Whether you seek a cozy retreat out in the woods or wish to enjoy a beach getaway with the family, we got you covered!
Ideally located in the enchanting forest of Nisene Marks, our newly refurbished home is the perfect getaway for some well deserved R&R. Nestled in the heart of a majestic redwood forest, our home offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With towering trees as your neighbors and the ocean just a short drive away, you'll have the best of both worlds!
The space
This rental is a fully independent guest suite with its own fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms, three bedrooms, sundeck & terrace, and a very large living & dining room for family get-togethers. The space is right around 1500sq feet.
There are no shared spaces and no other rentals on the property. The host occupies a separate unit on the property and is glad to help with any issues that may arise during your stay.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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Check-out is at 11am but late check-out fee can be purchased for an additional 50$. Late check-out is at 1pm.
Outdoor areas are for day use only until 9pm.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 3769554
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
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 and a first aid kit
About the neighborhood
Aptos
Located in Aptos, this vacation home is near theme parks and by the sea. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Capitola Beach and Monterey Bay. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History and Boardwalk Bowl are also worth visiting. Kayaking and scuba diving offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and ecotours nearby.
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
Aptos History Museum - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
Rio Del Mar Beach - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
Seacliff State Beach - 4 min drive - 2.2 km
Capitola Beach - 7 min drive - 7.2 km
Getting around
San Martin Caltrain Station - 45 min drive
Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) - 17 min drive
Restaurants
Poki Bowl - 12 min walk
The Farm Bakery Café & Gifts - 3 min drive
Whale City Bakery Bar And Grill Aptos - 11 min walk
Peet's Coffee - 13 min walk
Marianne's Ice Cream - 2 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Cozy retreat near woods and sea pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).
How much does it cost to stay at Cozy retreat near woods and sea?
As of May 13, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Cozy retreat near woods and sea on Aug 30, 2026 start from $503, 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 Cozy retreat near woods and sea?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Cozy retreat near woods and sea?
Check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Cozy retreat near woods and sea located?
Situated by the sea, this vacation home is within 1 mi (2 km) of The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, Aptos History Museum, and Rio Del Mar Beach. Seacliff State Beach and Cabrillo College are also within 3 mi (5 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
This is a gorgeous property, the layout is incredible and there are so many beautiful spaces to be in (indoors and out!). We had just one night but it's near a shopping center as well as a state park, so many options for anything you would want to do. Gracious host, comfortable beds, all the amenities, highly recommended!
The property is nestled within the Nisene Marks redwood forest. Beautiful setting. It was well suited with 3 queen rooms for 3 couples. We also enjoyed including our dogs. It was a fun experience for all and met our needs.
Large, funky and private in a fantastic setting and location. We could walk into the beautiful adjacent State Park and nearby town of Aptos, or drive a short distance to Santa Cruz. Enjoyed meeting the hosts. Would stay again.
This is a very comfortable, nicely appointed place. The location is only a short drive from the town but is very close to the entrance to the Forest of Nisene Marks. It feels isolated and removed from noise and bustle. Gabriel was welcoming and responsive. The beds were comfortable and the heating was adequate. There were many nice personal touches and it was very clean. We only stayed one night but I think it would be an excellent place to stay longer.
This was a great space, conveniently located near grocery stores, restaurants, and the beach! Our family of five enjoyed our one-night stay during my birthday trip. Everything was very straightforward and self-explanatory, so we didn't need to contact the owners. They provided clear details and instructions before check-in. I would definitely recommend this place and will look for it again on our next visit.
A beautiful place that had not only the solitude of peace and quiet but yet so close to everything. If you want to go to the ocean, go to the ocean. if you want to go to the mountains, go to the mountain. If you want to enjoy a dinner or ice cream the town is in walking distance. Our stay was absolutely wonderful. wonderful.
Four of us spent a long weekend and totally enjoyed ourselves. Gabriel is a fabulous host. The house was more than comfortable and the location can't be beat. We'll probably come back when it warms up in order to enjoy the outside patio.
