Westlake 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

Santa Cruz Beach Hill to Mission Hill Loop Via Downtown

Capitola Friday Night Food Tour

Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area

UC Santa Cruz: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour

Santa Cruz 2Hour Guided eBike Tour for Small E-Bike Groups
Top hotels in Westlake

Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Yes
Reviewed on 4 May 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Couple getaway. The boardwalk is 6 minute walk. Walls are very thin you can hear walking and conversations in room next door. Stayed in room 219. Will return again.
Reviewed on 6 May 2026

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
The experience was pretty disappointing overall. While the place advertises a lot of amenities, several of them were not working during my stay, which made it feel misleading. The room itself was extremely small, honestly felt like the size of a jail cell, and it was not clean. There was a noticeable ...
Reviewed on 4 May 2026

Marea Sol Hotel
Room was modern and very clean. Staff was helpful and property had good parking
Reviewed on 6 May 2026

Casablanca On The Beach
The guy at the front desk is very helpful, he was really nice. Room was ok, but it’s clean.
Reviewed on 4 May 2026

Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Did not eat breakfast?
Reviewed on 6 May 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Westlake

Harvey West
When in Harvey West, you can plan a visit to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Ocean Street, some noteworthy sights in the nearby 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.

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

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 Swift Street Courtyard.

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

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.

