Dream Inn
Retro-chic mid-century modern with a laid-back California surf town attitude. Bold colors, 1960s geometry softened with contemporary touches, and Jack O'Neill surf iconography throughout. Casual but polished.
Cloud category rooms (floors 8–10) offer the widest panoramic views of Monterey Bay — worth the upgrade
Why It Matters
Santa Cruz's only beachfront hotel, the property is named after and themed around surf legend Jack O'Neill — inventor of the wetsuit. The on-site restaurant bears his name, the lounge sits on the site of his old surf shop, and the whole property feels like a genuine love letter to classic California surf culture rather than a manufactured theme.
Dream Inn is Santa Cruz's only beachfront hotel — a 165-room retro-chic mid-century property sitting directly above Cowell Beach. Originally a faded 1960s mid-rise, it was overhauled into an approachably stylish boutique hotel with a bold modernist color palette and surf-culture DNA woven through everything from the room category names to the restaurant. Every single room comes with a private balcony or patio facing the ocean. The Boardwalk is a three-minute walk east, and the beach is literally at the bottom of a staircase.
Where You'll Stay
15 room types available
Cloud Level Suite
On floors 7–10 — the higher end of the building. King bed, separate living room with queen sleeper sofa, private balcony with sweeping ocean views. Best suite choice for anyone who wants elevation and space.
KingDream Inn Suite
The flagship room. On the 3rd floor with a king-size bed, sunken tub, fireplace, two sitting chairs, and a dining table for four. Private balcony looks out over Monterey Bay, the Municipal Wharf, and the Beach Boardwalk. The most dramatic room in the building.
KingOcean View Beach – Tower King
Entry-level tower rooms with sliding glass doors opening onto a private balcony with direct ocean views. Lower floors in the tower. Stylish and compact at 340 sq ft — the view does the heavy lifting.
KingOcean View Beach – Tower Two Queen
Same layout as the Tower King but configured for groups or families of up to four. Lower tower floors. Private balcony with ocean views.
Two QueensOcean View Cathedral Executive – King
The cathedral rooms stand out for their vaulted ceilings with ceiling fans and floor-to-ceiling window configurations that vary by room. Private furnished balcony. A more dramatic feel than standard rooms at the same footprint.
KingOcean View Cathedral Executive – Two Queen
Same vaulted cathedral ceiling and private balcony configuration as the King, but with two queen beds. Bathrooms include a bathtub with detachable rainwater showerhead.
Two QueensOcean View Cloud – King
Top tier of the standard rooms on floors 8–10. The height gives noticeably wider views of Monterey Bay from the private balcony. Best bang-for-upgrade in the standard category.
KingOcean View Cloud – Two Queen
Floors 8–10. Two queen beds, private balcony with wide Monterey Bay views, bathtub with detachable rainwater showerhead. Good for friends or families who want the higher floor.
Two QueensOcean View Infinity – King ADA
ADA-accessible pool-level room with a king bed, semi-private furnished patio with ocean views, and a roll-in shower with detachable rainwater showerhead. Pool deck is right outside.
KingOcean View Infinity – Two Queen
Pool-level rooms with a semi-private furnished patio that overlooks the beachfront pool deck. Ocean views and easy access to the pool. Bathrooms equipped with a bathtub and detachable rainwater showerhead.
Two QueensOcean View Wave – King
Located on floors 5–7, these rooms sit higher up than the Beach tier and look out over the sparkling Pacific. Private balcony and all standard in-room amenities.
KingOcean View Wave – Two Queen
Floors 5–7. Two queens, private balcony, views of Monterey Bay. Bathrooms have a bathtub with detachable rainwater showerhead.
Two QueensShore Break Suite ADA
Spacious ADA-accessible suite with a king bed and a sitting area with a queen sleeper sofa. Extended patio looks directly over the renovated pool deck with views of Monterey Bay, the Municipal Wharf, and the Boardwalk. Comes with high-speed WiFi, iPod dock, flat-screen TV, premium coffee, bathrobes, large bathtub, and a laptop-fitting safe.
King
Tower Suite
Located on floors 4–6 in the tower. King bed with a separate living room and queen sleeper sofa, plus a private balcony with ocean views. Good for families or friends who want separate living space without the top-floor premium.
KingWest Cliff Suite
On the 2nd floor, this suite features a plush king bed, private balcony with ocean views, and a queen sleeper sofa. More of a relaxed layout than the Dream Suite — lighter and breezier.
KingThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Newly renovated oceanfront heated outdoor swimming pool with direct access to Cowell Beach via staircase. Open daily 7:30am–10pm. Pool wristbands required — registered guests only.
Pillow-lined convertible cabana beds on the pool deck with ocean views.
Inlaid hot tub on the pool deck with ocean views.
Bicycle rentals available for exploring West Cliff Drive and the broader Santa Cruz coast.
Afternoon coastal sail for two including two drink tickets per person, offered as part of a hotel package. Bookable up to 72 hours prior to arrival.
Direct staircase access from the pool deck down to Cowell Beach. Beach chairs and umbrellas available upon request. Cowell's is a protected, mellow break popular with beginner surfers.
Poolside face painting every Saturday 12:30–3:30pm.
Daily ice cream happy hour at the pool deck, 6–7pm.
Multiple fire pits on the pool deck with lounge seating — popular for sunset cocktails.
Poolside Mimosa Bar available daily 10–11am, before the Shorebreak bar opens.
The iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusement park is a 3-minute walk from the hotel, with rides, laser tag, carnival games, and the historic Giant Dipper roller coaster.
Periodic immersive wellness weekend package including meditation, breathwork, Yoga Nidra, Qi Gong, Tibetan sound healing, Reiki, guided facial lymphatic massage, and group gatherings. Oceanfront setting with included meals and accommodations.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Floor-to-ceiling window meeting rooms and event venues with ocean views. Flexible space for meetings, weddings, and events. Surf View room, Sand Room, and other configurations available.
Complimentary high-speed wireless internet in all 165 rooms and public areas.
Valet parking at $40/night with in/out privileges. Parking lot is located across the street from the hotel.
Uncovered self-parking at $35/night with in/out privileges. Lot is across the street.
Outdoor beach showers adjacent to the pool deck.
Online Dream Shop for pre-ordering beach toys, stuffed animals, Dream Inn gear, and special occasion items delivered to your room upon arrival.
Property holds Green Key Global sustainability certification.
BUILD YOUR DREAM INN PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning