Downtown Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Santa Cruz
Downtown Santa Cruz

Popular places to visit

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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

4/5(41 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
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Mystery Spot

4.5/5(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
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Santa Cruz Wharf

5/5(1 review)

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
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Natural Bridges State Park

4/5(9 reviews)

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Natural Bridges State Park during your travels in Santa Cruz? Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Natural Bridges State Park
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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.

Ocean Street
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Cowell's Beach

Explore the waterfront of Cowell's Beach and enjoy activities such as surfing in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Cowell's Beach

Things to do

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Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

£67
Per adult
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy
Image for Big Sur Private Charter from San Francisco by Luxury SUV 10 hrs

Big Sur Private Charter from San Francisco by Luxury SUV 10 hrs

£1,029
Per adult
Big Sur Private Charter from San Francisco by Luxury SUV 10 hrs
Image for Whale Watching Monterey Bay semi-private limited to 6 people max

Whale Watching Monterey Bay semi-private limited to 6 people max

£317
Per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Whale Watching Monterey Bay semi-private limited to 6 people max
Image for Santa Cruz Must Sees: A Self-Guided Driving Tour

Santa Cruz Must Sees: A Self-Guided Driving Tour

£3
Per adult
Santa Cruz Must Sees: A Self-Guided Driving Tour
Image for 5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

£110
Per adult
5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic
Image for Introduction to Wilderness Survival Clinic in Santa Cruz

Introduction to Wilderness Survival Clinic in Santa Cruz

£110
Per adult
Introduction to Wilderness Survival Clinic in Santa Cruz
See all activities in Santa Cruz

Top hotels in Downtown Santa Cruz

Pacific Blue Inn
Pacific Blue Inn
3 out of 5
636 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is £84 per night from 27 May to 28 May
£84
per night
27 May - 28 May
Stay at this 3-star guesthouse in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (766 reviews)
"Very accessible and friendly staff."

Reviewed on 21 May 2024

Pacific Blue Inn
Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
3 out of 5
313 Riverside Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is £120 per night from 29 May to 30 May
£120
per night
29 May - 30 May
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (401 reviews)
"The hotels was clean and in a great locations. It was walking distance to the boardwalk. I wish they would include the parking fee in the reservation since they charge $25 parking. However, everything else was great. My wife and I love the hotel, we will stay here again next time we travel to Santa ..."

Reviewed on 23 May 2024

Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
4 out of 5
611 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is £114 per night from 29 May to 30 May
£114
per night
29 May - 30 May
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"n/a"

Reviewed on 20 May 2024

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is £232 per night from 28 May to 29 May
£232
per night
28 May - 29 May
Stay at this beach resort in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"The boardwalk, wharf and the beach was walking distance. On site restaurant was very nice to have drinks, breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is a long trail to walk along the property."

Reviewed on 20 May 2024

Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
3.5 out of 5
6001 La Madrona Drive, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is £105 per night from 29 May to 30 May
£105
per night
29 May - 30 May
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,048 reviews)
"I like everything but the only issue that I have it was a misunderstanding with breakfast they told me from 7 AM to 10:30 PM. And we arrive at 10 o’clock and they already close on the other hand. Another issue that we had was that didn’t tell us that we need to request housekeeping service."

Reviewed on 16 May 2024

Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
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 £126 per night from 28 May to 29 May
£126
per night
28 May - 29 May
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Aptos. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"We did not get any service for our room. We requested clean towels and it took over a hour to get them. The TV didn’t work the last night. We got sound, but no picture. The curtain in the room was torn. It was a nice place and I will return, but details do matter."

Reviewed on 20 May 2024

Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
See all 1,151 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.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz which includes water sports

Westside Santa Cruz

4/5(31 area reviews)

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.

Westside Santa Cruz
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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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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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Seabright

While visiting Seabright, you might make a stop by sights like Santa Cruz Harbor and Seabright Beach.

Seabright
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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 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Cowell's Beach.

Circles
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Westlake

When in Westlake, you can plan a visit to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Westlake

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