Westside Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Santa Cruz

This is a small state park at the northern end of Santa Cruz' scenic West Cliff Drive and a little over a mile from the Boardwalk, wharf and Main Beach. A couple of times a year you can see Monarch butterflies during their migration. They are not in the numbers of years past, but you'll still see some. If you walk north towards the rocks during low tide you will find some amazing tidepools full of sea anenomes, sea urchins, starfish, crabs, hermit crabs, and all sorts of marine life. The tidepools are on a ledge, so the tide needs to be quite high (>4 ft?) to reach them. The beach is absolutely stunning at sunset. #localsecrets
This is a small state park at the northern end of Santa Cruz' scenic West Cliff Drive and a little over a mile from the Boardwalk, wharf and Main Beach. A couple of times a year you can see Monarch butterflies during their migration. They are not in the numbers of years past, but you'll still see some. If you walk north towards the rocks during low tide you will find some amazing tidepools full of sea anenomes, sea urchins, starfish, crabs, hermit crabs, and all sorts of marine life. The tidepools are on a ledge, so the tide needs to be quite high (>4 ft?) to reach them. The beach is absolutely stunning at sunset. #localsecrets
Not only is the beach beautiful but there is a refugee for wintering monarch butterflies! This was also where I saw my first sea lion when I moved here! #beachbound
Walk through cave!
A few hours before low tide, the beach was completely foggy! We tromped all over the rocks and the kids ran into the water, completely soaking themselves! It finally cleared up and was a beautiful evening, but the fog had its own mystery. #beach

Popular places to visit

Gotta ride this 100 year old wooden roller Coaster on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

4/5(41 reviews)

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.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
USA-Santa Cruz-Natural Bridges State Beach; Shutterstock ID 101070745

Natural Bridges State Park

4/5(9 reviews)

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.

Natural Bridges State Park
Pier at Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz Wharf

5/5(1 review)

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.

Santa Cruz Wharf
EN5XP1 Street scene in autumn with shops art galleries on Ocean Avenue Carmel Monterey County California

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.

Ocean Street
CWFJJA USA California CA Santa Cruz clock tower and trolley on Pacific Avenue

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.

Pacific Avenue
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Main Beach

4/5(57 reviews)

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Main Beach during your travels in Santa Cruz? Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Main Beach

Things to do

Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories

Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories

฿629
per adult
Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

฿4,058
per adult
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

Redwoods Forest Bathing

฿2,800
per adult
Redwoods Forest Bathing
5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

฿4,435
per adult
5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic
Mermaid family photoshoot Santa Cruz

Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot

฿6,985
per adult
Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot
Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area

Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area

฿3,744
per adult
Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area
See all activities in Santa Cruz

Top hotels in Westside Santa Cruz

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

4 out of 5
611 Ocean St Santa Cruz CA
The price is ฿3,506 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
฿3,506
฿4,064 total
25 Jan - 26 Jan
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,181 reviews)
yes

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr Santa Cruz CA
The price is ฿8,108 per night from 23 Feb to 24 Feb
฿8,108
฿9,227 total
23 Feb - 24 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and a beach locale. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
This was our 2nd trip to Santa Cruz and we only stay on this hotel. Will go again soon!!!

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

Dream Inn 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 ฿8,240 per night from 28 Jan to 29 Jan
฿8,240
฿10,998 total
28 Jan - 29 Jan
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (93 reviews)
Beautiful rooms, comfortable beds, friendly staff.

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026

La Bahia Hotel and Spa
Casablanca On The Beach

Casablanca On The Beach

3.5 out of 5
101 Main St Santa Cruz CA
The price is ฿2,760 per night from 17 Feb to 18 Feb
฿2,760
฿4,264 total
17 Feb - 18 Feb
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,189 reviews)
Staff was very friendly, helpful & knowledgeable.

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

Casablanca On The Beach
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 ฿3,406 per night from 27 Jan to 28 Jan
฿3,406
฿3,951 total
27 Jan - 28 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,243 reviews)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had such a wonderful stay! The staff was incredibly kind and helpful, which made our experience even better. Everything was clean and comfortable, and we really appreciated the complimentary breakfast. The waffles were honestly the highlight of my morning—so good! 😄 Thank you for such a ...

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG

2.5 out of 5
1410 Ocean Street Santa Cruz CA
The price is ฿3,725 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
฿3,725
฿4,310 total
25 Jan - 26 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,175 reviews)
Good

Reviewed on 12 Jan 2026

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG
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Other neighbourhoods around Westside Santa Cruz

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Mission Hill

While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.

Mission Hill
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Downtown

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

Downtown
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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.

Circles
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Westlake

When in Westlake, you can plan a visit to University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum and Mission Santa Cruz, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Westlake
Downtown, Santa Cruz, California, USA, during autumn. The image shows the street with trees in fall colors, buildings, and a bus. The photo shows the city's architecture.

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 Santa Cruz
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Nobel

While Nobel may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum and Natural Bridges State Park.

Nobel

Westside Santa Cruz Travel Guide