Entire home

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

A naturalistic garden with a small waterfall, rocks, and a Buddha statue.
A bedroom with a large bed, a bedside table, a mirror, and a window with blinds.
A deck with a hot tub, two wicker chairs with striped cushions, and a swing chair.
A modern two-story house with a wooden deck and a garden.
A spacious living room with a large window, a brown leather sofa, a glass coffee table, and a dining area with a glass table and chairs.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
This vacation home includes a hot tub for relaxation. It accommodates 6 guests with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Enjoy mountain views from the balcony, deck, and patio. The property also has a private chef for dining experiences. Nearby attractions include Marston House and the Visitor Information Center.

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • Your own private chef
    One of the few properties offering private chef services.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Near Balboa Park
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub on site
  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
San Diego, CA
  • Place, Balboa Park
    ‪15 min walk‬
  • Place, Marine Corps Recruit Depot
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Hotel Circle
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)
    ‪8 min drive‬

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

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

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

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to 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 rubbish
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

Property Registration Number 612881, STR-01454L
Property # 680813vb
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

San Diego

Hillcrest, a neighbourhood in San Diego, is home to this holiday home. USS Midway Museum and Pechanga Arena are cultural highlights, and some of the area's popular attractions include San Diego Zoo and Waterfront Park. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Petco Park or Snapdragon Stadium.
Map
San Diego, CA

What's nearby

  • The Brass Rail - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Balboa Park - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Marston House - 17 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Marine Corps Recruit Depot - 3 min drive - 2.6 km
  • Hotel Circle - 4 min drive - 1.5 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Urban Mo's - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪North Park Beer Co. - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Oscar's Mexican Seafood - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Gossip Grill - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Crust Kitchen - ‬6 min drive

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 25 Aug 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 29 Jan 2027 start from £981, 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 at Buddha's Zen Retreat-a Lush Tropical Estate - Near Zoo, Beaches, Downtown, Parks?

On-site 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?

Checkout 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 holiday home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego and Balboa Park. Marine Corps Recruit Depot and San Diego Zoo are also within 3 miles (5 km). Washington Street Station is 27 minutes by foot.

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.

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback