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

Things to do


Westside Santa Cruz Hotel Deals

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection

4 out of 5
611 Ocean St Santa Cruz CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥17,453 per night from Mar 1 to Mar 2
¥17,453
¥20,216 total
Mar 1 - Mar 2
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,215 reviews)
We have stayed here well over a dozen times. The last few years the hotel has declined in quality. We still prefer this hotel over other places we have stayed over the past 12 years (we come Santa Cruz 3-4 times a year to visit our daughter) but has moved from “excellent” to “very good”. The shower ...

Reviewed on Feb 17, 2026

Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Dream Inn Santa Cruz

4 out of 5
175 W Cliff Dr Santa Cruz CA
The price is ¥32,932 per night from Mar 3 to Mar 4
¥32,932
¥37,583 total
Mar 3 - Mar 4
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,012 reviews)
The room was just perfect. All staff very friendly. Location of hotel with that view cant be beat

Reviewed on Feb 17, 2026

Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Marea Sol Hotel

Marea Sol Hotel

2 out of 5
301 Beach St Santa Cruz CA
The price is ¥17,775 per night from Mar 3 to Mar 4
¥17,775
¥20,578 total
Mar 3 - Mar 4
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,392 reviews)
Couple stayed for 2 nights. The location and price is best thing about the room, right in gront of boardwalk. The room is small, the bathroom floor was dirty, and the bed was uncomfortable. We also had the corner bottom room next to stairs (106) and it was sooo loud. The heater also took long to ...

Reviewed on Feb 17, 2026

Marea Sol Hotel
La Bahia Hotel and Spa

La Bahia Hotel and Spa

4.5 out of 5
215 Beach Street Santa Cruz CA
The price is ¥39,191 per night from Feb 19 to Feb 20
¥39,191
¥52,570 total
Feb 19 - Feb 20
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (119 reviews)
Beautiful views rooms and lobby staff was amazing will definitely be staying again

Reviewed on Feb 17, 2026

La Bahia Hotel and Spa
Casablanca On The Beach

Casablanca On The Beach

3.5 out of 5
101 Main St Santa Cruz CA
The price is ¥13,639 per night from Feb 23 to Feb 24
¥13,639
¥21,072 total
Feb 23 - Feb 24
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,191 reviews)
very nice room, nice staff

Reviewed on Feb 18, 2026

Casablanca On The Beach
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
The price is ¥19,450 per night from Feb 22 to Feb 23
¥19,450
¥22,459 total
Feb 22 - Feb 23
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,264 reviews)
Pool towels were really rough and small. Customer service was fair.

Reviewed on Feb 17, 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham 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

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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
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Downtown

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

Downtown
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Circles

While there might not be top attractions in Circles, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Cowell's Beach.

Circles
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Westlake

When in Westlake, you can plan a visit to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum, 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
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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 Natural Bridges State Park.

Nobel


Westside Santa Cruz, CA

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