Downtown Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Santa Cruz

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

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.
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Things to do

Santa Cruz Beach Hill to Mission Hill Loop Via Downtown

Beach Hill to Historic Downtown Santa Cruz Loop

£34
per adult
Beach Hill to Historic Downtown Santa Cruz Loop
Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill

Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill

£34
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

£34
per adult
Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour
Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz

Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz

£104
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

Redwoods Forest Bathing

£112
per adult
Redwoods Forest Bathing
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

£104
per adult
Beginner Surf Lesson 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 £80 per night from 22 Oct to 23 Oct
£80
22 Oct - 23 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this guesthouse in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
Pacific Blue Inn
La Bahia Hotel and Spa

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

4.5 out of 5
215 Beach Street Santa Cruz CA
The price is £306 per night from 31 Oct to 1 Nov
£306
31 Oct - 1 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 Capitola ...
La Bahia Hotel and Spa
Seaside Inn & Suites

Seaside Inn & Suites

2 out of 5
525 Ocean St Santa Cruz CA
The price is £60 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
£60
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
Seaside Inn & Suites
Marea Sol Hotel

Marea Sol Hotel

2 out of 5
301 Beach St Santa Cruz CA
The price is £101 per night from 27 Oct to 28 Oct
£101
27 Oct - 28 Oct
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! (1,628 reviews)
"The location of this hotel, across from the Santa Cruz beach, is ideal. The walk ability to the Boardwalk is great. Our room was clean, quiet & comfortable. Would recommend staying here."

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2026

Marea Sol Hotel
Casablanca On The Beach

Casablanca On The Beach

3.5 out of 5
101 Main St Santa Cruz CA
The price is £106 per night from 8 Nov to 9 Nov
£106
8 Nov - 9 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
Casablanca On The Beach
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 £116 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
£116
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,346 reviews)
"Clean room, great spacious parking"

Reviewed on 16 Oct 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
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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.

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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