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Natural Bridges BIG Beach House walk to cafes, bars, food, & BEACH

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Location! Location! Across the street from Natural Bridges State Beach Park.
2100 sq ft beach house on a quiet, cul-de-sac across from Natural Bridges.
The living room is full of natural light and adjacent to the dining room.
Sitting area in the living room.
The dining room table seats 6-10 with a high chair, booster chair and mess mat.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 102100 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Garage parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Fenced yard
  • Free WiFi
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

View in a map
Santa Cruz, CA
  • Place, Natural Bridges State Park
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Natural Bridges State Beach
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Swift Street Courtyard
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Airport, San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪60 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1- Downstairs Queen

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2- Upstairs Queen

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3- Kids Room

2 Twin Beds

Bedroom 4- Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1- Downstairs

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2- Upstairs

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3- Upstairs Master

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 4- Outdoor Shower Only

Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Office
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Natural Bridges BIG Beach House walk to cafes, bars, food, & BEACH

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Before booking, you can ask the Owner a Question by clicking on the text under the blue Book NOW button.

Located on the beautiful Westside in Santa Cruz, across the street from Natural Bridges State Beach Park, 1 1/2 blocks to the Natural Bridges State Beach and scenic West Cliff Drive promenade. Close to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Wharf, downtown Santa Cruz, University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC), and prime surfing spots at Cowell's Beach, Mitchell's Cove, Pleasure Point, and Steamer Lane. Walk to the gourmet market on Swift Street, where you'll find winery tasting rooms, yoga studios, coffee shops, New Leaf Market (a mini-Whole Foods), and plenty of restaurants. The family-friendly house is perfect for multi-generational travel.

GATEWAY LOCATION FOR THE BAY AREA!
The property is conveniently located less than an hour and a half from the Bay Area's major cities and airports. Downtown San Jose and the San Jose Airport are approximately 30 minutes away. The San Francisco Airport is 60 minutes away, as are Carmel, Monterey, and Pebble Beach. Downtown San Francisco is 80 minutes away, and you can easily reach Sonoma and Napa wine country in about two hours.

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YOU WILL 'SHORE' LOVE OUR FAMILY BEACH HOUSE!

Our 2,100-square-foot home caters to families. We have everything you might need for kids (including a high chair, booster chair, and more) or a day at Natural Bridges Beach with your family (including sand toys, umbrellas, cooler, beach chairs, a beach wagon for all your stuff, and more), which is only a block and a half away and has seasonal lifeguards.

More importantly, with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, we have the perfect setup for a large family traveling with their nanny or other caretaker. On the first floor, you'll find the main living areas, including one bedroom with a queen-size bed and a bathroom with a shower. The downstairs has a spacious dining room, which can seat up to eight people. A large living room is adjacent to the dining room, and a comfortable family room is off of the kitchen. The downstairs has tile and luxury vinyl plank floors.

Upstairs, the two kids' bedrooms are in the front of the house and share a bathroom. One of the kids' bedrooms has a single twin bed with a trundle twin bed, and the other has a queen-size bed. The master bedroom is located down the hall at the back of the house, and it boasts a king-size bed, a flatscreen TV, a huge soaking tub, and plenty of storage.

The backyard is another highlight of the home. It has an outdoor living area with a gazebo, patio furniture (for both adults and kids), and a shower with warm water that you can use to rinse off after a day at the beach. The outdoor living area gets the perfect mix of sun and shade, and it's a great place to kick back on the weekends or at the end of a long day. The kids can also play in the backyard while you watch from the family room, dining room, or kitchen. The property is located on a safe and quiet cul-de-sac.

As mentioned, our beach house is only a block and a half from Natural Bridges State Beach, near scenic West Cliff Drive (great for long walks by the ocean!) and the UCSC Seymour Long Marine Lab. You can easily walk to Swift Street, where you'll find winery tasting rooms, yoga studios, New Leaf Market (a mini-Whole Foods), and plenty of restaurants. If you'd like to venture further, the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Wharf is approximately two miles away.
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** A separate signed vacation rental agreement and a copy of a government-issued ID are required 36 hours after booking on VRBO/Homeaway. Absolutely, no refunds are given for cancellations and early check-outs.

