Rio Sands Motel

Information may not be reliable

The Rio Sands is a great lodging on Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz about 100 to 300 steps to the sand, depending on the length of your stride; in the suburb of Aptos. We’re about eight miles to downtown Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Wharf, and about forty minutes to Monterey and Carmel.

This is Seacliff Beach where you can walk on the sand for miles in either direction, or on the esplanade above. An old, half-sunken cement ship, the Palo Alto, also functions as a wharf for fishing and viewing. From time to time, you’ll see someone on shore pull in a fish, or from knee-deep in the water; many folks sprawl and play on what seems like endless sand and sea.

Adjacent to the beach is a mini-mart, deli, bar and places to eat. The Rio Sands has fifty accommodations with many room types, including family suites, some with bunk beds, many with kitchens, all described in detail under Our Rooms.

We offer a large pool, spa, barbeque and garden areas, and a large and varied continental breakfast in a large and handsome banquet room. See Amenities.