Title: Downtown Travel Guide: Best of Downtown, Santa Cruz Travel 2026 | Expedia.co.uk [Hotels in Downtown](https://expedia.co.uk/Downtown-Hotels.d980414823093735424.Travel-Guide-Hotels)[Flights to Santa Cruz](https://expedia.co.uk/Cheap-Flights-To-Santa-Cruz.d6666.Travel-Guide-Flights)[Things to do in Santa Cruz](https://expedia.co.uk/Things-To-Do-In-Santa-Cruz.d6666.Travel-Guide-Activities)[Downtown Car Hire](https://expedia.co.uk/Compare-Cheap-Car-Hire-In-Downtown.d980414823093735424.Car-Hire-Guide)[Downtown Holidays](https://expedia.co.uk/Downtown.d980414823093735424.Holidays-City-Breaks) # Downtown Travel Guide ## Santa Cruz ## Visit Downtown Things to do Hotels Where to stay [Santa Cruz travel guide](https://expedia.co.uk/Santa-Cruz.dx6666) --- ### Popular places to visit ![Gotta ride this 100 year old wooden roller Coaster on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6666/b45be7dc-b7ee-4e2f-913e-96687d20622a.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 4/5(41 reviews) 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. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Santa-Cruz-Beach-Boardwalk-Westside-Santa-Cruz.d6065915.Attraction) ![The place where you can't stay straight.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6065921/d28cfec3-0a62-49c3-8c59-000ebb30e504.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### 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. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Mystery-Spot-Santa-Cruz.d6065921.Attraction) ![Pier at Santa Cruz, California](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6209895/eb65cea1-184a-499c-ae20-633fad3592be.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Santa Cruz Wharf 5/5(1 review) 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. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Santa-Cruz-Wharf-Westside-Santa-Cruz.d6209895.Attraction) ![USA-Santa Cruz-Natural Bridges State Beach; Shutterstock ID 101070745](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6065917/43bea666-ed08-4f82-a646-075da65a2a91.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Natural Bridges State Park 4/5(9 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. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Natural-Bridges-State-Park-Santa-Cruz.d6065917.Attraction) ![CWFJJA USA California CA Santa Cruz clock tower and trolley on Pacific Avenue](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6327592/765dd2b7-8dc8-43e9-a63e-99581f2057c7.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### 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. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Pacific-Avenue-Santa-Cruz.d6327592.Attraction) ![EN5XP1 Street scene in autumn with shops art galleries on Ocean Avenue Carmel Monterey County California](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6351808/ef056b2b-5188-40e2-985c-ead470ec0f72.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### 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. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Ocean-Street-Santa-Cruz.d6351808.Attraction) ### Things to do ![Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/1389006/f88c6e25-e576-4462-9814-d27f0a305b4f.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area £94 per adult [](https://expedia.co.uk/things-to-do/beginner-outdoor-rock-climbing-bay-area.a1389006.activity-details) ![Rock Climbing 2 - Beyond the Basics](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/1391601/fe50a3dc-b95f-4815-a331-05cbbc16d855.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Outdoor Rock Climbing - Level 2 £87 per adult [](https://expedia.co.uk/things-to-do/outdoor-rock-climbing-level-2.a1391601.activity-details) ![Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy ](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/4252920/81677566-18a6-4e11-abfe-6b1d4f48d69b.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Redwoods Forest Bathing £65 per adult [](https://expedia.co.uk/things-to-do/redwoods-forest-bathing.a4252920.activity-details) ![Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/2262173/5e1c9c51-0e8d-438a-bf60-efbabfd1eb34.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz £101 per adult [](https://expedia.co.uk/things-to-do/beginner-surf-lesson-in-santa-cruz.a2262173.activity-details) ![5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/4819328/705e4b93-b037-4d70-b76f-a95c1cc04db1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### 5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic £102 per adult [](https://expedia.co.uk/things-to-do/5-hour-wilderness-skills-survival-clinic.a4819328.activity-details) ![Mermaid family photoshoot Santa Cruz](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/50896815/8d48ddf4-554f-4b26-a3b3-7340d6f859f0.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot £161 per adult [](https://expedia.co.uk/things-to-do/mermaid-experience-photoshoot.a50896815.activity-details) [See all activities in Santa Cruz](https://expedia.co.uk/Things-To-Do-In-Santa-Cruz.d6666.Travel-Guide-Activities) --- ## Top hotels in Downtown ![Ocean Pacific Lodge](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/2000000/1660000/1652500/1652437/aa982996_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Ocean Pacific Lodge 301 Pacific Avenue Santa Cruz CA Stay at this motel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ... 8.6/10 Excellent! (1,297 reviews) Staff was super friendly and the room was ready and very clean! Reviewed on 2 Feb 2026 [Get rates](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=23%2F02%2F2026&endDate=24%2F02%2F2026&selected=1652437&PinnedHotelID=1652437&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=980414823093735424) [](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=23%2F02%2F2026&endDate=24%2F02%2F2026&selected=1652437&PinnedHotelID=1652437&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=980414823093735424) ![La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/10000/8700/8673/534cb8dc_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz 550 2nd St Santa Cruz CA £107 11 Feb - 12 Feb includes taxes & fees Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ... 9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,257 reviews) Wonderful visit. Reviewed on 5 Feb 2026 [](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=11%2F02%2F2026&endDate=12%2F02%2F2026&selected=8673&PinnedHotelID=8673&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=980414823093735424) ![Chaminade Resort & Spa](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/30000/27600/27566/9f8bd72a_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Chaminade Resort & Spa 1 Chaminade Ln Santa Cruz CA £164 12 Feb - 13 Feb includes taxes & fees Stay at this spa resort in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ... 