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

Things to do


Top hotels in Westside Santa Cruz

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr Santa Cruz CA
The price is RM983 per night from 10 Mar to 11 Mar
RM983
RM1,119 total
10 Mar - 11 Mar
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! (1,012 reviews)
Excellent staff, ocean front rooms great spot for couples or families! Dinner and Breakfast at Jack O’Neill restaurant ocean front views for both wonderful stay!

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026

Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

4 out of 5
611 Ocean St Santa Cruz CA
The price is RM580 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
RM580
RM668 total
15 Mar - 16 Mar
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! (1,229 reviews)
If your assigned room 220 ask for a different room. Very noisy, we couldn’t sleep. Overall the hotel is nice, but the restaurant and bar close a little early.

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
La Bahia Hotel and Spa

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

4.5 out of 5
215 Beach Street Santa Cruz CA
The price is RM1,848 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
RM1,848
RM2,294 total
1 Apr - 2 Apr
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 ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (148 reviews)
The new hotel and spa was amazing. It’s across the street from the beach and has an amazing view, especially from the pool. The amenities are amazing and the rooms are astonishing. We’ve been waiting to stay here since it was being built. It did not disappoint.

Reviewed on 9 Mar 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM534 per night from 12 Mar to 13 Mar
RM534
RM615 total
12 Mar - 13 Mar
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! (1,260 reviews)
Perfect

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Casablanca On The Beach

Casablanca On The Beach

3.5 out of 5
101 Main St Santa Cruz CA
The price is RM402 per night from 11 Mar to 12 Mar
RM402
RM599 total
11 Mar - 12 Mar
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! (1,188 reviews)
Shower was beyond filthy. It was full of toilet paper. Possibly a drain back up. Which happens but was not cleaned obviously. None of the outlets worked. Staff was nice and apologetic but offered no compensation.

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026

Casablanca On The Beach
Marea Sol Hotel

Marea Sol Hotel

2 out of 5
301 Beach St Santa Cruz CA
The price is RM458 per night from 10 Mar to 11 Mar
RM458
RM531 total
10 Mar - 11 Mar
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,414 reviews)
Was told I could check in at noon, only one room was ready. The other wasn’t ready until 5pm, when normal check in is at 4

Reviewed on 8 Mar 2026

Marea Sol Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Westside Santa Cruz

Default Image

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
Default Image

Downtown

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

Downtown
Default Image

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
Default Image

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
Default Image

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