Reviews for Summerland Vacation Rental - VRBO 393364 - 1 BR Santa Barbara Area Cottage in CA, Cozy Summerland Lookout with Awesome Ocean and Island Views

Summerland Retreat

Guest Sandy and Dennis
Date of stay 04/22/13
Review Submitted 05/15/13

My husband and I had never visited Santa Barbara and were looking for a nice place to stay that was convenient to the area. We found this charming cottage and fell in love with the property, the area and the owner! The aroma of fresh flowers greeted us, along with fresh fruit and a personal note from Beth, welcoming us. She had put together much information on the area, including restaurants, shopping and sight seeing guides which were very helpful. We took long walks on the beach, found sea glass and watched migrating gray whales. Each day we explored new areas and upon returning would sit on the balcony, enjoy the ocean view and bask in the quiet of this oasis. Beth was the perfect hostess and we highly recommend this property! We hope to return again in the future.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thank you sweet guests. It was SO nice having you. You make this business a joy. You make life better with your ease of spirit and happy dispositions. I really appreciate your kindness and your words. It would be easy to have a wonderful time somewhere and NOT write a review. It means so much to me and to others that you would take the time. Thank you for that too. I will be so happy to have you return! Hugs to you until then. Beth and family.

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A Wonderful Experience

Guest E&M
Date of stay 02/02/13
Review Submitted 02/21/13

My wife and I had originally planned on staying in Santa Barbara, but then I stumbled across Spyglass Lookout, and we are so glad! We have stayed in many VRBO's in several countries, and this has to be one of our favorites. When we walked in we were greeted by a huge vase of gladioli, and every room has beautiful orchids and other plants. There is a great view of the ocean from each room, and the first morning we were there we saw several dolphins cavorting just offshore. Summerland is a great place to stay, with many antique shops , several eateries and a very nice beach. Make sure you check out The Sacred Space, especially the garden, which is a couple of blocks south of Spyglass Lookout - I think you will probably agree it is the most beautiful "shop" you have ever seen. Thank you Beth and family for a great vacation - we hope to return soon!

Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Dear You Two Sweet Guests~ I am just noticing that I did not immediately respond to your review. I am sorry. That was such a wonderful review. I am so happy that you were so happy here in Seaglass Lookout. I was so happy to have you. And it means a great deal to me, that with your years of experience traveling and managing rentals of your own, that you would write such a lovely review. It really means a lot. Thank you. May we see your smiling faces here with us again soon. Sincerely, Beth and family.

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Seaside Gem

Guest Jules
Date of stay 01/13/13
Review Submitted 01/29/13

We had a delightful stay in this charming cottage overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Santa Cruz Island. The property is situated up on the hill in Summerland with views of the ocean from every room. This small town, with no traffic lights, was a perfect location near Santa Barbara for tours, farmer’s markets, golf,restaurants, movies and the surrounding areas for day trips. We walked the beach daily, hiked the hills and took endless photos of the sunrise, sunsets, birds and flowering plants. The owner is wonderfully warm and helpful, attentive to all questions and needs. We can’t wait to go back!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Favorite Vacation Rental!!!

