Top 10% of guest reviews in this areaTop 10% of guest reviews in this area
Highlights
The great outdoors
Guests love the outdoor space here.
Beach equipment
A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
Centrally-located
You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
Discover nearby landmarks
Near Monterey Bay
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4
Popular amenities
Balcony
Toys
Barbecue
Refrigerator
Garage parking available
Internet
Explore the area
aptos, CA
Rio Del Mar Beach
Place, Rio Del Mar Beach
2 min walk
Seacliff State Beach
Place, Seacliff State Beach
3 min walk
Monterey Bay
Place, Monterey Bay
3 min walk
San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
Airport, San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
65 min drive
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)
Bedroom 1
2 Single Beds
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
1 bathroom
bathroom
Toilet · Shower only · Outdoor shower
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area
About this property
mid-century bungalow at the beach... sunny, quiet, 4 min. walk to the surf!
S.Cruz county vacation rental permit # 251252. IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ: Prior to acceptance you must read the rental agreement and house rules, and answer any questions i may ask via email within 12 hours. Sorry, NO children under 5 allowed per our insurance, and principal renter must be 35 or older. Thank you.
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. Very private and sunny backyard 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. ( NO stairs to climb !!...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 only), 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, Pixie Deli, Venus Beach-side and Venus Pie-Trap in Rio Del Mar right down the street. In Aptos village visit the acclaimed Mentone (resv reccomended),Pacific Roasting, Peets, Cat n' Cloud coffee, Bittersweet Cafe, Persephone, Cafe Sparrow, Sushi Garden, and in Seacliff visit Manuel's Mexican or Ambrosia for Indian and Maryann's 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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this a very quiet neighborhood and street.
neighborhood QUIET TIME outside is; after 10 pm and not before 8 am. Smoking NEVER permitted on property.
ONLY the guests on rental agreement are allowed on property. copy of house rules must be received back prior to stay. Read carefully and scan back.
We have a sundeck, NO children under 5 years old allowed per our insurance.
NO eating on the furniture.
NO fireworks allowed per county
Important information
You need to know
Property Registration Number 252252
Property # 1144937vb
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: NO
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Aptos
Located in Rio del Mar, a neighbourhood in Aptos, this holiday home is near theme parks and by the sea. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Monterey Bay and Capitola Beach, while Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Roaring Camp Railroads are popular area attractions. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History and Boardwalk Bowl are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and windsurfing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and mountain biking.
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
Aptos History Museum - 2 min drive - 1.5 km
Getting around
San Martin Caltrain Station - 45 min drive
Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) - 16 min drive
Restaurants
Marianne's Ice Cream - 17 min walk
The Hideout - 3 min drive
Venus Cocktails & Kitchen - 3 min walk
Taqueria Los Pericos Aptos - 18 min walk
Erik's DeliCafé - 16 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is mid-century bungalow at the beach... sunny, quiet, 4 min. walk to the surf! pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at mid-century bungalow at the beach... sunny, quiet, 4 min. walk to the surf!?
As of 22 October 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at mid-century bungalow at the beach... sunny, quiet, 4 min. walk to the surf! on 27 October 2026 start from NZ$2,248, 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 mid-century bungalow at the beach... sunny, quiet, 4 min. walk to the surf!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at mid-century bungalow at the beach... sunny, quiet, 4 min. walk to the surf!?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at mid-century bungalow at the beach... sunny, quiet, 4 min. walk to the surf!?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is mid-century bungalow at the beach... sunny, quiet, 4 min. walk to the surf! located?
Located in Rio del Mar, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Rio Del Mar Beach and Monterey Bay. Seacliff State Beach and The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park are also within 1 mile (2 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Everything about this stay exceeded our expectations. The place itself is so cozy and has such an amazing feel to it. Beachy yet homey. It’s walking distance from the beach which was amazing! Jeff was so kind to us and throughly explained everything we needed to know and gave us some recommendations which was great! After the first night we were already planning our stay here again!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 22 September 2026
Thanks much Julia, happy you appreciated it, you guys were terrific, and we look forward to your return anytime !! Jeff
This was a wonderful place to stay. We marveled at how close the beach was. The street was quiet and calm. We enjoyed the sun deck every day. You must stay here to understand what a special place this is.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 15 August 2026
Thanks for your comments Jeffrey, come on back anytime! Best, Jeff
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!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 20 July 2024
we're happy that you enjoyed your California vacation, and our little beach cottage.
please come back anytime!
Mahalo, jeff
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.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 23 August 2025
thanks Tracy and happy you and your family had a great time! come back anytime!
jeff
Verified review
10/10 Excellent
Cody C.