The monthly rental rate includes a $550 allowance for utilities, including gas, electric, garbage, water, and internet. Guest are responsible for any overages over the allowance.**

The maximum occupancy for overnight and day visitors is 10 people, including children. VRBO and the owner charge an additional fee for the 9th and 10th persons. Please note that we do not allow large parties or weddings at our home. Santa Cruz City has a strictly enforced noise ordinance from 10 pm to 8 am.

Our local host lives in the neighborhood. She contacts guests 48 hours before check-in and on the day of check-in. She can answer any questions and provide local recommendations during your stay.

The City of Santa Cruz has issued a Short-Term Rental Permit (STRP) STR18-0119 and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate 001095 for this property. A TOT of 14% is collected and remitted to the City of Santa Cruz for rentals less than 30 nights.

**This is a pet and smoke-free home. Please no visiting pets. **

Keywords: Beach House, Santa Cruz, West Cliff, Beach, Natural Bridges, Surf, Surfing, UCSC, Westside, west side, Cowell's Beach, Lighthouse, boardwalk, Long Marine Lab, Hwy 1, Kids, Family, University of California Santa Cruz, Beach home, vacation rental, beach house, Walk to Natural Bridges Beach & cafes **30 DAY Min** **BEACH and TEACH, WFH**.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
There is tons of kids gear as outlined in listing.
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Events

No events allowed
Beach house is surrounded by owner occupied homes.
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Beach house is surrounded by owner occupied homes.
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Property Registration Number STR18-0119

About the neighborhood

Santa Cruz

Located in Westside Santa Cruz, a neighborhood in Santa Cruz, this vacation home is near theme parks and near the beach. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Monterey Bay and Capitola Beach. Traveling with kids? Consider Seymour Marine Discovery Center at Long Marine Laboratory and Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain biking and hiking.
View more Vacation Homes in Santa CruzOpens in a new window
Map
Santa Cruz, CA

What's nearby

  • Natural Bridges State Park - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Natural Bridges State Beach - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • 2222 Beach - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Swift Street Courtyard - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Seymour Marine Discovery Center at Long Marine Laboratory - 15 min walk - 1.3 km

Getting around

  • Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) - 30 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Panda Express - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Cat & Cloud Coffee - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Wingstop - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Natural Bridges BIG Beach House walk to cafes, bars, food, & BEACH pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Natural Bridges BIG Beach House walk to cafes, bars, food, & BEACH?

As of Apr 15, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Natural Bridges BIG Beach House walk to cafes, bars, food, & BEACH on Aug 16, 2023 start from $683, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Natural Bridges BIG Beach House walk to cafes, bars, food, & BEACH?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Natural Bridges BIG Beach House walk to cafes, bars, food, & BEACH?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Natural Bridges BIG Beach House walk to cafes, bars, food, & BEACH located?

This family-friendly Santa Cruz vacation home is located by the sea, within a 10-minute walk of Natural Bridges State Park, Natural Bridges State Beach, and Moore Creek Wetland Nature Preserve. Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 27 out of 27 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 27 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 27 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 27 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 27 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alex W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Celebrating graduation

I can’t say how much a pleasure it was to stay and celebrate my sons graduation from UCSC. The host was so accommodating and pleasant. Highly recommend staying and would definitely stay again if the opportunity presented itself.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sandy S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Place

Family fit nice in this large home. Landlord and host great at communicating via text. Wonderful to be able to walk to Natural Bridge Beach. Sand toys, chairs and wagon made getting to beach easy and enjoyable. Grandkids liked running around back yard and adults liked relaxing on patio chairs as we enjoyed their giggles. Sleeping accommodations fit our needs perfect with the 4 bedrooms. Travel a lot all over and stay in VBRO’s and this home was well stocked with all needed items and extras which we appreciated. Overall, a great place to stay in Santa Cruz!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Donna G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Property is just as described, great location, clean, everything you need at your fingertips. I really appreciated the extra attention to details like beach toys (slam ball, frisbees, etc.).
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Debbie L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Santa Cruz Getaway

Nice family accommodations in a great location.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kurt J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect stay, great location, highly recommended.