Guest megan m.
Date of stay 12/19/12
Review Submitted 12/27/12

This property is by FAR our favorite location to date. We can't say enough good things about it! Loved, loved, loved it. The personal touches and thoughtfulness that went into the decor made it so charming. The views from practically every room were AMAZING! From the moment we walked in the door, we felt right at home. Reminded us of the movie "The Holiday" where Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet switch homes. The Seaglass Lookout is absolutely charming and was an unexpected surprise. We searched high and low before we came across this rental, and we were sure glad that we did. It is such a great deal, as you get so much for the price: view, size, decor, location, hospitality, etc. privacy, etc. This is hard to find in the Santa Barbara area, where it's pretty pricey. Beth is warm and goes out of her way to be accommodating. She even welcomes guests with a greeting card and bowl full of delicious fruit. Helpful directions and restaurant recommendations came in handy. She was helpful and sweet with my allergies: even removed scented candles due to my sensitivities and supplied fragrance free soaps. The no smoking/no pets policy fit my needs well too. The place was tidy and impeccably clean. The kitchen was stocked with condiment necessities and the coffee table had a nice supply of art books and magazines to browse through. Binoculars hung on the bathroom wall were fun....the wifi came in very handy...and we could have spent all day out on the little balcony soaking up the sunshine! The pretty paintings throughout that adorned the walls gave it nice local flavor. If guests were interested in acquiring one themselves there was even information regarding the artist. I've always wished that owners did that, so now I can look into it! We strolled through the many antique shops in Summerland one evening, which is a very quaint town. Stat Street had the best places to dine out and Carpentaria had a nice slower pace to enjoy the beautiful beaches. Rincon Point was entertaining to watch the surfers... Butterfly Beach and Loon Point were just a short drive away. Stern's Wharf was fun. We all agreed that we slept the best on our trip at this rental, the proximity to the freeway/Amtrak actually creates a 'white noise' effect that lulls you to sleep. We are all light sleepers and it wasn't an issue at all. It was fun to watch the trains speed by in the evening. Make sure to stay at this lovely property...you WON'T be disappointed! It's absolutely fabulous!!!

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

Owner response: Oh Megan. What a great review. Brought tears to my eyes actually. I am so happy you were happy. Thank you for expressing so beautifully, in your own words, the things I would love future guests to know. Most sincerely, Beth

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Dolphin watching in comfort!

Guest Eleanor G.
Date of stay 09/27/12
Review Submitted 10/14/12

This apartment perched high on a hill in Summerland has an outstanding ocean view from any room! We spent ten nights here and found the apartment comfortable. The pictures on this website are accurate. The apartment is very attractively decorated in a style which I would call California Chic. It was eclectic, elegant, and filled with greenery as well as fresh flowers. We were greeted by a bowl of fresh fruit and avocados, as well as a cheery welcome note. We had a comfortable bedroom, the bed being decked out in quality linens. The kitchen and eating area, though small, were all my husband and I needed. The bathroom was just fine, and one could hardly resist looking out the large windows at the blue Pacific somedays watching a pod of dolphin play. It is a steep walk down to the small town of Summerland but worth the effort. I enjoyed the antique shops. My husband and I both liked walking down to Cafe Luna for coffee and to Cantwell's, an excellent deli/small grocery. Seaglass Lookout was an excellent location for us with our family living in nearby Carpinteria. it is convenient also to Monteceto and Santa Barbara. The reason I rated this property with four rather than five stars is because it is somewhat noisy, day and night. This is just the way Summerland is, being perched on a hill above Highway 101 and the Amtrak rail line. Like most things in life, one has to weigh this against the many pluses to decide if it is for you. One real plus is that the owner is such a helpful and response person to work with. She refunded our deposit before we left. That is not typical, however, it was most appreciated. The owner was always ready to help with any concerns. She and her children occupy the floors below. They were so quiet we forgot we were in their home as we had a

Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thank you for your review Ellie. It was a pleasure having you two. It is unfortunate isn't it, that in the early days of transportation there was not more forethought as to where to put the roads and railroad lines, or Summerland and the beach areas in Montecito and Santa Barbara (much of Pacific coast from San Diego to San Luis Obispo) would not have that to contend with. Amtrak aptly calls that passenger train The Surfliner. I think, because of our Indian Summer heatwave and the desire to sleep with the windows open, the sound was more of a factor than typically experienced; and your coming from a rural part of the country where there are fewer people in general, the bustling coast of California is quite a difference. I am looking forward to seeing you and Jack again on your next visit. Most sincerely, Beth

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Visiting family in Summerland

Guest bf
Date of stay 09/06/12
Review Submitted 09/22/12

This property was a welcomed change from staying in a hotel. Comfortable with a great ocean view, and a private entrance. Beth responded to our on line inquiry, phone calls and questions very quickly and efficiently and greeted us upon arrival and departure. Since it was the only vacation rental in her home, we felt like residents instead of tourists. The description and pictures are accurate. We have already told Beth that we intend to return on our next family holiday visit . She was exceptionally attentive to us as guests, and I believe enjoys her role as host.

Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Serene Writer's Retreat!

