Downtown Travel Guide
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
Beach Hill to Historic Downtown Santa Cruz Loop
Capitola Friday Night Food Tour
Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area
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
Ocean Pacific Lodge
Good
Reviewed on 13 May 2026
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
The hotel was clean and beautiful. Loved the beach view. The restaurant had great food and the staff was friendly.
Reviewed on 14 May 2026
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Very clean. Comfortable bed and room. Nice balcony and pool. Breakfast was good. Would have liked to have known about the $25 parking fee before I got there but maybe I just missed it when reading about the property.
Reviewed on 14 May 2026
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Hotel need more rodent boxes/traps around
Reviewed on 14 May 2026
Chaminade Resort & Spa
Chaminade hotel and resort is a fabulous place to stay and relax near bustling Bay Area.
Reviewed on 15 May 2026
La Bahia Hotel and Spa
The hotel is still under construction, however it was calm and very welcoming. The rooms are clean and tidy. The hotel doesn’t have any perks for guests but myb bc it’s still under construction. It’s right in the beach so you can take a walk outside and explore by foot. Parking is on you and it’s ...
Reviewed on 13 May 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 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
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.
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.
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.
