Hand built beach cottage in the cove... sunny, quiet, 4 min. walk to the surf!

aptos, California
$308 avg/night
Minimum Stay 4 Nights
Bed 2

Bed

Bath 1

Bath

Home Private Vacation Home

Property Type

Sleep 4

Max Sleeps

Night 4 nights

Min Stay

SCz county vacation rental permit # 251252.
Hand crafted by my dad in 1960 out of redwood and knotty pine, this meticulously maintained and spotless beach house is perfect for families with children or couples looking for a romantic getaway.
Our house is limited to 4 registered guests and rented very sparingly, and our single story Hawaiian style 1950's beach cottage is located on a private dead end street with a level, flat yard.... just 300 yards from the beach. Private and sunnybackyard patio and sundeck with views up to tree filled open space hillside, total quiet and zen! Please read our reviews. You'll have sun, solitude, total privacy, a large backyard, sundeck, and sublime quiet in this classic/vintage, mid-century beach house, which is located on this very quiet cul de sac backing up to a Santa Cruz County Designated Scenic Corridor greenbelt in your back yard. From the backyard watch the wild-birds, seagulls, red- tailed hawks, and then listen to the owls at night. (did we say NO stairs !!...ours is a single story house, large level front yard and level fenced backyard, and short level walk to the sand).
We call it the cove because its located 300 yards from the water in what is a natural cove with the ancient fossil rich ocean cliff rising 100' behind it. (you may have read about the Mastodon tooth discovery here in June '23).
Listen to the waves echoing off the canyon walls as the ocean lulls you to sleep. Walk miles east or west (north/south) on the bay's best, wide, & sandy beach, 2 minutes out your front door. Rio Del Mar beach is simply THE best beach on Monterrey bay.
This aloha style mid-century beach home was hand-built by my dad in 1960 for my mom and is a classic mid-century beach bungalow surf shack with 12' open beam vaulted ceilings, knotty pine interior, lots of natural light, and sundeck over the carport looking out to the mountain behind and to the sunsets over the bay 300 yards to the west.
Natural gas fireplace in living room (Nov to April), large fenced backyard with patio and fire pit, and front courtyard patio out the front door (yard is 5000 sq ft). 850 sq ft' of inside living, and 900'sq ft' of outside back patio with fire pit, sun deck and front patio....single level home and yard...no stairs. Queen bed in the front bedroom and 2 twin beds in the back bedroom.
Perfect location for parents with 2 children looking to get away, or a couple, yet close to all the amenities of Rio Del Mar Beach, the village of Aptos (1/2 mile away), Capitola Village (3 miles away), and downtown Santa Cruz (7 miles west).
Everything inside and out is clean, new, freshly painted, and in perfect, pristine, and spotless condition. Private outside shower, BBQ, Comcast Wi-Fi & Smart TV (Netflix), dishwasher, and new washer/dryer.
Terrific mountain biking and hiking in the 10,000 acres of redwoods in Nicene Marks State Park ONLY 1/2 mile away in Aptos village. Bike rentals available at Epicenter Bikes in Aptos village. Golf at Seascape resort 1 mile away.
Walk to the restaurants and coffee houses, Pixi Deli, Venus Beach-side and Venus Pie-Trap in Rio Del Mar right down the street. In Aptos village visit Mentone (****!), Pacific Roasting, Peets, Cat n' Cloud coffee, Bittersweet Cafe, Persephone, Cafe Sparrow, Metone, Sushi Garden, and in Seacliff visit Manuels Mexician or Ambrosia for Indian and Maryannes for ice cream treats.
Or take a 5 minute drive to Capitola village and dine at Trestle's.
Visit the shops, fine dining and movie theaters in downtown Santa Cruz, a 10 minute drive up Highway 1.
Prime surf spots at Pleasure Point (Private's, Jack's, the Hook, the Point) are 5 miles away. Surfing lessons are available through Ed's Surf Camp company. Bike along the coast at beautiful Wilder Ranch in West-side Santa Cruz 12 miles away. Bike rentals available at Epicenter Bikes both in Aptos and Santa Cruz.
Don't miss the huge redwood trees in Nicene Marks State Park 1 mile up the hill in Aptos, and in Henry Cowell State Park in Felton 3 miles up the San Lorenzo river from Santa Cruz. Carmel and Monterrey are 38 miles (or a 40-50 minute drive) south.
Perfect and prime longer term rental for the traveling nurse, interning doctor, visiting professor, professionals, or parents visiting their kids at UCSC during the winter. discounted monthly rate available during off season.
(SORRY, no children under age 6)
I try to respond within 24 hours. I must exchange emails with you prior to booking Thank you, Jeff and Peggy

