Entire home

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

Holiday home with kitchen, near Waterfront Park

6 person Hot Springs luxury spa…not available after 9pm

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location

Exceptional

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 62200 sq ft

Popular amenities

Dryer
Washer
Barbecue grill
Kitchen

Explore the area

San Diego, CA

Place, Hotel Circle
‪3 min drive‬
Place, San Diego Zoo
‪4 min drive‬
Place, Balboa Park
‪6 min drive‬
Airport, San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)
‪6 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

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub

Kitchen

Washing machine

Dryer

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

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Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Laundry
Outdoor space

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 30

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

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 Text 858 255 1950

Start a load of white towels on "Bedding" mode in the washing machine please

Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

https://---------------- Ensure all guests have agreed to all terms.

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

Property Registration Number 612881, STR-01454L

About the area

San Diego

Hillcrest, a neighbourhood in San Diego, is home to this holiday 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 USS Midway Museum. Waterfront Park and Belmont Park are not to be missed.

View more Holiday homes in San Diego

San Diego, CA

What's nearby

Marine Corps Recruit Depot - 2 min drive - 1.9 km
Hotel Circle - 3 min drive - 3.4 km
Port of San Diego - 4 min drive - 3.8 km
San Diego Zoo - 4 min drive - 3.0 km
Balboa Park - 6 min drive - 6.4 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

‪Jack in the Box - ‬11 min walk
‪Communion - ‬10 min walk
‪Jo's Diner - ‬9 min walk
‪La Puerta - ‬10 min walk
‪Starbucks - ‬9 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.

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 11:00 AM.

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

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

9.8

Exceptional

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Thomas A.

22 Aug, 2025

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

Wir haben die Zeit sehr genossen. Das Haus ist wunderschön und der Vermieter ist sehr nett und hilfsbereit. Strände und Down Town sowie Geschäfte sind gut zu erreichen. Würden jederzeit wieder kommen.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paul W.

18 Jul, 2025

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

10/10 Excellent

Sarah T.

2 Apr, 2025

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

10/10 Excellent

Arlene M.

19 Jun, 2025

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

10/10 Excellent

Evan H.

30 Jun, 2025

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

10/10 Excellent

Greg Ivan S.

1 Apr, 2025

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

10/10 Excellent

Jill N.

14 Jul, 2025

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

10/10 Excellent

Larry J.

20 Feb, 2024

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

10/10 Excellent

Tedy Y.

15 Aug, 2024

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

10/10 Excellent

Esteban D.

21 Oct, 2024

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

6/10 Okay

Martina F.

29 Jun, 2025

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

Disliked: Location

Sensitive neighborhood!!!

First of all the host was very friendly and helpful.The house is also very nice and offered enough space for all of us. There is a very nice hot tub on the property.But unfortunately, there are very strict rules. For example, you are not allowed to use the outdoor area after 9 p.m..We were told that after this time we had to be quiet and keep all windows and doors closed.We received this information just the day before our arrival. If we had known beforehand we would never have booked this house.We felt like we were in prison, and this is why we left the day before.It would be correct to disclose this information in the advertisement.

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Angela M.

24 Feb, 2024

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

10/10 Excellent

Amy C.

13 Nov, 2024

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

10/10 Excellent

Ari B.

30 Nov, 2024

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

10/10 Excellent

John G.

30 Jan, 2024

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

10/10 Excellent

Ilsa W.

23 Jun, 2024

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

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

31 Jul, 2024

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

Peaceful zen vibes

Enjoyed the privacy of being surrouned

Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael I.

19 Aug, 2023

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

10/10 Excellent

Ashley K.

13 Jul, 2023

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

10/10 Excellent

Michael D.

7 May, 2023

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

10/10 Excellent

WAYNE S.

4 Aug, 2022

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

perfect location

very quiet and unique property, don't miss it

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

JOSEPH I.

14 Nov, 2022

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

Great location, awesome stay

The location is great. The property is eclectic and fun to explore. The house is clean and comfortable as well. I would return for another stay.

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karen B.

31 Dec, 2022

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

Super chill Buddha house

Quiet, conveniently located in Hillcrest neighborhood. Nice hot tub.

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Agnes T.

12 Oct, 2024

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

All good

Thanks

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Igor F.

11 Jul, 2024

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

About the host

Hosted by Zapher

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.