Eastside Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Photo by Ian Durant
Photo by Ian Durant

Popular places to visit

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Santa Cruz Harbor

Explore the waterfront in Santa Cruz with a trip to Santa Cruz Harbor. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

Santa Cruz Harbor
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Pleasure Point Park

Explore the lovely green spaces of Pleasure Point Park and enjoy the surfing in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Pleasure Point Park
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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

Activities

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 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
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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
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Outdoor Rock Climbing - Level 2

NZ$177
Per adult
Outdoor Rock Climbing - Level 2
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5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

NZ$225
Per adult
5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic
See all activities in Santa Cruz

Our pick of the best Eastside Santa Cruz Hotel Deals

Hitching Post Studios Inn
Hitching Post Studios Inn
2 out of 5
1717 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is NZ$147 per night from 30 May to 31 May
NZ$147
per night
30 May - 31 May
Stay at this motel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.6/10 Good! (451 reviews)
"I enjoyed the cleanness of the room and the receptionist was pleasant and welcoming."

Reviewed on 28 May 2024

Hitching Post Studios Inn
Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages
Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages
3.5 out of 5
401 Johans Beach Dr, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is NZ$515 per night from 31 May to 1 Jun
NZ$515
per night
31 May - 1 Jun
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Capitola ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (446 reviews)
"Right next to a small beach, dog friendly, clean, and great staff!"

Reviewed on 30 Apr. 2024

Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages
Harbor Inn
Harbor Inn
2 out of 5
645 Seventh Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is NZ$202 per night from 30 May to 31 May
NZ$202
per night
30 May - 31 May
Stay at this motel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Capitola Beach are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (323 reviews)
"This place is simple, clean, and reasonably priced for the location. Good bed, firm but not hard. I like the old-fashioned aesthetic. We checked in and out without face-to-face contact with staff, which was fine. We had all we needed. Downsides, minor: The shower dial was missing so it was a bit ..."

Reviewed on 17 May 2024

Harbor Inn
Hear the ocean from this historic cottage. Almost beachfront.
Hear the ocean from this historic cottage. Almost beachfront.
Santa Cruz
Stay at this vacation home in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Capitola ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (152 reviews)
Charming cottage
"Had a two month stay while my girlfriend and I were looking for housing. The accommodation was a perfect fit and in a great location. Would recommend!"

Reviewed on 22 Mar. 2024

Get rates
Hear the ocean from this historic cottage. Almost beachfront.
Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
3 out of 5
313 Riverside Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is NZ$221 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
NZ$221
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
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! (409 reviews)
"Perfect location for boardwalk. Rooms were clean and safe. Workers were very accommodating and switched our room so we could have a conjoined room with our friends."

Reviewed on 26 May 2024

Courtyard by Marriott 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$237 per night from 4 Jun to 5 Jun
NZ$237
per night
4 Jun - 5 Jun
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! (1,048 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
See all 1,236 properties in Eastside 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 Eastside Santa Cruz

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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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Bananna Belt

Bananna Belt might not have many top sights, but Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Ocean Street are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Bananna Belt
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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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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.

Downtown Santa Cruz
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Carbonera Estates

While Carbonera Estates isn't home to many top sights, DeLaveaga Golf Course and Pasatiempo Golf Course are some notable places to visit nearby.

Carbonera Estates

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