I can't suggest any hotels/ dinning as when I went I was there backpacking so my budget was spent at the local supermarkets...

There are a few museaums in Santa Cruz, I'll look them over the weekend and post them, along with the central square (filled with people offering you to make phone calls from their cellphones). The main church is not to be missed..

I decided to travel Westbound, but there are a few excursions into a nearby reserve (in the jungle) which are suppossed to be fantastic!

The city is very calm and beautiful and from what I remember they close for lunch (2-4 or 1 -3). Some places may be closed on Monday's as it's a typical day of rest for the museaums.

The weather is warm and humid (but I went in December) and the houses are beautiful with all their red tiled roofs. The lifestyle of Santa Cruz is known to be relaxed and more upscale than the rest of the country. Some people consider it the Oasis of Bolivia (for it's beauty and warmth).
Many people who live in nearby towns come shopping into Santa Cruz, so yes you can find some nice clothes and jewellery and better prices than back home...

I'll try and look up my notes and post them over the next couple of days. hope this helps in the meantime.