Downtown
Santa Cruz
Popular places to visit
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Have a fun-filled day with the family at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk during your visit to Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.
Mystery Spot
Find out about the history of Santa Cruz when you take a trip to Mystery Spot. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the surfing spots.
Santa Cruz Wharf
Explore the waterfront of Santa Cruz Wharf and enjoy activities such as surfing in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.
Natural Bridges State Park
You can take time to visit Natural Bridges State Park during your travels to Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.
Ocean Street
During your visit to Santa Cruz, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Ocean Street. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.
Pacific Avenue
During your visit to Santa Cruz, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Pacific Avenue. Wander the beautiful beaches in this family-friendly area.
Things to do
Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz
Introduction to Wilderness Survival Clinic in Santa Cruz
Top hotels in Downtown
Ocean Pacific Lodge
Perfect
Reviewed on 2 Dec 2025
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
This entire hotel is absolutely gorgeous. From the koment you walk in, theres beautiful artwork, its clean, and all around great vibes. Staff was very friendly. Room was clean, modern and beautiful. Very comfortable and even had a cute little outdoor seating area. The pool was open! Big heated pool, ...
Reviewed on 3 Dec 2025
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Great one night stay. Breakfast was amazing.
Reviewed on 2 Dec 2025
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
The staff were very friendly and helpful! The room was clean but needed some updates. Some of the shutters were broken at some point and screwed shut so they could no longer open, the lights in the bathroom kept going out, and the tile floors were very slippery in the bathroom and shower. The view, ...
Reviewed on 4 Dec 2025
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Staff was welcoming and rooms were clean and comfortable.
Reviewed on 4 Dec 2025
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
Location was great close to the beach and the Redwoods.
Reviewed on 2 Dec 2025
Other neighbourhoods around Downtown
Westside Santa Cruz
Travellers to Westside Santa Cruz praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Monterey Bay and Pacific Avenue.
Downtown Santa Cruz
Unique features of Downtown Santa Cruz include the beaches and restaurants. Make a stop by Pacific Avenue or Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History while you're exploring the area.
Mission Hill
While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.
Beach Hill - Beach Flats
While there might not be top attractions in Beach Hill - Beach Flats, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Main Beach and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center.
Lower Ocean
Lower Ocean might not have many top sights, but Pacific Avenue and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
Circles
While Circles may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Cowell's Beach and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center.
