Vacation Rentals by Owner
Large Luxury Suite in Tropical Enclave at Balboa Park [#260850] | View Property
North Park
Villa, 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath (Sleeps 2)
$995/wk or $175/nt (3 nt minimum)
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Traveler Reviews (15)
Another Great Stay
Guest: rvershk
(Norton Shores, Michigan)
Date of Stay: 04/10/12
Review Submitted: 05/07/12
My wife and I just spent three wonderful weeks at this property. We had stayed in the other unit previously and loved it so we thought we would try this one, what a great choice. Since there was just the two of us we felt this one bedroom, king would best suit our needs this time. The unit is spacious, well appointed and just a pleasure to be in. The view is super regardless of what window you are gazing out of. Both the cozy deck and the very private patio with fountain offer a wonderful, peaceful location for solitude, reflection, while surrounded by beautiful plants and fragrance. The lower garden area is also spectacular and offers another great location for reading and just being with nature. The property is located near major access to get to any location withing the greater San Diego area. The walking opportunites around the area offer a wide range of options and level of difficulty. My favorite was to walk the many trails of close by Balboa Park. Rest assured that anytime while in San Diego THIS will be the place we strive to stay at.
Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Memorable stay in San Diego
Guest: Barb
(Carmel, Indiana)
Date of Stay: 03/03/12
Review Submitted: 04/18/12
My husband and I recently stayed in this lovely San Diego apartment for two weeks. During the process of looking for accommodations, the owner Kent was most helpful with my questions about the apartment and the city. I appreciated his promptness to my inquiries and his helpfulness prior to booking and also while we were in the apartment. The apartment could not have been better -- very spacious, tastefully appointed, extremely clean and comfortable. It is located in a neighborhood, not a commercial area -- less noise and traffic! The sound of the fountain on the patio was delightful. And the beautiful, lush surroundings on the property made for a relaxing setting. The proximity to Balboa Park was great and my husband was able to take off from the apartment to run in the park. Kent was very knowledgable about interesting sites to see in San Diego and his suggestion for restaurants, coffee shops, and farmers markets in Hillcrest and La Jolla were excellent. The apartment was centrally located and within easy driving distance for sites in the city. In Balboa Park we enjoyed the Sunday afternoon outdoor concert, the San Diego Zoo, the Japanese Teahouse, a ranger-led tour of the park, lunch at El Prado Restaurant, the great museums, and strolling thru the Spanish Village Art Center. By staying 2 weeks, we were able to enjoy many “gems” of the San Diego area: Coronado Island, the Midway Museum, the Gaslamp Quarters, Little Italy, walking the boardwalk at Mission Beach, La Jolla beaches, hiking a scenic trail in Torrey Pines State Park, Point Loma, a bus tour of the sculptures and buildings of the University of California San Diego campus, and touring the beautiful San Deigo de Acala Mission. This bungalow suite in its tropical oasis is an outstanding choice when visiting San Diego!
Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
amazing place
Guest: drjoe
(washington/baltimore)
Date of Stay: 05/17/11
Review Submitted: 05/25/11
This is a wonderful apartment for one or two adults. Great neighborhood, a stone's throw from Balboa Park and all of its attractions and close to shopping, restaurants etc. The apartment itself is stunning - beautifully furnished and appointed, clean and well maintained. The garden is spectacular and creates the impression of being miles away from urban stress. I found myself not wanting to leave the premises and, in fact, on a couple of days didn't. The owner is very accommodating, helpful, friendly but not intrusive. I would, and have, recommended it to colleagues and friends and will most certainly be back early and often.
Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
We love it here.
