It was cheap and between a couple of shopping areas with varied options. Its also pretty close to Hwy 1 (maybe 0.2 miles, if that), so you can head to Santa Cruz or Big Sur without having to navigate an unknown city.
The room itself was satisfactory, with all the usual amenities. It was a little noisy (being near a highway off ramp and not very thick walls), and I did notice a crack in the shower, but other than that if you just need a place to stay the night for a coastal trip, it more than meets your needs.