Downtown Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz

Downtown Santa Cruz
Photo by MF Shearer
Photo by MF Shearer
Photo by Trevor Cleveland
Photo by Trevor Cleveland

Popular places to visit

Another beautiful sunset 🌇

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Enjoy the thrills at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and find out why people love this theme park in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
The place where you can't stay straight.

Mystery Spot

Find out about the history of Santa Cruz with a stop at Mystery Spot. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the surfing spots.

Mystery Spot
Santa Cruz Wharf

Santa Cruz Wharf

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 biking trails.

Santa Cruz Wharf
Natural Bridges State Park

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 biking trails.

Natural Bridges State Park
Ocean Street

Ocean Street

During your visit to Santa Cruz, you can enjoy retail therapy at Ocean Street. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Ocean Street
Santa Cruz Main Beach

Santa Cruz Main Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Santa Cruz Main Beach during your trip to Santa Cruz? Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.

Santa Cruz Main Beach

Things to do

Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

Redwoods Forest Bathing

$89
per adult
Redwoods Forest Bathing
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

$129
per adult
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz
5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic

$139
per adult
5-Hour Wilderness Skills & Survival Clinic
See all activities in Santa Cruz

Downtown Santa Cruz Hotel Deals

Pacific Blue Inn

Pacific Blue Inn

3 out of 5
636 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
$91 nightly
The price is $106 total per night from Nov 3 to Nov 4
$106 total
Nov 3 - Nov 4
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star guesthouse in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (888 reviews)
Great stay
I booked a room for one night the same day. I found a great deal on Hotels.com. Check-in was easy, the front desk was so kind, and the room was ready early. The room itself was spacious, very clean, and the bed was so comfortable. After a week of traveling in other budget hotels, I appreciated the ...

Reviewed on Oct 24, 2025

Pacific Blue Inn
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

4 out of 5
611 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA
$119 nightly
The price is $138 total per night from Nov 16 to Nov 17
$138 total
Nov 16 - Nov 17
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,093 reviews)
The room was modern, clean, and comfortable, and the staff were friendly and attentive. Check-in was smooth. The air conditioning and all room amenities worked perfectly. The on-site restaurant was convenient and the atmosphere relaxing. Wi-Fi was reliable, though slightly slow. Overall, a great ...

Reviewed on Oct 28, 2025

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG

2.5 out of 5
1410 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA
Fully refundable
$117 nightly
The price is $135 total per night from Nov 30 to Dec 1
$135 total
Nov 30 - Dec 1
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,152 reviews)
Good hotel!
This was our second visit to this hotel. 1) The room and bedding was very comfortable. The bathroom and room were very clean. 2) It was too noisy past 11 p.m. 3) Disabled parking should be free.

Reviewed on Oct 27, 2025

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG
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
$118 nightly
The price is $137 total per night from Nov 5 to Nov 6
$137 total
Nov 5 - Nov 6
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,233 reviews)
Very delicious 😋

Reviewed on Oct 26, 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
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
$106 nightly
The price is $123 total per night from Nov 16 to Nov 17
$123 total
Nov 16 - Nov 17
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Aptos. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,016 reviews)
Very clean and comfortable. Easy access to highway

Reviewed on Nov 1, 2025

Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA
$241 nightly
The price is $275 total per night from Dec 3 to Dec 4
$275 total
Dec 3 - Dec 4
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this beach resort in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
Beautiful view from our room. We could watch our boys play on the beach from the pool and room.

Reviewed on Oct 31, 2025

Dream Inn Santa Cruz
See all 1,160 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 neighborhoods around Downtown Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz showing general coastal views and views as well as an individual male

Westside Santa Cruz

4/5(2,586 area reviews)

Westside Santa Cruz is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Santa Cruz.

Westside Santa Cruz
Default Image

Beach Hill - Beach Flats

Beach Hill - Beach Flats might not have many top sights, but Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Main Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Beach Hill - Beach Flats
Default Image

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
Default Image

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.

Midtown
Evening stroll at the Seabright Beach. If you are lucky, you might run into Matt performing amazing bike tricks by the lighthouse. #LifeAtExpedia #sunset #goldenBeach #blueSky

Upper Seabright

When in Upper Seabright, you can plan a visit to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Santa Cruz Harbor, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Upper Seabright
Evening stroll at the Seabright Beach. If you are lucky, you might run into Matt performing amazing bike tricks by the lighthouse. #LifeAtExpedia #sunset #goldenBeach #blueSky

Seabright

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

Seabright
See our Where To Stay guide

Downtown Santa Cruz, CA

Choose one or more items to build your trip:

Explore a world of travel with Expedia