Entire home

Private Beach House with amazing views of Shwan Lake and Twin Lakes Beach

Lakefront holiday home with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Private Beach House with amazing views of Shwan Lake and Twin Lakes Beach

The view from the huge picture windows, looking South, toward Twin Lakes Beach
Living room / dining room with big picture windows overlooking Schwann Lagoon
Back deck with fire pit
Dining
Private kitchen

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 3

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Santa Cruz Harbor
  • Place, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
  • Place, Santa Cruz Wharf
  • Airport, San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 3)

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

Office 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Dining area

About this property

Private Beach House with amazing views of Shwan Lake and Twin Lakes Beach


Enjoy peaceful serenity and natural beauty as you check the surf from your own living room. Watch great blue herons, snowy egrets, and cormorants through two huge windows overlooking picturesque Schwan Lagoon and Twin Lakes Beach -- the best family beach in town! (permit #181472 / TOT certificate # VRAB00053)

Steps to the sand, this house is just six houses up from the beach. Sunbathe, bodysurf, wander a long stretch of shoreline, have bonfires in the legal fire pits, and enjoy dramatic sunsets just steps from your door. Walk to the harbor to rent SUPs and kayaks, or sail on one of the Chardonnay II's daily cruises across Monterey Bay.

Spellbinding views from the bedroom, living room, and kitchen create a peaceful zen-like quiet. The back patio, a lagoon-side garden oasis, is perfect for happy hours and morning coffee in the sun. This home is your own Shangri-La.

LIVING AREA Unwind into vacation mode in a comfortable living room with a charming upright piano. Plush furniture offers ample seating, and picture windows overlook Schwan Lagoon. Settle in and watch a movie on the 43” flat-screen TV after a fun-filled beach day. Watch Cormorants, Egrets, Herons, Ducks, Geese, Eagles, Hawks and Hummingbirds galore from the comfort of your living room.

KITCHEN & DINING Tap into your culinary side in a bright and spacious kitchen outfitted with a full suite of stainless steel appliances. When it’s time to eat, share delicious home-cooked meals in the sun-soaked dining area.

BEDROOM, SLEEPING AREAS & BATH This single-story unit sleeps up to three guests between a bedroom, a bonus room, and the living room. Sleep soundly on a California King size bed in the peaceful bedroom, in addition to a full sized Futon Couch that can fold to a bed for extra sleeping space (also New as of August 2021). The living room is furnished with a full-size sleeper sofa and a comfy small fold-down loveseat. The bonus room features a queen-size bed, closet etc. Find a sparkling walk-in shower, and Bluetooth-capable mirror in the bathroom.

OUTDOOR AREA Breathe in the coastal air on the private back patio with seating for four. This cozy waterside sanctuary features a fire pit, lush foliage and a wood deck. The front patio also has a table with sun shade that's great for afternoon happy hours!

EXTRA AMENITIES & MORE DETAILS Guest amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, games, a Bluetooth speaker, plus a nice piano and a guitar for fostering your own entertainment and creativity. There is parking for up to two cars in the driveway. Please note that this property does not have air-conditioning. Additionally, the patio is located down a flight of steps and the owner lives on-site in a separate apartment.

THE LOCATION Stroll to any of 10 neighborhood restaurants within blocks for excellent food, drinks, and live music. Drive only 10 minutes from this central location to access downtown Santa Cruz, UCSC, Capitola Village, The Boardwalk, golfing, surfing, hiking, shopping, and all the colorful culture our Santa Cruz area has to offer.

Note: This is a county permitted "Hosted Rental" with a separated unit on one side of the house where the owner lives. The rental is completely soundproofed and private with locking doors.

