Eastside Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo by Ian Durant
Photo by Ian Durant
Photo by Jie Ric
Photo by Jie Ric
Photo by Shannon Taylor
Photo by Shannon Taylor
Photo by Alex Sam
Photo by Alex Sam
Photo by Janet Chang
Photo by Janet Chang

Popular places to visit

Santa Cruz Harbor

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
Pleasure Point Park

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
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

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
Mystery Spot

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
Santa Cruz Wharf

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
Natural Bridges State Park

Natural Bridges State Park

4/5(5 reviews)

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.

Natural Bridges State Park

Activities

Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

AU$130
per adult
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy
Train Ride Adventure through Mother Natures Giant Redwoods Park

Train Ride Adventure through Mother Natures Giant Redwoods Park

AU$381
per adult
Train Ride Adventure through Mother Natures Giant Redwoods Park
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

AU$197
per adult
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz
5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

AU$213
per adult
5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic
Bay Area Rock Climbing

Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area

AU$182
per adult
Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area
Rock Climbing 2 - Beyond the Basics

Outdoor Rock Climbing - Level 2

AU$182
per adult
Outdoor Rock Climbing - Level 2
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 AU$206 per night from 5 Aug to 6 Aug
AU$206
5 Aug - 6 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (235 reviews)
Good for overnight
"No frills, comfortable stay. Friendly easy check in. Floor was dusty but everything else was clean and worked."

Reviewed on 2 Jul. 2025

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 AU$469 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
AU$469
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (528 reviews)
"Excellent stay cannot wait to go back"

Reviewed on 14 Jul. 2025

Ocean Echo Inn and Beach Cottages
Harbor Inn

Harbor Inn

2 out of 5
645 Seventh Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is AU$277 per night from 20 July to 21 July
AU$277
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
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! (338 reviews)
"Quiet and not crowded"

Reviewed on 24 Jun. 2025

Harbor Inn
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

3 out of 5
550 2nd St, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is AU$378 per night from 20 July to 21 July
AU$378
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,213 reviews)
Safe, happy, clean and stellar service!
"The staff at this hotel is beyond excellent! There to help you for anything you need, the rooms were spotless and smelled amazing! The buffet is excellent! The location is perfect. I will not stay anywhere else when I visit Santa Cruz in the future."

Reviewed on 19 Jul. 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
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 AU$267 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
AU$267
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Aptos. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,064 reviews)
A great place to stay
"We had a great time! We enjoyed to pool area and the garden with the koi pond. The room was clean and comfortable. We love staying at the Sea Cliff inn whenever we come to Aptos"

Reviewed on 19 Jul. 2025

Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is AU$749 per night from 12 Aug to 13 Aug
AU$749
12 Aug - 13 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach resort in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"Excellent hotel! We loved the access to the beach and the pool area. The food was also delicious. Overall we had a great experience and plan to return!"

Reviewed on 15 Jul. 2025

Dream Inn Santa Cruz
See all 1,194 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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Midtown

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Midtown and surrounding area, you can visit Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Ocean Street.

Midtown
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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

Eastside Santa Cruz Travel Guide

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