Dream Inn
Santa Cruz · beach and coast
The ballroom's glass wall faces the wharf and West Cliff, looking due west over the water — which is what decides where the light falls at any hour of the day.
A Cowell Beach ceremony is on a City of Santa Cruz beach where alcohol and smoking are prohibited and hours run 8am to dusk. The two halves of the day are governed by different rules.
The practical details
Capacity
Up to 300
Jack's Patio 8,000 sq ft - reception 250, special event 300
Indoor capacity
200
Dream Ballroom 200 (3,500 sq ft), dividing into Surf View 100 banquet/180 reception, Beach View 50/100, Sand Room 30/40, The Cove 10
Rain backup
Unknown
ballroom exists but no stated rain policy
Curfew / end time
Not published
Amplified music
Permitted until 11:00pm - but this applies to hotel property only
Alcohol
Not published
Parking
Not published
Pricing
Not published
Accessibility
Not published
See it on your wedding date
Set your date and this page fills in with the tides, what the weather is usually like, sunset, and where the sun will be.
Places nearby to photograph
Portrait options close to the venue, measured straight-line from each one.
These are public places with their own rules, not part of the venue. Paid photography on state park land goes through the California Film Commission.
See also: Santa Cruz wedding photographer
Checked against the venue's own page on September 1, 2026