8/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews) Restaurant and hotel staff were very friendly. Reviewed on 6 Feb 2026 [](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=12%2F02%2F2026&endDate=13%2F02%2F2026&selected=27566&PinnedHotelID=27566&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=980414823093735424) ![Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/20000/11100/11056/bbbd3a94_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection 611 Ocean St Santa Cruz CA £100 11 Feb - 12 Feb includes taxes & fees 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 ... 8.6/10 Excellent! (1,211 reviews) Room was clean and the beds were comfortable Reviewed on 2 Feb 2026 [](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=11%2F02%2F2026&endDate=12%2F02%2F2026&selected=11056&PinnedHotelID=11056&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=980414823093735424) ![Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/10000/3700/3633/708ac094_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton 7500 Old Dominion Court Aptos CA £90 23 Feb - 24 Feb includes taxes & fees Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Aptos. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ... 8.4/10 Very Good! (1,070 reviews) Staff was great the room was clean. Reviewed on 3 Feb 2026 [](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=23%2F02%2F2026&endDate=24%2F02%2F2026&selected=3633&PinnedHotelID=3633&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=980414823093735424) ![Marea Sol Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/89000000/88130000/88129500/88129451/805a75d8_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Marea Sol Hotel 301 Beach St Santa Cruz CA £99 10 Feb - 11 Feb 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! (1,374 reviews) Great location and amazing hotel Reviewed on 4 Feb 2026 [](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=10%2F02%2F2026&endDate=11%2F02%2F2026&selected=88129451&PinnedHotelID=88129451&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=980414823093735424) [See all 1,175 properties in Downtown](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.DestinationExperience&startDate=10%2F02%2F2026&endDate=11%2F02%2F2026®ionId=980414823093735424) 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. ## Check Downtown hotel availability [Tonight ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=980414823093735424&startDate=2026-02-09&endDate=2026-02-10)[9 Feb - 10 Feb](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=980414823093735424&startDate=2026-02-09&endDate=2026-02-10) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=980414823093735424&startDate=2026-02-10&endDate=2026-02-11)[10 Feb - 11 Feb](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=980414823093735424&startDate=2026-02-10&endDate=2026-02-11) [This weekend ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=980414823093735424&startDate=13%2F02%2F2026&endDate=15%2F02%2F2026)[13 Feb - 15 Feb](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=980414823093735424&startDate=13%2F02%2F2026&endDate=15%2F02%2F2026) [Next weekend ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=980414823093735424&startDate=20%2F02%2F2026&endDate=22%2F02%2F2026)[20 Feb - 22 Feb](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=980414823093735424&startDate=20%2F02%2F2026&endDate=22%2F02%2F2026) --- ### Other neighbourhoods around Downtown ![Default Image](https://images.trvl-media.com/media/content/expus/graphics/deals/TE_Clouds_card_r1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium) ### Mission Hill While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Santa-Cruz-Mission-Hill.dx896314430246297600) ![Downtown, Santa Cruz, California, USA, during autumn. The image shows the street with trees in fall colors, buildings, and a bus. The photo shows the city's architecture.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248633938969818/f79caaa9-8341-416d-bfd4-b5257e0727fe.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium) ### 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. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Santa-Cruz-Downtown-Santa-Cruz.dx553248633938969818) ![This is a small state park at the northern end of Santa Cruz' scenic West Cliff Drive and a little over a mile from the Boardwalk, wharf and Main Beach. A couple of times a year you can see Monarch butterflies during their migration. They are not in the numbers of years past, but you'll still see some. If you walk north towards the rocks during low tide you will find some amazing tidepools full of sea anenomes, sea urchins, starfish, crabs, hermit crabs, and all sorts of marine life. The tidepools are on a ledge, so the tide needs to be quite high](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6666/b5aae69b-1420-44c5-9700-09c18e2d48b0.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium) ### 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 Monterey Bay and Pacific Avenue. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Santa-Cruz-Westside-Santa-Cruz.dx553248633938969903) ![CWFJJA USA California CA Santa Cruz clock tower and trolley on Pacific Avenue](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6327592/765dd2b7-8dc8-43e9-a63e-99581f2057c7.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium) ### 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. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Santa-Cruz-Beach-Hill-Beach-Flats.dx553248635976479150) ![Default Image](https://images.trvl-media.com/media/content/expus/graphics/deals/TE_Clouds_card_r1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium) ### 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. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Santa-Cruz-Lower-Ocean.dx980416250031603712) ![Default Image](https://images.trvl-media.com/media/content/expus/graphics/deals/TE_Clouds_card_r1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium) ### 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. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Santa-Cruz-Circles.dx553248635976471210) --- --- - [Stays](?pwaLob=wizard-hotel-pwa-v2) - [Packages](?pwaLob=wizard-package-pwa) - [Flights](?pwaLob=wizard-flight-pwa) - [Things to do](?pwaLob=wizard-lx-pwa) - [Cruises](?pwaLob=wizard-cruise-pwa) - [Cars](?pwaLob=wizard-car-pwa) # Downtown Travel Guide ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/mad-service/footer/bnaBanners/BEX_Footer.jpg) ## Go further with the Expedia app Save on select hotels when you book in the app. Our app deals help you to save on trips so you can travel more and manage it all on the go. Scan the QR code with your device camera and download our app