Apartment

5-Acre Mountain Retreat In Serene Santa Cruz Mountains Rental Permit #VRAB00019

Apartment in Soquel with kitchen and furnished patio

Photo gallery for 5-Acre Mountain Retreat In Serene Santa Cruz Mountains Rental Permit #VRAB00019

Private guest patio on right side of home (includes BBQ)
HOSTED HOME - guests have 100% private downstairs (750 ft2) private entry
main approach to house
primary guest parking location in front of right-most garage door
Welcome to our home in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains close to Monterey Bay

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 5750 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Free WiFi
  • Mountain view

Explore the area

View in a map
Soquel, CA
  • Capitola Beach
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Capitola Wharf
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Mystery Spot
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪49 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed and 2 Single Bunk Beds

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

5-Acre Mountain Retreat In Serene Santa Cruz Mountains Rental Permit #VRAB00019

Beautiful, two story, custom Mediterranean home. Private downstairs suite (700 sq ft) is available for our guests (2 bedrooms/1.5 baths/living area/kitchen nook). Mountain/Canyon views. Wildlife and tranquility. Lots of nearby restaurants. 5 mins to Capitola / 50 mins to Monterey/Carmel. <<<

Whether you're an over-worked Silicon Valley couple looking for a romantic weekend getaway or an out-of-towner who wishes to explore the marvels of the breathtaking Monterey Bay area, this 5-acre, hillside property is simply charming. If you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the cities, suburbs or even beach area congestion in your quest to restore your inner tranquility, re-connect with your significant other, “become one” with nature, see twice as many stars out at night, or you're simply looking to avoid highway 17 traffic home after a long day at the beach, we invite you to experience this very special retreat.

Once you are well-rested, there is a variety of interesting things to do in the area. Having your own car is essential to access the residence and to travel beautiful state highway 1 to nearby locations such as the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Capitola beach, Moss Landing, Marina, Monterey (Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium), Carmel (17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach) and Big Sur. We are also a 40 minute drive to downtown San Jose--the heart of Silicon Valley.

Nestled in a secluded canyon in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the home is only 2.5 miles to downtown Soquel / Capitola and borders Santa Cruz. Offering a quiet, peaceful setting with lots of wildlife (deer, racoon, rabbit, coyote, hawk, owl, etc.), tree diversity (oak, redwood, bay leaf, pine, eucalyptus, palm, etc.), open space and panoramic views, yet within a 5 minute drive to downtown shopping, dining and surfing, the location offers the best of both worlds. The immediate neighborhood has sparse housing (minimum parcel size is 5 acres) and offers an undisturbed and irresistible peace.

You will have access to the 750 square foot, secluded, 100% private downstairs floor with complete disconnection (blocked off) from the (owner occupied) upstairs. Entry is from an exterior doorway. The space includes two large bedrooms (purple and green rooms), a living area (175 sq feet) and 1.5 bathrooms. The purple bedroom has one queen bed. The green bedroom has one double bed and a large bunk bed (supporting 2 adults or children) and one queen bed. We've added a new kitchen nook containing a two-burner electric stove, microwave oven, sink and mini-refrigerator. Amenities include: freshly clean linens and towels, coffee maker, hot water kettle, free coffee/tea/hot chocolate, toaster, free Wifi, and AD-free Smart TV (YouTube Premium, Amazon Prime Video). WEATHER & CONDITIONS PERMITTING--enjoy an outside patio with chairs, ice cooler and outdoor gas BBQ. Try out our new propane fire pit and horseshoe court too! Patio overlooks some marvelous mountain and canyon views.

Note: There are lots of nearby dining establishments within 5 minutes drive (dine-in, take-out or home delivery). You can also use the gas BBQ/stove outside (weather & conditions permitting) or utilize the kitchen nook to cook light meals. Dining is certainly permitted inside the premises. The refrigerator will support many of your perishables. We provide various utensils and cooking pots as well.

******************** HOUSE RULES **********************
* Check-in time is 4PM
* Check out by 12PM
* No smoking
* No pets
* NO OUTSIDE VISITORS except with host pre-approval
* Outdoor patios close at 11:00pm (noise travels in the mountain / canyon)
* Dirty pots, pans, dishes and utensils that you borrow should be cleaned

Additional Permit Rules Established by Santa Cruz County:

* Maximum guest count: five (5)
* Maximum number of guest vehicles on property: two (2)
* Santa Cruz County Noise Ordinance (8.30.010) - reduce noise from 10pm - 8am
* No illegal behavior (fireworks, controlled substances)
* No cooking permitted in bedrooms or bathrooms
* No weddings, outdoor parties or similar activities

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Mountain view
Barbecue grill

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 12:00 PM
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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 to complete the following before checking out:
Gather used towels
Remove personal items and remove leftover food and drinks
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Please wash dishes and silverware
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
No outside visitors except if pre-approved by the host.
County-wide noise curfew (10pm-8am). Consider this if using our outside patio as noise travels a great distance. Reduce interior noise by midnight.
We reserve the right to enter the unit for general housekeeping when guests are away. Thank you for your consideration.