A great location by the beach is West Santa Cruz. Walking distance to the beach. Large home with the capacity to accommodate up to 8 guests. We will be booking there again soon. Thank you.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michelle F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect

Susan could not be a better host! So thorough and helpful. The home was clean and we liked the location. There are beach accessories to use and many great suggestions for things to do. We loved our stay!!
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Karen J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stay at beachhouse

We rented the house for a family vacation. The house was very comfortable and accommodated our family perfectly.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jane R.

Best SC house so far

This was our fifth summer renting a home in Santa Cruz, and this house was our best experience so far. The owners are incredibly helpful and friendly. They checked in with us on our day of arrival to make sure we were able to access the home and to see if we needed anything or had any questions. They had a welcome basket waiting for us with all kinds of wonderful goodies for adults and kids. Wine, beach bag, beach ball, bubbles, etc. This is a thoughtfully stocked home. There is soap, plastic bags, foil, paper towels, spices, a Keurig coffee machine and coffee - plus many other kitchen necessities. The laundry and bathrooms have necessary items as well. This is such a refreshing change form the houses that only provide salt and pepper, and the bare minimum. In the garage the owners have thoughtfully provided beach chairs, umbrellas, sand toys, a wagon and much more. The outside shower is wonderful, and there are many nice places to sit and relax, both in the front and backyard. The house is large and roomy with 2 separate living room areas, great for a mixture of kids and adults. 4 bedrooms and 3 baths accommodate larger groups nicely. The master bedroom is huge. Natural Bridges beach is less than a 5 minute walk. Parking is easy. Definitely a terrific experience!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Annette S.

Fantastic Family Beach House - Highly Recommend!

This beach house truly is a home-away-from-home. I booked it for three generations of my family (elderly mother, siblings + kids). It was perfect for us. The house is equipped with everything we needed, including linens, beach equipment and lots of beach toys. It was also spotlessly clean. The kitchen was nicely stocked with cooking utensils and service items. The property is well laid out – it was great having a bedroom downstairs for my mother who has difficulty climbing stairs, as well as being able to plop the kids in the TV/games area while us adults could spend some time in the living room. The layout is ‘separated’ but open. The back garden space was terrific with the table/eating area plus additional sitting and lounge chair areas. LOVE the outdoor shower!! The location was perfect – we loved being within walking distance to Natural Bridges Beach, West Cliff (with walking/cycling path along the beautiful coastline), grocery stores, shops and restaurants without being in the heart of downtown. Susan is a marvellous host – very communicative and responsive to all of my silly questions. Her binder with local restaurants, tips, things to do, general info etc is the best I have ever come across. I am planning to book again this upcoming summer. (Susan, please forgive my tardiness in posting this review!) - Annette S. (a native Californian living in Edinburgh, Scotland).
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jody M.

Everything was perfect

Our family thoroughly enjoyed the stay. Great location, and a clean, comfortable home. Our three young children had a great time; and were safe in the enclosed backyard. Having use of the bikes, beach chairs and umbrellas was a big plus. Altogether highly recommended.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Valerie A.

Perfect house for a family vacation

We spent 5 days and 4 nights in Santa Cruz as a family of two parents, two grandparents, and three young kids. We LOVED this house. It is walking distance to the beach, where we took the kids every afternoon to play in the sand and the water (which is cold, but they didn't care). The house is on a quiet streeet with a fully stocked kitchen and a great backyard for playing and bbqing. The hot water outside shower was a huge plus after getting home from the beach covered in sand. The layout worked well because the kids and parents were upstairs and the grandparents were downstairs and got some peace. The owners were easy and responsive - when we couldn't get a light to work they helped us figure it out immediately. We would highly recommend this house to families headed to Santa Cruz!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Joan P.

Clean, comfortable, location, location!

This home was perfect for our family trip to California. My husband and I traveled with our three children, son in law and two grandchildren. The house was perfect, everyone had their own space, the large dining room and living room allowed for wonderful family time! The house is well cared for and meticulously clean. My grandchildren so enjoyed the toys (both inside and outside) that came with the house, even books for bedtime stories! All the comforts of home! The Natural Bridges State Park, the beach and boardwalk are all very close! The owner is very responsive, most times an immediate response when I called with questions! Pride of ownership is evident and I highly recommend this home for a vacation getaway. We will definitely be returning!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Melissa H.

