Santa Cruz Dream Inn

Santa Cruz’s only beachfront hotel, the just-renovated 165-room property has morphed (thanks to new management by the Joie de Vivre group) from tired 1960s cinderblock to jaunty retro-chic boutique—and has its own pool to boot. Light-flooded rooms have sliding green shutters, bright yellow 1960’s Panton chairs, and balconies with views of Monterey Bay. Try the fish-and-chips made with local Seabright Brewery beer at the hotel’s Aquarius restaurant.