Visit Downtown 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.
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.
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.
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.
Main Beach
Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Main Beach during your travels in Santa Cruz? Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.
Top hotels in Downtown Santa Cruz
Pacific Blue Inn
Unique. Very clean. 2025 was rough. This place was unique. Simple. Very clean which is a lot easier to do when the decor is minimalist. Electric Fireplace functional and cozy. Heatboard on the wall was new to me. Bath was beautiful. Towels plush pristine. Mgr. helped me get in during the horrendous ...
Reviewed on 7 Jan 2026
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
The staff was great. The dryers were out so the staff was trying to accomedate as best they could. The ATM was also out so we couldnt tip housekeeping. Overall, the stay was great. They were working through unforseen circumstances.
Reviewed on 6 Jan 2026
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Rooms are nice, staff is nice, excellent full breakfast.
Reviewed on 5 Jan 2026
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG
It was clean and front desk person was awesome.
Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026
Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Clean rooms, good food
Reviewed on 7 Jan 2026
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
The staff and surroundings were amazing. The staff was friendly and very responsive to any requests I had. As for the surroundings it was beautiful with tall trees surrounding the property giving you the feeling of being in the forest. Great place to stay.
Reviewed on 6 Jan 2026
Check Downtown Santa Cruz hotel availability
Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Santa Cruz
Downtown
While visiting Downtown, you might make a stop by sights like Pacific Avenue and Williams-Reynolds House.
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.
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.
Mission Hill
While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.
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.
Midtown
If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Midtown and surrounding area, you can visit Ocean Street and Pacific Avenue.
