Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a promising target for treating cancer and some other disorders. Herein, based on the structure of our previously reported tetrahydroisoquinoline-based hydroxamic acids, a novel series of tyrosine-based hydroxamic acid derivatives was designed and synthesized as HDACs inhibitors. Compared with tetrahydroisoquinoline-based hydroxamic acids, tyrosine-based hydroxamic acid derivatives exhibited more potent HDAC8 inhibitory activity. However, the antiproliferative activities and HeLa cell nuclear extract inhibition of several selected tyrosine-based hydroxamic acids were moderate.