Downtown Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz

Downtown, Santa Cruz, California, USA, during autumn. The image shows the street with trees in fall colors, buildings, and a bus. The photo shows the city's architecture.
Clock tower in downtown Santa Cruz, California, USA. The tower is a local landmark and gathering place, decorated with flowers and pumpkins.
CWFJJA USA California CA Santa Cruz clock tower and trolley on Pacific Avenue

Popular places to visit

A coastal cityscape with a beach, pier, and amusement park.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

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
Mystery Spot

Mystery Spot

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
USA-Santa Cruz-Natural Bridges State Beach; Shutterstock ID 101070745

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 biking trails.

Natural Bridges State Park
Pier at Santa Cruz, California

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.

Santa Cruz Wharf
EN5XP1 Street scene in autumn with shops art galleries on Ocean Avenue Carmel Monterey County California

Ocean Street

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 Harbor

Santa Cruz Harbor

Explore the waterfront in Santa Cruz with a trip to Santa Cruz Harbor. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

Santa Cruz Harbor

Things to do

Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill

Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill

CA $62
per adult
Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Discover Downtown & Mission Hill
Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories

UC Santa Cruz: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour

CA $7
per traveller
UC Santa Cruz: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour
Capitola Friday Night Food Tour

Capitola Friday Night Food Tour

CA $179
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Capitola Friday Night Food Tour
Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy

Redwoods Forest Bathing

CA $165
per adult
Redwoods Forest Bathing
Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour

Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour

CA $62
per adult
Santa Cruz Surf Walk: History and Culture Tour
Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz

Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz

CA $192
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz
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
The price is CA $206 per night from Jul 2 to Jul 3
CA $206
CA $242 total
Jul 2 - Jul 3
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this guesthouse in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (931 reviews)
"Beautiful and clean"

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2026

Pacific Blue Inn
Chaminade Resort & Spa

Chaminade Resort & Spa

4 out of 5
1 Chaminade Ln Santa Cruz CA
The price is CA $263 per night from Jun 30 to Jul 1
CA $263
CA $359 total
Jun 30 - Jul 1
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa resort in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,013 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2026

Chaminade Resort & Spa
La Bahia Hotel and Spa

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

4.5 out of 5
215 Beach Street Santa Cruz CA
The price is CA $531 per night from Jun 28 to Jun 29
CA $531
CA $675 total
Jun 28 - Jun 29
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants. Popular attractions Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Capitola ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (349 reviews)
"Wasn’t even worth it."

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2026

La Bahia Hotel and Spa
Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr Santa Cruz CA
The price is CA $559 per night from Jun 28 to Jun 29
CA $559
CA $633 total
Jun 28 - Jun 29
includes taxes & 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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,013 reviews)
"There was pool acse"

Reviewed on Jun 23, 2026

Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

4 out of 5
611 Ocean St Santa Cruz CA
The price is CA $311 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
CA $311
CA $355 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
includes taxes & 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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,286 reviews)
"We really like this place - laid back vibe, clean, helpful staff, good food, the only downside is it can be a little noisy if your room overlooks the pool"

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2026

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
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 CA $378 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
CA $378
CA $430 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, a 24-hour fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,330 reviews)
"Hotel was clean & pleasant. Breakfast was nice."

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
See all 1,232 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.

Where to stay in Downtown Santa Cruz

Find the best Downtown Santa Cruz areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Downtown Santa Cruz
Learn more about Downtown Santa Cruz
Photo by rabbit.Hole
Open Photo by rabbit.Hole

Westside Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Santa Cruz.
Photo by Alex Sam
Open Photo by Alex Sam

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.
A crowded beach with numerous boats and people.

Pleasure Point

While visiting Pleasure Point, you might make a stop by sights like Monterey Bay and Pleasure Point Park.
CWFJJA USA California CA Santa Cruz clock tower and trolley on Pacific Avenue

Beach Hill - Beach Flats

Beach Hill - Beach Flats might not have many top sights, but Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Santa Cruz Main Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
Photo by Janet Chang
Open Photo by Janet Chang

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.

Downtown Santa Cruz

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