This cottage was wonderful. One of the best stays I've ever had. Rustic and charming in the middle of a wooded area in Nisene State Park. Quiet spacious accommodations that feel like you're in a tree house but only a quarter mile walk to Aptos Village. Lots of space comfortably handled five adults. Well equipped. Hundreds of DVD's for entertainment. The private deck was an added bonus. I loved the artistic and eclectic decor. Great hiking trails through the park and into the redwoods just outside the door. I would love to stay here again.
This property is SO quiet and secluded, nestled in the deep woods. But it's also very close to a great market, home-made ice cream and restaurants. We walked to these nearby places when we didn't want to take the car. Gabriel was a WONDERFUL host. We felt comfortable, cozy and safe in the house surrounded by the beautiful woods. Behind the gate to the property, there is room for two cars only, which was fine for us. We were sisters, nieces and daughters, aged 16 to 76.
Mary F.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2025
Verified
6/10 Okay
Renee M.
Apr 19, 2025
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Interesting house
Definitely a lot of room to entertain a lot of people. One shower and hardly any towels. Do not leave dog food down on the floor the ants will get into it.For such a large house, there’s only four coffee cups.Beautiful plants outside and lots of metal artwork sculptures that have got character.
Renee M.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Apr 27, 2025
Thank you for your feedback! We're so glad you enjoyed the spaciousness of the home and outdoor plants & sculptures.
We appreciate your suggestions regarding the towels and coffee mugs. We do provide 8 towels and there were actually at least 8 coffee mugs in the rental at the time. Also, this is a hosted rental so you could have sent me a message and it would have been a pleasure to provide you with anything you might have needed during your stay.
The rental is located in the forest of Nisene Marks so if you leave food on the floor, especially for extended periods of time with the doors & windows open, ants and other critters will come visit you.
We appreciate your feedback, your comments help us make each stay better.
Thanks again for staying with us!
We really enjoyed our stay at the property. It was well cared for and perfect for a family. The property is attached to the owners home but it is completely separate in terms of living space. We felt like we had plenty of privacy and autonomy to come and go as we wanted. The kitchen is stocked for cooking easy meals. One thing to note is that there is a dog on the property but was very well behaved and did not bother us. Lastly the property is well positioned to access shops, groceries, the beach, and the state park right down the road. I’d stay here again.
This is a great location, walking distance from Nisene Marks Park (redwoods) and the Aptos Village with nice market and restaurants. Beautiful Sea Cliff Beach is a longer walk, or 5 minute drive. The back deck looks over forest and feels secluded and there are lots of big windows looking out that direction too. The hosts live on the property, which turned out fine. They were very helpful when we had a few small requests. The front of the property is tighter than it appears in the listing photo. Parking is a little tight but worked out for us with our three cars.
Katja I.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Feb 24, 2025
Hi Katja,
Thank you so much for taking the time to review your stay with us! We were very happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay and hope to welcome you back here soon!
This place was spacious and clean, and in a beautiful location, easy to get to. The host was wonderful. I had some trouble with the gate, but I think it was partially "User error", and Gabriel responded immediately. I was there with my adult children to celebrate my mother's 90th birthday. It was a great place for us to land together and then go celebrate at my mom's house. There was room for everybody. Great kitchen, beautiful bathrooms. My kids all said they would love to do this again when we come visit my mom. A little expensive, but worth every penny.
Owner Gabriel was wonderful, he responded to our requests quickly & helped with our issues. Home is a back house with owner living in front house. Home was large enough for our family of five. The is in a beautiful setting of trees & greenery. Lots of sky lights which let in a lot of sun light (even at 6am). The last guest had left some dirty pans in oven. It was nice but could of been cleaner. Owner is taking care of these issues. Home had 3 Queen beds & 1 trundle bed. No bunkbeds or sofa bed. We were able to sleep 5 comfortably. The bedding was great and the bed comfortable. We had plenty of kitchen equipment to make meals. Our location made good accessibility to Monterey Bay Aquarium, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the cement ship wreck at Seacliff State Beach. Our stay was for 4 nights. This location was over 3 hours from our home.
Cheri W.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
About the host
Hosted by Gabriel
Languages:
English, French
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests