Vacation Rentals by Owner

Perfect Pacific Beach Cottage

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/30/11 Review Submitted: 08/21/11

I stayed here with two teenage boys. Rowena's cottage was absolutely perfect for us. This was our 7th vacation in San Diego and I thought this location was the best in terms of access to the beach, restaurants, and grocery stores, while being much quieter and calmer than the Mission Beach/ Pacific Beach boardwalk. The cottage was very cozy, clean, and welcoming (thanks for the treats, Rowena!) The locks on the doors are programmed with your password--no more misplaced keys. Also, I must say that Rowena has provided absolutely everything a guest might want or need. The boys biked to the beach every day (no need to pay for bike rentals!) I enjoyed a morning walk to the beach to watch the surfers. In the evening we liked grilling and hanging out in the pretty backyard. The wi-fi worked perfectly. Rowena was very responsive and welcoming and provided excellent recommendations for dining, shopping, and even where to catch the best fireworks. Try Konos (on Pacific Beach) for breakfast, Fred's Cafe for Mexican, Enoteca Adriano for an upscale Italian dinner, The French Gourmet for pastries or breakfast, and The Fishery for fresh fish. I understand why many of Rowena's renters return year after year--we plan to stay here again next summer.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

A Perfect Place to Stay for Families

Guest: Canadian Kids (Abbotsford, BC)
Date of Stay: 03/15/11 Review Submitted: 03/24/11

This was our first visit to San Diego and this house made it a perfect vacation! It was a perfect location, close enough to walk or ride bikes to the beach, yet far enough away that the area was quiet and relaxing. Our kids (aged 5, 7, 9) loved the all the "extras" in the house such as the TV in their room, the soccer ball and outside toys, the bikes, and boogie boards. In the evenings, we played board games or watched movies which were all provided. I really don't think we could ever stay at a hotel again after vacationing with all the comforts of home provided. This location in the San Diego area was also great. We went to Legoland, SeaWorld, and to the Midway and had minimal driving distances. Thank you Rowena for a wonderful time and for your incredible hospitality!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Everything we dreamed of and more.

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/19/10 Review Submitted: 07/14/10

My wife, 3 kids (ages 7, 9, 11) and Dad stayed here the end of June and had a fantastic time. It was our first time visiting the area and the place was great. The house was very clean and well kept and equipped with everything we needed. The landscaping was awesome. The location was very pretty and real close to the best beach in the San Diego area. Pacific Beach was beautiful. Rowenna made sure we had everything we needed. Thanks you Rowenna for everything you did. We are already looking forward to returning next summer. We would recommend to anyone who wants to visit the area to stay here. Thanks again Rowena! Mike, Jen, Jake, Alee and Tess

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Very Satisfied!

Guest: Marina (Stockton California)
Date of Stay: 06/05/10 Review Submitted: 07/14/10

I started researching rentals for our San Diego vacation about a year in advance. I sent many emails to Rowena and she always responded promptly and was very helpful. That is part of the reason I ended up booking with her. We were very impressed with her property and had a wonderful and relaxing vacation. Thank you again Rowena! PS. loved the food at Big Kahuna's on Ingraham, The Firehouse on the beach, and Katsu Sushi downtown across from Westfield Plaza. Also enjoyed visiting Old Town and Coronado Island.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

Fabulous Beach Vacation

Guest: Family4 (Roseville, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/01/10 Review Submitted: 06/22/10

This was the first extended vacation for my family after spending the last 3 years either pregnant or caring for newborns, and was well worth it. The house is a cozy beach cottage with every amenity that you considered (or never even thought of). Rowena took extra special care to make sure our needs were met our entire stay. It was such a relief and pleasure to find that the home's small backyard was enclosed and I could let my two little boys who are bundles of energy run around and play without getting out. Grocery stores, restaurants, treats and more are abundant and close by. I would highly recommend this home and hope to stay here again in the years to come.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Guest: Heidie1 (Arizona)
Date of Stay: 02/08/10 Review Submitted: 02/08/10

Every summer we pack our clothes and head to our "second home". There is no place like this house and the owner is a dear women who serves others with LOVING detail. Our family looks forward to our "special time at the beach" each year. I would recomend this home to anyone and everyone who is looking for a peaceful loving place to stay!

