillows too thin. Cheap toilet paper.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Travelled with family
Liked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It's very clean, quiet area, the only minor con was parking not enough parking and small small space even for a Honda Civic it was very tight. And if you have a more bigger built person with you they would definitely unfortunately hit the other person car if you were to get out of the parking space parked. Doable if your other passengers get out of the vehicle before you park. And it's just you trying to squeeze out of the car.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Definitely coming back, close to the boardwalk. Lots of things walking distance!
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Good for the cost. Nothing fancy, but worked well for our purposes. Husband and I getting away. Great location, except at a very busy intersection that was very loud at times. (loud music from cars). Bring some earplugs if you are sensitive to that. Staff very nice.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Makenna

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff super friendly and was a very easy stay overall. Definitely alleviated travel stress!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Caitlin

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
My partner and I stayed for one night in a deluxe room. It was quiet, had blackout curtains, and the room appeared as advertised. There was also plenty of parking and the location is convenient. We were disappointed in the cleanliness - the floor was filthy and there were some insects. The one window in our corner room did not have a bug screen, so we weren't able to enjoy the fresh air.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicole

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I felt safe and they were very kind people!
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

All good.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

4/10 Poor

Amanda

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I would not recommend staying here. I should have paid more attention to the poor reviews. The photos look nice enough, so we gave it a chance. The flooring in our room was sloppily put together with multiple gaps and splitters/ flooring sticking straight up. We didn't feel safe walking barefoot in the room. The room smelled unpleasant. The bed was uncomfortable. We didn't try the breakfast. The location was good, but the hotel needs a lot of improvements.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025