Bright clean beach house - great location

Right off of West Cliff Drive and just a short walk into Natural Bridges state beach, this house was a fantastic pick. The king bedroom is super spacious, there was a perfect "kids room" and there are two other great adult bedrooms. Sue was incredibly responsive and everything was super clean. There was even wifi and art supplies and scooters and such. A great place for a family stay!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Tonya A.

Exactly what we needed!

We enjoyed our stay in this wonderfully appointed house. This is the first time in 4 years we've had all of our grown children in the country for a vacation. This lovely home had all the amenities we needed. Our 2 young grandchildren loved the kid sized furniture, toys, books and games. I appreciated how organized everything was and that we wanted for nothing in the kitchen when we opted for cooking instead of dining out. The beach wagon was a big help hauling stuff and kids down to the beach. Susan was easy to work with and surprised us with a gift basket upon arrival. We would definitely stay here again!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Ananta M.

Truly Wonderful Place To Stay In Santa Cruz!

We rented this house when we went up to attend our daughter’s graduation from UCSC. There were eight of us, ranging in age from 19 to 89, and our stay at this lovely and excellently located house was everything we hoped for and much more! The house itself is quite spacious and has any “airy” feel with a lot of natural light and an open floor plan on the first floor, which includes a bedroom that was perfect for our elderly mom who uses a walker. The entire house is very well furnished, and lacked nothing that we needed in terms of furniture, furnishings, utensils, appliances, crockery, etc. There were even bicycles and scooters in the garage, and a lot of kid-related stuff -- although we didn’t get a chance to use them. Everything is well organized, labeled and explained, and so it was very easy to move in and get comfortable. The back yard is designed for entertaining, with a gazebo, a propane BBQ and ample patio furniture – that we put to good use during our stay! In short, the house is exactly as described, but much nicer and more spacious than the photos suggest. Above all, Susan and John are excellent hosts, who responded promptly to our requests. E.g., late one evening we texted: “Is there a blender in the house?” and the answer came back within minutes: “There is a blender and Magic Bullet in the dining room nook.” We were also very pleasantly surprised to find a beach bucket full of Graduation-related Welcome gifts waiting for us in the living room when we arrived, including a bottle of champagne, a balloon, decorations, party plates, etc! The house is a short walk to the Natural Bridges Park and the West Cliff Drive, which is very scenic and has a wonderful walking/jogging/biking trail along the cliff edge which we used regularly during our stay. Another very nice feature was the thick 3-ring binder provided by the owners, that was chock full of information about Santa Cruz and the surrounding area, including recommendations for where to dine, shopping options, list of attractions in the area, etc. We would definitely stay here again!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

High Praise for this Santa Cruz House

Our stay at this lovely Santa Cruz house was everything we hoped for and then some. It is a short walk to Natural Bridges beach, West Cliff Drive and the Walker Ranch State Park. The house is inviting and extremely family friendly-- it even comes with bikes that were perfect for exploring the scenic walkways and bike trails. One of the features we really made great use of during our stay was the book full of information provided by the owners that gave recommendations of where to eat, best parking spots, shopping areas and a list of attractions in the area. We would definitely stay here again!!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Barbara S.

Wonderful house!

My children and their partners as well as my grandchildren loved this house! I can't say enough good things about the it. It was large, airy, comfortable and perfect for us. Everything you could possibly need as far as utensils etc. was provided. We made good use of the girl and the out door seating areas. I can't say enough good things about it and I would definitely stay there again!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Raymond T S.

Happy Family

Although our experience in Santa Cruz and this Natural Bridges home was a few months ago, thoughts of that wonderful trip with our children and grandchildren still linger during quiet moments. The home was so comfortable and inviting, each one of us felt like we belonged there. It is easy to walk to the beach at one of the most interesting locations along the coast, downtown, the Boardwalk and convenient shopping is just a few minutes away. We are all looking forward to a time soon when we can do it again!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

David E.