Guest Kathie
Date of stay 08/30/12
Review Submitted 09/19/12

From my first trip across the private footbridge into this serene cottage apartment to the last, I felt completely at home. The owner was gracious and attentive, though never in the way. It's clear she takes pride in maintaining a warm, retreat like environment for her guests. The home is artfully decorated in a peaceful and very comfortable "shabby chic" style, with houseplants thriving in every room. In addition, I was greeted with fresh cut flowers from the yard and fresh fruits and veggies from the farmer's market. It was such a treat to pick up a few additional groceries at the deli-market just down the street and settle in for a week of reading, writing, and gazing out the large windows at the Pacific Ocean. I found great restaurants, shopping, and antiquing all within easy walking distance. And I loved my daily hikes up Summerland's steep streets onto the community walking trail with spectacular views. I plan to be a regular!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thank you so much, Kathryn, for that beautiful review. It makes me so pleased to know you were happy and nurtured by the space and offerings. It really does. I am looking forward to your next visit. Thank you again. Most sincerely, Beth and family.

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Great stay at Seeglass Lookout

Guest The European travelers
Date of stay 07/28/12
Review Submitted 09/15/12

We came all the the way from Europe and stayed one week at this great vacation home. It is certainly a unique vacation rental: artfully decorated with a great attention to details, very cosy (I just loved all the candles which we made use of every evening) and well equipped. In short - it was a home away from home! The sea view was stunning, including from the bathroom - which only had the slight disadvantage that everybody always took longer than usual so get themselves ready :)) We even spotted dolphins from the balcony. I also absolutely loved the stunning vegetation and the "hideaway" private entrance to the place. The location is very close to Santa Barbara and therefore extremely convenient. We would definitely never hesitate to return!

Owner response: Maya, thank you for your heartfelt review. It was great to have you and your family. I am so happy you enjoyed it. Thank you again, for being our guests. Most sincerely, Beth and family.

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Great times....

Guest Coastal Visitors
Date of stay 07/20/12
Review Submitted 09/09/12

We loved it here! It was relaxing, clean, you can walk to the little town/beach. And it's a short drive to Carpinteria. Very nice, welcoming owner.

Owner response: Thank you Andrew~for your review. It was great to have you as our guests. Please come back and stay with us again. Most sincerely, Beth and family.

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July 2012 California Trip

Guest Pam
Date of stay 07/15/12
Review Submitted 08/21/12

What a delightful vacation spot! It was so close to everything and my daughter and I were able to walk down to the local restaurants and have our morning coffee. Favorite place was Cafe Luna for breakfast; great food and most of all, great coffee! Beth was readily available if we needed her, but thankfully didn't have to bother her. The accommodations were very, very nice and very comfortable. The road noise from the highway below was a little bothersome, but I was usually so tired from each day that it didn't bother me too much when going to bed. My daughter could not get used to it though. I would definitely recommend this wonderful vacation spot and would definitely stay there again if and when I return to California. Very close to everything and very, very relaxing! Thank you Beth for being such a great hostess!

Recommended for: Girls getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thank you Pam~ Thank you for the lovely and informative review. Anything I can do to make your next visit more comfortable and fulfilling, I am thinking of solutions. Hope to see you again soon. Most Sincerely, Beth and family.

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Pleasant and tastefully furnished place

Guest E.
Date of stay 06/16/12
Review Submitted 09/12/12

We enjoyed every minute of our holidays in this pleasant and tastefully furnished place. The ocean view from the living room is amazing and Summerland is a good central point to make nice little trips to Santa Barbara, Santa Monica or Solvang. The landlady is a wonderful person so we have been there twice. I look forward to going back there.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thank you E, for the review. We love having you. It means a lot that you travel all the way from Germany, now twice and stay here at Seaglass Lookout. Looking forward to your next visit. Safe and happy travels until then! Most Sincerely, we5

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What a gem!

Guest Chris N.
Date of stay 05/26/12
Review Submitted 06/10/12

All the previous reviewers were spot on! This place is a gem! The owner cannot do enough for you and is most accommodating. I cannot speak highly enough of Beth and her business ethics! BRAVO. We stayed here for a week and enjoyed everything. The unit is beautifully and thoughtfully decorated, the windows and sunlight are just so welcoming. The big bathroom and soft towels remind me of a 5 star hotel. The private entrance, the patio, I can go on and on. We just wished that we have found this place a lot earlier. Who'd want to stay in a hotel with a place like is? BOOK IT!

