Overlooking the famous Cowell’s surf break, the Dream Inn is perched on the sand on a stretch of the central coast of California, in the original surf city, Santa Cruz. Built in 1963, the retro chic property was recently revamped, its whimsical retro-surfer décor nodding to the inn’s origins and Santa Cruz’s history as a surfing mecca. The renovation included upgrades to all 165 guestrooms and suites, including new furnishings, a tiled entrance, refurnished patios, new wall covering and draperies, new guest corridors, a Verve coffee bar in the lobby and private poolside showers for beachgoers and surfers. All guestrooms and suites offer private balconies or patios with incredible Monterey Bay views. “Dream Inn is an iconic property that personifies the true Central California Coast experience,” says the Dream Inn’s general manager, Darren Pound. “Our goal with the head-to-toe renovation was combining a fun, historic beachfront location with comfortable, updated guestrooms, four-star amenities and services, and a casual, laid back ambiance that reflects the beloved Santa Cruz community and its rich and colorful history.”
The hotel lobby and pool area were updated, and the hotel now hosts the Jack O’Neill restaurant, named after the legendary surfer, wetsuit inventor, marine advocate, and Santa Cruz native. “Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge has been a passion project for the entire Dream Inn team to channel the easygoing spirit of Santa Cruz, and Jack O’Neill himself, into a family-friendly, approachable restaurant,” says Pound. “We invite locals and Dream Inn Santa Cruz guests alike to come in, chill out, and sample the best of Coastal California cuisine in a spectacular setting.”
A bright space with spectacular views over Cowell’s Beach, Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge brings together natural seaside elements to create an inviting feeling of warmth and comfort. The restaurant features elegant wooden tabletops with driftwood elements, raised seating booths and floor to ceiling windows with a view to the beach. The natural surf setting of the Monterey Bay contributes to the sophisticated coastal atmosphere of the restaurant. The styled bar pays homage to the legendary surfer with personal memorabilia, vintage photos and surf art, making Dream Inn the center of surf culture in a modern surf town. Dream Inn, dreaminnsantacruz.com
