Downtown Travel Guide
Santa Cruz
Popular places to visit
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
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.
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
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 cycling trails.
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.
Top hotels in Downtown
Ocean Pacific Lodge
Quiet and easy access from the wharf
Reviewed on 8 Dec 2025
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Great
Reviewed on 11 Dec 2025
Chaminade Resort & Spa
It would get 5 stars but if you’re light sleepers don’t take a room on the first floor. Our upstairs neighbors definitely disturbed the peace, stomping and dropping things at midnight and then again at 7am. The property is gorgeous, the staff is courteous, and we loved our morning hike in the ...
Reviewed on 7 Dec 2025
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Great outdoor hot tub and direct beach access
Reviewed on 9 Dec 2025
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
The room was clean, a little loud though.
Reviewed on 8 Dec 2025
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
Location was great close to the beach and the Redwoods.
Reviewed on 2 Dec 2025
Other neighbourhoods around Downtown
Westside Santa Cruz
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.
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.
Mission Hill
While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.
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.
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.
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.
Downtown Travel Guide
- Williams-Reynolds House
- Monterey Bay
- Silicon Valley
- Mystery Spot
- Santa Cruz Wharf
- Roaring Camp Railroads
- Rio Del Mar Beach
- Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- La Selva Beach
- Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Ocean Street
- Ano Nuevo State Park
- Mount Madonna Center
- Pacific Avenue
- Santa Cruz Harbor
- Main Beach
- Old Town Los Gatos
- Moss Landing State Beach
- Pasatiempo Golf Course
- Cowell's Beach
