Downtown Santa Cruz Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
Visit Downtown Santa Cruz
Popular places to visit
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Have a fun-filled day with the family at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk during your visit to Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.
Mystery Spot
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.
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 cycling 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 search for that perfect souvenir 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 search for that perfect souvenir at Pacific Avenue. Wander the beautiful beaches in this family-friendly area.
Activities
Capitola Friday Night Food Tour
Capitola Private Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
UC Santa Cruz: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
Our pick of the best Downtown Santa Cruz Hotel Deals
Pacific Blue Inn
Everything was on point
Reviewed on 26 Feb 2026
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
No. Room had spider net on ceiling and corners and dust on AC unit also had bad smell when unit started to run.
Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026
Chaminade Resort & Spa
It is a really great place to feel you're escaping the rigours of life.
Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
The rooms need a lot of help. The fact that they have pets allowed in the rooms, makes it feel dirty. They try to make it feel current and clean by having laminate floors, which in turn makes it feel old and dirty instead. The rooms are not cozy at all. The bed was comfortable, the staff was nice. ...
Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Amazing spot - beautiful views and terrific pool
Reviewed on 1 Mar 2026
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Clean and friendly staff. I will definitely stay here again.
Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026
Check Downtown Santa Cruz hotel availability
Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Santa Cruz
Downtown
While visiting Downtown, you might make a stop by sights like Pacific Avenue and Williams-Reynolds House.
Lower Ocean
Lower Ocean might not have many top sights, but Pacific Avenue and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
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 Main Beach and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center.
Mission Hill
While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.
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 Monterey Bay and Pacific Avenue.
Midtown
If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Midtown and surrounding area, you can visit Ocean Street and Pacific Avenue.