Guest: Robert Worobec
Date of Stay: 05/07/11
Review Submitted: 06/01/11
Each time my wife & I return to this perfectly appointed and warm Craftsman home in the perfect location (minutes to Balboa Park, Coronado, Hillcrest, Downtown, shopping -- everything!) we feel like second-home owners ourselves, as we sip our coffee in our private hummingbird- and fountain-filled garden. Seriously, we dream about this place when we're not there! And the bed is so perfect, we're getting a duplicate for our own home. Robert & Linda, Bozeman Montana
Recommended for:
Fun week in San Diego
Guest: Chicagonurse
(Chicago, IL 60561)
Date of Stay: 04/02/11
Review Submitted: 04/27/11
My husband and I spent a week in this property and loved every minute. The apartment and the garden were both beautiful and the bed, was so-so comfortable. We had total privacy yet, Kent was just a phone call away if needed. The property was right in the middle of a great neighborhood, a block away from Balboa Park, and ten minutes away from the beautiful Coronado Beach, yet quiet and private. Almost like a " little Oasis" within the city. This is a great place for any age couple, or a few couples if you rent both apartments. If you want some great restaurants check out, The Smoking Goat, The Mission for breakfast and Prado in Balboa park. This is a great place to stay if you really want to experience San Diego at it's best. Can't wait for our next trip to San Diego.
Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.
Kent's bungalow
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/25/11
Review Submitted: 05/28/11
Kent offers two lovely apartments in his large renovated Craftsman Bungalow. Each has its own entry and the house is set within a private tropical garden. It is in a great location, close to Balboa Park and other attractions. He is readily available and addresses your every need.
Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing.
Ideal Vacation
Guest: David Abramowitz
(Charleston, WV)
Date of Stay: 02/05/11
Review Submitted: 02/13/11
This place has something for everyone. Close by are wonderful restaurants along University Blvd and 30th street district. Many coffee shops in the area and absolutely to die for bakery at 3rd and University. Want more activity....hiking trails and Balboa park are a short walk. All the other sites of San Diego and along the coast are a short ride away. Airport is about 15 minutes by car. The rental was immaculate. King size bed, nice bathroom and kitchen and large living room. Private patio and veranda was an added bonus. What can I say...it was a great vacation. If you must have a view of the ocean, go somewhere else. Otherwise, great beaches within 15 minute by car. Can't go wrong with this place.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Perfect Stay!!!
Guest: Adam
(Austin Texas)
Date of Stay: 07/28/10
Review Submitted: 08/12/10
What an amazing property and a perfect location while visiting San Diego. The owner "Kent" has done a magnificent job restoring the home and surrounding gardens, which are equally stunning and provide a lot of privacy. Our 4-night stay couldn't have been better and Kent made sure to provide a comfortable and relaxing home for our stay. We have stayed in many homes using VRBO and this is our best stay yet. Located in a great neighborhood that is within two minutes of many great restaurants and of course Balboa park. It was an absolute pleasure to stay here and we can't wait to get back!
Recommended for:Girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Beautiful relaxing getaway near great restaurants
Guest: Kmcou
(Fort McMurray, Alberta)
Date of Stay: 07/20/10
Review Submitted: 08/13/10
We stayed here in July for a week and had the best time. Kent was amazing and had an outline of different restaurants that he recommended and other activities closeby all typed up and available to us when we arrived. We tried one of the restaurants and we were hooked! All the local spots, delicious food, cheap and good service. The condo is beautiful, a little retreat opening on a beautiful garden with a bistro set where you can drink your coffee in the morning. It's also steps from the zoo. Insanely comfortable bed as well.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
beautiful property, really nice owner!
Guest: robyn
(san francisco, ca)
Date of Stay: 07/19/10
Review Submitted: 08/13/10
you will love it here! a gorgeous apartment surrounded by truly lovely grounds, and kent is really fabulous as well. very centrally located, close to balboa park, the san diego zoo, downtown and etc. i would DEFINATELY stay here again!
Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Excellent place, very nice experience
Guest: Yogesh D.
