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.
Santa Cruz Wharf
Explore the waterfront of Santa Cruz Wharf and enjoy activities such as surfing in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.
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.
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.
Santa Cruz Main Beach
Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Santa Cruz Main Beach during your trip to Santa Cruz? Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.
Things to do
Top hotels in Downtown
Ocean Pacific Lodge
Great visit, nice room, staff way cool, location ideal for surf, shop, boardwalk etc, private ish parking.
Reviewed on 29 Oct 2025
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
They tried to over charge me by $100 and had no reason why. Watch your bill at this place.
Reviewed on 28 Oct 2025
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG
Very nice place
Reviewed on 2 Nov 2025
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Great location. Room was spacious and had a balcony. Room was very clean and had enough towels. Staff was friendly and helpful. Breakfast was great! Had everything that we wanted for breakfast. We will stay again when we come back.
Reviewed on 31 Oct 2025
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Great View!!! Friendly staff!
Reviewed on 2 Nov 2025
Marea Sol Hotel
I would like to commend the front desk agent. I checked in on Sunday October 26th around 5pm. During the drive we found out our daughter who is a student at UCSC wanted to sleep in a real bed. So I was checking in my wife thought it would be funny to interrupt the agent when she said king bed. At ...
Reviewed on 2 Nov 2025
Other neighbourhoods around Downtown
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.
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.
Mission Hill
While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.
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 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.