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
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 and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Soquel

Located in Soquel, this apartment is in a rural area and in the mountains. 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. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Soquel, CA

What's nearby

  • Capitola Beach - 9 min drive - 6.8 km
  • Capitola Wharf - 9 min drive - 6.8 km
  • Mystery Spot - 12 min drive - 7.2 km
  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - 13 min drive - 11.2 km
  • University of California, Santa Cruz - 18 min drive - 15.5 km

Getting around

  • Blossom Hill Station (Caltrain) - 43 min drive
  • Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) - 24 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Tortilla Shack - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Pizza My Heart - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Tortilla Flats - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Beer Thirty Bottle Shop & Pour House - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is 5-Acre Mountain Retreat In Serene Santa Cruz Mountains Rental Permit #VRAB00019 pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at 5-Acre Mountain Retreat In Serene Santa Cruz Mountains Rental Permit #VRAB00019?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 5-Acre Mountain Retreat In Serene Santa Cruz Mountains Rental Permit #VRAB00019?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is 5-Acre Mountain Retreat In Serene Santa Cruz Mountains Rental Permit #VRAB00019 located?

Situated in the mountains, this apartment building is 2.5 mi (4 km) from Poetic Cellars Winery and within 6 miles (10 km) of Dominican Hospital and Capitola Historical Museum. Capitola Beach and Hooper Beach are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 80 out of 94 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 12 out of 94 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 94 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 94 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 94 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Mandy P.

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

Perfect escape

We loved our weekend stay! Greg and Naima were fantastic hosts. The view from the patio was so peaceful and we enjoyed sitting outside near the firepit and playing horseshoes. The space was perfect for our family of five, having the second bathroom is a huge plus! We will definitely be back when we are in the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely quiet setting. Enjoyed the scenery, gardens and wildlife. Weather was perfect, but it does get a bit chilly at night. I think it’s a great place to stay if you want to entertain quests outside on the private patio which has a gas fire pit for when the sun goes down.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nick H.

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

Great little place for the night

Our family of four was very comfortable for the night here. Great little secluded guest house outside of town in a quiet area.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

whitney b.

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

Real estate hunting getaway

We loved our little sanctuary with a lovely view.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Owen G.

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

SoCal motorcycle tour.

Fantastic spot. Very beautiful setting and comfortable accommodations. A memorable stay.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Lars O.

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

Taking my kid to college

The retreat was a great quiet stay while we took our kid to UC Santa Cruz. Close enough to be convenient, but remote enough to be restful.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Jamie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This place is beautiful—truly, the view was gorgeous. They have a great outdoor area to relax or play horseshoes. There was a fire pit but they did ask for donations to use it so we didn’t take advantage of that. The living area is nice and it was all very clean. My only complaints on the inside was that the shower head could probably stand to be replaced and the bigger bed was very hard…and loud…I was alone in the bed and my mom slept in the other room but any movement at all (just turning over) and it was very squeaky. The hosts were very easy to contact…there was confusion on laundry (it was listed as an amenity but there is no laundry) which was totally fine for us but worth mentioning. The pin pad on the door was great so we didn’t need to wait for anyone and it was easy to use. It’s really not far at all from stores/beach but enough to feel like you’re really out there, it was very peaceful and we saw lots of birds, lizards, some horses and llamas at the neighbors. The WiFi worked fine for us while at the house. The kitchenette was perfect for us. Lastly, another thing to note (which is no fault of the hosts at all) is the road to get there was a little rough again nothing that we couldn’t handle and figure out but…there was some of the road missing almost eroding away so it’s just one lane at some parts but only marked by cones not individuals so you have to be cautious there aren’t other cars coming. Over all it was a wonderful stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paul S.

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

Our stay

Everything about this property was amazing. My wife and I had a wonderful time. if you are considering a stay here, look no further!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael B.

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

Serenity

The family that own the property are wonderful people. It was quiet and peaceful. The property is beautiful. I would love to come visit again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura H.

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

Beautiful and peaceful place to stay

Check in was easy. The host gave detailed instructions as to how to get to there. Clean and comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

T L.

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

Fabulous!

Beautiful quiet and tranquil describe best our impressions of this lovely location. Communication was very easy as was check-in and the kindness and hospitality of hosts was such an added bonus to an already perfect stay. Highly recommend. Look forward to another stay in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kristy R.

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

Beautiful in every way

Everything was so clean and inviting! The home is gorgeous with quite a view! The owners are very gracious and kind. We enjoyed our stay very much! The wildlife in the area was a nice surprise. Our stay was very peaceful!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa G.

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

Magical

If I could give this space 10 stars, I would!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Yvette R.

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

Peaceful Comfortable escape for the family

Perfect size for a family of 4. Very elegant and thoughtful accommodations provided by the host. Peaceful, serene setting, quiet and spacious. Exactly what we were hoping for. Highly recommended.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

estelle f.

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

thanksgiving overnight

we slept well. Unit was clean! Will come again....
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Timothy O.

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

Beautiful stay for a family wedding!

