Vacation Rentals by Owner

Charming, cozy retreat in Santa Cruz

Guest: jso (CA)
Date of Stay: 03/30/12 Review Submitted: 04/02/12

Ditto to the previous raving reviews, but I'd like to add it was a great place for our toddler and infant in addition to mom and dad.

Owner response:We are so happy your little one's were as happy as mom and dad!

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

our favourite holiday home

Guest: K&G (Surrey, England)
Date of Stay: 03/12/12 Review Submitted: 05/02/12

We have stayed at Watercolour Cottage four or five times ... we've lost count, and every time now it feels like coming home. Denise and Glenn, who are friendly but discreet hosts (any small problem we have encountered sorted within minutes), have added just the right balance of quirky seaside style, comfortable furnishings and interesting books, and the whole cottage is wonderfully organised and clean. We use the house to visit and entertain a relation and friends in Santa Cruz and look forward to staying here each year. Equally, our friends look forward to coming, and eating meals in the beautiful garden. All agree that Watercolour Cottage is uniquely charming.

Owner response:Thank you! We are so pleased you have a holiday home in Santa Cruz that you can call your own! We look forward to your return next year. Cheers! Denise & Glenn

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

Very cozy cottage!

Guest: Ms O. (-)
Date of Stay: 02/17/12 Review Submitted: 02/22/12

The owners thought of everything you might want or need in a very comfortable cottage setting. We were close to the ocean, downtown and state parks ~ perfect for our three-day weekend!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful days in Santa Cruz

Guest: Atle G.
Date of Stay: 01/07/12 Review Submitted: 03/13/12

My girlfriend, my baby son and I stayed in this beautiful cottage for 6 whole weeks. Thanks to good instructions received to our home address prior to our trip, arriving at the cottage was a breeze. Once inside, we were happy to see that, even though the pictures on the website were nice, they did not begin to convey how cozy this place is. The decoration and interior fits the place perfectly. We also had a great time browsing through the many books we could find in the cottage dealing with various attractions and historical sites in the area. The cottage itself is a older building, nicely refurbished, with a beautiful backyard and small garden. In the morning we could sit in the backyard, drinking our coffee and listening to the sea lions barking at the wharf, while our baby boy could play by himself in a safe environment. The cottage is situated close to the sea, just a minute walk from lighthouse field and the west cliff drive. During daytime the drive was perfectly suited for strolls with our baby boy, and each night people gather there to watch the sunset, creating a great atmosphere. The area itself felt perfectly safe, even for more "rural" people like our self coming from small towns in Norway. As we stayed for 6 weeks, we had plenty of time for trips around the area. The coastline is beautiful, both going north and south. We had many day trips to San Francisco, Monterey and the Santa Cruz mountains. Six weeks was not enough to see all the sites even in the local area of Santa Cruz. The friendly and helpful hosts of the cottage, Denise and Glenn, had provided us with free passes to the Monterey Aquarium that we used as often as we could. The Aquarium is a treat, and there was a toddler area where our 10 months old boy could meet and play with other children his age. Even Yosemite was within reach for us and our baby boy, and we had a wonderful weekend stay there. We are really happy we took this trip, and feel lucky to have found this pearl of a cottage. We would recommend it to anyone looking for a tranquil place with charm to stay, both for a weekend or for several weeks as we did. The hosts couldn't have been more friendly and helpful, making our stay even better than we hoped for. We would love to come back one day.

Owner response:Thank you! We are so pleased you have many fond memories of Watercolour Cottage and your first visit to Santa Cruz and other beautiful surrounding areas . A delight to meet you and your little one who took his first baby steps here! Norway will also have a special place as we think of you in your beautiful "rural" town. Cheers ! Skal! Denise & Glenn

Recommended for:

Very Charming - Great Location

Guest: A Simple Old Guy (Los Angeles, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/26/11 Review Submitted: 01/01/12

So much detail has gone into designing this charming little cottage. You feel that all your needs have been carefully thought out by the owners. We enjoyed the warm and cozy atmosphere, the special amenities throughout house and the attention to detail with the design and decorating. Everything you need is there. The biggest draw is the close proximity to the ocean and the walking/running path that takes you south to the pier and north to the Natural Bridges State Park. It does not matter whether fog shrouds the coast, rain and cool temperatures prevail or the sun is out and the sky is deep blue, the smell of the ocean air and the sound of the waves crashing on the shoreline create a most peaceful atmosphere to enjoy some quiet time away from the hectic pace of the city. We loved it.

