Beautiful Peaceful Home away from Home Surrounded by Nature 10 mins to downtown

Santa Barbara, California
$693 avg/night Minimum Stay 3 Nights
Bed 3

Bed

Bath 2

Bath

Home Private Vacation Home

Property Type

Sleep 6

Max Sleeps

Night 3 nights

Min Stay

(Owners occupy upstairs unit with private exterior entrance. No shared space.. )

If you’re looking to get away to a quiet, peaceful comfortable place to-- relax, “work from home” or explore our beautiful City and surrounding areas, come to Santa Barbara and stay with us for awhile. About 10 minutes from SB Cottage hospital or Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, Nature’s Retreat is also an ideal and comfortable place to stay while recuperating from surgery. With high speed WiFi, a great fully equipped kitchen, and lots of outdoor surrounding space for walks, hikes, and the beach, Nature’s Retreat offers you a great “home away from home.” Bring your bikes- a wonderful bike path is just down the street. Whether you’re planning to cook or take advantage of all the restaurants providing takeout, or the many food delivery services available, all are at your fingertips. Restaurants are open for indoor and outdoor dining.
Upon your arrival you’ll find the home thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to the best of our ability, using cleaning methods recommended by the CDC. You can be assured that all remotes, light switches, cabinet knobs and pulls and door knobs are disinfected also.

Private, secluded, and Romantic, this beautiful and spacious home is near More Mesa, one of the most outstanding scenic and environmentally sensitive pieces of undeveloped open space remaining on the Coast of Southern California. As a bird refuge (128 species) and natural animal habitat, you may see everything from Red-tailed Hawks, Squirrels, Rabbits, Raccoons, Opossum and Skunk, to Coyote, Fox and sometimes even Bobcats. We also have chickens, and when the hens are laying can offer you some fresh eggs. No rooster.

The retreat is walking distance to one of Santa Barbara s most beautiful beaches. (Due to it s seclusion it has a reputation as a clothing-optional beach.) This beautifully decorated approximately 2500 sq. foot home with vaulted ceilings, ceiling fans and lots of windows, has an open floor plan with living room, dining room and kitchen area sharing one large space.
All this looks out on a lovely stone terrace that features a magnificent very old oak tree, and beautiful views of nature just out the back door. A great setting for outdoor dining or just relaxing.

The living room has the feel of a European Country House, with the casual elegance of comfortable sofas and chairs around a fireplace that features an architectural antique carved wood mantel. There are touches of individually picked Architectural antique carved pieces throughout the home, including the soaring antique columns with stone bases from India that support the main arch to the dining area. The dining table seats 6 but can expand with table leaves. There is a large bookcase/ entertainment center with 52 flatscreen TV and Blu Ray player. The home is equipped with Cox high speed Panoramic WIFI. We have one network for range and one for speed.

There is a fully equipped kitchen with center island, Dacor stovetop and Bar seating for 5, Dacor double ovens, a Miele dishwasher, and a Wine Fridge. There is also a comfortable loveseat facing the kitchen.

All bedrooms feature luxury all cotton sheets, down comforters and down pillows. We have alternative down options for the master suite.
The romantic Master suite features a California King Aireloom pillow top bed, beautiful custom fabrics, a fireplace that is open to the bedroom and bathroom, and a walk- in closet. It has a garden view with fountain and often hummingbirds, doves, gold finches, and many other types of birds visit there. The bathroom features honed travertine floors and countertop with custom tile trim and double sinks. There is a separate private area for shower and toilet.

The second bedroom has a queen size Aireloom bed, designer fabrics, a view of beautiful nature with a French door out to the back deck.

The charming third bedroom is very cozy, and features a Pine Sleigh bed with full size mattress, and custom fabrics.

The second bathroom has a single sink and vanity and a tub- shower combo and toilet.

The owners occupy the upstairs unit with exterior private entrance. There is NO SHARED SPACE. The main floor and exterior area are yours and your privacy and ours, is assured.

Near miles of trails on More Mesa----- the area is a Bird-Watchers delight. The University (UCSB) to the West and Downtown Santa Barbara to the South are just 10 minutes away.
Easy access to biking and hiking.
A bike path that will take you both West and South is close by

Whether you re interested in a vacation rental or possibly a longer stay-a month to month rental is also available-Please contact the owners.

This is an ideal place for vacationers, writers, patients recovering from surgery in the Santa Barbara area, corporate lodging, visiting Doctors or faculty, or someone who is remodeling or building a home in the Santa Barbara area and needs a comfortable place to stay during construction.
If you re looking for peace and quiet in a country setting but want to be close to downtown Santa Barbara, or UCSB, the Retreat is the perfect place for you.

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  • Feature Features
  • Map Map
  • School District Rates & Availability
  • Review Review

Feature Features

  • PETS

    No Pets Allowed
  • BEACH

    Beach Towels
  • DINING

    Dining Table
  • SAFETY

    Carbon Monoxide Detector Installed (host Has Indicated There Is A Carbon Monoxide Detector On The Property) Deadbolt Lock Fire Extinguisher First Aid Kit Smoke Detector Installed (host Has Indicated There Is A Smoke Detector On The Property)
  • BEDROOM

    3 Bedrooms Bed Sheets Provided
  • GENERAL

    Unit Size: 2500 Sq Ft (232 Sq M)
  • KITCHEN

    Coffee Grinder Cookware/dishes/utensils Dishwasher Electric Kettle Microwave Oven Refrigerator Stovetop Toaster
  • LAUNDRY

    Near Laundromat
  • PARKING

    Car Recommended Onsite Parking
  • INTERNET

    Free WiFi
  • OUTDOORS

    Barbecue Grill Garden Outdoor Furniture Patio Terrace
  • BATHROOMS

    2 Bathrooms Bathtub Or Shower Hair Dryer Shampoo Soap Toilet Paper Towels Provided
  • LANGS SPOKEN

    English
  • THINGS TO DO

    Fishing Nearby Fitness Facilities Nearby Hiking Nearby Hiking/biking Trails Nearby Horse Riding Nearby Marina Nearby Mountain Biking Nearby Sailing Nearby Surfing/body Boarding Nearby Windsurfing Nearby
  • ENTERTAINMENT

    Books DVD Player Smart TV With Cable/satellite Service
  • LIVING SPACES

    Fireplace Living Room
  • CLIMATE CONTROL

    Ceiling Fan Heating
  • LOCATION HIGHLIGHTS

    In A Rural Location Near A Health Or Beauty Spa Near A Hospital Near A Zoo Near The Sea
  • SERVICES AND CONVENIENCES

    Iron/ironing Board Local Meal Delivery Service
  • SUITABILITY/ACCESSIBILITY

    Note From Host: Absolutely No Smoking Anywhere On The Premises Smoke-free Property

CheckIn Check-in : 04:00 PM CheckOut Check-out : 10:00 AM
No Wheelchair No smoking No pets Children allowed
Occupancy Max occupancy : 6

Map Map

School District Rates & Availability

Review Review

  • Mary P.

    Submitted Oct 1, 2025

    Stayed Sep 27, 2025

    Lovely setting and quiet. Plenty of room for gatherings.

  • Robert B.

    Submitted Aug 22, 2025

    Stayed Aug 13, 2025

    Cathy and Jim’s home is tucked away in secluded spot but still easily accessible to everywhere. Wonderful woodsy with lots of wildlife. Perfect spot for the grandkids to have a Yahtzee tournament with the “old folk”. Cathy was very responsive to any requests and a delight to spend a few minutes conversing with her about her background in the entertainment industry. Make sure you take the time for a short visit, she was delightful.

  • Patrick I.

    Submitted Jul 25, 2025

    Stayed Jul 21, 2025

    We had a great time at Cathy and Jim’s house. We loved the location with a beautiful walkway to the beach and the cleanliness of the property. We had initially missed that the owners live in the property and thought that may be an issue. But it really was not an issue at all. The property was exactly what we expected based on the description online. We really appreciated that Cathy provided plenty of towels and even beach towels for everyone. We look forward to coming back in the future.

  • Joel F.

    Submitted Jul 12, 2025

    Stayed Jun 25, 2025

    We enjoyed the close location to downtown Santa Barbara, the beaches, and the airport.However, the owners live in the upstairs of the home. While they kept to themselves and we didn’t see/hear them, this home did lack the privacy we expect when renting a house. The laundry room was locked and off limits, and we were told to leave certain doors unlocked from our side so they could get in should there be an emergency, which left us uneasy. The fact that the house was a shared property was hidden at the very bottom of the description. You don’t have the entire home. This should have been more apparent in the listing and contract.

  • Patricia J.

    Submitted Jun 17, 2025

    Stayed Jun 13, 2025

    A beautiful place in a beautiful location. Loved all the birds. We had a great experience.

  • Rose O.

    Submitted May 6, 2025

    Stayed Apr 25, 2025

    Cathy's home was the perfect place for my family to stay during preparations for our son's wedding. It was beautifully relaxing at the end of several wonderful but exhausting days. Cathy was a gracious and responsive host who happily shared her family history when we asked about the photos on her wall.

  • Lyn K.

    Submitted Apr 25, 2025

    Stayed Apr 17, 2025

    This home is in a lovely, quiet garden setting. We were five adults and one infant and there was plenty of room for all of us. The home was quite clean and comfortable, and while the owners live upstairs we rarely heard any sounds at all from their quarters. The location was close to town and grocery and other stores were close by. There are several easy walks nearby to a bike path or towards the bluffs overlooking the ocean. A very nice location for a visit to Santa Barbara.

  • Jason M.

    Submitted Mar 11, 2025

    Stayed Mar 6, 2025

    Our stay at this beautiful rental in Goleta was nothing short of delightful. The spacious three-bedroom house is set in a serene, rustic pastoral landscape, offering a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle.Inside, the home is a treasure trove of charm and character, with ornate decor, fascinating art pieces, and family photos that add a warm, personal touch. The large kitchen, seamlessly opening into the family sitting area and dining room, made for a wonderful space to gather, cook, and enjoy meals together.Every detail of the home reflects care and thoughtfulness, making it a comfortable and inviting retreat. We truly appreciated the unique ambiance and welcoming atmosphere. My friends and I truly enjoyed our time at Cathy and Jim's home. We highly recommended their place for anyone looking for a peaceful and inspiring getaway!

  • Beverly D.

    Submitted Jan 5, 2025

    Stayed Dec 25, 2024

    Six of us stayed at Cathy & Jim's home, beginning on Christmas afternoon thru the next 4 days. Communications were all timely & helpful - and the house was spectacular (quiet setting, very cozy, well stocked kitchen) and great place for lounging, running paths nearly with walk to cliffs along the beach, and easy access to Santa Barbara. There was a huge storm the day before we arrived that knocked out power - so Cathy was busy restoring internet service for a few days after arrival - all resolved and host was very attentive. We brought along Christmas dinner supplies and were delighted to find the wonderful kitchen with every imaginable pan, dish, cooking supply. We also made use of the twin blow up bed, which was perfect. The house is on a dead end street so the driveway/road was helpful for games of catch with my 6 year old grandson. The house was better in person than the photos - filled with comfy chairs, couches, reading books, music, and all nice amenities in the bathrooms. We loved our stay and would return again!

  • Deborah O.

    Submitted Oct 22, 2024

    Stayed Oct 12, 2024

    We loved our stay. The house was big, clean and beautiful. Loved the yard.

  • Joan G.

    Submitted Oct 4, 2024

    Stayed Sep 24, 2024

    The house was very comfortable with beautiful interior decor and very comfortable furniture and beds. The kitchen was well equipped and stocked with the necessary basics (re: cooking oil, spices). Wall-enclosed front grounds demonstrated excellent landscaping with fruit-bearing lemon and apple trees. The back patio was spacious, featuring a large interesting oak tree and a path leading to the beach. The neighborhood was quiet and safe. We really didn't want to leave.

  • Tracy C.

    Submitted Aug 18, 2024

    Stayed Aug 1, 2024

    Nature's retreat is a lovely property. The grounds are amazing and the view of the mesa is so nice! Cathy is a great hostess and makes sure all the details are taken care of. We loved sitting on the side patio by the fountain watching the birds and on the main patio enjoying a glass of wine. The location is fantastic as it is midway between UCSB and downtown. There is a close grocery store and you can actually walk to a beach overlook from the house. The kitchen is well stocked and the home is very comfortable. We highly recommend and will stay here again!

  • Eileen U.

    Submitted Jul 30, 2024

    Stayed Jul 24, 2024

    The kitchen was the perfect gathering place during our stay in Cathy and Jim’s beautiful home. The kitchen was outfitted with every pot, pan and dish we needed for home cooked meals. We all enjoyed spending time outside in the beautiful and scenic backyard. Cathy welcomed us with open arms and was available for questions throughout our stay. We would definitely stay here again if we return to SB.

  • David D.

    Submitted Jul 8, 2024

    Stayed Jul 2, 2024

    We took a break from our driving to stay a while in a very nice house in a beautiful natural setting. The house had everything, and the hostess was warm and welcoming. An excellent visit overall.

  • Deborah A.

    Submitted Jun 19, 2024

    Stayed Jun 13, 2024

    We were thrilled to stay here when we came to Santa Barbara for a UCSB graduation. We celebrated with the family in the lovely backyard, enjoyed the quiet location, and found it convenient to everything. The house is amazing and filled with history. The hostess went out of her way to make us feel welcome and comfortable. My children told me the beds were the best they'd ever slept in. It was a perfect choice for our trip. Thank you Cathy!!

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Total

Includes taxes and fees
$693+
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