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

4.5/5(2,013 reviews)

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

4/5(639 reviews)

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

4.5/5(85 reviews)

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

4.5/5(251 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 biking trails.

Natural Bridges State Park
Ocean Street

Ocean Street

4.5/5(14 reviews)

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

Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

$85
per adult
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy
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
Bay Area Rock Climbing

Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area

$119
per adult
Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area
Rock Climbing 2 - Beyond the Basics

Outdoor Rock Climbing - Level 2

$119
per adult
Outdoor Rock Climbing - Level 2
Bixby Bridge

Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur private Day Trip from San Francisco

$918
per traveler
Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur private Day Trip from San Francisco
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
$143 nightly
The price is $164 total per night from Aug 4 to Aug 5
$164 total
Aug 4 - Aug 5
Total includes 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! (864 reviews)
Great place in Santa Cruz
"Great stay for Wharf 2 Wharf. Right by the Boardwalk and downtown Santa Cruz. Safe parking and the hotel is clean, quiet, and comfortable."

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

Pacific Blue Inn
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
$202 nightly
The price is $230 total per night from Aug 11 to Aug 12
$230 total
Aug 11 - Aug 12
Total includes 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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,232 reviews)
Excellent Stay
"The stay is excellent! Friendly and very helpful manager and staff."

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA
$359 nightly
The price is $407 total per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
$407 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
Total includes 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! (1,001 reviews)
"Good view"

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

Dream Inn 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
$143 nightly
The price is $165 total per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
$165 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
Total includes 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! (1,087 reviews)
"Enjoyed our 1-Night stay in Aptos. Conveniently situated right next to the highway for easy getting in and out. Quietly set and relaxing."

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

4 out of 5
611 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA
$154 nightly
The price is $177 total per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
$177 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
Total includes 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! (1,000 reviews)
"First time staying really like the resort vibe and close to boardwalk can’t wait to come back"

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz

Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz

3 out of 5
313 Riverside Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
$154 nightly
The price is $177 total per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
$177 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (901 reviews)
"Place was nice, 5 min walk to boardwalk, kids enjoyed the gym, didn’t get chance to use pool or eat there.there’s 30$ valet fee if you want to park there. Room was spacious for the 5 of us."

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
See all 1,173 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
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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
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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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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

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