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Buddha's Zen Retreat-a Lush Tropical Estate - Near Zoo, Beaches, Downtown, Parks

Photo gallery for Buddha's Zen Retreat-a Lush Tropical Estate - Near Zoo, Beaches, Downtown, Parks

Exterior
Property grounds
Living area
6 person Hot Springs luxury spa…not available after 9pm
Interior

Reviews

9.8 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 62200 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

3rd bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

Second Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 2

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Master Bath

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Buddha's Zen Retreat-a Lush Tropical Estate - Near Zoo, Beaches, Downtown, Parks

In-Town Oasis with Spa & Various Herbs for Picking

Nestled into a hillside at the end of a quiet, dead-end street in the heart of town, this home offers rare privacy and seclusion—without giving up convenience. Open the French doors to an outdoor oasis: a 30-ft deck with a six-person Hot Springs spa.

Inside, the kitchen is fully outfitted for serious cooking, with stainless-steel appliances and thoughtful tools for every task. Outside, you’ll find simple garden paths, succulents, and year-round herbs you’re welcome to pick and enjoy (with wild nasturtium appearing in spring and fall).

Highlights

End-of-street location for exceptional privacy

Fully equipped kitchen with stainless-steel appliances

20-ft deck + six-person Hot Springs spa

Simple garden paths and year-round herbs to harvest

Central location—close to everything, yet quietly secluded

Accessibility Note

The home is set on a hill with multiple stairs and an upward-sloping driveway. It is not recommended for guests with mobility issues.

House Rules

No parties or events. Outdoor noise must be low after 9:00 PM; violations may result in immediate eviction without refund.

Primary renter must be 30+ and present for the duration of the stay.

Guests under 25 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian unless otherwise agreed to in writing before booking.
TOT Certificate Number: #612881
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot Tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor Space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Turn off the AC
Inform Owner of Departure via app please
Start a load of white towels on "Bedding/Sanitary" mode in the washing machine if you are able to do so. We would really appreciate it!
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Guest agreement provided on the welcome letter link. If you did not read or get the link, inform owner asap.Outside activity is prohibited after 9pm.
Absolutely no parties/events are allowed here.Violation will result in a $2000 per night fine. No guests allowed if not registered to stay on property
***Smoking (any type including vaps) indoors or outdoors will result in a $1000 fine for each occurance. There are Ring cameras throughout outdoors

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
Long-term renters welcome
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
Property Registration Number 612881, STR-01454L

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

About the neighborhood

San Diego

Hillcrest, a neighborhood in San Diego, is home to this vacation home. Port of San Diego and B Street Cruise Ship Terminal are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's popular attractions can visit San Diego Zoo and Waterfront Park. Check out an event or a game at Petco Park, and consider making time for USS Midway Museum, a top attraction not to be missed.
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Map
San Diego, CA

What's nearby

  • UC San Diego Health - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Marine Corps Recruit Depot - 3 min drive - 2.6 km
  • Hotel Circle - 4 min drive - 3.4 km
  • San Diego Zoo - 6 min drive - 4.2 km

Getting around

  • Washington Street Station - 3 min drive
  • Old Town Transit Center - 10 min drive
  • San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) - 10 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Urban Mo's - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Panda Express - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Bronx Pizza - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Communion - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Bread & Cie - ‬12 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Buddha's Zen Retreat-a Lush Tropical Estate - Near Zoo, Beaches, Downtown, Parks pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Buddha's Zen Retreat-a Lush Tropical Estate - Near Zoo, Beaches, Downtown, Parks?

As of Mar 26, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Buddha's Zen Retreat-a Lush Tropical Estate - Near Zoo, Beaches, Downtown, Parks on May 17, 2026 start from $340, 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 Buddha's Zen Retreat-a Lush Tropical Estate - Near Zoo, Beaches, Downtown, Parks?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Buddha's Zen Retreat-a Lush Tropical Estate - Near Zoo, Beaches, Downtown, Parks?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Buddha's Zen Retreat-a Lush Tropical Estate - Near Zoo, Beaches, Downtown, Parks located?

Located in Hillcrest, this vacation home is 1 mi (1.6 km) from UC San Diego Health and within 3 mi (5 km) of San Diego Zoo and Port of San Diego. San Diego Convention Center and Marine Corps Recruit Depot are also within 3 mi (5 km). Washington Street Station is 27 minutes by foot.

Reviews

9.8

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. 92 out of 103 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 103 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 103 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 103 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 103 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shadow 5.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very easy location to downtown and the airport, great privacy.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

lisa L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
So many great features of this property and the host was above and beyond, amazing! The property is the most unique vrbo I've ever stayed in. The outdoor space is a dream, the landscaping top-notch, and from the words of my mother-in-law "something out of Swiss Family Robinson" . Tons of space indoors and outdoors - which can be rare for San Diego. We were visiting family in the area, so the location was perfect, and we all had our own room which was a treat Our 7 year old LOVED the walking paths, looking thru the glass "bridge" to the main bedroom, and making all sorts of discoveries in the "jungle" . Zapher was so helpful, prompt, and kind. Lots of core memories made, we will be back, truly remarkable!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sarah T.

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

Lovely getaway for families

We had a great stay at this house. It was clean, quiet and the kids loved the hot tub. Highly recommended!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Greg Ivan S.

