Downtown Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A historic building with a distinctive corner turret, surrounded by autumn-colored trees and a clear street.
A clock tower, a church, and residential buildings in a hilly town.
A street with a clock tower, a tram, and a building with a sign.

Stay near popular Downtown Santa Cruz attractions

Pacific Garden Mall

7.6/10 (4 reviews)
You can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Pacific Garden Mall during your visit to Santa Cruz. Stroll along the beautiful beaches or attend a sporting event in this family-friendly area.
See properties

Activities

Santa Cruz Beach Hill to Mission Hill Loop Via Downtown

Beach Hill to Historic Downtown Santa Cruz Loop

NZ$78
per adult
Beach Hill to Historic Downtown Santa Cruz Loop
Santa Cruz: Wine Tasting Experience

Santa Cruz: Wine Tasting Experience

NZ$43
per adult
Santa Cruz: Wine Tasting Experience
Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill

Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill

NZ$78
per adult
Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill
Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour

Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour

NZ$78
per adult
Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

Redwoods Forest Bathing

NZ$154
per adult
Redwoods Forest Bathing
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

NZ$240
per adult
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz
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$181 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
NZ$181
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this guesthouse in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (941 reviews)
"I"

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2026

Pacific Blue Inn
Chaminade Resort & Spa

Chaminade Resort & Spa

4 out of 5
1 Chaminade Ln Santa Cruz CA
The price is NZ$326 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
NZ$326
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa resort in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their ...
Chaminade Resort & Spa
La Bahia Hotel and Spa

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

4.5 out of 5
215 Beach Street Santa Cruz CA
The price is NZ$828 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
NZ$828
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 3 restaurants. Popular attractions Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Mystery Spot ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (436 reviews)
"Increíble"

Reviewed on 16 Aug 2026

La Bahia Hotel and Spa
Seaside Inn & Suites

Seaside Inn & Suites

2 out of 5
525 Ocean St Santa Cruz CA
The price is NZ$147 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
NZ$147
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
Seaside Inn & Suites
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$296 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
NZ$296
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Aptos. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,173 reviews)
"Nice"

Reviewed on 15 Aug 2026

Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Ocean Pacific Lodge

Ocean Pacific Lodge

2 out of 5
301 Pacific Avenue Santa Cruz CA
The price is NZ$196 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
NZ$196
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,504 reviews)
"Had a great stay with my family and loved that it was near the boardwalk. I was nervous about the hotel at first but it felt safe."

Reviewed on 16 Aug 2026

Ocean Pacific Lodge
See all 1,225 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.

Our guide on where to stay in Downtown Santa Cruz

Find the best Downtown Santa Cruz areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A coastal rock formation with an arch, waves crashing against it, and a seagull standing on the beach.
Photo by rabbit.Hole
Open Photo by rabbit.Hole

Westside Santa Cruz

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.

A lighthouse at sunset, rocky shoreline, calm water, and a clear sky.
Photo by Alex Sam
Open Photo by Alex Sam

Eastside Santa Cruz

Travellers come to Eastside Santa Cruz for its beaches, and you can see top attractions like Monterey Bay and Twin Lakes State Beach while you're in town.

A crowded beach with numerous boats and people.

Pleasure Point

While visiting Pleasure Point, you might make a stop by sights like Monterey Bay and Pleasure Point Park.

A street with a clock tower, a tram, and a building with a sign.

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 Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center.

A beach with people playing and walking.
Photo by Janet Chang
Open Photo by Janet Chang

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.

Downtown Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: