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
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 Westlake
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
"Beautiful hotel, perfect walking location to pier and wharf"
Reviewed on 18 May 2026
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
"Booked two ocean view rooms on the third floor. The hotel has a strict policy of 10pm quiet time and it’s for this exact reason I did not book on the beach. First night 11:00pm right outside our room next to the fire pit was a group of people being very loud. They eventually left but returned at ..."
Reviewed on 18 May 2026
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
"Thank you"
Reviewed on 17 May 2026
Chaminade Resort & Spa
"m"
Reviewed on 17 May 2026
La Bahia Hotel and Spa
"One of the best new hotel in Santa Cruz. Beautiful and clean with amazing view and complimentary amenities."
Reviewed on 16 May 2026
Casablanca On The Beach
"Room was clean enough but everything was super run down looking. The door had run a path in the wood/laminate floors. Dressers had new stone tops but they were not secured. Lights did not work consistently, mattress base was ripped and tattered, shower grout was black and orange with sediment all ..."
Reviewed on 18 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.
