What is Downtown like?

Travelers to the Downtown neighborhood in Santa Cruz will be sure to enjoy their stay. Be sure to check out Pacific Avenue and Williams-Reynolds House as part of your Downtown travel plans.

What's the best accommodation in Downtown?

For your stay in Downtown, Ocean Pacific Lodge is one of the top choices based on our traveler data.

How many hotels will I be able to find in Downtown?

With 14 Expedia hotels and other accommodations in Downtown to choose from, this is a good starting point for exploring the greater Santa Cruz area.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Downtown, will I receive a refund?

Yes! You'll find that most hotel bookings are fully refundable if cancelled before the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which often is within 24-48 hours of your scheduled arrival. If you have a non-refundable reservation, it might still be possible to cancel it and get a refund within 24 hours of your booking. Enter your dates, click on "Search", then filter by "fully refundable" to view the best deals in Downtown.

What are the top things to see and do in Downtown?

A few attractions you might want to check out while you're in Downtown are Pacific Avenue and Williams-Reynolds House. When you're sightseeing in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Pacific Garden Mall are also worth a stop.

10 Best Hotels in Downtown, Santa Cruz for 2026

A clock tower, a church, and residential buildings in a hilly town.

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Our top choices for Downtown hotels

1. Ocean Pacific Lodge

Downtown

Carolyn

CA $146 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 6 - Oct 7

2. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

Beach Hill - Beach Flats, 0.7 km from Downtown

Jill Susanne

CA $216 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 15 - Sep 16

3. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz, 1 km from Downtown

Margaret

CA $203 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 6 - Oct 7

4. Marea Sol Hotel

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.9 km from Downtown

Katharine

CA $176 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 21 - Sep 22

Double Room, Balcony, Park View | View from room

5. Carousel Beach Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.2 km from Downtown

Crystal

CA $128 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 7 - Oct 8

6. Beachview Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.7 km from Downtown

Javier

CA $123 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 14 - Sep 15

7. Beach Street Inn and Suites

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.8 km from Downtown

Julie

CA $222 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 14 - Sep 15

8. Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz

Beach Hill - Beach Flats, 1 km from Downtown

jessika

CA $230 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 20 - Sep 21

9. Pacific Blue Inn

Downtown Santa Cruz, 0.5 km from Downtown

Nicole

CA $164 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 15 - Sep 16

10. Casablanca On The Beach

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.9 km from Downtown

David

CA $207 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 14 - Sep 15

11. Seaside Inn & Suites

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.2 km from Downtown

Justin

CA $114 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 7 - Oct 8

12. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Santa Cruz by IHG

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.8 km from Downtown

Steve

CA $222 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 27 - Sep 28

13. Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, CA

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.9 km from Downtown

Monika

CA $196 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 1 - Oct 2

14. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.9 km from Downtown

Bertha

CA $150 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 5 - Oct 6

15. Seaway Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.8 km from Downtown

Mina

CA $208 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 14 - Sep 15

16. Mission Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.7 km from Downtown

Hoa

CA $173 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 27 - Sep 28

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch served

17. Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.2 km from Downtown

Brooke

CA $256 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 4 - Oct 5

18. Hampton Inn Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.8 km from Downtown

Arturo

CA $183 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 1 - Oct 2

19. Best Western Plus All Suites Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.2 km from Downtown

Nireitha

CA $188 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 21 - Sep 22

20. The Aqua Pacific Hotel

Lower Ocean, 1.2 km from Downtown

Salvador

CA $106 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 14 - Sep 15

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Where to stay in Downtown

Find the best Downtown areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Downtown

A coastal rock formation with an arch, waves crashing against it, and a seagull standing on the beach.

Westside Santa Cruz

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.

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A white lighthouse with a green top, surrounded by large rocks and people.

Eastside Santa Cruz

Eastside Santa Cruz is known for its beaches, and you can plan a trip to Monterey Bay and Twin Lakes State Beach while you're in town.

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A crowded beach with numerous boats and people.

Pleasure Point

World-renowned surf spot with a strong surf culture, Pleasure Point offers picturesque ocean views along East Cliff Drive and a walkable path with separate bike lanes. Enjoy amenities at Pleasure Point Park and nearby 41st Ave commercial district.

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A street with a clock tower, a tram, and a building with a sign.

Beach Hill - Beach Flats

Beach Hill - Beach Flats might not have many top sights, but Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

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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.

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Top Downtown Hotel Reviews

Hotel B5 Watsonville, CA - Monterey Area

10/10 Excellent

"Staff was very friendly. Helpful. Allowed me to check in early without charging me extra and helped with setting up long-term stay as I'm out in the area for work and really am trying to find a place that I can call home until I find a place to actually buy as my own."