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...