What is Downtown Santa Cruz like?

Downtown Santa Cruz is a welcoming neighborhood that travelers like for its restaurants and biking. Are you looking for Downtown Santa Cruz travel tips? Be sure to check out Pacific Avenue and Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History while you're in the neighborhood.

Where is the best place to stay in Downtown Santa Cruz?

Based on our traveler data, Pacific Blue Inn is one of the top choices for your stay in Downtown Santa Cruz. This guesthouse is a short 11-minute walk from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and it offers in-room fireplaces and free WiFi.

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

Yes, the majority of hotel bookings are fully refundable as long as you cancel before the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which is often 24 or 48 hours before your scheduled arrival. If your reservation is non-refundable, you might be able to still cancel and get a refund within a 24-hour period of your booking. Enter dates in and click on "Search", then use the "fully refundable" filter to get the top deals on offer in Downtown Santa Cruz.

Where can I learn more about changing or cancelling my trip to Downtown Santa Cruz?

To access more information about rescheduling or cancelling your trip to Downtown Santa Cruz, click here .

What is there to do around this Santa Cruz neighborhood?

If you're looking forward to a day of shopping in Downtown Santa Cruz, consider Pacific Garden Mall or Pacific Avenue, and pick out the perfect souvenir. A visit to Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History is also worth the trip while you're discovering the neighborhood. A few places to visit in the area around Downtown Santa Cruz include Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Williams-Reynolds House, and Town Clock. Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park and Mission Santa Cruz are also worth a visit when you're out sightseeing in Santa Cruz.

Top Downtown Santa Cruz Hotels

A historic building with a distinctive corner turret, surrounded by autumn-colored trees and a clear street.

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Our top choices for Downtown Santa Cruz hotels

A wooden bench and a small table in a courtyard with potted plants and a building in the background.

1. Pacific Blue Inn

Downtown Santa Cruz

Sharon

₩160,227 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 4 - Oct 5

An outdoor seating area with round tables and chairs, string lights overhead, and a large tree in the center.

2. Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.6 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Brooke

₩224,440 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 11 - Oct 12

A Courtyard by Marriott hotel with outdoor seating, a fire pit, and potted plants.

3. Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz

Beach Hill - Beach Flats, 0.9 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Leslie

₩211,557 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 22 - Oct 23

4. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.5 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Grester

₩210,767 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 7 - Oct 8

A spacious indoor area with wicker furniture, large windows offering a view of the beach and ocean, and a surf shop sign.

5. Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.3 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Jiexin

₩415,875 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 4 - Oct 5

A modern lobby with a wooden floor, seating area, large windows, and a plant.

6. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

Beach Hill - Beach Flats, 1 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Frank

₩211,704 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 4 - Oct 5

The Ocean Pacific Lodge building with a clear blue sky.

7. Ocean Pacific Lodge

Downtown, 0.8 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

James

₩133,362 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

A wooden interior with large windows overlooking a beach.

8. La Bahia Hotel and Spa

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.1 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

paola

₩473,451 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 18 - Oct 19

A modern hotel room with a kitchenette, a bed, a desk, and a view of the outdoors.

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

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.2 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Steve

₩199,282 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 4 - Oct 5

A hotel room with a large bed, a sofa, a desk with a chair, a TV, and a small table.

10. Seaside Inn & Suites

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.6 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Justin

₩115,711 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 1 - Oct 2

A beach view with a sign for Marea Sol Hotel, palm trees, and a pier with boats.

11. Marea Sol Hotel

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.1 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Donna

₩172,255 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 27 - Oct 28

An outdoor deck with wicker furniture and a large umbrella, overlooking a beach and pier.

12. Casablanca On The Beach

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.1 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Madeline

₩247,378 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 27 - Oct 28

A hotel room with a large bed, a bathroom with a bathtub, and a wooden floor.

13. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.3 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Bertha

₩146,358 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 20 - Oct 21

A rectangular swimming pool with clear water, marked lanes, and a metal ladder.

