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.
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.
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
Capitola Friday Night Food Tour
Top hotels in Downtown
Ocean Pacific Lodge
Location!!
Reviewed on Mar 14, 2026
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
The grounds are beautiful, and I was pleasantly surprised that the room entries were from inside corridors (vs. exterior doors.)
Reviewed on Mar 13, 2026
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Great place, location was excellent
Reviewed on Mar 14, 2026
Chaminade Resort & Spa
I had an amazing experience and the staff was top notch .
Reviewed on Mar 6, 2026
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
This is a gem in Santa Cruz, everything about this hotel from the food to the room to the service was great.
Reviewed on Mar 13, 2026
La Bahia Hotel and Spa
Absolutely beautiful experience. This trip is one of the best we've had. Right up there with Four Seasons Bora Bora.
Reviewed on Mar 11, 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Downtown
Mission Hill
While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Circles
While there might not be top attractions in Circles, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Cowell's Beach and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center.
