Downtown Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz
Visit Downtown Santa Cruz
Popular places to visit
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Enjoy the thrills at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and find out why people love this theme park in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking 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 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.
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
Capitola Private Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
UC Santa Cruz: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour
Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill
Capitola Friday Night Food Tour
Top hotels in Downtown Santa Cruz
Pacific Blue Inn
Parking was good locations was perfect for walking to the Boardwalk and to Downtown. Our second time staying here and will always be our go to hotel when in Sant Cruz.
Reviewed on Apr 24, 2026
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Five stars
Reviewed on May 11, 2026
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
It is very clean, the furniture is modern, the pool is clean, and the hotel's location is excellent—close to restaurants, shops, and the beach!))
Reviewed on May 12, 2026
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Room was clean
Reviewed on May 10, 2026
Chaminade Resort & Spa
The pool is a salt water warm pool which I loved—but it was a bit small for how many kids were there on a weekend. We went one night with our kids and swam, played tennis and baci ball. The view was great and we loved the rooms patio. I hate hotels that feel stuffy and I found having the patio really ...
Reviewed on May 12, 2026
La Bahia Hotel and Spa
Nice new hotel. Still working out the bugs. Third floor rooms all being repaired so some issue there. We sat in the restaurant for half an hour. It was fully staffed and not full but nobody ever came to take our order so we left. They charge $50 for parking plus $5 tax. Then they charge $50 resort ...
Reviewed on May 11, 2026
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 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Pacific Avenue.
Beach Hill - Beach Flats
Beach Hill - Beach Flats might not have many top sights, but Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 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 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 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 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Ocean Street.