Excellent house in Santa Cruz

This is a wonderful house in an excellent location in Santa Cruz, in easy walking distance to Natural Bridges State Beach (my favorite beach on the entire coastline from Monterrey to San Francisco) and to West Cliff Drive, which is the most scenic stretch in Santa Cruz and has a wonderful walking/running/biking trail along the cliff edge. The house is exactly as described, but nicer, more comfortable and more spacious than the photos suggest. Unlike other vacation homes that I have rented, there were no unexpected negatives. The kitchen is well stocked with appliances and utensils. There are bikes, beach chairs, an umbrella, sand toys, etc available to use. Everything is well labeled and explained, and there is no clutter at all, so it is very easy to move in and relax. The owner is meticulous about all the details and responds immediately to any questions. This is a great house of kids. The backyard is enclosed. The house is on a quiet and safe cul-de-sac, and there is little inside that kids would be likely to break. We had a wonderful time staying here. The next time we plan to rent a house in Santa Cruz, I will definitely check availability here first.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

steven Your information: First name o.

Fantastic Family Time

Location, Location, Location. A short few minutes walk to Natural Bridges State Beach, with in walking distance to Kellys French Bakery and a great food market called New Leaf Market. A short drive to a world class golf course (Pasatiempo Golf Club) as well the University of Santa Cruz and the famous Santa Cruz Boardwalk. As I write this I wish I was still there. We had great family time at 1 dollar Tuesday at the Boardwalk and many lazy mornings relaxing in a nice, cozy home, as well evenings chilling, sipping on local wines. Susan (the owner was extremely helpful in providing tips and ideas for us as well 2 passes for the Monterey Aquarium.) A great place for families to stay even with small kids, the beach was a blast and really close and they had lots of toys and bikes. Can't wait to go back again.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

"Shore" had a great time

After experiencing days of triple digit heat in LA, we were thrilled to escape to Santa Cruz. A beach pail with treats for all awaited us on the dining room table. Our six day stay was perfect. The house is lovely and soo clean. It's conveniently located to the beach and within walking distance to a skateboard park and playground. The kids loved playing in the wide cul de sac and the adults relaxed in between hiking, biking and shopping. Yes bikes and scooters are provided along with toys, books and videos. The first floor has a circular traffic pattern which works well for everyone to get around and enjoy the enormous living room, family and dining room. The downstairs bedroom is perfect for disabled or elderly guests and the upstairs has 3 good size bedrooms with 2 baths. Six of our party ran in the Fireworks Run on the Fourth of July and a fireworks display near the lighhouse climaxed a perfect day. We plan to make it an annual experience. Thanks for sharing your beach house with us-- it felt like our temporary home.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Post Wedding/Pre Honeymoon Trip

My husband and I stayed here with 7 of our friends for 4 glorious days just after our wedding. Our friends had flown over from Scotland and had stayed in various places in N. California already, so we thought we vaguely knew what to expect based on the other rentals they'd stayed in. But, we were absolutely shocked when we arrived to find the most beautiful home - a super short walk from the beach - and with such thoughtful touches. In fact, there was a basket of cookies, cheese, crackers, champagne, suggestions of things to do, and a note congratulating us on our wedding and welcoming us to their beach home. Also, my husband is a wheelchair user and this was a phenomenal find in that sense too. Although this is a 2 story house, there is a bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor. There is only one small step (only a couple of inches high) to get through the front door and he was able to handle it without help. The rest of the ground floor is step free and very spacious. Is was extremely clean and comfortable, the owner has covered all the bases and went above and beyond to help us before, during, and after our stay. They have an extensive guide to the area, all the facilities you could hope for including a BBQ and a great outdoor setup for using it. We found a bunch of great bars and restaurants nearby and never had any problems getting taxis on nights when we wanted to go out in downtown Santa Cruz without the car (only about 5 minutes drive). This rental is VERY well priced. I would recommend it to anyone - large groups, families, couples, younger people, older people - this place has it all! We will definitely be back. Hopefully SOON!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Westside Surf Rental

This was the perfect house for our 3 generations family vacation. The cul de sac and enclosed back yard allowed the kids to play while the adults dozed under the pergola. Bikes, trikes, boogie boards, and other kid (and grown-up) toys made it an easy turn-key vacation. Owner put together an amazing book that included local concerts, day trips, recommended restaurants etc... Everything is well organized and labelled. Not only is the house more warm and inviting than the photos suggest, but the location is great. It's walking distance to beach, "pick your own" strawberry farm, Kelly's French Bakery, hiking paths, and other activities. It's an easy bike ride to downtown. We got lucky with the Fourth-of-July week where we able to see fireworks from West Cliff Drive. The advantage of the westside is that traffic is better and you aren't living on top of each other. Grandma, middle-aged parents, teens and toddlers all had a great time.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jon F.