Recommended for:Age 55+

A real gem

Guest: annahumm (British Columbia)
Date of Stay: 10/29/11 Review Submitted: 11/18/11

My husband and I had nearly a week at the Watercolour Cottage, and wish we could have stayed longer. Denise and Glenn have made this a very comfortable place for a quiet holiday. A comfortable bed with excellent quality linens, a very well-equipped kitchen, and a lovely private patio ( unfortunately not used very much because of the cool weather) all helped to make this accommodation a real gem. We look forward to our next visit.

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

Perfect Cottage rental!!

Guest: Barbara Jorrisch (-)
Date of Stay: 10/02/11 Review Submitted: 10/11/11

We highly recommend Watercolour Cottage. It is super-charming and overflowing with personality. But you will also feel right at home. The cottage is immaculately clean and it has everything you could possibly need or want in a rental property, plus complete privacy. The backyard garden is sublime. Fantastic place!!

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

Why you need to stay here!

Guest: No Nickname (Huntington Beach, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/03/11 Review Submitted: 08/07/11

My husband and I are from Huntington Beach, CA...The other Surf City...but this time of year is the U.S. Open which we used to like to . We decided to go visit friends in Surf City during this time, because our city has become too crowded during the Surf Contest. How wonderful it was to stay at Watercolour Cottage. It was sooooo peaceful. The gardens are a beautiful surrounding. Just like a beautiful canvas painting. Was able to meditate quietly and then sit with coffee and read. Bring your bikes. You are right near the Cliffs, pier and Boardwalk Fun Zone and arcade...All just walking or biking distance. You can also take the $0.25 trolley to downtown to shop, eat or just see a movie. We did it all and loved every bit of it. Hope you will too!

Recommended for:Sightseeing

Best Rental I Have Ever Had.

Guest: peggy b.
Date of Stay: 07/30/11 Review Submitted: 08/08/11

Denise's watercolour cottage was fantastic. I have done a lot of vacation rentals and Denise was the most accommodating and thoughtful host we have ever encountered. And the cottage is so ADORABLE it belongs in a magazine and was very comfortable. Our stay was practically magical. I would highly recommend.

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

Adorable, Perfect Cottage ... Home Sweet Home

Guest: Rachel D.
Date of Stay: 07/05/11 Review Submitted: 07/12/11

I stayed at Watercolour Cottage with my elderly mom and sister, who were visiting from Texas. We stayed for 2 nights, and the little cottage was just as adorable as can be! My mom slept soundly in the twin size fold-out sleeper, with a cozy full-length cushion that we placed on top to make it extra-comfortable. My sister and I slept quite comfortably in the little bedroom at the back. The bedroom had a fabulous closet with plenty of storage and shelves so that all 3 of us could easily organize our things. The bathroom has a walk-in shower, which was a God-send for my mom, who has limited mobility and knee problems. You can walk right into the cottage with no steps at all to climb. My mom loved that. The kitchen is bright and airy and had everything we needed. The backyard patio / garden is GORGEOUS, as are all the lovely plants growing in front. Denise and Glenn had even provided enormous hydrangeas and other fresh flowers from the garden to greet us. The free aquarium passes were much appreciated ... we enjoyed a fabulous day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. And the little cottage is only, maybe a 5 minute drive from the fabulous Santa Cruz beach boardwalk. My sister and I went to the boardwalk on Tuesday night, and we were thrilled to find out that they are having a promotion this summer ... all rides (even the big roller coasters) are only $1.00 per person, after 5 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays this summer, and they had $1.00 hot dogs, and $1.00 pepsi's, too! Boy, did we luck out! We rode the vintage merry go round, the Sky Express, Ghost Blasters, the flying superman ride (can't remember the name), and of course the vintage wooden roller coaster, the Giant Dipper. We had so much fun, especially for $1.00 per ride. Hurray! Also Glenn and Denise were very responsive, Glenn came over right away when my mom was having trouble figuring out how to get the cable / satellite TV connection going so she could have watch her news programs. He got it going in no time, and she was all set! We also enjoyed the selection of books Denise and Glenn have provided, including Cannery Row by John Steinbeck, "Goodnight California," and a book with all the info about the making of the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk. We only wish we could have stayed longer. It was truly a lovely home away from home, cared for with great attention to detail by Denise and Glenn. Thanks for everything, we hope we can come back someday!

