Visit Downtown Santa Cruz
Popular places to visit
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Enjoy the thrill rides with your kiddos at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk as part of your trip to Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.
Mystery Spot
Find out about the history of Santa Cruz with a stop at Mystery Spot. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the surfing spots.
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.
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 biking trails.
Ocean Street
During your visit to Santa Cruz, you can enjoy retail therapy 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 browse for the perfect souvenirs at Pacific Avenue. Wander the beautiful beaches in this family-friendly area.
Things to do
Top hotels in Downtown Santa Cruz
Pacific Blue Inn
Great hidden gem
Reviewed on Dec 8, 2025
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Our heater did not work. The light in the bathroom did not work. Usually a perfect stay. This was the first time things were not working.
Reviewed on Dec 20, 2025
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Scrambled eggs were watery. Bacon soggy. No fresh fruit.
Reviewed on Dec 22, 2025
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Spotless, comfortable room, great room service, very nice staff, breakfast was great. 10/10 would stay here again.
Reviewed on Dec 23, 2025
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
Great staff. Comfortable accommodations.
Reviewed on Dec 22, 2025
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Na
Reviewed on Dec 17, 2025
Check Downtown Santa Cruz hotel availability
Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Santa Cruz
Downtown
If you're spending some time in Downtown, Pacific Avenue and Williams-Reynolds House are top sights worth seeing.
Lower Ocean
If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Lower Ocean and surrounding area, you can visit Pacific Avenue and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Beach Hill - Beach Flats
Beach Hill - Beach Flats might not have many top sights, but Main Beach and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
Mission Hill
While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.
Westside Santa Cruz
Westside Santa Cruz is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Monterey Bay and Pacific Avenue, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Santa Cruz.
Midtown
If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Midtown and surrounding area, you can visit Ocean Street and Pacific Avenue.
