Lower Ocean Travel Guide
Santa Cruz
Visit Lower Ocean
Popular places to visit

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
Things to do

Beach Hill to Historic Downtown Santa Cruz Loop

Capitola Private Personalized Self-Guided App Tour

UC Santa Cruz: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour

Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill

Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz
Top hotels in Lower Ocean

The Aqua Pacific Hotel
"Very clean and customer friendly. Thank you"
Reviewed on 16 May 2026

Surf City Inn and Suites
"Check in was effortless and customer service was excellent!"
Reviewed on 17 May 2026

Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz
"Great location for families who want to enjoy downtown santa cruz and the boardwalk"
Reviewed on 16 May 2026

Hotel Solares
"make sure the toilet seats are replaced when wore out ,make sure the aerator are replaced when very little water comes out of faucet, and maybe get bigger refrigerators, other than that I will come and book again, thanks"
Reviewed on 16 May 2026

Torch Lite Inn
"The women in front desk is wonderfully awesome. Will definetely come back here and reconnend this place to my family and friend"
Reviewed on 17 May 2026

Drift Inn
"The room was clean and comfortable; check-in was a breeze. The Drift Inn is located near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Downtown Santa Cruz, and the Riverwalk. My only negative is that the towels were a little threadbare."
Reviewed on 15 May 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Lower Ocean

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.

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.

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

Downtown
While visiting Downtown, you might make a stop by sights like Pacific Avenue and Williams-Reynolds House.

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.

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.