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

Wonderful

Guest: Ardis (Campbell, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/17/11 Review Submitted: 07/17/11

My 2 friends and I stayed 2 nights at the Watercolour Cottage to attend our 40th high school reunion held at the Dream Inn. THE PICTURES AND ON LINE DESCRIPTION DO NOT DO THIS PROPERTY JUSTICE!!! We loved it! And, it was a convenient and easy 15 minute walk away from the Dream Inn. With the hide-a-bed it easily accommodated the 3 of us. The private back yard with patio table, fire bowl and BBQ were all a relaxing way to have our breakfasts in the mornings and while away the afternoons / evenings before and after our re-union events. Thank you, Denise and Glenn, for a wonderful "home away from home". The Three Amigas

Owner response:We are so happy that you had not only a wonderful reunion but a place to call your own and create more even more fond memories together! Thank you for taking the time to share your pleasant time at the cottage for future guests. Hope the "The Three Amigas" return to the garden again someday!

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Perfect, Perfect, Perfect

Guest: Meg R. (Oak Park)
Date of Stay: 06/09/11 Review Submitted: 06/25/11

I rented this perfect little cottage for my daughter's graduation from UC Santa Cruz. I soon became the envy of the rest of the family attending the graduation (all staying at hotels), and I was in the delightful position of being able to host several gatherings of family and my daughter's friends on the beautiful patio. It is a short drive to the Safeway for provisions and the cottage has every dish, serving spoon, and tray for easy sharing of food with guests. I didn't cook (just heated up pizza) but still felt like the "hostess with the mostest." One evening we had a fire in the fire pit and my daughter's friends made s'mores. My son from NY stayed on the pull out in the Living Room, but to be truthful, the cottage is tiny (which I loved) and I wouldn't have wanted to share the space with more than one person. Because there is no door to the bedroom, I would recommend sharing only with family or a close friend. Denise was available and offered to lend me chairs when I called next door to tell her I was having company, but I never felt intruded upon. Every aspect of the renting process, including the extremely prompt return of my deposit, was personal and lovely. I would return in a heartbeat for just a retreat on my own. I cannot describe (just look at the pictures) how peaceful and aesthetically pleasing this place is, both inside and out. Everyone who came over, walked in and said, "how did you find this place?" That's how wonderful it is.

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

THEY THOUGHT OF EVERYTHING

Guest: Michele (Chico, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/25/11 Review Submitted: 05/29/11

My son and his girlfriend had an amazing time staying in Santa Cruz at your cottage. They were blown away by the beautiful decor and fantastic attention to detail. They said you thought of "everything"!! You cottage and town will forever be a wonderful memory of his college graduation and vacation gift from his mom. Thank you again....and I hope to visit one day too!

Owner response:Michele, Thank you so much for your review, the stars must be in alignment because this Memorial Day weekend is the 7th anniversary of Watercolour Cottage, your happiness for your son's graduation gift at the cottage put the candle on the cake! See you one day soon!

