Downtown Santa Cruz Travel Guide
Santa Cruz
Visit Downtown Santa Cruz
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
Capitola Friday Night Food Tour
Santa Cruz Beach Hill to Mission Hill Loop Via Downtown
UC Santa Cruz: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
Capitola Private Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz
Top hotels in Downtown Santa Cruz
Pacific Blue Inn
Parking was good locations was perfect for walking to the Boardwalk and to Downtown. Our second time staying here and will always be our go to hotel when in Sant Cruz.
Reviewed on 24 Apr 2026
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
We loved everything about this place. The staff was so friendly and the views were amazing!
Reviewed on 2 May 2026
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Was floating around the Monterey Bay area and landed in Santa Cruz after a day of traveling. Booked here on impulse and it was fine value for the price. Staff was friendly and the location is solid - just a couple blocks off of the beach with street parking in the vicinity. Very safe feeling neighborhood. ...
Reviewed on 30 Apr 2026
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Went to the local diner for food. Did not use the pool.
Reviewed on 1 May 2026
Marea Sol Hotel
Clean, nice hotel, and super close 1 minute walk to the beach.
Reviewed on 1 May 2026
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Great dinner/bar ambiance with music
Reviewed on 2 May 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Santa Cruz
Downtown
While visiting Downtown, you might make a stop by sights like Pacific Avenue and Williams-Reynolds House.
Lower Ocean
Lower Ocean might not have many top sights, but Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Pacific Avenue are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
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.
Mission Hill
While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.
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 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
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.
