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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Things to do
Capitola Private Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
UC Santa Cruz: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz
Capitola Friday Night Food Tour
Top hotels in Downtown
Ocean Pacific Lodge
I love this place. Close to the beach, close to downtown. Great location. Friendly staff. Clean rooms.
Reviewed on 21 Feb 2026
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
I recently stayed at the Seacliff Inn and overall had a very pleasant experience. The highlight of this property is definitely its beautiful, scenic environment. The grounds are incredibly peaceful, with a charming bridge and a lovely pond that make the setting feel almost like a hidden retreat. ...
Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026
Chaminade Resort & Spa
The view was amazing, the rooms quite clean and spacious, and the pool/hot tub area was perfect.
Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Staff was great! We stayed one night over the holiday weekend and enjoyed our evening at the restaurant/bar.
Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Perfect location right on the sand in Santa Cruz! Could watch the waves and the surfers from the room and activity on the pier. Room was a good size. Enjoyed the convenience of the coffee cart in the lobby and the food and views at Jack O’neills were excellent!
Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026
La Bahia Hotel and Spa
Undoubtedly the best place in Santa Cruz. However I was surprized by the $50 resort fee and $50 daily parking.
Reviewed on 28 Feb 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Downtown
Mission Hill
While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.
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.
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.
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.
