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Travel Writer's Pad

Photo gallery for Travel Writer's Pad

A single-story house with a bay window, a front porch, and a small garden with various plants and flowers.
A living room with a wooden floor, a black console table with a potted plant, and a framed poster on the wall.
An outdoor patio with a round table, chairs, and a yellow umbrella.
A kitchen with white cabinets, a stove, and a sink.
A residential house with a well-maintained lawn, a flower bed with pink and white flowers, and a clear sky.

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area

Highlights

  • Bring your furry friends
    Top-rated for creating memorable stays with your pets.
  • Garage parking available
    Enjoy the convenience of garage parking - a rare offering in the area.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
Sleeps 6•2 bedrooms•3 beds

Popular amenities

  • Garage parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
La Mesa, CA
  • Place, Mission Trails Regional Park Lake Murray
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, The Salvation Army Kroc Center
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, San Diego State University
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)
    ‪20 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Travel Writer's Pad

Hello, Bonjour, Hola, Ciao, Ni Hao!
Welcome to Travel Writer's Pad. It’s a pleasure to have you as my guest.

For the past two decades my career as a travel journalist has taken me around the globe. I’ve stayed at thousands of accommodations, where I learned personal touches create a comfortable home away from home. Certain places I visited offered extra special amenities. Green tea at a Japanese Ryokan; chardonnay infused bath salts at a Mexican posada; pink sugar at California’s Madonna Inn; and more. I’ve collected many goodies on my travels for you to enjoy at this vacation rental.

The house was built in 1946. My family lived in it for 25 years. We added modern day amenities and appliances, but kept the historic integrity of the sweet bungalow. The property has a 1/3-acre park-like, fenced backyard surrounded by citrus, fig, and persimmon trees, whose fruit you’re welcome to enjoy. Adirondack chairs sit nearby for you to relax, sip coffee and watch your children or dog run around the lawn.

A secluded patio extends outside the dining room French doors. Vine covered walls, blooming flower beds, and a Mexican terra-cotta chiminea are the perfect setting for grilling and dinner at the outdoor table.

The kitchen is equipped for all your cooking needs. There are five TVs, including one in the bathroom. Central air conditioning and heat throughout the house. Linens and towels provided. Washer, dryer, and dishwasher, also.

The location is easily accessible to San Diego highlights — the San Diego Zoo, Gaslamp Quarter, Coronado, beaches, Balboa Park museums, Petco Park, Seaworld, and the airport. Yet, it’s away from the hustle and bustle of the city in a quiet, residential neighborhood. Plus, the added benefit of being close to hiking and mountain biking trails.

Our house is a five minute drive to popular La Mesa Village with it’s trendy restaurants and boutique shops. Grocery stores and Starbucks are within walking distance. And, San Diego State University is two miles away, with concert venues and sports stadium.

Enjoy!

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Large, fenced backyard for kids to run and play.
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Events

No events allowed
Inform owner if having party. Ten attendees max.
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Pets

Pets allowed: limit 2 total
$100 pet fee per dog, per stay.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
$75.00 pet fee per dog, per stay.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 1389281vb
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
Note from host: Inform owner if having party. Ten attendees max.
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

La Mesa

Located in La Mesa, this holiday home is in the city centre and in the mountains. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Balboa Park and Old Town San Diego State Park, while San Diego Zoo and USS Midway Museum are popular area attractions. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Snapdragon Stadium or Petco Park. Make sure you don't miss outdoor adventures like hiking and cycling.
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Map
La Mesa, CA

What's nearby

  • Mission Trails Regional Park Lake Murray - 3 min drive - 1.9 km
  • The Salvation Army Kroc Center - 4 min drive - 1.5 km
  • Computer Museum of America - 4 min drive - 2.3 km
  • San Diego State University - 4 min drive - 3.8 km
  • San Diego Zoo - 17 min drive - 18.7 km

Getting around

  • Old Town Transit Center - 17 min drive
  • 70th St. Trolley Station - 17 min walk
  • San Diego, CA (SEE-Gillespie Field) - 17 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Costco Food Court - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Nachos Taco Shop - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Chipotle Mexican Grill - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Better Buzz Coffee - ‬19 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Travel Writer's Pad pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total).

How much does it cost to stay at Travel Writer's Pad?

As of 25 Aug, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Travel Writer's Pad on 26 Oct, 2026 start from S$851, 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 Travel Writer's Pad?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Travel Writer's Pad?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Travel Writer's Pad?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Travel Writer's Pad located?

Located in the heart of La Mesa, this holiday home is within 3 miles (5 km) of San Diego State University, Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theater and Viejas Arena. Snapdragon Stadium and Sharp Grossmont Hospital are also within 6 miles (10 km). 70th St. Trolley Station is 17 minutes by foot and Alvarado Station is 25 minutes.

About the host

Hosted by Maggie Espinosa

Host profile image
My career as a travel journalist has taken me all over the world. I love visiting new countries, learning about new cultures, and meeting new people. I've been warmly welcomed around the globe, so I opened this sweet bungalow to welcome people to my city.

Why they chose this property

This VRBO is the house my husband and I purchased when we were first married in 1992. We lived in it for 25 years, before moving to a place three miles away. We love La Mesa's community and small town feel.

What makes this property unique

We fell in love with the property's charm and the huge backyard. It is like a private park.

Languages:

English, Spanish
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