
La Bahia Hotel and Spa
Best for families and beach-first stays — Main Beach, the Boardwalk and family-friendly dining and rooms are steps away.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
La Bahia Hotel and Spa is a 155-room Spanish‑Mediterranean beachfront hotel in Santa Cruz with a rooftop spa, heated outdoor pool and multiple on-site restaurants — good for families and travelers who want direct beach and Boardwalk access. Kimpton Mirador Pacific Grove Monterey is a Kimpton-branded 99-room boutique hotel on the Monterey Peninsula — read this if you want a small, design-forward base near Lovers Point, Cannery Row and 17‑Mile Drive.
Updated · about 44 miles apart

Best for families and beach-first stays — Main Beach, the Boardwalk and family-friendly dining and rooms are steps away.

Best for boutique Monterey‑Peninsula exploration — close to Lovers Point, Cannery Row and 17‑Mile Drive with Kimpton amenities like evening receptions and free bikes.
When La Bahia Hotel and Spa wins: choose La Bahia if you want a true beachfront hotel in Santa Cruz with direct access to Main Beach and the Boardwalk, a full-service rooftop spa, heated outdoor pool and multiple on-site dining venues suited to families and groups.
When Kimpton Mirador Pacific Grove Monterey wins: choose the Kimpton if you prefer a smaller boutique hotel on the Monterey Peninsula with easy walking access to Lovers Point, Cannery Row and 17‑Mile Drive, plus the Kimpton brand’s social touches (daily reception, bikes) and a compact downtown/sea‑side location.
Bottom line: pick La Bahia for a larger, full‑service beachfront resort experience in Santa Cruz; pick Kimpton Mirador for a lower‑scale boutique stay that puts Monterey Peninsula sights within easy walking distance.
| Category | La Bahia Hotel and Spa | Kimpton Mirador Pacific Grove Monterey |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Larger, full‑service beachfront resort with historic Spanish‑Mediterranean design | Kimpton boutique hotel with Mediterranean/retreat styling and local touches |
| Location | Directly across from Santa Cruz Main Beach and steps from the Boardwalk | Short walk to Lovers Point; about 0.9 mi from Monterey Bay Aquarium/Cannery Row |
| Size (rooms) | 155 rooms | 99 rooms |
| Family policy / ages | All ages welcome; some amenities (pool, spa) restricted to adults | All ages welcome (adultsOnly: false) |
| Pools | Heated outdoor rooftop pool and hot tub (adults‑only area); poolside Plunge bar | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site venues: High Tide (ocean‑facing dinner), Low Tide Bar & Grill (breakfast/all‑day), Pearl (lobby bar/coffee), Plunge (poolside) | One restaurant and one bar/lounge; daily cooked‑to‑order breakfast available (fee) |
| Spa & wellness | Full‑service Spa at La Bahia with 4 indoor + 4 outdoor treatment rooms, vitality pool, sauna; spa hours 10:00–18:00 | Not published |
| Fitness | 24‑hour fitness center with Peloton bikes and Echelon Smart Mirror | |
| Known for | Beachfront access, rooftop spa, event and wedding spaces including a 5,200‑sq‑ft seaside roof deck | Proximity to Lovers Point, 17‑Mile Drive and Cannery Row; complimentary reception and free bikes |
| Airport access / day trips | Closest major airports: San Jose (about 45 min) and San Francisco (just over an hour) | Nearest airport: Monterey Peninsula Airport (MRY) ~14 km; good base for Peninsula sightseeing |
La Bahia sits directly across from Santa Cruz Main Beach — a two‑minute walk to the Boardwalk and wharf.
Choose La Bahia for immediate beach and Boardwalk access in Santa Cruz.
Kimpton Mirador is in Pacific Grove, within a short walk of Lovers Point and a short drive to Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Choose Kimpton Mirador for proximity to Monterey‑Peninsula coastal sights and short walks to Lovers Point.
La Bahia offers 155 rooms, many with partial ocean views and several suites and balcony/patio options.
La Bahia suits guests wanting a range of ocean‑view room types and larger property inventory.
Kimpton Mirador has 99 rooms with a mix of standard rooms, Juliet‑balcony rooms and studio/suite options.
Kimpton Mirador is a smaller, boutique property with a variety of balcony and suite choices for coastal stays.
La Bahia provides multiple on‑site venues covering breakfast through dinner and poolside service.
La Bahia is the easier choice for dining without leaving the property, with both refined dinner and casual all‑day options.
Kimpton Mirador operates a smaller restaurant and a bar/lounge; breakfast is typically cooked‑to‑order for a fee.
Kimpton Mirador provides a compact food & beverage program and social evening reception rather than multiple full‑service restaurants.
La Bahia’s signature amenity is its beachfront location plus a rooftop heated outdoor pool and hot tub restricted to adult guests.
La Bahia pairs immediate beach access with a dedicated heated rooftop pool area for adults.
Kimpton Mirador places you within a short walk of Lovers Point and coastal walking paths; on‑site pool details are not published in the supplier listing.
Kimpton Mirador is best if you prioritize walking coastal access and town exploration; check with the property for pool availability.
La Bahia emphasizes a full spa, 24‑hour fitness and several bars for evening drinks.
La Bahia is the pick for scheduled spa treatments and round‑the‑clock fitness with multiple evening dining/drink venues.
Kimpton Mirador lists on‑site fitness and social programming but supplier listing does not publish full spa details.
Kimpton Mirador offers a social boutique vibe with fitness and evening reception programming; contact the hotel for full spa service details.

La Bahia — steps from Main Beach and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Kimpton Mirador — walkable to Lovers Point and a short drive to Cannery Row and 17‑Mile Drive.

La Bahia — multiple distinct venues from refined dinner to casual poolside bites.

Kimpton Mirador — smaller inventory and Kimpton social touches like evening receptions and free bikes.
La Bahia is family‑friendly overall and within steps of family attractions like the Boardwalk; note the rooftop pool and spa are restricted to adults.
Kimpton Mirador is more convenient for Monterey‑Peninsula attractions such as Lovers Point, Cannery Row and 17‑Mile Drive.
Both list on‑site fitness; La Bahia publishes a full‑service spa with hours and treatment rooms. Kimpton’s supplier listing includes spa‑studio suites but does not publish full spa details—check the hotel directly for spa services.
La Bahia offers several on‑site restaurants and bars covering breakfast through dinner; Kimpton Mirador has a single restaurant and a bar/lounge with a daily reception.
Explore how La Bahia Hotel and Spa stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·