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Rowena's Residence

Guest: Nick from England (West Yorkshire, England.)
Date of Stay: 10/17/09 Review Submitted: 11/10/09

I retired from work in February this year and we promised ourselves a special holiday. To say we were delighted with the house, the amenities and the area would be a gross understatement. We travelled nearly 6000 miles from England but it was worth every minute of the travelling. The house is equipped with everything you could possibly need. To say that it was like walking into a home rather than a house would be the most honest comment. Rowena was so friendly, helpful and informative before the holiday and was keen to ensure our well being and comfort when we arrived. There are enough surfboards and bikes for a large family, the garden is a wonderful suntrap and the immediate area is quiet, although handy for the beach and local shops. I would not hesitate to return and would certainly recommend it for both couples and families.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Zonies who love San Diego!

Guest: Kris (Chandler, AZ)
Date of Stay: 10/09/09 Review Submitted: 07/18/10

Talk about all the amenitiies included, this is the place! Why stay somewhere where you have to go to the boardwalk and rent the boogie boards, the bicycles, the toys - just stay at Rowena's! We enjoyed having the garage to park the car and the privacy of the backyard. We will stay here when returning to the San Diego area over a hotel anyday. Rowena goes above & beyond to make your stay enjoyable. We'll be back!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/09/09

Nothing but great things to say about the house, location and Rowena. We had everything we needed and were close to everything. Looking forward to staying there again.

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Great beach house for one family.

Guest: family of 4 (Logan, Utah, USA)
Date of Stay: 02/12/09 Review Submitted: 03/03/09

We went to San Diego in mid February and loved our stay at this beach house. It was just the right size for our family (parents and two kids). The house was comfortable and was loaded with amenities: stocked cupboards, movies, Wii console with games, washer and dryer, bikes to ride to the beach and more. The home owner was wonderful to work with and I feel she tried very hard to make our stay a memorable one. While there we went to Lego land- our kids loved that, San Diego Zoo- great if you like zoos but be ready for a lot of walking up or down hills, and the children's museum downtown- wouldn't recommend that. We loved eating at the Green Flash on the beach, fresh roles from the nearby French pastry and treats from the Chocolate shop across from the pastry shop. The last two are walking distance from the house. One other thing we loved is that it was quiet at night. No train horns or loud parties. The beds were comfortable and we really felt at home there.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Nothing compares!

Guest: ILoveSanDiego (El Cajon, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/02/09 Review Submitted: 01/08/09

I almost hesitate to leave this review because then others will discover this wonderful gem of a home and we want it all for ourselves! :) First off, Rowena is amazing to work with! She is a sweetheart and great about communication. She responded quickly to all my questions and emails. Her personal touch is all over the house and is what sets it apart from anything else we have rented. You walk in and instantly feel at home. It's warm, inviting and super comfortable. It feels like a home and not a vacation rental. It's clean, equipped with anything and everything you could need in all the rooms. The bedrooms are bright and welcoming. The towels big and fluffy. Forgot your hairdryer or shampoo? No worries, it's all there for you. The kitchen is well equipped and puts mine to shame! The fireplace is wonderful in the evening. To come in at night, get the fire going and sink back into the couch was beyond wonderful. 100's of great books, for adults and children as well. A big assortment of board games. Bath toys for the tub. Even a Wii with numerous games! This really is a home away from home! The backyard is great! Grass, BBQs, a fire pit, chairs, loungers, a table and chairs for enjoying your lunch outside in the sun or dinner under the stars. Even a chest full of beach toys for the kids. The garage is well stocked with beach bikes, boogie boards, long board, short board and any other beach toy you might need... even wet suits. There is also a washer and dryer in there in case you need to do some laundry mid stay. It's close to everything! Numerous dining options, all sorts of great and unique stores to wander through and of course...the beach. We parked when we arrived and did not get back into the car until our dreaded day of departure. We biked or walked everywhere. :) We travel a lot and I can honestly say between Rowena's sweet and warm personality and the amazing charm of this house, you can do no better!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fantastic family fun

