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.
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.
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.
Things to do
Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz
Top hotels in Downtown
Ocean Pacific Lodge
It was great. I've been here a couple times and love it. The only thing I would suggest is more comfortable pillows. They are too stiff.
Reviewed on 26 Dec 2025
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Room for nice staff was great
Reviewed on 2 Jan 2026
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Rooms are nice, staff is nice, excellent full breakfast.
Reviewed on 5 Jan 2026
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG
Comfy bed and great shower
Reviewed on 6 Jan 2026
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
The room was nice and the staff was very helpful. It was a basic room but I did like that it had Netflix and HBO attached. Charging 5 dollars for a water bottle is a bit much though. I would have given 5 stars if they had a fitness center
Reviewed on 4 Jan 2026
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
We stayed over Christmas when we visit our oldest daughter and family. Everything was great thank you so much.
Reviewed on 2 Jan 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.