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

Perfect Santa Cruz Vacation Cottage

Guest: Chris (New Paltz, NY)
Date of Stay: 05/14/11 Review Submitted: 06/06/11

My wife and I spent a glorious week at the Watercolour Cottage. Denise and Glenn, the owners, have made the cottage a delightful place to stay, complete with beautiful watercolors painted by Glenn, a professional artist, and beautiful flowers in front and back. The location was perfect too, just a short walk to the nicest part of the Santa Cruz coastline (west side). Everything was easily accessible by bike. I would strongly recommend a bike/car ride to Wilder State Park, which has easy, uncrowded walking trails along gorgeous coastline. Sierra bikes was good rental place. We strongly recommend this cottage!!

Owner response:Thank you so much for the lovely and informative review for our future guests! Glenn and I are so pleased that you have fond memories of your stay. I will send you a link to his artist website and keep you posted on upcoming art events. West Cliff Drive is indeed a glorious part of our scenic coastline, we are so happy that you and your wife had the opportunity to be immersed in this experience. Come back again to your cottage in California !

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

Perfect home away from home

Guest: Kim (Sausalito, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/06/11 Review Submitted: 05/12/11

Watercolour Cottage is perfect for anyone needing to 'get away from it all'. It was spotlessly clean, well-equipped, with amazing attention to detail - clearly lovingly restored by people with an eye for the aesthetic. The kitchen was ideal for home-cooking, enhanced by the outdoor BBQ; the living room comfortable with a great DVD collection; the bedroom cosy, quiet and peaceful; and the outdoor patio & garden just gorgeous! Our time there was deeply restorative, and it's not a question of if we'll be back, only when!

Owner response:Thank you so very much for the heartfelt review! It means so much to us that our guests are as happy as you have been at the cottage. Looking forward to having you back again soon ! Denise & Glenn

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

Great get away

Guest: Jenny (California)
Date of Stay: 11/24/10 Review Submitted: 12/05/10

Darling house with all of the amenities. Great location! We will definitely be back!

Recommended for:Families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Great get away

Guest: Jenny (California)
Date of Stay: 11/24/10 Review Submitted: 12/05/10

Darling house with all of the amenities. Great location! We will definitely be back!

Owner response:Thank you! Looking forward to your return to Watercolour Cottage

Recommended for:Families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Just Perfect

Guest: Happy New Year (San Jose, California)
Date of Stay: 12/29/09 Review Submitted: 01/08/10

My boyfriend and I spent a few days here. The cottage had everything we needed and Santa Cruz had the slow, easygoing vibe we sought to relax. I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone.

Recommended for:

Cozy, Clean, Beautifully Kept

Guest: Margrethe (Foster City CA)
Date of Stay: 07/25/09 Review Submitted: 08/28/09

This adorable little cottage housed me, my husband, and our 1 year old daughter (in a pack&play crib in the living room) for a week. The neighborhood was quiet and safe, and the house was squeaky clean, adorable and well provisioned. The private back patio was surrounded by a lovely and well-kept garden; perfect for yoga or just relaxing and watching the butterflies and hummingbirds. The owners were available but discreet, and we never had the sense of " being watched" while we were there. My correspondence with the owners was friendly and efficient - all of my questions were answered, the payment confirmed and the cleaning deposit subsequently returned promptly with a warm personal note. The house is full of every dish and glass you could need, and plenty of towels, linens, and spare toiletries (shampoo/soap/etc) were in the cupboards. The shelves have an interesting collection of books following the 'beach cottage' theme, and the TV has a DVD player for those so inclined. Note: there is no dishwasher, so be prepared to do a little washing up. If you have a third guest staying on the roll-out couch, don't expect privacy regarding sound; it's a small wooden house, and the air ducts carry any sound that might have been muffled by the bedroom or bathroom doors. We had to tip-toe a bit while my daughter was sleeping. This cottage is perfect for a writer looking for solitude, or a couple looking for a place to relax with ready access to the beach, West Cliff Drive, and the Boardwalk. I would recommend this property to anyone.