14. Surf City Inn and Suites

Lower Ocean, 0.6 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Lorena

₩115,917 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 5 - Oct 6

An indoor swimming pool with lounge chairs and a high ceiling with a balcony.

15. The Aqua Pacific Hotel

Lower Ocean, 0.7 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

SONIA ARACELI MATA

₩115,300 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 1 - Oct 2

A hotel room with a bed, bedside tables, a chair, and a desk.

16. Islander Motel Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.6 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Irinea

₩126,209 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 1 - Oct 2

A multi-story hotel with a modern design, featuring a landscaped entrance with plants and a wheelchair-accessible sign.

17. Best Western Plus All Suites Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.7 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Roy

₩183,951 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 6 - Oct 7

A beach with palm trees, waves, and a distant shoreline with buildings.

18. Seaway Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.2 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Roxanna

₩196,387 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 1 - Oct 2

A poolside area with seating, palm trees, and a building with balconies.

19. Hotel Solares

Lower Ocean, 0.5 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Sanmatie

₩128,977 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 6 - Oct 7

A hotel room with a large bed, a fireplace, a television, and a view of the city.

20. West Cliff Inn - A Four Sisters Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.2 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Molly

₩392,202 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 27 - Oct 28

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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

A coastal landscape with two prominent rock formations and a sandy 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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A beach with people playing and walking.

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.

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Top Downtown Santa Cruz Hotel Reviews

Seaside Inn & Suites

10/10 Excellent

"Love this place great location very clean . No weird smell and loved the room being inside the building made us feel safer"

Pacific Blue Inn

8/10 Good

"This is a combination small "boutique" style hotel with residential apartments. There are no real amenities to speak of, so if you are looking for a more tailored stay I would recommend a different hotel. If you are looking for privacy and romance, I would find a different hotel. With that being said, the room was clean and the staff (although not present) was extremely helpful and quick to respond. A+ for that. The room was spacious and clean but it lacked in privacy and ambiance. This is a no fuss place. I'm a big fan of natural light and nice interior lighting. Both of which this room lacked. You couldn't open the blinds because the guy living in the building 30ft away was sitting at his computer and could see right into the room. All windows faced the main walkway so we had to keep those closed and depend on the minimal lighting in the room. Lights were also the bright bulbs and not warm. So, for me, it made a big difference in the overall comfort and ambiance. There was also a constant hint of weed in the air so if that's a huge turn off I would recommend a different hotel. I know it was for us. This is not a place to lounge for a romantic weekend. You sleep here and head out lol. Guaranteed parking is nearby and they do charge 2% for MC and 2.99% for Visa/AMEX. As far as Santa Cruz, please note that every establishment charges 4% on the bill so budget that in. It was close to restaurants and a few min from the boardwalk."

Mission Inn

10/10 Excellent

"Clean, quiet, comfortable. Finally an Accommodation Room that is set up efficiently and safely. I usually travel with a motion detecting nightlight but one was installed already. Alas, the small breakfast room is up a flight of stairs (!) and offers no proteins. (Did not attempt). Did not try the hot tub. Parking is easy. Close to what you'd look for in Santa Cruz."

Find hotels in Downtown Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz

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Our top choices for Downtown Santa Cruz hotels

1. Pacific Blue Inn

2. Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

3. Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz

4. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

5. Dream Inn Santa Cruz

6. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

7. Ocean Pacific Lodge

8. La Bahia Hotel and Spa

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

10. Seaside Inn & Suites

11. Marea Sol Hotel

12. Casablanca On The Beach

13. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

14. Surf City Inn and Suites

15. The Aqua Pacific Hotel

16. Islander Motel Santa Cruz

17. Best Western Plus All Suites Inn

18. Seaway Inn

19. Hotel Solares

20. West Cliff Inn - A Four Sisters Inn

Where to stay in Downtown Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz

Eastside Santa Cruz

Pleasure Point

Beach Hill - Beach Flats

Upper Seabright

Top Downtown Santa Cruz Hotel Reviews

Seaside Inn & Suites

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