Downtown Travel Guide
Tourist Guide
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 Hotel Deals
Ocean Pacific Lodge
I love this place. Close to the beach, close to downtown. Great location. Friendly staff. Clean rooms.
Reviewed on 21 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 Bahia Hotel and Spa
This place was absolutely beautiful. Staff were polite and personable. The rooms were so clean and they took pride in the upkeep. Will definitely be back!
Reviewed on 1 Mar 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Downtown
Mission Hill
While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Cowell's Beach and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center.