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

pictures don't do this property justice

Guest: twobars (san francisco, ca.)
Date of Stay: 06/22/09 Review Submitted: 06/27/09

I was pleasantly surprised on my visit to the watercolor cottage. I felt the attention to detail was more than I expected, the decor was like a blast from the past /combined with chic bohemian artist.I loved it! Denise and Glen make the cottage feel like home with all of extras and the total cleanliness of the property. I also must mention the lovely garden!! What a gem ....most relaxing few days I had ...We will stay longer next time....Bette R.

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

Bliss

Guest: Shaunessy (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 04/17/09 Review Submitted: 04/27/09

I had a perfect stay at this delightful cottage. Everything was wonderful- the adorable house, the drawer full of dvds, the ipod docking station, the yellow tea kettle, the patio with its chimnea. . . I would go back in a heartbeat! It was hard to leave. Stay here- you won't be disappointed!

Recommended for:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/08 Review Submitted: 11/13/08

EVERYTHING the other guests have said here is true, yet they would have to write a book of poetry or paint a painting to truly begin to express the indescribable mixture of inspiration and calm one experiences when spending time in and around this cottage. I aim to return to this magical place as often as my yearly schedule permits- no matter what season- because the renewal I experience during and after my stay there is worth way more than the price of admission.

Recommended for:

Sweet Dream Cottage

Guest: RRoss (Culver City, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/18/08 Review Submitted: 07/28/08

My boyfriend and I along with my 10 yr old son stayed in this lovely cottage for three nights in July and it was sweetly perfect in every way. The owners have anticipated every need (down to the kitchen utensils and his and her bathrobes) and created an artistic haven of calm and beauty with delicate touches in every corner. There is plenty of privacy in the large patio surrounded by lush greenery. The location is great--walking distance to the Santa Cruz beach cliffs and the action down on the boardwalk. We will surely recommend the Water Colour Cottage to all our friends and hope to return soon.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: RRoss (Culver City, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/01/08 Review Submitted: 07/25/08

"My boyfriend and I along with my 10 yr old son stayed in this lovely cottage for three nights in July and it was sweetly perfect in every way. The owners have anticipated every need (down to the kitchen utensils and his and her bathrobes) and created an artistic haven of calm and beauty with delicate touches in every corner. There is plenty of privacy in the large patio surrounded by lush greenery. The location is great--walking distance to the Santa Cruz beach cliffs and the action down on the boardwalk. We will surely recommend the Water Colour Cottage to all our friends and hope to return soon. "

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

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

We knew from the comments and pictures that the cottage was going to be what we were looking for. However, we were not expecting to be completely blown away by it. From first sight, the cottage and gardens are so inviting. When we walked around to the patio in the back, we couldn't believe the beautiful gardens and complete tranquility. And the cottage is equipped with everything you could possibly want or need. Denise and Glenn have surely shown their artistic and creative talents. Needless to say the location is perfect and the neighborhood is ideal. We highly recommend staying there. We will definitely be back.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/08 Review Submitted: 04/05/08

Watercolour Cottage is situated in a quiet neighborhood within a short walk to Westcliff Drive, perfect for walking, watching surfers, and taking in the Santa Cruz vibe. I highly recommend this beautiful cottage. Denise has certainly thought it through in her effort to make guests feel comfortable...from the Laura Ashley bedding & well-equipped kitchen to the gorgeous landscape and backyard patio (complete w/ ping pong table!), the attention to detail is spot-on. Come see for yourself. You will not be disappointed.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/07 Review Submitted: 08/02/07

This cottage is amazing! The detail, the location, the garden in the back, it's all here. 5 minutes to the coastline, 10 minutes to the boardwalk. So relaxing, just perfect in everyway. We really did not want to leave!! I must stress you CAN NOT go wrong with this cottage!!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/01/07 Review Submitted: 06/24/07

This place is positively delightful! The cottage is beautiful and extremely well maintained. Lovely garden and perfect location. I highly recommend this cottage!

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