Downtown Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Santa Cruz

A historic building with a distinctive corner turret, surrounded by autumn-colored trees and a clear street.
A clock tower, a church, and residential buildings in a hilly town.
A street with a clock tower, a tram, and a building with a sign.

Stay near popular Downtown Santa Cruz attractions

Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History

7.0/10 (2 reviews)
You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History during your trip to Santa Cruz. Amble around this family-friendly area's beautiful beaches or attend a sporting event.
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Things to do

Secret Beach Location

Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz

Rp18.754.050
per traveller
Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz
Capitola Friday Night Food Tour

Capitola Friday Night Food Tour

Rp2.290.395
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Capitola Friday Night Food Tour
Santa Cruz Beach Hill to Mission Hill Loop Via Downtown

Beach Hill to Historic Downtown Santa Cruz Loop

Rp803.745
per adult
Beach Hill to Historic Downtown Santa Cruz Loop
Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour

Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour

Rp798.975
per adult
Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour
Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill

Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill

Rp803.745
per adult
Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill
Santa Cruz, California Scavenger Hunt

Santa Cruz, California Scavenger Hunt

Rp414.375
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Santa Cruz, California Scavenger Hunt
See all activities in Santa Cruz

Top hotels in Downtown Santa Cruz

Pacific Blue Inn

Pacific Blue Inn

3 out of 5
636 Pacific Avenue Santa Cruz CA
The price is Rp1.561.683 per night from 15 Sept to 16 Sept
Rp1.561.683
per night
15 Sept - 16 Sept
Stay at this guesthouse in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
Pacific Blue Inn
La Bahia Hotel and Spa

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

4.5 out of 5
215 Beach Street Santa Cruz CA
The price is Rp4.741.762 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
Rp4.741.762
per night
20 Sept - 21 Sept
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 ...
La Bahia Hotel and Spa
Chaminade Resort & Spa

Chaminade Resort & Spa

4 out of 5
1 Chaminade Ln Santa Cruz CA
The price is Rp3.085.447 per night from 27 Sept to 28 Sept
Rp3.085.447
per night
27 Sept - 28 Sept
Stay at this spa resort in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their ...
Chaminade Resort & Spa
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

3 out of 5
407 Broadway Santa Cruz CA
The price is Rp2.236.597 per night from 6 Oct to 7 Oct
Rp2.236.597
per night
6 Oct - 7 Oct
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,008 reviews)
"Breakfast was basic. I dont think Pets should be allowed. I dont want to see a pet peeing inside or outside. Pet dander. I have friends allergic to pet hair. They could never stay at Hyatt. Bottom of hot tub needs cleaning a few people were complaining about that. I agree. Should have happy hours ..."

Reviewed on 11 Sept 2026

Hyatt Place Santa Cruz
Marea Sol Hotel

Marea Sol Hotel

2 out of 5
301 Beach St Santa Cruz CA
The price is Rp1.931.046 per night from 23 Sept to 24 Sept
Rp1.931.046
per night
23 Sept - 24 Sept
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 ...
Marea Sol Hotel
Seaside Inn & Suites

Seaside Inn & Suites

2 out of 5
525 Ocean St Santa Cruz CA
The price is Rp1.043.452 per night from 27 Sept to 28 Sept
Rp1.043.452
per night
27 Sept - 28 Sept
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. ...
Seaside Inn & Suites
See all 1,203 properties in Downtown Santa Cruz
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 Santa Cruz

Find the best Downtown Santa Cruz areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A coastal rock formation with an arch, waves crashing against it, and a seagull standing on the beach.
Photo by rabbit.Hole
Open Photo by rabbit.Hole

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 Pleasure Point Park.

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 beach with people playing and walking.
Photo by Janet Chang
Open Photo by Janet Chang

Upper Seabright

While Upper Seabright isn't home to many top sights, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Santa Cruz Harbor are some notable places to visit nearby.

Downtown Santa Cruz Travel Guide