The Dream Inn Santa Cruz is the city's only beachfront hotel, situated directly on Cowell Beach and next to the historic Beach Boardwalk. This property offers retro-chic accommodations with panoramic views of Monterey Bay. Guests can enjoy direct beach access, a beachfront pool with cabana beds, and on-site dining. The hotel is also a short walk from the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf and the city center.
Should you book Dream Inn Santa Cruz?
A beachfront stay with direct access to the sand and boardwalk attractions.
Best for
- Beach access
- Boardwalk proximity
- Ocean views
- Families
Maybe not ideal for
- The poolside rooms may experience noise.
Direct beach access
Located directly on Cowell Beach, the hotel provides immediate access to the sand. Nearby activities include surfing at Steamer Lane and exploring the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Boardwalk and Wharf proximity
Just a 3-minute walk from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with its rides and games, and close to the Municipal Wharf for fishing and sea lion viewing.
Ocean view rooms
Rooms and suites feature private balconies and offer panoramic views of Monterey Bay. Options range from standard rooms to larger suites with fireplaces or separate living areas.
Beachfront pool
The outdoor pool area includes cabana beds, signature cocktails, and a fire pit, providing a spot to relax by the ocean.
Rooms & rates
Ocean View Executive - King
32.0 m² · 1 king bed
Balcony · Sea view · Air conditioning · Flat-screen TV · Free Wifi
Ocean View Cloud - King
32.0 m² · 1 king bed
Balcony · Sea view · Air conditioning · Flat-screen TV · Free Wifi
Ocean View Deluxe - Two Queen
32.0 m² · 2 queen beds
Balcony · Sea view · Air conditioning · Flat-screen TV · Free Wifi
Ocean View Executive - Two Queen
32.0 m² · 2 queen beds
Balcony · Sea view · Air conditioning · Flat-screen TV · Free Wifi
Ocean View Poolside - Two Queen
32.0 m² · 2 queen beds
Balcony · Sea view · Air conditioning · Flat-screen TV · Free Wifi
Ocean View Cloud - Two Queen
32.0 m² · 2 queen beds
Balcony · Sea view · Air conditioning · Flat-screen TV · Free Wifi
What you'll enjoy
Gallery
Amenities & facilities
Most popular facilities
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Free Wifi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Private Parking
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Beachfront
- Restaurant
- Room service
Great for your stay
- Restaurant
- Parking
- Balcony
- Air conditioning
- Free Wifi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Family rooms
- Flat-screen TV
Bathroom
- Bathrobe
- Hairdryer
- Shower
Bedroom
- Wardrobe or closet
- Alarm clock
View
- Sea view
Outdoors
- Outdoor fireplace
- Outdoor furniture
- Beachfront
- Sun deck
- Balcony
Location
175 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States, Santa Cruz, California
Dream Inn Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California.
5 sights nearby, the closest being Cowell Beach at 450 ft; the nearest train station, Beach Station (Santa Cruz), is 0.6 mi away.
Things to do nearby
- Cowell Beachbeach450 ft
- Neary Lagoon Wildlife Refugenature reserve0.4 mi
- Undertowattraction0.4 mi
- Looff Carouselattraction0.5 mi
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalktheme park0.5 mi
Getting around
- Beach Station (Santa Cruz)train station0.6 mi
- Swift Halttrain station1.3 mi
Straight-line distances from the property · data © OpenStreetMap contributors
What guests say
8.7 / 10 · Very good on Booking.com, from 719 guest reviews
Dream Inn Santa Cruz earns strong praise for its unbeatable beachfront location, spectacular ocean views, and generally warm, attentive staff — making it a reliable favourite for families and returning guests. However, noise from high-traffic room placements, a crowded pool, occasional maintenance lapses, and the absence of complimentary breakfast are recurring frustrations worth noting. Overall sentiment is very positive, though guests seeking a quiet, adults-only retreat may find it falls short of expectations.
Reviews scoring 9–10: 26 · average 9.7
They wrote about: location, room, staff
Reviews scoring 7–9: 4 · average 8
They wrote about: room, location, noise
No reviews in the selected score range.
Good to know
House rules
- Check-in
From 4:00 PM
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card at check-in.
- Check-out
Until 11:00 AM
- Cancellation/ prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Enter your stay dates and check the conditions of your selected option.
- Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dining options?
The Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge serves seafood and local fare with ocean views. Poolside Dining offers food and cocktails, and in-room dining is also available.
Is parking available?
Yes, private parking and valet parking are available at the hotel.
What room amenities are provided?
Rooms include air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and refrigerators. Many rooms also feature balconies or patios and sea views.
Is the hotel family-friendly?
Yes, the hotel offers family rooms and is situated next to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, providing entertainment options for all ages.
What attractions are nearby?
Cowell Beach is directly accessible. The hotel is next to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is a short walk away.
Does the hotel have a pool?
Yes, there is an outdoor swimming pool and a hot tub available for guests.
What is the closest beach?
Cowell Beach is located directly in front of the hotel.