Santa Cruz Neighborhoods to Explore

The beach remains the biggest draw in Santa Cruz, a wide, sandy strip on either side of the hundred-year-old wooden pier, Santa Cruz Wharf. There are volleyball courts on the beach, and the water is safe and (usually) warm enough for swimming in the summer. The pier itself is crammed with fresh-fish stalls, seafood restaurants, and gift stores, while the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, just to the east, boasts an old-fashioned arcade, amusement park, mini-golf, laser tag, and free concerts in the summer. Among the bumper cars, donut stands, and vintage carousels, the perennial favorite is the Giant Dipper, a wooden rollercoaster that was constructed in 1924. Other Santa Cruz attractions include the admission-free Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center. This California travel guide highlights that staying here means there’s lots of choice when it comes to accommodation, and getting to Downtown is easy by taxi or bus. This vibrant neighborhood can get rowdy at night, making it one of the intriguing neighborhoods to explore.

Downtown Santa Cruz, located north of Laurel Street on the west side of the San Lorenzo River, is about a mile north of the beach district. This area is quite distinct from the coastal neighborhoods to explore, featuring a vibrant mix of businesses, art galleries, restaurants, and bars along the tree-lined main thoroughfare, Pacific Avenue. A weekly farmer’s market adds to the local charm, with great places to eat such as Snap Taco and the delicious treats from Pacific Cookie Company. Some of the top Santa Cruz attractions include the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History and the nearby Octagon Building on 118 Cooper St, which connects to the Abbott Square Market. At the northern end of Pacific Avenue, you can find the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park, which preserves the remains of the Spanish Misión la Exaltacion de la Santa Cruz, founded in 1791. Additionally, the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium serves as a performing arts venue, while the Kaiser Permanente Arena hosts games for the NBA G-League Santa Cruz Warriors and the Santa Cruz Derby Girls, our fantastic roller derby team.

Midtown Santa Cruz lies just across the San Lorenzo River from Downtown, centered along Soquel Avenue east of Ocean Street. This area has transformed into a hipster neighborhood in recent years, offering plenty of cool cafes, restaurants, bike shops, and live music venues that make it one of the top neighborhoods to explore in Santa Cruz. To the south, Seabright is best known for Seabright Beach, a sandy stretch between the mouth of the San Lorenzo and Santa Cruz Harbor. The small commercial center around Seabright Avenue and Murray Street features a cluster of bars and restaurants just two blocks from the beach. Notable Santa Cruz attractions include the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History and the highly acclaimed brewpub Seabright Social. For those seeking adventure, escape to the mountains and breathe in the fresh air with our selection of mountain retreats. Surrounded by stunning scenery and miles of hiking trails, our rentals offer the perfect base for your outdoor adventures in California. Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing in the winter, or hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing during the summer.

Santa Cruz’s Westside is best known for its surf breaks, particularly at Cowell Beach’s Steamer Lane, making it one of the top Santa Cruz attractions. The Surfer’s Memorial stands on the cliffs above, near the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum (housed in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse), offering panoramic views of Lighthouse Point. From here, West Cliff Drive links a series of lesser-visited coves and beaches that indent the coast, eventually leading to Natural Bridges State Beach. At this stunning location, waves have eroded coastal cliffs to form arches, although three of the four “bridges” have since collapsed, leaving large stacks protruding from the ocean. The park is also renowned for its annual migration of monarch butterflies, and the Natural Bridges Visitor Center features exhibits about the area. Further along the coast, you'll find the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, which showcases one of the world’s largest displayed blue whale skeletons. Inland, Mission Street serves as the neighborhood’s commercial heart, lined with coffee shops, breweries, and stores. For a more immersive experience, exploring the neighborhood by bicycle or on foot is ideal, making it a great addition to any California travel guide.

Affluent Capitola is a charming seaside community located to the east of Santa Cruz, making it a highlight in any California travel guide. Its small center and beach are divided by the picturesque Soquel Creek. On the west side, you'll find the historic Capitola Wharf, which is home to the popular Wharf House Restaurant, while the candy-colored ‘Venetian Village’ cottages line the sandy beach behind it. The east side features the main commercial district, boasting several waterside restaurants along the Esplanade, perfect for enjoying the local cuisine. Capitola is also one of the best neighborhoods to explore for those looking to learn to surf, with gentle waves and the Capitola Beach Company offering rentals and lessons. Other notable Santa Cruz attractions include the Capitola Historical Museum, housed in an old schoolhouse, as well as the annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival.

The San Lorenzo River rises to the north of Downtown in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with its winding valley harboring several forest parks and sights along the way, best explored by car on Hwy-9, making it a key part of any California travel guide. Santa Cruz’s Pogonip Open Space is a vast area of meadows, woodlands, creeks, and 11 miles of trails that borders the river just north of the UC Santa Cruz campus, offering neighborhoods to explore for nature enthusiasts. It eventually merges into the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and the family-friendly Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton, which features narrow-gauge train rides and the standard-gauge Santa Cruz Beach Train down to the Boardwalk and back. Not far from the park entrance is the quirky Bigfoot Discovery Museum, while further north, the river is traversed by the Felton Covered Bridge, spanning 80 feet and recognized as the tallest covered bridge in the US. Felton also boasts a weekly farmers’ market on Tuesdays, adding to the local Santa Cruz attractions. The Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center in Ben Lomond and the San Lorenzo Valley Museum in Boulder Creek can be found further up the valley, while Boulder Creek is known for its vibrant live music scene, especially bluegrass and folk. At the far northern end of the valley lies Big Basin Redwoods, making it a perfect spot to visit. You’ll need a car to get around conveniently.