(New York NY)
Date of Stay: 06/23/10
Review Submitted: 07/01/10
My wife and I stayed at Kent's place from June 23rd to June 30th. There are three units in his house, on three different floors, the bottom two of which he rents out. When we were searching for a place to stay, we really liked the look and feel of his two advertised units and contacted him about them. Seeing our eagerness to stay at his property rather than other vacation condos/ houses in SD, he graciously agreed to move out for a week and gave us his own suite on the top floor to stay in, as the bottom two units were booked! His house is meticulously landscaped and has differing levels on his nearly one-acre property, with three separate entrances. Each of the three units has their own private garden and patio space. During our time there, we did not hear or see the other renters at all. We spent a fair bit of time sunning in his garden and relaxing on his lounge chairs under a beach umbrella. Kent's property is located a few blocks from Balboa Park and 6 minutes walking distance from nearby bus stops. Except for one day when we went to Laguna Beach and LA, we did not even rent a car but went everywhere in San Diego by bus, trollley, or on bicycles (plenty of bike rental places around). We went to Balboa Park, its museums and the zoo, Corondao Beach, Mission Bay, Pacific beach and downtown SD (less than five miles away) without once feeling the need for a car! In case anyone's interested, you can plan your trips using public transportation in SD at this very helpful website: http://sdcommute.com/TripPlanner/index.asp Kent's house is situated in the Hillcrest area of San Diego, with lots of nice restaurants, cafes, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and other supermarkets around. The university area is close by too, with lots of ethnic and vegetarian restaurants around. His place is very clean, nicely maintained and private. The neigborhood is nice and quiet, but very close to everything. Kent was a very gracious host and helpful with local info and what to do/ what to avoid. We paid him half the money up front and the balance when we met on day 1. He was very responsive on phone and e-mail also, even before we landed up there and also afterwards. Other than when we needed him, he was unobtrusive. We would heartily recommend renting one of Kent's units and staying there. Kent can give you our contact info in case someone needs to chat with us personally. Bear in mind the time difference when contacting me, though (I live in New York).
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.
An Oasis indeed!
Guest: Elenee
(Chapel Hill,NC)
Date of Stay: 06/17/10
Review Submitted: 08/01/10
We came to San Diego to visit family and wanted to combine it with a 10 day vacation. We arrived with the usual apprehension when renting a place sight unseen--for the first time. We needn't worry. The cottage was indeed an oasis of comfort,yet within easy reach of Hillcrest, Balboa Park and many San Diego areas. It was accurately described, but what was wonderful about the place was the sense that it had been carefully put together, so it was comfortable, clean and easy to live in. There was a sense that someone cared about the place --in both decorating and maintaining it. The little patio in front of the french doors opened to a private, tropical garden. We made a habit of starting the day there with coffee and taking a break in the afternoon before starting out again. The owner was available to answer any questions--just a short flight up the steps to his office or by phone. At the same time, if we wanted privacy, we could go days without seeing him. Thanks to his suggestions, we found a wonderful neighborhood restaurant nearby. The neighborhood was safe to walk around in, day and night and we made a point of walking the half a block to the northeast end of Balboa Park every day. We drove to reach the more popular areas of Balboa Park, and that was about a two-minute drive. We will definitely return.
Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing.
Excellent Choice!
Guest: s.k.e.
(Phoenix, AZ Southwest USA)
Date of Stay: 06/04/10
Review Submitted: 06/18/10
This is the second summer in a row that we've stayed at this property. It is immaculate, beautifully appointed, peaceful, quiet and private. Do not hesitate to rent from this owner. He is conscientious, friendly and helpful! The location is wonderful and the gardens and units are the best we've ever found. Look no further!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Better than expected
Guest: Me & Him
(Northern CA)
Date of Stay: 05/13/10
Review Submitted: 06/07/10
Great location, centrally located to just about anything you might need (groceries, Peets/Starbucks, shopping, and the Zoo. We could probably have walked to the Zoo if we weren't so lazy :) The unit is modern, simple and clean... actually nicer than the photos. The owner was available for any questions we had, and had a pre-printed a list of cool places to visit in the area. The yard, right outside the patio door, is spacious, quiet and absolutely gorgeous. All in all a magical stay. The owner says he has people that come back every year, and from our experience, we can understand why.
Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.