Surf, Storms, and King Tide Watching in Santa Cruz From the Best Seat in Town

Of all the things we can plan and prepare for, Mother Nature is beyond our control and that’s part of what makes the good days so sweet. On a recent trip to Santa Cruz, a place I have often visited and long loved, the weather proved to be as wet and windy as I have ever experienced. 

Although the surf was poor, the rain was welcome–as was my stay at the Dream Inn, perfectly located on West Cliff Drive to take in the stormy seas and King Tides. From our dog-friendly room we had a view of the pier and the beginner break Cowell’s and I could have walked from the lobby and been in the water at Steamer Lane in less than 10 minutes. 

Since surfing was basically out of the cards, I had time to rest, relax, and enjoy the other gems that Santa Cruz and the Dream Inn had to offer.  You can receive 20% off your oceanfront room and $50 dining credit by using this specialavailable until February 28th.

Jack O’Neill Restaurant

You know a hotel is legit if their onsite restaurant is named in honor of one of surfing’s greatest inventors and pioneers and the Dream absolutely nailed it in this sense with their Jack O’Neill Restaurant. Located on the south end of the property, in basically the same location of the world’s very first “surf shop”, opened by O’Neill in 1952, the spot is equal parts amazing cuisine and equal parts rich surf history. 

Each menu comes with a homage to Jack that traces his timeline with surfing, from first living up the coast in Ocean Beach, San Francisco, to relocating to Santa Cruz in the early 50’s. In case you didn’t know, in addition to starting the world’s first surf shop, Jack O’Neill invented the wetsuit (which nearly cost him his life) and later pioneered early surf leashes which literally cost him an eye. Thanks Jack!

The food was superb, from the local oysters that came from Tamales Bay, to the short rib that just fell off the bone. We also tried the green gem salad, a tasty and healthy option, as well as the vegetarian pasta which blew us away. We could have easily went back for another meal to try more of the menu but we did have to sample some other places around town, more on that below. 

Chic design meets ocean friendly hotel

One thing that struck us during our stay was the decor throughout the hotel. From the jukebox and vintage surfboards lining the main wall of the lobby, to the screen behind the desk showing the surf, to the thoughtful and chic nostalgic touches that are reminiscent of the glory days of California. A time when beach culture reigned supreme and all you needed was a ride to the beach and everything would be all right. 

Another huge bonus for the Dream Inn is that they’re a member of the Surfrider Foundation’s Ocean Friendly Program meaning that they do everything they can to eliminate single-use plastic waste. The bathrooms are stocked with refillable pump bottles of shampoo, conditioner, hand/body wash, and moisturizing lotion and the restaurant uses compostable packaging for leftovers and to-go dishes. They also have water bottle filling stations in both the lobby and pool areas so you can not worry about having to single-use a plastic bottle for your adventures.

Around Town

Had there been waves I would have gone from the room to the waves and back again and again, that would have been it! 

Whether there’s waves or not, it's a lovely walk from the hotel down West Cliff Drive to the point at Steamer Lane. From there you can watch the surfers, or check out the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum in the old lighthouse, or grab a bite and beverage at Steamer Lane Supply (another ocean-friendly institution). I personally love their Turkish Cold Brew and they’re tasty “dillas” which are like toasted burritos that come in a variety of options. 

Another great meal was had at Sampa Brazilian Restaurant where we had Picanha and Chicken Paulista that would have made any Brazilian grandmother proud. If you’ve ever been to Brazil, or are simply curious about their world-famous food, a trip to Sampa will leave super feliz. 

Another wonderful Santa Cruz institution is Verve Coffee Roasters and Cafe, which actually operates a coffee cart right in the lobby of the Dream Inn. If you’re like me and need a little caffeine fix before hitting the surf, you can walk barefoot to the lobby and get your black magic easily squared away. Verve also has locations throughout Santa Cruz that are all worth a visit if you’re needing a little something to help get through the day. 

If you do happen to visit Santa Cruz and need some surf gear, be sure to check out Your Board Santa Cruz (read more about them here.)