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.
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
Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz
Capitola Private Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
Santa Cruz, California Scavenger Hunt
Capitola Friday Night Food Tour
Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz
UC Santa Cruz: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
Top hotels in Downtown
Ocean Pacific Lodge
Older hotel but clean and in a great location.
Reviewed on 26 Mar 2026
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Great location, cute beach themed rooms. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The walls are really thin though.
Reviewed on 25 Mar 2026
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Comfortable and clean. Attractive property
Reviewed on 26 Mar 2026
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Clean and quiet.
Reviewed on 25 Mar 2026
Chaminade Resort & Spa
Rooms were nice; beds were a little too firm. The pools are nice; there wasn’t a bar open at the pool but they had a service option although it took an hour to be delivered. The hiking paths were a fun thing to do.
Reviewed on 26 Mar 2026
La Bahia Hotel and Spa
Beautiful!
Reviewed on 25 Mar 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 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Main Beach.
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 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Cowell's Beach.