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

Feature Features

  • PETS

    No Pets Allowed
  • BEACH

    Beach Sun Loungers
  • DINING

    Dining Table
  • SAFETY

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

    2 Bedrooms Bed Sheets Provided
  • GENERAL

    Unit Size: 850 Sq Ft (79 Sq M)
  • KITCHEN

    Blender Coffee/tea Maker Cookware/dishes/utensils Dishwasher Microwave Oven Refrigerator Stovetop Toaster
  • LAUNDRY

    Near Laundromat
  • PARKING

    Car Recommended Onsite Parking Onsite Parking Options Include A Garage
  • INTERNET

    Free WiFi
  • OUTDOORS

    Balcony Barbecue Grill Fenced Yard Firepit Garden Outdoor Furniture
  • BATHROOMS

    Hair Dryer Outdoor Shower Shampoo Shower Soap Toilet Paper Towels Provided
  • LANGS SPOKEN

    English
  • THINGS TO DO

    Birdwatching Nearby Boat On Site Golf Nearby Golfing On Site Hiking Nearby Kayak On Site Kayaking Nearby Marina Nearby Power Boating Nearby Water Sports Equipment Wildlife And Game Walks Nearby Windsurfing Nearby Winery Tours Nearby
  • ENTERTAINMENT

    Smart TV With Cable/satellite Service
  • LIVING SPACES

    Fireplace Living Room
  • CLIMATE CONTROL

    Heating
  • FAMILY FRIENDLY

    Children's Toys Playground
  • LOCATION HIGHLIGHTS

    In A Village In The Mountains Near A Hospital Near The Sea
  • SERVICES AND CONVENIENCES

    Limited Housekeeping
  • SUITABILITY/ACCESSIBILITY

    Note From Host: NO Smoke-free Property

CheckIn Check-in : 04:00 PM CheckOut Check-out : 11:00 AM
No Wheelchair No smoking No pets Children allowed
Occupancy Max occupancy : 4

Map Map

School District Availability

Review Review

  • Tracy L.

    Submitted Jul 30, 2025

    Stayed Jul 19, 2025

    This was a fantastic place for our week with teen grandkids. Super cute cottage with multiple outdoor spaces had everything we needed. Easy walk to the beach. Easy day trips to Monterey, Pacific Grove and San Francisco.

  • Nancy S.

    Submitted Aug 15, 2024

    Stayed Aug 5, 2024

    It was our first time to Rio Del Mar. Appreciated the quiet unpretentious neighborhood and accessibility of beach in a cozy well kept knotty pine cottage.

  • Melinda B.

    Submitted Aug 6, 2024

    Stayed Jul 31, 2024

    We loved our cabin! Very welcoming and perfect for our family! Quick walk to the beach - lots to explore! We will definitely be back!

  • Brian H.

    Submitted Aug 2, 2024

    Stayed Jul 24, 2024

    We have a splendid time in this quiet and relaxing little cottage.

  • Carole A.

    Submitted Jul 24, 2024

    Stayed Jul 14, 2024

    It was a lovely, well cared for property. The yard was truly Zen. We had a great time.

  • Thu Yen M.

    Submitted Jul 16, 2024

    Stayed Jul 9, 2024

    This was one of the best VRBO's we have stayed at. Everything was so clean and comfortable inside the house and outside in the spacious backyard. We loved staying here while visiting some family up north and spending time at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk with our kids. Mahalo for the great stay!

  • Elizabeth T.

    Submitted Jun 18, 2024

    Stayed Jun 12, 2024

    We stayed at the beach house for 4 nights while attending graduation celebrations at UC Santa Cruz. The house was just as described in the listing and well maintained. The beautifully landscaped backyard was the perfect spot to start the day with coffee and end the day to relax. The beach is a few minutes away and has a nice walking path. A couple mornings we walked to get coffee from the small cafe near the house and then walked the beach path. I highly recommend hiking in the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, which is a 10 minute drive from the house. (See poster in the hallway of the house). We had dinner in Aptos at Mentone and Sevey's Bar & Kitchen and enjoyed them both. Communication with Jeff was excellent. We loved our stay at the beach cottage and hope to return.

  • Linda G.

    Submitted May 3, 2024

    Stayed Apr 10, 2024

    This beach cottage was super comfortable and welcoming. It had most everything we needed for a month long stay. The host was very helpful and accommodating. I'm thinking about returning in the future!

  • Arek J.

    Submitted Apr 16, 2024

    Stayed Mar 29, 2024

    This was the perfect property for us. The construction is quaint and modern at the same time. The attention to detail was evident right from the beginning and this allowed for an easy, breezy experience. The location is perfect on a quiet road just off the beach. Great runs and walks were had in the immediate vicinity of this property.

  • Shannon C.

    Submitted Apr 10, 2024

    Stayed Apr 2, 2024

    My family of four had a great relaxing time here. Nice location for walks along the beach, quiet neighborhood, good documentation and instructions in the house. Thank you!

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Total

Includes taxes and fees
$308+
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