Downtown Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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.
A historic building with a distinctive corner turret, surrounded by autumn-colored trees and a clear street.

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 seaside 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$79
per adult
Beach Hill to Historic Downtown Santa Cruz Loop
Santa Cruz: Wine Tasting Experience

Santa Cruz: Wine Tasting Experience

NZ$44
per adult
Santa Cruz: Wine Tasting Experience
Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill

Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill

NZ$79
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$79
per adult
Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

Redwoods Forest Bathing

NZ$210
per adult
Redwoods Forest Bathing
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

NZ$245
per adult
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz
See all activities in Santa Cruz

Our pick of the best Downtown Santa Cruz Hotel Deals

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

4.5 out of 5
215 Beach Street Santa Cruz CA
Fully refundable
The price is NZ$643 per night from 29 Nov to 30 Nov
NZ$643
29 Nov - 30 Nov
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! (611 reviews)
"This is my third time coming to this hotel and this time is kinda of disappointing"

Reviewed on 15 Nov 2026

La Bahia Hotel and Spa
Marea Sol Hotel

Marea Sol Hotel

2 out of 5
301 Beach St Santa Cruz CA
The price is NZ$225 per night from 16 Nov to 17 Nov
NZ$225
16 Nov - 17 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,650 reviews)
"nice"

Reviewed on 14 Nov 2026

Marea Sol Hotel
Hotel B5 Watsonville, CA - Monterey Area

Hotel B5 Watsonville, CA - Monterey Area

2 out of 5
125 Silver Leaf Dr Watsonville CA
The price is NZ$128 per night from 16 Nov to 17 Nov
NZ$128
16 Nov - 17 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Watsonville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
Hotel B5 Watsonville, CA - Monterey Area
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

3 out of 5
407 Broadway Santa Cruz CA
The price is NZ$239 per night from 17 Nov to 18 Nov
NZ$239
17 Nov - 18 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
Hyatt Place Santa Cruz
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley

Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley

4 out of 5
6001 La Madrona Drive Santa Cruz CA
The price is NZ$220 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
NZ$220
1 Dec - 2 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very good! (1,369 reviews)
"Always a great stay. Great service. Nice rooms"

Reviewed on 15 Nov 2026

Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

4 out of 5
611 Ocean St Santa Cruz CA
The price is NZ$247 per night from 19 Nov to 20 Nov
NZ$247
19 Nov - 20 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
See all 1,212 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 natural rock arch formation on a beach with waves crashing below.

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 white lighthouse with a green top, surrounded by large rocks and people.
Photo by Ian Durant
Open Photo by Ian Durant

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 38th Avenue Beach Access.

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

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