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

Owner response: Chris~Thank you so much for this lovely review. I am SO glad that you were happy here. I hope to see you and your family again soon. Thank you again. Most sincerely, Beth and family

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Excellent vacation property!

Guest Molly
Date of stay 05/20/12
Review Submitted 06/02/12

We stayed at Seaglass Lookout a week ago and still cannot believe how lovely and welcoming it was. The property is simply beautiful with great ocean views from every room (including the bathroom!) and from the balcony. The decorating is gorgeous too. It felt like we were staying in a show home. Also, it was a two-minute drive to the beach where we walked every morning, and Summerland is an adorable little town as well as being a short drive to Santa Barbara. On top of all that, the owner could not have been more friendly and helpful, and we can't thank her enough. It was the best experience we could have hoped for. We'd go back in a minute, and you'd be a fool to pass this place up.

Owner response: MM~ That was a lovely review. Thank you. It made us all so happy to have you and DB as our guests. It really did. We can't wait for your return. And so you know, the books are a huge hit! Laila is reading hers again already, because she loved it so much. And Bruce has Cemetery Girl! More news soon. From your friends for life at Seaglass Lookout.

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Great place to stay! I will return!

Guest JohnE
Date of stay 04/21/12
Review Submitted 05/01/12

The owner was very courteous, thoughtful and responsive to my questions (as well as special needs, such as a feather-free bedding). The 1 bedroom unit in an old house is totally private, with its own balcony facing the sea. Even the large barthroom has a stunning view! The place is charming, with tons of light and exceptional views of the sea and the islands. The kitchen is set up with the essentials for 2 people - a couple of more in a pinch. The many decorating touches, live orchids and a bowl of fresh organic fruit show how much the owner appreciates her guests. She was always available, but never intrusive. The place was very clean when I arrived for my 9 day stay and the maid came once while I was there and it sparkled again. The location is several blocks away and up the hill from the 101 freeway and a rail line with a few passing trains per day. You can hear the traffic noise, which dies off considerably at night (but I sleep with ear plugs for total silence when I travel, anyway). The occaisional train whistle is far enough away to be charming, rather than annoying. The many advantages and charms of the place far outweigh this inconvenience for me, but it should be mentioned for those who would be unhappy about it. I am already planning a return trip. The small seaside town of Summerland is not 10 minutes from Santa Barbara, but retains a village feel, with a few boutiques, a liquor store, gas station, post office and restaurants for your basic needs. The Summerland Cafe is a gem of a place for breakfast and all of the boutiques, restaurants and other attractions of Santa Barbara are scant minutes away. The close location, beautiful views, nice space and good value combine with the owner's care for the property and the guests to make this a 5 star experience!

Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: JH~ Thank you for that lovely review. You put it so well. We are very much looking forward to your return. Most Sincerely, Beth P.S. The La Luna Cafe has the "Carpinteria Breakfast" that I love too!

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Beautiful Ocean View Cottage

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 03/31/12
Review Submitted 04/09/12

My wife and two daughters had an absolutely wonderful time at this quaint cottage. We managed to escape the hustle of L.A. and unplug, unwind and rekindle our family spirit. We enjoyed exploring Summerland, riding our bikes to Montecito, visiting Ojai, as well as, nearby Santa Barbara and Carpenteria. This place was tastefully furnished, offered us privacy and overall made us feel like we were at home. Our host Beth was attentive to our every need and came to our rescue when we realized that we had forgotten our children's safety helmets. Thank you so much!

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

Owner response: It was truly a pleasure to have you four with us. Thank you for staying with us and for the great review. We look forward to having you back again with us soon - and often! I have found myself thinking about your offer to visit your succulent garden and take a few cuttings to add to ours. That would really be awesome. Maybe one day, we here at Seaglass Lookout will be known for our garden - and you can take a cutting with you when you go! Thanks again, sweet family. See you soon. we5goodmans

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Great experience!