Guest: TwoBoys (Dobbs Ferry, NY)
Date of Stay: 12/25/08 Review Submitted: 01/04/09

We stayed at this adorable house over Christmas week. Rowena could not have been more gracious, a pleasure. We have never rented a house before, we usually stay at hotels and resorts. But my two sons (14 and 12) loved it! They played Wii, took out the bikes, and tried to relax and watch TV when we weren't hitting every tourist attraction in the area. The house is small, but well appointed and the beds are delightful. The location was perfect for us, a quiet street, a 5 minute walk to the beach and to Garnet and no more than 15 or 20 minutes from everywhere we wanted to me (except for Disneyland). Enjoy it...we did.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 12/01/08 Review Submitted: 12/21/08

Imagine 6 women in a 2B/2b home. Somehow it worked and worked well. What a wonderful place. With three cooks in the mix, the kitchen was stocked with supplies that pleased each of us. The weather was great and we all managed to get a lot of walking in. Felt like we were in our own neighborhood with friendly people at every turn. Look forward to coming back. JT and the posse!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/08 Review Submitted: 07/29/08

Oh my! Such a wonderful homey house! My family and I enjoyed the time we spent in the house. Rowena is such a sweet and thoughtful host. Everything exceeds our expectation, clean, beautiful, functional and more. We'll definitely come back again! Big thanks to Rowena, you're great and trustworthy!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/08 Review Submitted: 07/29/08

What a great house - my family had a wonderful time and have already booked the house for two weeks next year. We all loved all of the amenities: bikes, outdoor shower, boogie boards and most of all the quick and easy access the beach - what more could we ask for! Thanks Rowena - see you next year. Cara

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/08 Review Submitted: 07/28/08

We had a fabulous time at Rowena's home. It was extremely relaxing and designed with comfort in mind. I would say the best part of this experience was the hostess. She worked overtime to be certain we had all we needed (and more)to be comfortable and happy. We will rent again from her because of the way she works to ensure tenant comfort! The bikes were an incredible asset that I did not think of until we were there and used them so much.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/08 Review Submitted: 07/27/08

Rowena, we want to thank you again for all your hospitality! We felt right at home as we enjoyed your beach home, the town, and Pacific Beach. Thanks for everything the teen agers had a blast and were part of the "fun life"....We always attend church while on vacation(unless there is none around) and that weekend believe me the teenagers resisted totally to go to Church! What was so neat was we ran in to the Pastor we met at church,the next morning in the coffee house down the street. This put the finishing touch on our short getaway!We really appreciate your kindness and help! You truly go out of your way for your guests.We feel like you are part of our family now!Thanks again so much and may God Bless you always! Always the Bargas'

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/01/08 Review Submitted: 05/13/08

Incredible Family Fun...We had the best time ever. In fact, my 15 year old daughter asks me all the time...when can we go back there. Rowena's home is your sanctuary. Whether you are looking for a getaway for just you and your loved one or whether you want some amazingly fun time with your family, this is the place for you. We rode bikes to the beach...in fact we rode all the way around the beach and the bay. My daughters tumbled in the grass right on the waters edge ... walking distance from the home. We played games, boogie boarded, and sat around and laughed for hours....The home is decorated beautifully yet extremely comfortable. There was not one thing we needed...she had it all! I hope you can take the time to come here and create a memorable time like we did!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Sharon M. (Clinton, Connecticut)
Date of Stay: 04/01/08 Review Submitted: 04/23/08

