Downtown Travel Guide
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
Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories
Top hotels in Downtown
Ocean Pacific Lodge
Everything was fine. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. Nice amenities.
Reviewed on 17 Dec 2025
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Lovely property
Reviewed on 17 Dec 2025
Chaminade Resort & Spa
It’s a unique place in the midst of nature trails and old Redwood trees. It’s also positioned with a direct overland path to the ocean. All around a good choice for a stay.
Reviewed on 13 Dec 2025
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Clean room nice view comfortable beds hot tub
Reviewed on 12 Dec 2025
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
I have many good things to say about our stay however I would have preferred a room with a garden view. We were put in a room overlooking the parking lot and at night a light shined into our room and bed.
Reviewed on 14 Dec 2025
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
It was a clean room, warm and inviting
Reviewed on 18 Dec 2025
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.