This rental apartment was perfect for our five-day stay for a family wedding in Santa Cruz. We were looking for a place where we could enjoy the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains and this apartment and surrounding property was perfect. Quiet, peaceful with beautiful views with stunning flowering bushes, trees, and containers. Great outdoor patio for your morning beverage or evening cocktail. Grill and patio furniture is a plus. The apartment inside was clean with enough kitchenware and linens provided. Owners were very nice and checked in with us during our stay. We had a great stay and would highly recommend the property.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Thomas M.

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

Mountain Retreat

Except for an occasional plane overhead, it was exceptionally quiet! A time to reflect. I am glad we drove during daylight hours because the public road to and from is in serious need of repair.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nick P.

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

Lovely quiet place

Very beautiful surroundings and close to Santa Cruz and surrounding towns. Place was clean and spacious with everything we would need. No issues at all and the view was to die for. Thanks
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

James C.

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

Hillside Retreat

This is a lovely rental in a beautiful rural setting, yet just minutes from Soquel and Capitola. The owners were gracious and helpful. Definitely a great "getaway" for a weekend or longer. The only downside--if it is one--is that internet connection can be spotty due to the location.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Samantha S.

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

Lovely stay in the mountains

We had a lovely short overnight stay during a quick weekend trip down to Santa Cruz. This was such a fun spot with beautiful scenic views across the mornings. This home is also just a short drive from restaurants and bars in the Santa Cruz area. The bedrooms were comfy and was nice to have two bathrooms during our short stay. The hosts provided a seamless check in and check out experience. We are very grateful to be hosted in such a cool and beautiful home for the night. Ubers were easily available to pick us up and drop us off as well which was nice and convenient.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patty G.

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

Loved it !!!!

BEAUTIFUL AND RELAXING ! Great accommodations! Host was wonderful !!!!!!! Gracious !! A wonderful experience for all 4 of us !!!!! It was great being in the Santa Cruz mountains ! Stunning views !
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa M.

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

Relaxing retreat w/mountain views & hummingbirds!

The quiet, secluded setting and the beautiful, character-filled home were perfect for our family of 5 adults to reconnect and relax. We had room to stretch out on the patio and enjoyed cozy conversation in the small but very comfortable living room/dining/kitchen area. Lots of natural light & sunshine in all rooms. The bathrooms were spacious and had towels/hairdryer/soaps (main bath w/shower, commode, sink are separate from a vanity area w/2nd sink near bedrooms, and extra 1/2 bath off living room). It was gorgeous! No bugs outside- just hummingbirds playing in the fountain and fence lizards hopping about. Greg greeted us warmly & communicated promptly. Fyi's: access is down a curvy road with a short 1-way section about 10 minutes from main road, the cement uphill drive was easy in 1st gear for our 10 yr old CRV, saw the llama & horse next door! Re: meals - check all the cabinets for crockpot,extra coffee makers, toaster, towels, etc. Gas grill must be lit with provided lighter - no electric ignition. No oven, but has stove/micro/toaster oven and full size frig. Pots/pans, dishes, flatware all provided. No plasticware- byo if needed. Safeway grocery, gas, other shops within a few minutes of stay. Dining table is small, but outdoor table seats 4 . Horsehoe pit was a fun feature! Everything was clean, comfortable and beautifully decorated. A luxury stay about an hour's drive from Monterey/Carmel/17 mile drive & other coastal areas. Highly recommended. Thank you, Greg!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mikiah B.

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

Rejuvenating

To start the landscaping along the path is amazing, flowers and greenery everywhere. Once inside everything is so well placed and organized too. The bedrooms were adorable, the kids loved the bunkbeds, of course. The king bed in the master suite was a wonderful, I thought it was listed as a queen. The patio outside is awesome, it looks over the trees. We got to see owls, deer, squirrels, and driving past the neighbors llamas was always fun. I highly recommend this place. Will come back here if staying in the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dean S.

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

Quiet mountain retreat

This is a well appointed two bedroom guest house just a few minutes from downtown Santa Cruz. Following the hosts detailed directions it was easy to find. The guest house has a small kitchenette but a very nice private patio including a barbecue. We saw llamas, deer and would turkeys. Great communication and a beautiful modern home. Highly recommended.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Zach P.

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

Santa Cruz mountains

The only negative I can come up with is we were only there for 1 night. Beautiful property a few miles up from town. A nice 2 bedroom studio apartment with all the amenities and patio to take in some gorgeous canyon views and wildlife sounds. Even saw a turkey wander bye. The neighbors llamas were a hit for my wife. Thank you for sharing the property.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

About the host

Hosted by Greg Hyver

Host profile image
We are Greg and Naima Hyver. We are a married couple whose children have gone off to college, so we have plenty of space for you.

Why they chose this property

Our careers were in Silicon Valley, but our hearts are in the beautiful scenic area of Santa Cruz County. We wanted to build a special place to wake up to each morning.

What makes this property unique

Awesome canyon views on a hillside property. Quiet and tranquil.

Languages:

English, French, Arabic

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests