Title: Visit Downtown: Best of Downtown, Santa Cruz Travel 2026 | Expedia Tourism - Expedia.ca [Hotels in Downtown](https://expedia.ca/Downtown-Hotels.d980414823093735424.Travel-Guide-Hotels)[Flights to Santa Cruz](https://expedia.ca/Cheap-Flights-To-Santa-Cruz.d6666.Travel-Guide-Flights)[Things to do in Santa Cruz](https://expedia.ca/Things-To-Do-In-Santa-Cruz.d6666.Travel-Guide-Activities)[Downtown Car Rentals](https://expedia.ca/Car-Rentals-In-Downtown.d980414823093735424.Car-Rental-Guide)[Downtown Vacations](https://expedia.ca/Downtown.d980414823093735424.Destination-Travel-Guides) # Downtown ## Santa Cruz ## Visit Downtown Things to do Hotels Where to stay [Santa Cruz travel guide](https://expedia.ca/Santa-Cruz.dx6666) --- ### Popular places to visit ![Gotta ride this 100 year old wooden roller Coaster on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6666/b45be7dc-b7ee-4e2f-913e-96687d20622a.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Enjoy the thrill rides with your kiddos at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk as part of your trip to Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails. [](https://expedia.ca/Santa-Cruz-Beach-Boardwalk-Westside-Santa-Cruz.d6065915.Vacation-Attraction) ![The place where you can't stay straight.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6065921/d28cfec3-0a62-49c3-8c59-000ebb30e504.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### 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. [](https://expedia.ca/Mystery-Spot-Santa-Cruz.d6065921.Vacation-Attraction) ![USA-Santa Cruz-Natural Bridges State Beach; Shutterstock ID 101070745](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6065917/43bea666-ed08-4f82-a646-075da65a2a91.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### 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. [](https://expedia.ca/Natural-Bridges-State-Park-Santa-Cruz.d6065917.Vacation-Attraction) ![Pier at Santa Cruz, California](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6209895/eb65cea1-184a-499c-ae20-633fad3592be.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### 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. [](https://expedia.ca/Santa-Cruz-Wharf-Westside-Santa-Cruz.d6209895.Vacation-Attraction) ![EN5XP1 Street scene in autumn with shops art galleries on Ocean Avenue Carmel Monterey County California](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6351808/ef056b2b-5188-40e2-985c-ead470ec0f72.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### 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. [](https://expedia.ca/Ocean-Street-Santa-Cruz.d6351808.Vacation-Attraction) ![CWFJJA USA California CA Santa Cruz clock tower and trolley on Pacific Avenue](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6327592/765dd2b7-8dc8-43e9-a63e-99581f2057c7.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Pacific Avenue During your visit to Santa Cruz, you can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Pacific Avenue. Wander the beautiful beaches in this family-friendly area. [](https://expedia.ca/Pacific-Avenue-Santa-Cruz.d6327592.Vacation-Attraction) ### Things to do ![Capitola Private 2-Hour Walking Tour](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/5204449/43dc9f95-f013-4b9a-b724-1190dca566bd.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Capitola Private Personalized Self-Guided App Tour CA $7 per traveller [](https://expedia.ca/things-to-do/capitola-private-personalized-self-guided-app-tour.a5204449.activity-details) ![Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories ](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/47178731/1548d3e5-e5e6-4438-b9c3-b01c5bb45f5c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### UC Santa Cruz: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour CA $7 per traveller [](https://expedia.ca/things-to-do/uc-santa-cruz-personalized-self-guided-app-tour.a47178731.activity-details) ![Meet Capitola Wine Bar owners! ](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/50146719/f624ae8e-9e87-4cf8-a553-90ad667e4e95.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Capitola Friday Night Food Tour CA $177 per adult **100%** of travellers recommend [](https://expedia.ca/things-to-do/capitola-friday-night-food-tour.a50146719.activity-details) ![Santa Cruz Redwoods Forest Therapy ](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/4252920/81677566-18a6-4e11-abfe-6b1d4f48d69b.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Redwoods Forest Bathing CA $122 per adult [](https://expedia.ca/things-to-do/redwoods-forest-bathing.a4252920.activity-details) ![Rock Climbing 2 - Beyond the Basics](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/1391601/fe50a3dc-b95f-4815-a331-05cbbc16d855.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Outdoor Rock Climbing - Level 2 CA $162 per adult [](https://expedia.ca/things-to-do/outdoor-rock-climbing-level-2.a1391601.activity-details) ![Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/1389006/f88c6e25-e576-4462-9814-d27f0a305b4f.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Beginner Outdoor Rock Climbing - Bay Area CA $177 per adult [](https://expedia.ca/things-to-do/beginner-outdoor-rock-climbing-bay-area.a1389006.activity-details) [See all activities in Santa Cruz](https://expedia.ca/Things-To-Do-In-Santa-Cruz.d6666.Travel-Guide-Activities) --- ## Downtown Hotel Deals ![Ocean Pacific Lodge](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/2000000/1660000/1652500/1652437/0fb90d92_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Ocean Pacific Lodge 301 Pacific Avenue Santa Cruz CA Stay at this motel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ... 8.8/10 Excellent! (1,313 reviews) Location!! Reviewed on Mar 14, 2026 [Get rates](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=28%2F03%2F2026&endDate=29%2F03%2F2026&selected=1652437&PinnedHotelID=1652437&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=980414823093735424) [](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=28%2F03%2F2026&endDate=29%2F03%2F2026&selected=1652437&PinnedHotelID=1652437&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=980414823093735424) ![Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/10000/3700/3633/708ac094_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton 7500 Old Dominion Court Aptos CA CA $183 CA $211 total Apr 7 - Apr 8 includes taxes & fees Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Aptos. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ... 8.6/10 Excellent! (1,085 reviews) The grounds are beautiful, and I was pleasantly surprised that the room entries were from inside corridors (vs. exterior doors.) Reviewed on Mar 13, 2026 [](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=07%2F04%2F2026&endDate=08%2F04%2F2026&selected=3633&PinnedHotelID=3633&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=980414823093735424) ![Dream Inn Santa Cruz](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/30000/23500/23409/0f675563_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Dream Inn Santa Cruz 175 W Cliff Dr Santa Cruz CA CA $344 CA $392 total Apr 13 - Apr 14 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 ... 9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews) Great place, location was excellent Reviewed on Mar 14, 2026 [](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=13%2F04%2F2026&endDate=14%2F04%2F2026&selected=23409&PinnedHotelID=23409&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=980414823093735424) ![Chaminade Resort & Spa](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/30000/27600/27566/9f8bd72a_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Chaminade Resort & Spa 1 Chaminade Ln Santa Cruz CA 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! (1,003 reviews) I had an amazing experience and the staff was top notch . Reviewed on Mar 6, 2026 [Get rates](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=28%2F03%2F2026&endDate=29%2F03%2F2026&selected=27566&PinnedHotelID=27566&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=980414823093735424) [](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=28%2F03%2F2026&endDate=29%2F03%2F2026&selected=27566&PinnedHotelID=27566&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=980414823093735424) ![Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/20000/11100/11056/ed4e7c2d_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection 611 Ocean St Santa Cruz CA CA $200 CA $231 total Apr 6 - Apr 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 ... 8.6/10 Excellent! (1,226 reviews) We always stay here when in the area. Love this hotel and VERY dog friendly. Restaurant and bar are great. Fun games too. Reviewed on Mar 14, 2026 [](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=06%2F04%2F2026&endDate=07%2F04%2F2026&selected=11056&PinnedHotelID=11056&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=980414823093735424) ![La Bahia Hotel and Spa](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/117000000/116230000/116228500/116228420/d4fd4c92_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### La Bahia Hotel and Spa 215 Beach Street Santa Cruz CA CA $394 CA $519 total Mar 15 - Mar 16 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! (158 reviews) Absolutely beautiful experience. This trip is one of the best we've had. Right up there with Four Seasons Bora Bora. Reviewed on Mar 11, 2026 [](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=15%2F03%2F2026&endDate=16%2F03%2F2026&selected=116228420&PinnedHotelID=116228420&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=980414823093735424) [See all 1,188 properties in Downtown](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.DestinationExperience&startDate=15%2F03%2F2026&endDate=16%2F03%2F2026®ionId=980414823093735424) 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. ![](https://forever.travel-assets.com/flex/flexmanager/images/2026/02/06/expedia-sale-2026-desktop-us-ca.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1400&h=600&q=mediumHigh) ## The Annual Vacation Sale Members save up to 40% on hotels and homes. Plan this year’s big trip and save. [Book now](https://expedia.ca/deals?rfrr=DX-NH_SPRING_PROMO_980414823093735424) ## Check Downtown hotel availability [Tonight ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=980414823093735424&startDate=2026-03-14&endDate=2026-03-15)[Mar 14 - Mar 15](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=980414823093735424&startDate=2026-03-14&endDate=2026-03-15) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=980414823093735424&startDate=2026-03-15&endDate=2026-03-16)[Mar 15 - Mar 16](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=980414823093735424&startDate=2026-03-15&endDate=2026-03-16) [Next weekend ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=980414823093735424&startDate=20%2F03%2F2026&endDate=22%2F03%2F2026)[Mar 20 - Mar 22](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=980414823093735424&startDate=20%2F03%2F2026&endDate=22%2F03%2F2026) --- ### Other neighbourhoods around Downtown ![Default Image](https://images.trvl-media.com/media/content/expus/graphics/deals/TE_Clouds_card_r1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium) ### Mission Hill While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park. [](https://expedia.ca/Santa-Cruz-Mission-Hill.dx896314430246297600) ![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.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248633938969818/f79caaa9-8341-416d-bfd4-b5257e0727fe.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium) ### 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. [](https://expedia.ca/Santa-Cruz-Downtown-Santa-Cruz.dx553248633938969818) ![This is a small state park at the northern end of Santa Cruz' scenic West Cliff Drive and a little over a mile from the Boardwalk, wharf and Main Beach. A couple of times a year you can see Monarch butterflies during their migration. They are not in the numbers of years past, but you'll still see some. If you walk north towards the rocks during low tide you will find some amazing tidepools full of sea anenomes, sea urchins, starfish, crabs, hermit crabs, and all sorts of marine life. The tidepools are on a ledge, so the tide needs to be quite high](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6666/b5aae69b-1420-44c5-9700-09c18e2d48b0.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium) ### Westside Santa Cruz 4/5(34 area reviews) Westside Santa Cruz is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Monterey Bay and Pacific Avenue, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Santa Cruz. [](https://expedia.ca/Santa-Cruz-Westside-Santa-Cruz.dx553248633938969903) ![CWFJJA USA California CA Santa Cruz clock tower and trolley on Pacific Avenue](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6327592/765dd2b7-8dc8-43e9-a63e-99581f2057c7.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium) ### Beach Hill - Beach Flats Beach Hill - Beach Flats might not have many top sights, but Main Beach and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center are two attractions nearby that you can check out. [](https://expedia.ca/Santa-Cruz-Beach-Hill-Beach-Flats.dx553248635976479150) ![Default Image](https://images.trvl-media.com/media/content/expus/graphics/deals/TE_Clouds_card_r1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium) ### Lower Ocean If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Lower Ocean and surrounding area, you can visit Pacific Avenue and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. [](https://expedia.ca/Santa-Cruz-Lower-Ocean.dx980416250031603712) ![Default Image](https://images.trvl-media.com/media/content/expus/graphics/deals/TE_Clouds_card_r1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium) ### Circles While there might not be top attractions in Circles, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Cowell's Beach and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center. [](https://expedia.ca/Santa-Cruz-Circles.dx553248635976471210) --- --- - [Stays](?pwaLob=wizard-hotel-pwa-v2) - [Packages](?pwaLob=wizard-package-pwa) - [Flights](?pwaLob=wizard-flight-pwa) - [Things to do](?pwaLob=wizard-lx-pwa) - [Cruises](?pwaLob=wizard-cruise-pwa) - [Cars](?pwaLob=wizard-car-pwa) # Downtown ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/mad-service/footer/bnaBanners/BEX_Footer.jpg) ## Go further with the Expedia app Save on select hotels and earn double points when you book on the app. Our app deals help you to save on trips so you can travel more and manage it all on the go. 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