Living just on the other side of the Santa Cruz Mountains from the beach means I regularly head there for a day in the sand. The best of all worlds is when I can play tourist for a night or two and stay at The Dream Inn.
This retro-fabulous spot immediately relaxes me, with surfer vibes and the sound of the waves crashing nearby. With the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk just a few steps down the beach, this spot is a favorite, whether I’m enjoying time with friends or enjoying a wellness weekend for myself.
This trip was hosted. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
The Dream Inn Overview
Santa Cruz is a surf town, and the Dream Inn embraces those vibes, from the lobby decor to the stunning ocean views from every room. Walk out to your private balcony, where you can watch the waves come in and hear the cheers of kids riding the Giant Dipper in the distance.
Everything you need for a relaxing weekend at the beach is included in your Dream Inn stay. Want to enjoy a fruity cocktail while relaxing in a hot tub? Yes. Looking for a morning yoga session and then an afternoon walk along the cliffs to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum? Yes. It’s all here at your beachfront oasis.
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you’re looking for a more relaxing vibe, request a room on the higher floors of the tower so you’ll be away from the swimming pool noise.
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Accommodations at The Dream Inn
All the rooms at the Dream Inn have ocean views, so you don’t have to worry about that when booking. The colorful mid-century mod decor brings the perfect amount of fun into the space. My room was on the top floor of the tower, which I highly recommend as you’re a bit away from the pool noise and the views are undeniably better. I slept with the sliding glass door open so that I could listen to the sound of the waves throughout the night—it was just what I needed for the perfect night’s sleep.
All rooms come with:
- Laptop-sized safe
- Mini-refrigerator
- Keurig coffee maker and premium coffee
- Bathrobes
- Private balcony or patio with sweeping views of Monterey Bay
- 42” flat-screen TV
- Iron and ironing board
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Wellness Weekends at The Dream Inn
If there’s anything that goes hand in hand with a weekend at the beach, it is wellness activities like yoga, sound baths and meditation. The Dream Inn regularly hosts wellness weekends, where they bring in coaches to guide participants in wellness activities. The weekends are great to do with a friend as there’s time built into the schedule for relaxation and getting to know other participants.
Each Wellness Weekend offers a different theme, but all include two-night accommodations, dinner on the first night, breakfasts, valet parking and a welcome reception. I enjoyed a sound bath and meditation experience while staying at the Dream Inn, which was a great way to embrace the coastal zen and connect with my inner self.
The Pool
A pool with ocean views is pretty much my dream. When you check in to the Dream Inn, you get a wristband that gets you access to the pool deck. The pool is open daily from 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m., with a hot tub, pool bar and fire pits to enjoy. There is beach access from the pool deck, so you can go for a walk in the sand and then relax on a lounge chair at the pool.
During the busier months, there are activities on the pool deck, such as morning yoga, a street taco cart, a mimosa bar and ice cream happy hour. I spent the evening hours after dinner enjoying the hot tub, which was the perfect way to end the day.
Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge
I took advantage of the excellent food offerings when staying at the Dream Inn. In addition to room service and food served on the pool deck, the property has a coffee bar in the lobby and Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge onsite.
I enjoyed breakfast and lunch at Jack O’Neill’s during my stay, and I was really impressed with the variety of offerings and attention that was put into all of the food served there. The restaurant partners with local farms and fishermen to offer the freshest produce and seafood available.
Starting my day with country-style bread topped with avocado, poached eggs, roasted bell peppers and pea shoots was just the fuel I needed. The restaurant has huge windows so you can take in beach vibes while you enjoy your cup of coffee. There even was live music on one of the afternoons I was there.
Things to Do in Santa Cruz
The Dream Inn is just a short walk from the wharf and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. You’ll find plenty of restaurants nearby serving up everything from Mexican food to seafood.
If you are looking for things to do in Santa Cruz during your stay, here are a few options:
- Borrow some beach cruisers and bike along West Cliff Drive to Natural Bridges State Beach.
- Take surfing lessons.
- Hike among the redwoods at Henry Cowell State Park.
- Visit Mariquita Farm for their marigold or lavender u-pick sessions.
- Go for a sunset sail with Chardonnay Sailing Charters.
- Ride the Giant Dipper at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
- Visit a taproom—Humble Sea Brewing Co. and Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing are favorites.
- Go wine tasting in the Santa Cruz Mountains, or try a tasting room near the Dream Inn, like Big Basin Vineyards.
- Check out what’s in season at the downtown Santa Cruz farmers market on Wednesday afternoons.
- Enjoy the First Friday Art Walk.
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