Westside Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz

This is a small state park at the northern end of Santa Cruz' scenic West Cliff Drive and a little over a mile from the Boardwalk, wharf and Main Beach. A couple of times a year you can see Monarch butterflies during their migration. They are not in the numbers of years past, but you'll still see some. If you walk north towards the rocks during low tide you will find some amazing tidepools full of sea anenomes, sea urchins, starfish, crabs, hermit crabs, and all sorts of marine life. The tidepools are on a ledge, so the tide needs to be quite high (>4 ft?) to reach them. The beach is absolutely stunning at sunset. #localsecrets
This is a small state park at the northern end of Santa Cruz' scenic West Cliff Drive and a little over a mile from the Boardwalk, wharf and Main Beach. A couple of times a year you can see Monarch butterflies during their migration. They are not in the numbers of years past, but you'll still see some. If you walk north towards the rocks during low tide you will find some amazing tidepools full of sea anenomes, sea urchins, starfish, crabs, hermit crabs, and all sorts of marine life. The tidepools are on a ledge, so the tide needs to be quite high (>4 ft?) to reach them. The beach is absolutely stunning at sunset. #localsecrets
Not only is the beach beautiful but there is a refugee for wintering monarch butterflies! This was also where I saw my first sea lion when I moved here! #beachbound
Walk through cave!
A few hours before low tide, the beach was completely foggy! We tromped all over the rocks and the kids ran into the water, completely soaking themselves! It finally cleared up and was a beautiful evening, but the fog had its own mystery. #beach

Popular places to visit

Gotta ride this 100 year old wooden roller Coaster on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

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.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
USA-Santa Cruz-Natural Bridges State Beach; Shutterstock ID 101070745

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.

Natural Bridges State Park
Pier at Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz Wharf

After visiting Santa Cruz Wharf, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the surfing spots.

Santa Cruz Wharf
CWFJJA USA California CA Santa Cruz clock tower and trolley on Pacific Avenue

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.

Pacific Avenue
EN5XP1 Street scene in autumn with shops art galleries on Ocean Avenue Carmel Monterey County California

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.

Ocean Street
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Main Beach

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Main Beach during your travels in Santa Cruz? Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Main Beach

Things to do

Secret Beach Location

Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz

RM142
per traveller
Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

RM524
per adult
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

Redwoods Forest Bathing

RM361
per adult
Redwoods Forest Bathing
Mermaid family photoshoot Santa Cruz

Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot

RM893
per adult
Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot
5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

RM572
per adult
5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic
Secret Beach Location

Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz

RM140
per traveller
Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz
See all activities in Santa Cruz

Top hotels in Westside Santa Cruz

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

4 out of 5
611 Ocean St Santa Cruz CA
The price is RM411 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
RM411
RM478 total
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,198 reviews)
Friendly st

Reviewed on 26 Jan 2026

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr Santa Cruz CA
The price is RM936 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
RM936
RM1,067 total
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and a beach locale. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
This was our 2nd trip to Santa Cruz and we only stay on this hotel. Will go again soon!!!

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

Dream Inn Santa Cruz
La Bahia Hotel and Spa

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

4.5 out of 5
215 Beach Street Santa Cruz CA
The price is RM1,031 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
RM1,031
RM1,376 total
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 3 restaurants. Popular attractions Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Capitola ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (96 reviews)
Such a gorgeous hotel! It stands out in the best way compared to any other hotel near the Boardwalk.

Reviewed on 27 Jan 2026

La Bahia Hotel and Spa
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

3 out of 5
550 2nd St Santa Cruz CA
The price is RM446 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
RM446
RM517 total
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,247 reviews)
Food!

Reviewed on 24 Jan 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Marea Sol Hotel

Marea Sol Hotel

2 out of 5
301 Beach St Santa Cruz CA
The price is RM455 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
RM455
RM527 total
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,363 reviews)
Spacious room and outstanding location. Cleanliness could’ve been better so dropped it 1 star.

Reviewed on 27 Jan 2026

Marea Sol Hotel
Casablanca On The Beach

Casablanca On The Beach

3.5 out of 5
101 Main St Santa Cruz CA
The price is RM348 per night from 17 Feb to 18 Feb
RM348
RM538 total
17 Feb - 18 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,193 reviews)
Our favorite lace to stay when visiting Santa Cruz.

Reviewed on 23 Jan 2026

Casablanca On The Beach
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Other neighbourhoods around Westside Santa Cruz

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Mission Hill

While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.

Mission Hill
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Downtown

While visiting Downtown, you might make a stop by sights like Pacific Avenue and Williams-Reynolds House.

Downtown
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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.

Circles
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Westlake

When in Westlake, you can plan a visit to University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum and Mission Santa Cruz, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Westlake
Downtown, Santa Cruz, California, USA, during autumn. The image shows the street with trees in fall colors, buildings, and a bus. The photo shows the city's architecture.

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.

Downtown Santa Cruz
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Nobel

While Nobel may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum and Natural Bridges State Park.

Nobel

Westside Santa Cruz