Downtown Travel Guide

Santa Cruz

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

Stay near popular Downtown attractions

Williams-Reynolds House

7.0/10 (2 reviews)
You can learn about the history of Santa Cruz with a visit to Williams-Reynolds House. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the surfing spots.
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Things to do

Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill

Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill

฿1,476
per adult
Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill
Santa Cruz Scavenger Hunt Walking Activity

Santa Cruz Scavenger Hunt Walking Activity

฿1,640
per traveller
Santa Cruz Scavenger Hunt Walking Activity
Santa Cruz Beach Hill to Mission Hill Loop Via Downtown

Beach Hill to Historic Downtown Santa Cruz Loop

฿1,476
per adult
Beach Hill to Historic Downtown Santa Cruz Loop
Capitola Friday Night Food Tour

Capitola Friday Night Food Tour

฿4,231
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Capitola Friday Night Food Tour
Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour

Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour

฿1,476
per adult
Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour
Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz

Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz

฿4,559
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz
See all activities in Santa Cruz

Top hotels in Downtown

Ocean Pacific Lodge

Ocean Pacific Lodge

2 out of 5
301 Pacific Avenue Santa Cruz CA
The price is ฿2,488 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
฿2,488
฿3,310 total
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
Ocean Pacific Lodge
La Bahia Hotel and Spa

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

4.5 out of 5
215 Beach Street Santa Cruz CA
The price is ฿8,796 per night from 18 Oct to 19 Oct
฿8,796
฿11,750 total
18 Oct - 19 Oct
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! (527 reviews)
"Beautiful"

Reviewed on 29 Sept 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 ฿4,541 per night from 4 Oct to 5 Oct
฿4,541
฿5,236 total
4 Oct - 5 Oct
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 ฿1,991 per night from 1 Oct to 2 Oct
฿1,991
฿2,872 total
1 Oct - 2 Oct
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. ...
8.2/10 Very good! (1,136 reviews)
"Dimwit"

Reviewed on 28 Sept 2026

Seaside Inn & Suites
Marea Sol Hotel

Marea Sol Hotel

2 out of 5
301 Beach St Santa Cruz CA
The price is ฿3,685 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
฿3,685
฿4,275 total
26 Oct - 27 Oct
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,642 reviews)
"Sweet one night stay! Staff very kind and a great view! Slept with door open to hear waves ;)"

Reviewed on 29 Sept 2026

Marea Sol Hotel
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

3 out of 5
407 Broadway Santa Cruz CA
The price is ฿4,507 per night from 7 Oct to 8 Oct
฿4,507
฿5,197 total
7 Oct - 8 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz
See all 1,204 properties in Downtown
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 Downtown

Find the best Downtown areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A coastal landscape with two prominent rock formations and a sandy beach.
Photo by Shereen Ward
Open Photo by Shereen Ward

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 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay.

A white lighthouse with a green top, surrounded by large rocks and people.
Photo by Ian Durant
Open Photo by Ian Durant

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 38th Avenue Beach Access.

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.

Downtown Travel Guide