Guest LoveToTravel4Fun199
Date of stay 03/08/12
Review Submitted 03/29/12

My husband and I spent two wonderful weeks in this adorable cottage in charming Summerland, CA, nestled between Carpinteria and Montecito, CA, just six miles from Santa Barbara. We could not have been happier here. The cottage is bright and sunny and cozy. The views of the ocean from the living room, small deck, bedroom and bathroom are just beautiful. Our host---Beth---is welcoming, accommodating but not in the least bit intrusive. There is a washer/dryer on the premises which is so helpful for a longer stay. Summerland has coffee shops and good restaurants and a little grocery store that has great take-out. It was perfect for us. We cannot recommend it highly enough. We hope to return.

Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway.

Owner response: Thank you Karla~ Thank you for staying with us and for your beautiful review. We loved having you both. We really did. Please come back again soon. I have to admit, you two inspired me to walk all the way to Santa Barbara in the sand and take my babes to the islands in the channel one day soon. Looking forward to next time. All the best til then. Sincerely, Beth and family.

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Adorable Cottage - Great Location

Guest Lindsey
Date of stay 02/04/12
Review Submitted 03/02/12

My husband and I stayed here for 3 weeks in February to escape the cold of the Midwest. This home was so cute and had a fantastic layout. The location was fabulous as well, being within walking distance of the restaurants and coffee shop downtown Summerland. We chose to stay in Summerland vs. Santa Barbara because it has a quieter small town feel to it. We are cyclists so the location was also perfect for biking to Carpentaria in to the mountains with minimal traffic. There is a bit of traffic / train noise but it didn’t bother us at all. The back deck has a great view of the ocean. Beth was extremely hospitable; she gave us wonderful restaurant recommendations, and provided anything we asked for in the home that might be missing, such as some cooking utensils. We truly loved staying here and plan on coming back again next winter.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, sightseeing.

Owner response: It sure was great to have you stay at Seaglass Lookout. I credit you with assisting me to more thoroughly stock the kitchen. Next year, you let me know what you need to cook-up-a-storm, and we'll add that too! Also, I loved that you attended the Rincon Surf Classic! That is a pretty big deal in the surfing world around here, but certainly not a big tourist attraction. Thank you for your adventurous spirits. Maybe next year you can blog about your adventures in the area and we can feature them on our website? Thank you again dear guests. See you next year, if not sooner! Most sincerely, we5goodmans

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Charming

Guest Julie
Date of stay 01/28/12
Review Submitted 02/10/12

I loved staying here. Charming. Great ocean view from lots of windows and a porch. Plus I really liked watching the Amtrak passing in the early evening.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: It was wonderful having you Julie. Thank you for your review. We hope to be making Seaglass Lookout ever better and better.

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Real charmer!

Guest akedrn
Date of stay 12/15/11
Review Submitted 01/04/12

We’ve stayed in this lovely rental twice already and can’t wait to go again! Felt like we were nestled among the tree tops – but appreciated not having to climb stairs to get there. Beautifully appointed with decorator touches everywhere. Ocean views from every room. Summerland has small town charm with lots of antique and arts galleries, good restaurants. Highly recommend.

Recommended for: People with disabilities, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Owner response: It was wonderful to have you. We look forward seeing you again soon! Thank you for your review. Most Sincerely, Beth

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Vacation Rentals by Owner

Cozy Summerland Lookout with Awesome Ocean and Island Views [#393364] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (19)

Summerland Retreat

Summerland Retreat

A Wonderful Experience

A Wonderful Experience

Seaside Gem

Seaside Gem

Favorite Vacation Rental!!!

Favorite Vacation Rental!!!

Dolphin watching in comfort!

Dolphin watching in comfort!

Visiting family in Summerland

Visiting family in Summerland

Serene Writer's Retreat!

Serene Writer's Retreat!

Great stay at Seeglass Lookout

Great stay at Seeglass Lookout

Great times....

Great times....

July 2012 California Trip

July 2012 California Trip

Pleasant and tastefully furnished place

Pleasant and tastefully furnished place

What a gem!

What a gem!

Excellent vacation property!

Excellent vacation property!

Great place to stay! I will return!

Great place to stay! I will return!

Beautiful Ocean View Cottage

Beautiful Ocean View Cottage

Great experience!

Great experience!

Adorable Cottage - Great Location

Adorable Cottage - Great Location

Charming

Charming

Real charmer!

Real charmer!