Westside Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Santa Cruz

A coastal cityscape with a beach, pier, and amusement park.
A coastal rock formation with an arch, waves crashing against it, and a seagull standing on the beach.
A beach with a natural rock arch formation.
A coastal landscape with a large rock formation arching over the water, green vegetation on the cliffs, and people walking near the water's edge.
A foggy beach with a rock formation in the distance.

Stay near popular Westside Santa Cruz attractions

A pier with colorful cable cars, a beach, and a sign that reads "WORLD FAMOUS."
Photo by Adri VDM Photography
Open Photo by Adri VDM Photography

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

8.8/10 (6,089 reviews)
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.
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Things to do

Santa Cruz Scavenger Hunt Walking Activity

Santa Cruz Scavenger Hunt Walking Activity

฿1,673
per traveller
Santa Cruz Scavenger Hunt Walking Activity
Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories

UC Santa Cruz: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour

฿167
per traveller
UC Santa Cruz: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz

Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz

฿4,652
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

฿4,652
per adult
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

Redwoods Forest Bathing

฿2,979
per adult
Redwoods Forest Bathing
Mermaid family photoshoot Santa Cruz

Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot

฿7,363
per adult
Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot
See all activities in Santa Cruz

Top hotels in Westside Santa Cruz

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

4.5 out of 5
215 Beach Street Santa Cruz CA
The price is ฿12,983 per night from 16 Aug to 17 Aug
฿12,983
฿16,449 total
16 Aug - 17 Aug
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 Mystery Spot ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (396 reviews)
"I liked that the rooms don’t have carpet.. The beach is across the street from the hotel.."

Reviewed on 19 Jul 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
The price is ฿6,831 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
฿6,831
฿7,805 total
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Seaside Inn & Suites

Seaside Inn & Suites

2 out of 5
525 Ocean St Santa Cruz CA
The price is ฿2,996 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
฿2,996
฿3,998 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
Seaside Inn & Suites
Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz

Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz

2.5 out of 5
325 Pacific Ave Santa Cruz CA
The price is ฿3,474 per night from 23 Jul to 24 Jul
฿3,474
฿4,409 total
23 Jul - 24 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular ...
Bay Front Inn Santa Cruz
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

4 out of 5
611 Ocean St Santa Cruz CA
The price is ฿7,028 per night from 20 Aug to 21 Aug
฿7,028
฿8,026 total
20 Aug - 21 Aug
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,306 reviews)
"Love The Paradox! Always a good time."

Reviewed on 19 Jul 2026

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Casablanca On The Beach

Casablanca On The Beach

3.5 out of 5
101 Main St Santa Cruz CA
The price is ฿6,405 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
฿6,405
฿8,445 total
21 Jul - 22 Jul
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 ...
Casablanca On The Beach
See all 1,273 properties in Westside Santa Cruz
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.

Where to stay in Westside Santa Cruz

Find the best Westside Santa Cruz areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A lighthouse at sunset, rocky shoreline, calm water, and a clear sky.
Photo by Alex Sam
Open Photo by Alex Sam

Eastside Santa Cruz

Travellers come to Eastside Santa Cruz for its beaches, and you can see top attractions like Monterey Bay and Twin Lakes State Beach while you're in town.

A crowded beach with numerous boats and people.

Pleasure Point

While visiting Pleasure Point, you might make a stop by sights like Monterey Bay and Pleasure Point Park.

A street with a clock tower, a tram, and a building with a sign.

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.

A clock tower, a church, and residential buildings in a hilly town.

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.

A beach with people playing and walking.
Photo by Janet Chang
Open Photo by Janet Chang

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.

Westside Santa Cruz Travel Guide