Westside Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz

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 (>4 ft?) to reach them. The beach is absolutely stunning at sunset. #localsecrets
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 (>4 ft?) to reach them. The beach is absolutely stunning at sunset. #localsecrets
Not only is the beach beautiful but there is a refugee for wintering monarch butterflies! This was also where I saw my first sea lion when I moved here! #beachbound
Walk through cave!
A few hours before low tide, the beach was completely foggy! We tromped all over the rocks and the kids ran into the water, completely soaking themselves! It finally cleared up and was a beautiful evening, but the fog had its own mystery. #beach

Popular places to visit

Gotta ride this 100 year old wooden roller Coaster on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

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.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
USA-Santa Cruz-Natural Bridges State Beach; Shutterstock ID 101070745

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.

Natural Bridges State Park
Pier at Santa Cruz, California

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.

Santa Cruz Wharf
EN5XP1 Street scene in autumn with shops art galleries on Ocean Avenue Carmel Monterey County California

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.

Ocean Street
CWFJJA USA California CA Santa Cruz clock tower and trolley on Pacific Avenue

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.

Pacific Avenue
0_101070739

Main Beach

Why not spend a carefree afternoon at Main Beach during your travels in Santa Cruz? Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.

Main Beach

Things to do

Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

$139
per adult
Beginner Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz
Meet Capitola Wine Bar owners!

Capitola Friday Night Food Tour

$129
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Capitola Friday Night Food Tour
Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz

Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz

$139
per adult
Beginner Surfing Lesson - Pacifica or Santa Cruz
Secret Beach Location

Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz

$35
per traveler
Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California Scavenger Hunt

Santa Cruz, California Scavenger Hunt

$29
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Santa Cruz, California Scavenger Hunt
Santa Cruz Guided E-Bike Ride & Most Fun Ebike Tour

Santa Cruz Guided eBike Ride & Most Fun Bike e-Bike Tour

$110
per adult
Santa Cruz Guided eBike Ride & Most Fun Bike e-Bike Tour
See all activities in Santa Cruz

Westside Santa Cruz Hotel Deals

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz

3 out of 5
550 2nd St Santa Cruz CA
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
Get rates
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Santa Cruz
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

4 out of 5
611 Ocean St Santa Cruz CA
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 ...
Get rates
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Marea Sol Hotel

Marea Sol Hotel

2 out of 5
301 Beach St Santa Cruz CA
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
Get rates
Marea Sol Hotel
Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr Santa Cruz CA
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 ...
Get rates
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
La Bahia Hotel and Spa

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

4.5 out of 5
215 Beach Street Santa Cruz CA
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 ...
Get rates
La Bahia Hotel and Spa
Casablanca On The Beach

Casablanca On The Beach

3.5 out of 5
101 Main St Santa Cruz CA
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Santa Cruz. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
Get rates
Casablanca On The Beach
See all 1,214 properties in Westside Santa Cruz
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.

Other neighborhoods around Westside Santa Cruz

Default Image

Mission Hill

While visiting Mission Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.

Mission Hill
Default Image

Downtown

If you're spending some time in Downtown, Pacific Avenue and Williams-Reynolds House are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown
Default Image

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.

Circles
Default Image

Westlake

When in Westlake, you can plan a visit to University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum and Mission Santa Cruz, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Westlake
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.

Downtown Santa Cruz

4.5/5(27 area reviews)

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.

Downtown Santa Cruz
Default Image

Nobel

While Nobel might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum and Swift Street Courtyard.

Nobel

Westside Santa Cruz, CA

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: