Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Santa Cruz showing rocky coastline, a sandy beach and general coastal views
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz which includes bird life
Santa Cruz featuring rugged coastline, flowers and general coastal views
Santa Cruz featuring general coastal views, rocky coastline and tropical scenes

Where to stay in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz which includes general coastal views and views as well as an individual male

Westside Santa Cruz

4/5(31 area reviews)

Travellers to Westside Santa Cruz praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay.

Westside Santa Cruz
Default Image

Eastside Santa Cruz

4/5(1 area review)

Travellers come to Eastside Santa Cruz for its beaches, and you can see top attractions like Monterey Bay and Twin Lakes State Beach while you're in town.

Eastside Santa Cruz
Default Image

Pleasure Point

While visiting Pleasure Point, you might make a stop by sights like Monterey Bay and Pleasure Point Park.

Pleasure Point
Default Image

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 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Main Beach.

Beach Hill - Beach Flats
Default Image

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
Default Image

Upper Seabright

While Upper Seabright isn't home to many top sights, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Santa Cruz Harbor are some notable places to visit nearby.

Upper Seabright
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 3.919.218 ₫ per night from 8 Sept to 9 Sept
3.919.218 ₫
4.506.532 ₫ total
8 Sept - 9 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,201 reviews)
Good review
"Staff was helpful. Would have been nice to know that parking was extra $25 before we got there. Clean and well located."

Reviewed on 27 Aug 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Ocean Pacific Lodge

Ocean Pacific Lodge

2 out of 5
301 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is 2.348.052 ₫ per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
2.348.052 ₫
3.039.430 ₫ total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,135 reviews)
"The location is the big draw. A short walk to the boardwalk and the wharf. The motel is old and not pretty, but was clean. The bed is extremely firm making sleep pretty fleeting for us in our 50’s. Staff was pleasant. I would Suggest having bottles of water and sundries for sale in the lobby. Again, ..."

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2025

Ocean Pacific Lodge
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley

Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley

4 out of 5
6001 La Madrona Drive, Santa Cruz, CA
The price is 2.889.606 ₫ per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
2.889.606 ₫
3.322.462 ₫ total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,169 reviews)
"Great location, beautiful building"

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2025

Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
See all 712 properties in 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.
Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II

Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II

3.5 out of 5
1091 Pinehurst Ln, Palm Desert, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star golf condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 7 outdoor pools and a health club. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert

The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert

4 out of 5
75 Willow Ridge, Palm Desert, CA
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified condo in Palm Desert. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 4 outdoor pools and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,165 reviews)
"Great place to stay if you're looking for an apartment feel and hotel mix together."

Reviewed on 22 Aug 2025

The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert
Little Italy Inn - Limited Service Apart Hotel

Little Italy Inn - Limited Service Apart Hotel

2.5 out of 5
1736 State St, San Diego, CA
Stay at this aparthotel in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Port of San Diego and USS Midway Museum ...
7.8/10 Good! (52 reviews)
"I loved how nice everyone was at and around this property. It was right in the heart of little Italy-only a block away from live music and great food. Again everyone at the property was very nice as well. The room itself was nice, but a bit small. There was no microwave or dresser but decent size ..."

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2025

Little Italy Inn - Limited Service Apart Hotel
See all 98,559 properties in California
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.

Popular places to visit

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Enjoy the exciting rides at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and see why everyone loves this theme park in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area or seek out the cycling trails.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Mystery Spot

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.

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 cycling 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 cycling trails.

Natural Bridges State Park
Ocean Street

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
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 cycling trails.

Santa Cruz Main Beach

Cities near Santa Cruz

Los Gatos

Los Gatos

Bay Area showing landscape views, a small town or village and tranquil scenes

Scotts Valley

Photo by Jay Morales

Ben Lomond

Capitola

Capitola

Other places like Santa Cruz