2 November 2018
Awsome!
Great hosts, awesome house, nice area, beautiful weather, good price, perfect trip!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 21 August 2023
Thanks Cody, your family is welcome back to the California sun and our house anytime !
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!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 11 April 2024
Thanks Shannon, glad you enjoyed it!
….and please come back sometime for some sunny summer weather !
We have stayed at this vacation home numerous times and it never disappoints! The home is immaculate and has everything you could ever need for your stay. We love the location - just a quick walk to the beach and great local eats!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 21 August 2023
Thanks Cher, so happy to hear you and your family had another great time, and please come back again!
Jeff and Peggy
Perfect location and cabin was clean, comfortable and attractive
This is one of those places that will stand out. The design and furnishings are exceptional. From the inside to the outside, it is so well done. Comfortable beds, close to the beach and restaurants, quiet and delightful.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 21 August 2023
Happy you had a restful weekend Wanda. Please come back again!
Jeff and Peggy
Our whole family enjoyed this unique and comfy beach house. The backyard space was lovely and just a great place to observe the many birds and do some watercolor painting. Super close to all the fun things in Rio de Mar…
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 11 October 2023
Thanks for the compliments!…watercoloring in the backyard is a great idea!
Happy you guys enjoyed it and come back again!
Jeff
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!
We found this gem to be just perfect for our stay! The sundeck and backyard are just incredible to relax. The interior is very clean and tidy and super comfortable. Jeff was so easy to contact and a gracious host. Can't wait to visit Aptos in the future!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 21 August 2023
Guys, we’re delighted you had a great vacation!
Come back and visit again next year!
Thanks, Jeff
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.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 15 August 2024
Thanks Nancy.,,glad you enjoyed the cottage and the location!
Jeff
Verified review
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
25 November 2018
Charming, cozy and well-appointed
Lovely and efficient cabin with much mid century charm...ideal layout for small family or couples. Well-stocked, classy and comfortable. Great beach path nearby and services. Attentive, organized, but privacy-respectful hosts. Totally recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 21 August 2023
Thanks Kimberly, glad you and your family enjoyed it, and we hope you come back for some summer surfing!!!
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.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 17 April 2024
Arek, thank you for the great review, glad you enjoyed the cottage, and hope you will come back again!
Best, jeff
Verified review
10/10 Excellent
Lauraine E.
16 August 2018
Relaxing Getaway
Such a charming property. A lot of love and care was put into the construction of this home. The outdoor areas are abundant and gorgeous. The kitchen is very well stocked. Quick walk to the beach where you can have a bonfire. Super close to Capitola and Santa Cruz. You can’t go wrong staying here!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 21 August 2023
thank you Lauraine..... so glad you had fun, and appreciated the hand built nature of the house!
please come back next year for a longer stay!
jeff
Verified review
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
12 April 2019
Sweet Retreat
Expertly updated to include all the classic finishes of a 1960's beach house. Enjoyed it inside and out. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 21 August 2023
Happy you enjoyed it!! Please come back anytime!
Jeff
About the host
Hosted by jeff whalen
I am a 4th generation Monterrey bay and SF bay area native who spent many happy summers at this home. Growing up here, and in Silicon Valley, this cottage is still my getaway from the daily grind and working in Silicon Valley....and we're happy to share it with you !
Why they chose this property
Totally vintage but updated this is an "old-school Hawaiian style surf shack" that my father hand built in 1960 for my mom, with love and attention to detail. (SCz county rental permit on file). Open beam 12’ foot ceiling is quaint and still cozy! Located and perfectly sited to the south and west for maximum sun exposure, close to the ocean, yet in a very, very quiet and private neighborhood , on a dead end street, yet just a two minute walk to the beach for a morning run, your beach day, or the sunset. The street is a cul-de-sac so there are very few neighbors driving by. In my opinion, my dad picked the best lot on the block back in 1959! (quiet neighbors on both sides and across the street). We love the more rural (and MUCH LESS congested than Santa Cruz) area of Rio Del Mar/Aptos because of the spectacular meeting of the sea and the redwoods, yet only 10 minutes (7 miles) from Santa Cruz
What makes this property unique
on a 5000 sq foot lot with large fenced backyard , the home enjoys total privacy, quiet, is sheltered from the wind, and with the 100' mountain & flora behind it, you'll be reminded of Kauai.....total Zen. The sundeck looks up the hillside or out towards the sea and sunsets to the west. Although you can no longer see the ocean (newer construction blocks the view), one can clearly hear the waves crashing on the beach. Sip a drink and catch sound of the ocean and its breeze from the sunny front patio or sundeck in the afternoon.