Surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, Santa Cruz is a small city with plenty to offer visitors. Santa Cruz hotels provide a wide variety of rooms for all travelers. When staying in Santa Cruz, visitors can enjoy beautiful natural scenery, the funky local culture, and the famous boardwalk. There is no lack of entertainment, and plenty of fine views that will fill up a travel scrapbook fairly quickly.

Santa Cruz Quick Picks and Tips

Museums

The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History features live animals, craft activities for kids, and some rotating exhibits to educate and entertain. The Surfing Museum covers the local history of surfing that is still a gnarly pastime in the city.

Dining

Guests booking at Santa Cruz hotels can enjoy a selection of dining experiences from festive little taquerias to vegetarian spots to five-star restaurants like le Cigare Volant.

Major Point of Interest

Most Santa Cruz hotels are within a short drive of the boardwalk, which has over 34 rides and attractions including a couple of rollercoasters built in the first half of the twentieth century.

Shopping

Downtown Santa Cruz offers a variety of unique shops, while cozy Soquel Village offers great antique shopping in a quiet setting just outside the city.

Recreation

Surfing and swimming are big here, as well as annual events like the Roughwater Swim off of the Santa Cruz Wharf, attracting brave swimmers from all over the state.