Great House for Families

We had a great time in this beautiful house in the best part of Santa Cruz! The house is very comfortable and spacious. We stayed in the house with our 1 year old, a 3 1/2 year old and our au pair. It's was a wonderful house and fully stocked for kids. The location is perfect. It's just a few blocks from the amazing Natural Bridges Beach. The owners were very helpful and left us great tips about Santa Cruz and plenty of great suggestions of local things to do. The yard is very cozy (and gated off which was great with a toddler) and has a nice outdoor shower for when you get back from the beach. This house is really wonderful for families! We hope to come back next time!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

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July 2011 visit

What a wonderful home in such a beautiful area. The owners were so helpful and offered all the information we needed. Our whole family, grandparents, parents, adults and kids including an infant, enjoyed our week stay. We were within walking distance of the beach with sand, waves and tide pools. A short walk could take us to a park or a paved walkway along the coast. The house was spotless and we loved the welcome sand bucket with maps, wine and treats. The arrangement of bedrooms, bathrooms and living/dining rooms allowed adults and children, of various ages, to be together with room to spare. However, the arrangement also allowed children with varying bed times to get to sleep easily. The backyard was perfect for active play, outside dining and basking in the afternoon sun, if we weren't at a beach. I use a manual wheelchair and, my husband and I, could easily use the downstairs bedroom and bathroom. We had members of our family with allergies, so finding a vacation home with no smoking/no pets was a requirement, and your home was perfect. I recommend a visit to the house before finalizing plans, as the pictures don't really give a sense of how large it is. The quiet neighborhood, the cul de sac and the fun of visiting Santa Cruz made this a memorable vacation. I recommend this home without reservations. Sincerely, Meg

About the host

Hosted by Susan Loop

Host profile image
I graduated from University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) back in the days when the students adopted the banana slug as the school mascot, there were no grades and Natural Bridges State Beach Park had two natural bridges over the ocean. After four years, I was ready to leave Santa Cruz for life in the big city- San Francisco!

I re-discovered Santa Cruz after being gone for almost two decades and planning my 20th college reunion. The timing coincided with the birth of our child. I experienced what the area had to offer and was impressed by the changes and reassured by the familiarity.

Santa Cruz is an easy getaway from our San Francisco family home. We find the drive very therapeutic with the transition from our fast paced lives to our Santa Cruz sanctuary. The 75 minute drive to Santa Cruz from San Francisco is beautiful through the evergreens on Highway 17 or by the ocean on Highway 1.

Why they chose this property

Our search lasted almost 2 years for our perfect beach house on the Westside of Santa Cruz! We wanted a remodeled home with 4 bedrooms/3 bathrooms in a nice, quiet beach neighborhood. A home with a great layout for entertaining and suitable for house guests was essential. As parents and children of elderly parents, being within walking distance of the beach with seasonal lifeguards was important to us. Plus, Natural Bridges State Beach has restrooms and showers. Natural Bridges State Beach Park offers great tide pools, stroller and bike friendly paths, park ranger programs for the kids, charcoal bbq grills and is the home to the monarch butterfly nature preserve.

We love bike riding and strolling on West Cliff Drive starting from Natural Bridges towards the Lighthouse Field State Beach, gawking at the surfers at Cowell’s Beach, eating on the Wharf and goofing around at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. In the evenings, we enjoy walking to the Swift Street wineries, restaurants and New Leaf Market (a.k.a. mini Whole Foods) for dinner. The Saturday Westside farmer's market is our source for our morning coffee, breakfast tacos, and local produce. We walk a 1/2 a block from our house to catch the public bus to UC Santa Cruz to participate in university sponsored events from using the sports facilities,, foraging at the Farm, and looking for banana slugs in the redwood forest.

Of course, we do the typical Santa Cruz family activities at the beach and downtown. Historically, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has great summer retro Monday and Tuesday nights with specials on rides and food. Volleyball tournaments, bands on the beach, bowling, kayaking, SUP, and surfing- there is always something happening on the main beach! Downtown Santa Cruz is a must see destination with al fresco dining, street performers, and the iconic Bookshop Santa Cruz.

Capitola Village is a short drive with nice ocean front restaurants and night life.

What makes this property unique

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