Westside Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Santa Cruz

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 (>4 ft?) to reach them. The beach is absolutely stunning at sunset. #localsecrets
Not only is the beach beautiful but there is a refugee for wintering monarch butterflies! This was also where I saw my first sea lion when I moved here! #beachbound
Walk through cave!
A few hours before low tide, the beach was completely foggy! We tromped all over the rocks and the kids ran into the water, completely soaking themselves! It finally cleared up and was a beautiful evening, but the fog had its own mystery. #beach
Natural Bridges State Beach is named for the natural arch in the huge rock located in the shore break here. This is one of the most photographed beach icons in the state of California. We went right before sunset. The beach was slightly crowded but the sunset and rock formation made for beautiful pictures. Finding the butterflies was a bit of a walk (up the hill, across a parking lot and down a zigzaging ramp). The "monach trail" was peaceful and pretty, but it was hard to see any butterflies. I saw one large cluster at the end of the trail. It was high up and looked like a cluster of leaves until I saw them flap. It was a nice stop and nice walk, but it'd probably be better earlier in the day and when the butterflies are flying around. #likealocal

Popular places to visit

Gotta ride this 100 year old wooden roller Coaster on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

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.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
USA-Santa Cruz-Natural Bridges State Beach; Shutterstock ID 101070745

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.

Natural Bridges State Park
Pier at Santa Cruz, California

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.

Santa Cruz Wharf
EN5XP1 Street scene in autumn with shops art galleries on Ocean Avenue Carmel Monterey County California

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
CWFJJA USA California CA Santa Cruz clock tower and trolley on Pacific Avenue

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.

Pacific Avenue
T4D055 Sunset, Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz, California, United States

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

Capitola Private 2-Hour Walking Tour

Capitola Private Personalized Self-Guided App Tour

£4
per traveller
Capitola Private Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories

UC Santa Cruz: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour

£4
per traveller
UC Santa Cruz: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

Redwoods Forest Bathing

£66
per adult
Redwoods Forest Bathing
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

£103
per adult
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz
Mermaid family photoshoot Santa Cruz

Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot

£163
per adult
Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot
Rock Climbing 2 - Beyond the Basics

Outdoor Rock Climbing - Level 2

£88
per adult
Outdoor Rock Climbing - Level 2
See all activities in Santa Cruz

Top hotels in Westside Santa Cruz

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr Santa Cruz CA
The price is £224 per night from 13 Apr to 14 Apr
£224
13 Apr - 14 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and a beach locale. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
Great place, location was excellent

Reviewed on 14 Mar 2026

Dream Inn Santa Cruz
La Bahia Hotel and Spa

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

4.5 out of 5
215 Beach Street Santa Cruz CA
The price is £233 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
£233
5 Apr - 6 Apr
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 ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (158 reviews)
Absolutely beautiful experience. This trip is one of the best we've had. Right up there with Four Seasons Bora Bora.

Reviewed on 11 Mar 2026

La Bahia Hotel and Spa
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 £175 per night from 12 Apr to 13 Apr
£175
12 Apr - 13 Apr
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! (1,246 reviews)
The breakfast was decent, but I chose this hotel because it presents itself as family-friendly and it lacked some basic things.**There were no high chairs for babies in the breakfast area, even though many families were staying there and all the babies had to sit on their parents’ laps. Also, I didn’t ...

Reviewed on 14 Mar 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

4 out of 5
611 Ocean St Santa Cruz CA
The price is £128 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
£128
5 Apr - 6 Apr
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! (1,229 reviews)
Great poool area

Reviewed on 15 Mar 2026

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Casablanca On The Beach

Casablanca On The Beach

3.5 out of 5
101 Main St Santa Cruz CA
The price is £141 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
£141
16 Mar - 17 Mar
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,188 reviews)
A hidden gem in Santa Cruz, shh don’t tell anyone! Darling College didn’t help me check in, parking was super easy and you’re directly across the street from the ocean. What more does a girl want?

Reviewed on 14 Mar 2026

Casablanca On The Beach
Marea Sol Hotel

Marea Sol Hotel

2 out of 5
301 Beach St Santa Cruz CA
The price is £140 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
£140
16 Mar - 17 Mar
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,421 reviews)
Will stay again

Reviewed on 14 Mar 2026

Marea Sol Hotel
See all 1,238 properties in Westside 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.

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Other neighbourhoods around Westside Santa Cruz

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Mission Hill

While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.

Mission Hill
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Downtown

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

Downtown
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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 Cowell's Beach and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center.

Circles
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Westlake

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

Westlake
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.

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
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Nobel

While Nobel may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum and Swift Street Courtyard.

Nobel

Westside Santa Cruz Travel Guide

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