From the minute we walked into the house, we knew it was going to be a great place to stay. The neighborhood was so quiet and tranquil. The home is so inviting and comfortable. Rowena is a gem to work with and makes it her business to make sure everything is ready for arrival day. It is definately your home away from home.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Scott & Marci_HAC123736 (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/01/08 Review Submitted: 02/03/08

What a great weekend getaway. We are from San Diego but to stay here felt like a world away. It is a peaceful and very comfortable place to be just minutes, on the great bikes to the beach. Rowena is absolutely charming and made our stay incredible! We cannot wait to go back.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Stacie Rose_HAC123221 (Bear River City Utah)
Date of Stay: 01/01/08 Review Submitted: 01/29/08

I am now looking to book this house again and I noticed that I did not make any comments about the first stay. Rowena the owner is incredible, we left feeling like we had just made a new friend. Her house has so much of her character in it. This was our funnest vacations purely due to the beautiful and peaceful accomodations

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Sue & Jim (Superior, CO)
Date of Stay: 10/01/07 Review Submitted: 10/20/07

Wonderful place! Beautiful furnishings and every amenity one would ever need. The beach was so close and we really enjoyed riding the bikes. A no hassel weekend with the airport only minutes away. We had a blast! One of favorite vacations!

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Beach House

Guest: John & Deb (Phoenix, AZ USA)
Date of Stay: 08/01/07 Review Submitted: 01/09/08

The property was great, very clean, organized, fully stocked kitchen! Walking distance to beach & downtown! The owner was great...all was as promised,,,,we would stay a this home again!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Joel and Lauren (Canada)
Date of Stay: 05/01/07 Review Submitted: 05/26/07

We were SO happy to rent this beautiful house during a trip to San Diego! The owner has gone to the endth mile to make this a comfortable, wonderful vacation destination. We enjoyed the house itself as a getaway, but also it's proximity to the beautiful beach and nearby areas of La Jolla and Pacific Beach. We hope to return someday soon!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Tom & Simone (Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 05/01/07 Review Submitted: 05/05/07

This house is absolutely beautiful! Great location, well decorated, comfortable, fun, secure and everything you need and want is there waiting for you! We rented in Jan/07 for about 3 weeks and we can't stop thinking about the good times in San Diego in "our beach house". The owner is extremely nice and generous. She will make you feel welcome and allow you to have your privacy. I loved the place, location, bikes and all. Can't wait to go back!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Kate_HAC85495 (Camas, WA)
Date of Stay: 05/01/07 Review Submitted: 05/02/07

I want to tell you about the owner - not the house first. This lady will go extra mile to make sure you're absolutely comfortable! And you can see her personality throughout of this house. It's VERY important to know who you are renting from - so with this lovely landlord in charge you will never regret it! We loved every minute of our time there.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/07 Review Submitted: 04/11/07

I stayed in this home a few months ago with my wife and child. It is such a comfortable and inviting place to stay. The town is also amazing. The house sits in a great location and we were close to everything. I have already receommedned the home to many of my friends. A great place to enjoy the beach life !!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Vicki_HAC82921 (Westminster, CO)
Date of Stay: 04/01/07 Review Submitted: 04/11/07

Beautiful, clean, family friendly and great location! We stayed for a long weekend with friends and can not wait to go back with our family. Highly recommend this for a peaceful get away. Beach crusiers were the best! We did more cycling than driving because everything is so close and the cruisers are so much fun. Thanks for your hospitality!! Can't wait for the next visit.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Wendy Galarza (Las vegas, NV.)
Date of Stay: 04/01/07 Review Submitted: 04/09/07

I have stayed at this beautiful beach home with my husband and daughter. The home it self is just so warm and inviting. This is what a vacation home is all about. This home is definitely child proof. It is an absolute relaxation destination. Everything thing is near by. Great shopping, restaurants, and not to mention the beach literally around the corner. I will not look for any other place when I am in San Diego.

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