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

Lovely, quiet spot

Great getaway, with a fantastic host, comfy beds, and a hot tub with a view! What more could you want?
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paul W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Memorable and Special!This place was located in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in SD. The home is comfortable and super charming and has all the amenities. The property is very private and super special. Great for exploring and also hosting a quiet gathering of old friends. The owner is warm and inviting and available if one needs anything during their stay. We are definitely coming back soon, if nothing else, just to stay here again. Highly Recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Arlene M.

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

Hidden treasure near SD Zoo

The property was very unique and nestled in the hills of San Diego. It was in close proximity to the zoo and in a nice, quiet neighborhood. The check-in process was easy. The owner was always very quick to reply to any questions. The house was clean and spacious, well stocked, and the beds were comfortable. We would recommend staying at this location when visiting San Diego.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Larry J.

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

Perfect Respite of a place

A great zen vibe, peaceful and quiet, and centrally located.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Evan H.

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

A wonderful stay

Zapher's Zen retreat was everything promised and then some. Beautiful location with lovely grounds and amenities, convenient to Hillcrest and Balboa Park, plus a wonderful dog to pet. We are a family of four and the house offered plenty of room. Zapher is a kind, generous and considerate host who gave our family a tour of the grounds and had lots of useful recommendations for the area. San Diego is a favorite visiting spot. Staying in this magnificent home made our trip that much more special. We very much plan to return.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amy C.

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

Beautiful Property

Our only regret was that we couldn't stay longer to enjoy the home.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jill N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We really enjoyed our time at this property. It was a little quirky but in a good way. It’s tucked into a hillside and the outside is lush and landscaped very well. We have two college age sons. With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, we all had plenty of room to spread out. The rooms were comfortable, clean and well appointed. The hot tub was perfect after a long day of site seeing.The owner is wonderful. He was easy to work with and provided recommendations for activities and local restaurants. There were a lot of restaurants within an easy walk from the house.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Angela M.

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

Zoo trip

We loved staying here!.. it was so peaceful and a great location for old town, the zoo, MIDWAY Museum. Our host was quick to respond and made our stay flawless.. would definitely recommend this property.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Esteban D.

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

Peaceful

The property is quite beautiful and the area is peaceful. The host was wonderful! Will recommend to anyone heading that way.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ashley K.

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

Great location

Wonderful location in a quiet neighborhood. Host was friendly and aimed to please. A great place to stay if you want to be close to everything in the San Diego/Del Mar area!
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John G.

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

San Diego

Great property that is very nice, and centrally located. Owner was attentive to our needs, and was very nice and helpful. Will stay here again
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ilsa W.

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

Girls Weekend

The property is beautiful and has lots of great out door space. The owner was very friendly and showed us around the beautiful backyard. Its a nice, quiet neighbohood and a great place for a relaxing weekend.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

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

Peaceful zen vibes

Enjoyed the privacy of being surrouned
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ari B.

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

Peaceful hideaway right in the middle

The Buddha House is calm and relaxing, with great outdoor spaces. So nice to read a book or have a beer on one of the decks hidden in the trees. At the same time just a couple blocks from Vons, coffee shops, restaurants, and perfect access to almost every neighborhood. Our host was super accommodating when we needed it!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tedy Y.

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

Zapher

The stay was amazing, Zapher was fantastic and I loved the property! Abby was adorable and I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the place, can't wait to go and visit again and stay at his property.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

HostWell S.

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

Amazing oasis

This place is so calming. It's cure and functional. The hot tub was heaven Worked perfectly for our group Highly recommended
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael I.

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

Friends Reunion

We had a great time. The accomodations and owner were wonderful. Thanks!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Igor F.

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

Excellent stay, great host

Great and unique property, with lots of cool details indoor and outdoor. Lots of places to chill and take in the scenery, very comfortable sleeping in the bedrooms and cooking meals. Location allows for very easy access to most points of interest and beaches in the city. Overall just an excellent experience staying here with 3 kids. The host is fantastic. We hope to be back again soon!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael D.

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

Zapher is an amazing host

The house was absolutely as beautiful as it looks in the pics, and zapher was an amazing host and made us feel like we were at home...a million stars if i could
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amber E.

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

Amazing house and Owner!

We stayed here for 8days and it was wonderful! House and property are beautiful and clean. The owner was so nice and accommodating to our family! We will definitely be staying here on our next vacation to San Diego! Thank you for everything!!
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Zachary S.

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

Sanctuary after a long trip

Zapher was a wonderful attentive host and the property was on the next level. This property is truly special and a sanctuary among the urban landscape. The house was clean and well appointed. Beds were comfortable and well made. All in all it was a fantastic stay, will come again!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tracy L.

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

A piece of peace!

A hidden gem in the heart of San Diego! I wish I could keep this my little secret because so much love was put into every inch of this house and it’s surroundings!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

About the host

Hosted by Allie

Host profile image
Check out House Hunters International for an entire episode featuring the purchase of my vacation rental in Puerto Vallarta Mexico & to find out more about me.

I live in San Diego and own a catering / event design company. I also own condos in Las Vegas, Puerto Vallarta, San Diego, and Maui.

Why they chose this property

This is an incredibly unique property. It's a single family home on a nice large lot. It's in the heart of the city but you feel like you're in the middle of a jungle in Costa Rica. The walkability of this house is also so central that you can walk to Hillcrest, Mission Hills and Balboa Park within 10-15 minutes. Little Italy and downtown are about a 30-40 minute walk.

What makes this property unique

It's incredibly secluded with lush tropical landscaping. Please note, in the winter months the landscaping is not the same as the spring and summer. San Diego does have seasons although they are not huge season changes like the midwest. The photos on this property were taken in the spring.

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