by Cynthia Cruz
| April, 30, 2025
Perched majestically on the golden shores of Cowell Beach, the Dream Inn Santa Cruz stands as an iconic beacon of California coastal hospitality. This retro-chic beachfront hotel, with its distinctive blue and white exterior, perfectly embodies the laid-back yet sophisticated spirit of Santa Cruz, offering visitors a unique blend of nostalgic charm and modern comfort.
The Dream Inn’s location is nothing short of perfect. Situated directly on Cowell Beach, every one of its 165 rooms offers breathtaking views of Monterey Bay. Step outside the hotel’s doors, and you’re mere steps from the sand, where you can watch surfers catch waves at the renowned Steamer Lane or simply bask in the California sunshine.
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the West Coast’s oldest surviving seaside amusement park, is just a ten-minute stroll along the beach. The iconic Giant Dipper roller coaster’s red tracks paint the sky, and the carousel’s cheerful music carries on the ocean breeze. This proximity means guests can easily experience the Boardwalk’s nostalgic charm while maintaining a peaceful distance from its bustling energy.
Downtown Santa Cruz lies just a few blocks away, offering an eclectic mix of boutiques, cafes, and galleries along Pacific Avenue. The vibrant street scene, populated by local artists, musicians, and an engaging mix of college students and long-time residents, provides an authentic glimpse into Santa Cruz’s unique culture.
The Dream Inn’s rooms and suites are a masterclass in coastal-inspired design. The decor strikes a perfect balance between mid-century modern aesthetics and contemporary comfort, featuring bold patterns, bright colors, and playful touches that pay homage to Santa Cruz’s surfing heritage.
Every room boasts a private balcony or patio facing the ocean, ensuring that guests never miss a sunset or the chance to spot dolphins playing in the morning surf. The sound of waves provides a natural soundtrack throughout your stay, whether you’re in a standard King room or one of the luxurious suites. The bathrooms feature rain showers and luxury amenities, while the beds are dressed in high-thread-count linens that invite deep, wave-lulled sleep.
As you sip your morning coffee on your private balcony, watching the early surfers catch their first waves, you’ll understand why the Dream Inn has remained a beloved destination for decades.
The hotel’s signature restaurant, Jack O’Neill Restaurant & Lounge, named after the legendary surfer and wetsuit pioneer, serves as both a culinary destination and a tribute to Santa Cruz’s surfing history. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide panoramic ocean views, making every meal a scenic experience.
The menu focuses on sustainable seafood and locally sourced ingredients, reflecting the bounty of Central California’s agricultural region. For breakfast, we feasted on the Dungeness Crab Benedict and the Surfer’s Breakfast Burrito. We were almost too full to do more than cozy up on a lounge chair and watch the waves, but we had a day of activities planned.
First and foremost, was the Trinity Sound Experience, a relaxing session of gentle breath work with soothing sounds of crystal singing bowls humming in the background. There is no better way to unwind. The Dream Inn offers wellness programs featuring a full weekend itinerary with mindfulness workshops, yoga & breath work, and more. Look online for upcoming Wellness Weekends to enjoy a spiritual and mental reset. Everyone should do this.
Next, a bike ride. The hotel offers beach cruiser bikes for exploring the area, and the concierge can arrange surf lessons with local instructors. We opted for the less (but not by much) strenuous e-bikes to ride along scenic West Cliff Drive. This is a great way to get some exercise and explore the area.
The hotel also features a lovely heated oceanfront pool and hot tub providing year-round swimming opportunities, with the added bonus of ocean views. The pool deck, with its comfortable lounges and fire pits, is the perfect spot to cozy up for a nightcap. We didn’t get a chance to swim, but we did roast marshmallows and sipped on cocktails with our s’mores.
Photo: James Coleman
Santa Cruz
Beyond the immediate vicinity of the Dream Inn, Santa Cruz offers numerous attractions worth exploring. The University of California Santa Cruz campus, set among redwood forests, provides hiking trails with ocean views. The Mission Santa Cruz, founded in 1791, offers historical perspective on the area’s Spanish colonial past.
Natural Bridges State Beach, just a few miles from the hotel, is famous for its natural bridge rock formation and butterfly grove, where thousands of Monarch butterflies gather during their annual migration.
Capitola Village
Just four miles east, the charming Capitola Village feels like a Mediterranean coastal town transplanted to California. Its colorful buildings house boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants.
Hidden Gems
One of the Dream Inn’s greatest assets is its knowledgeable staff, who can direct guests to lesser-known local treasures.
We enjoyed a magical chef-inspired dinner at Marquita Farm in Watsonville. Marquita Farm is the purveyor of the seasonal produce and flowers for the Dream Inn and the chefs created an exquisite farm-to-table meal in an absolutely gorgeous setting. Marquita Farm is a hidden gem worth seeking. There are seasonal events at the farm, and if there’s a dinner on the calendar, make a reservation; it’s an amazing experience.
An Iconic Beach Retreat
The Dream Inn Santa Cruz manages to be many things at once: a luxury beachfront hotel, a surf culture icon, and a gateway to the California coast’s many pleasures. Its location offers unparalleled access to Santa Cruz’s main attractions while providing a peaceful retreat from the city’s more tourist-heavy areas.
Whether you’re planning a wellness getaway, a romantic weekend, a family beach vacation, or a surf getaway, the Dream Inn serves as an ideal base for exploring the central California coast. The combination of comfortable accommodations, stunning views, and proximity to diverse attractions makes it more than just a place to stay – it’s an integral part of the Santa Cruz experience.
175 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
dreaminnsantacruz.com
