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

Nicole

₩178,211 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 4 - Oct 5

The Ocean Pacific Lodge building with a clear blue sky.

2. Ocean Pacific Lodge

Downtown, 0.8 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Anthony

₩143,514 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 6 - Oct 7

3. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.5 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Grester

₩214,348 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 1 - Oct 2

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

4. Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.6 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Brooke

₩238,176 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 28 - Sep 29

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

5. Seaside Inn & Suites

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.6 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Justin

₩116,487 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 11 - Oct 12

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

Jill Susanne

₩225,407 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 28 - Sep 29

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

7. The Aqua Pacific Hotel

Lower Ocean, 0.7 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Salvador

₩115,682 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 21 - Sep 22

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

8. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.3 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Bertha

₩149,397 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 7 - Oct 8

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

9. Surf City Inn and Suites

Lower Ocean, 0.6 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Lorena

₩116,694 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 22 - Sep 23

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

10. Best Western Plus All Suites Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.7 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

YingFang

₩185,184 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 23 - Sep 24

A street view with a building featuring a pink fence, a tree, and parked cars.

11. Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz

Lower Ocean, 0.7 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Siddharth

₩108,935 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 6 - Oct 7

A balcony with two chairs, a small table with a vase of flowers, and a view of a parking lot and amusement park.

12. Carousel Beach Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.2 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Jason

₩134,617 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 30 - Oct 1

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

13. Hotel Solares

Lower Ocean, 0.5 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Sanmatie

₩135,232 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 20 - Sep 21

A two-story house with a balcony, a staircase, and a garden with various plants and flowers.

14. Continental Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 0.7 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

KAREN

₩120,123 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 8 - Oct 9

A room with a television mounted on the wall, a window with blinds, a heater, a wooden dresser, and a door.

15. Drift Inn

Lower Ocean, 0.8 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

John

₩108,259 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 5 - Oct 6

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

16. Marea Sol Hotel

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.1 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Lisa

₩173,409 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 22 - Sep 23

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

17. Beachview Inn

Westside Santa Cruz, 1 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Javier

₩134,439 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 23 - Sep 24

A hotel room with two beds, a kitchenette, a sliding glass door to a balcony, and a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall.

18. Torch Lite Inn

Lower Ocean, 0.7 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Nevaeh

₩134,324 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 1 - Oct 2

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

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

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.2 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Steve

₩218,295 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 28 - Sep 29

A balcony with rows of beach chairs, a railing, and a view of the beach and ocean.

20. Beach Street Inn and Suites

Westside Santa Cruz, 1.1 km from Downtown Santa Cruz

Julie

₩211,259 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 22 - Sep 23

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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 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 Santa Cruz Main Beach 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

Carousel Beach Inn

8/10 Good

"No windows Need a window."

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

8/10 Good

"Unfortunately, when we first checked in, we found bedbugs in the bed while doing our usual bed check. We immediately notified the front desk and showed them photos. The staff was very concerned, took the situation seriously, and quickly moved us to a different room far away from the original one. Our new room was very clean, and we had no further issues during our stay. The hotel was extremely accommodating and waived our parking fees and provided us with breakfast, which we really appreciated. Despite the rough start, everyone we interacted with was incredibly kind and helpful. We also had great service at the hotel bar and restaurant. The hot tub was unfortunately out of service and being repaired during our stay, so we weren’t able to use it. However, the pool was amazing and heated, which we really enjoyed! Finding bedbugs was obviously concerning, but I really appreciated how seriously and professionally the staff handled the situation. Their customer service made a big difference in our overall experience."

Chaminade Resort & Spa

10/10 Excellent

"We stayed one night and I wish we could have stayed for a week! Beautiful property. Amazing staff. Front desk was so kind and on point. The bed was the most comfortable bed I've slept in. Room was huge and well laid out. LOVED the patio. View onto beautiful trees and trails. It was very quiet while we were there. I will absolutely be back."

Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

10/10 Excellent

"Absolutely loved our stay. Great and friendly staff. Valet was super welcoming and helpful. Room was clean and comfortable. We enjoyed the pool and hot tub. The treadmills weren’t working. We didn’t eat breakfast at the hotel. The location was in close proximity to the beach and downtown which was perfect. Overall it was amazing and would definitely book again."

Seacliff Inn Aptos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

10/10 Excellent

"Traveled with family for moms birthday and such a beautiful property, really like that they have a full service restaurant and bar so don’t have to leave to go else where. It was great weather so nice that they had pool and hot tub.. each room has a nice view with garden string lights at night. The koi pond surrounding the bridge was an added bonus for the kids and adults. Safeway and gas station are in walking distance and beach is not too far.. would definitely stay again in future❤️"

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. Ocean Pacific Lodge

3. Hyatt Place Santa Cruz

4. Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

5. Seaside Inn & Suites

6. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

7. The Aqua Pacific Hotel

8. Comfort Inn Santa Cruz North

9. Surf City Inn and Suites

10. Best Western Plus All Suites Inn

11. Riverside Inn & Suites Santa Cruz

12. Carousel Beach Inn

13. Hotel Solares

14. Continental Inn

15. Drift Inn

16. Marea Sol Hotel

17. Beachview Inn

18. Torch Lite Inn

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

20. Beach Street Inn and Suites

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

Carousel Beach Inn

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