Lower Ocean Travel Guide
Santa Cruz
Visit Lower Ocean
Popular places to visit

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Enjoy the exciting rides at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and see why everyone loves this theme park in 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.

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

Beach Hill to Historic Downtown Santa Cruz Loop

Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill

Capitola Private Personalized Self-Guided App Tour

Santa Cruz Scavenger Hunt Walking Activity

Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour
Top hotels in Lower Ocean

The Aqua Pacific Hotel
The floor in my room needs mopping and the door wouldn't close and lock on it's own. This is an issue because the building has no outside secured door. Anyone could walk into the building, and into your room if you didn't make sure to close your room door. The office isn't open 24 hours so the swimming ...
Reviewed on 12 May 2026

Surf City Inn and Suites
Room was pretty beat up. Holes in the walls, doors will not open and close properly. Tub was dirty.
Reviewed on 11 May 2026

Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz
It was quiet and convenient for walking to the boardwalk, check in was quick and easy. The room was not too great, the hair dryer did not work, the coffee maker did not work, the seat looked filthy with stains. But the stay was satisfactory for our needs.
Reviewed on 11 May 2026

Torch Lite Inn
This might be the worst place literally don’t come here there’s homeless people everywhere. The worker barely spoke English, which is fine, but I mean she also had a child in the back. I don’t even know what was going on like.
Reviewed on 12 May 2026

Hotel Solares
The property does seem a little dated, but it’s cute and quaint. The pool was nice and clean and the double hotubs were a good plus! We were also able to check in 2 hours early which was great. The rooms were also very spacious. Only complaint I have was that our room faced the parking lot and it ...
Reviewed on 12 May 2026

Motel Santa Cruz
It was ok
Reviewed on 30 Apr 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Lower Ocean

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 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center.

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.

Seabright
While visiting Seabright, you might make a stop by sights like Santa Cruz Harbor and Seabright Beach.

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

Upper Seabright
While Upper Seabright isn't home to many top sights, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Santa Cruz Harbor are some notable places to visit nearby.

Midtown
If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Midtown and surrounding area, you can visit Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Ocean Street.
