Downtown Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Downtown Santa Cruz

Popular places to visit

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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

4/5(16 reviews)

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.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
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Mystery Spot

3/5(2 reviews)

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.

Mystery Spot
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Santa Cruz Wharf

Explore the waterfront of Santa Cruz Wharf and enjoy activities such as surfing in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Santa Cruz Wharf
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Natural Bridges State Park

4/5(5 reviews)

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Natural Bridges State Park during your travels in Santa Cruz? Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Natural Bridges State Park
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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.

Ocean Street
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Cowell's Beach

Explore the waterfront of Cowell's Beach and enjoy activities such as surfing in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Cowell's Beach

Activities

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Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

NZ$138
Per adult
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy
Image for Big Sur Private Charter from San Francisco by Luxury SUV 10 hrs

Big Sur Private Charter from San Francisco by Luxury SUV 10 hrs

NZ$2,109
Per adult
Big Sur Private Charter from San Francisco by Luxury SUV 10 hrs
Image for Whale Watching Monterey Bay semi-private limited to 6 people max

Whale Watching Monterey Bay semi-private limited to 6 people max

NZ$649
Per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Whale Watching Monterey Bay semi-private limited to 6 people max
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Santa Cruz Must Sees: A Self-Guided Driving Tour

NZ$6
Per adult
Santa Cruz Must Sees: A Self-Guided Driving Tour
Image for Santa Cruz Guided E-Bike Ride & Most Fun Ebike Tour

Santa Cruz Guided E-Bike Ride & Most Fun Ebike Tour

NZ$195
Per adult
Santa Cruz Guided E-Bike Ride & Most Fun Ebike Tour
Image for Outdoor Rock Climbing - Level 2

Outdoor Rock Climbing - Level 2

NZ$177
Per adult
Outdoor Rock Climbing - Level 2
See all activities in Santa Cruz

Our pick of the best Downtown Santa Cruz Hotel Deals

Pacific Blue Inn
Pacific Blue Inn
3 out of 5
636 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is NZ$193 per night from 22 May to 23 May
NZ$193
per night
22 May - 23 May
Stay at this 3-star guesthouse in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (765 reviews)
Will stay again
"We had a great time, we will stay again. Tina at the front desk very informed and helpful. Hotel is very close to the downtown area and very walkable. You will need to stay in communication for check-in to ensure they are available you help you. They do have a after hours lock box to be able to access ..."

Reviewed on 29 Apr. 2024

Pacific Blue Inn
Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
3 out of 5
313 Riverside Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is NZ$222 per night from 29 May to 30 May
NZ$222
per night
29 May - 30 May
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (397 reviews)
"Overall, I was happy. Location was exactly what I was looking for. A few small disappointments: Valet parking that was mandatory and expensive. If I’d known ahead of time, maybe. But it’s not listed on the website. The guys who ran the valet were super cool and in-&-out were fine. I just didn’t know ..."

Reviewed on 19 May 2024

Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
4 out of 5
611 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is NZ$216 per night from 23 May to 24 May
NZ$216
per night
23 May - 24 May
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,011 reviews)
Beautiful and comfortable but needs improvement
"The lobby, interior, and rooms are beautiful and comfortable. The restaurant menu and quantity was not at the same level. We also did not get any housekeeping to our room."

Reviewed on 20 May 2024

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is NZ$482 per night from 22 May to 23 May
NZ$482
per night
22 May - 23 May
Book a stay at this beach resort in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
"Great location on the beach"

Reviewed on 16 May 2024

Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
3.5 out of 5
6001 La Madrona Drive, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is NZ$196 per night from 27 May to 28 May
NZ$196
per night
27 May - 28 May
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,049 reviews)
"I like everything but the only issue that I have it was a misunderstanding with breakfast they told me from 7 AM to 10:30 PM. And we arrive at 10 o’clock and they already close on the other hand. Another issue that we had was that didn’t tell us that we need to request housekeeping service."

Reviewed on 16 May 2024

Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
3.5 out of 5
7500 Old Dominion Court, Aptos, CA
The price is NZ$238 per night from 29 May to 30 May
NZ$238
per night
29 May - 30 May
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Aptos. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,006 reviews)
Pleasant but not spectacular
"Room felt small and cluttered; restaurant onsite was nice. Stay was pleasant, but didn’t feel worth over $300 a night."

Reviewed on 15 May 2024

Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
See all 1,152 properties in Downtown Santa Cruz
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz which includes water sports

Westside Santa Cruz

4/5(16 area reviews)

Travellers to Westside Santa Cruz praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay.

Westside Santa Cruz
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Beach Hill - Beach Flats

While there might not be top attractions in Beach Hill - Beach Flats, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Main Beach.

Beach Hill - Beach Flats
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Upper Seabright

While Upper Seabright isn't home to many top sights, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Santa Cruz Harbor are some notable places to visit nearby.

Upper Seabright
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Seabright

While visiting Seabright, you might make a stop by sights like Santa Cruz Harbor and Seabright Beach.

Seabright
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Circles

While Circles may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Cowell's Beach.

Circles
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Westlake

When in Westlake, you can plan a visit to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Westlake

Downtown Santa Cruz Travel Guide

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