No smoking inside.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Ocean view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
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

Pets allowed: limit 1 total
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Santa Cruz County hosted rental rules allow one car per bedroom. Guests and visitors may park in the driveway. (Driveway fits 3-4 cars)
Noise limits: Comply with Santa Cruz County Code 8.30: quiet hours 10PM–8AM every day. Nothing detrimental to neighbors or occupants of house allowed.
Cooking allowed in kitchen only. No illegal behavior or disturbances allowed. No Fireworks! In case of emergency evacuation go out to street, call Jim

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
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Santa Cruz

Located on the waterfront, this holiday home is in Eastside Santa Cruz, a neighbourhood in Santa Cruz. Mystery Spot is a notable landmark, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Monterey Bay and Capitola Beach. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Santa Cruz, CA

What's nearby

  • Twin Lakes State Beach - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Santa Cruz Harbor - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - 5 min drive - 2.5 km
  • Santa Cruz Main Beach - 5 min drive - 2.5 km
  • Santa Cruz Wharf - 6 min drive - 3.6 km

Getting around

  • Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) - 26 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Crow's Nest Restaurant - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪People's Coffee - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Verve Coffee Roasters - ‬20 min walk
  • ‪Harbor Cafe - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Brady's Yacht Club - ‬17 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Private Beach House with amazing views of Shwan Lake and Twin Lakes Beach pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 1 total).

What time is check-in at Private Beach House with amazing views of Shwan Lake and Twin Lakes Beach?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private Beach House with amazing views of Shwan Lake and Twin Lakes Beach?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Private Beach House with amazing views of Shwan Lake and Twin Lakes Beach located?

Located in Eastside Santa Cruz, this holiday home is steps from Twin Lakes State Beach and within 3 mi (5 km) of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay. Harbor Beach and Santa Cruz Harbor are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 134 out of 141 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 141 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 141 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 141 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 141 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

jen g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic location. Very comfy beds, great kitchen, tons of space for the 3 of us. Laundry fantastic. Jim was super helpful. View is lovely.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Becky B.

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

Great place to stay!

We loved the property! Jim was so friendly and helpful. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Raleigh D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Most excellent location on lovely lagoon just a minute's walk to Twin Lakes Beach. Nice outdoor sitting places. Comfortable home and very pleasant host.
Stayed 8 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sheila R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location and wonderful view of an inlet and ocean. Nice to have parking too. Definitely adequate for two people. Bathroom is small but ok. Room with the king size bed also had a futon in it which caused it to be a bit tight but usable. Overall we liked it and would stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tai L.

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

Peaceful and Serene

We really lived this property. It was clean and spacious. Plenty of room for 2-3 people. A very short walk to the beach and downtown Santa Cruz and Capitola were just a few minutes away. The view of the lake was great and it was so relaxing watching the birds outside the windows. There must have been at least 8 nests in the tree just outside the window.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christy H.

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

Great location

Nice quiet location between Santa Cruz and Capitola with a view of the lagoon and within walking distance to the beach and restaurants.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

peggy b.

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

The best stay ever

Everything about this home is perfect; a block to the beach ; perfect condition; excellent all around; i wouy do it again in a minute
Stayed 58 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer D.

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

Wonderful!

We enjoyed our stay at this property! It is close to the beach, and the view of the lagoon from the window is amazing. We will definitely stay at this property again when we visit Santa Cruz.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael T.

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

Great location, views, and friendly host

We had a great time in Santa Cruz. The property is a short walk to beach and has a great view of the lagoon. Host was very attentive and welcoming. Even got invited to their neighbors party!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrea M.

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

Great Location, House and Host!

Jim is a great host, and the house itself is clean and comfortable. Quiet street; just a quick walk to the beach and close to downtown. Highly recommend walking to the Live Oaks Farmers Market!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jane D.

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

Ideal location gorgeous view

Posting for this property accurately shows the beautiful view of the lagoon. It is steps away from a great beach and a convenient store for snack. Jim was a responsive and friendly host. Gorgeous weather in Santa Cruz! My husband, adult daughter and I had a fun relaxing time.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cathy S.

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

Calming view

Loved the sunlight shining into the rooms and the gorgeous views from the windows overlooking the lakes. Very comfortable beds. Although the bathroom was small, it had a very nice shower with plenty of hot water. The kitchen had everything we needed to help make our stay ideal.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2023

8/10 Good

Rebecca G.

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

Great location

Everything was great and clean. My only suggestion is to update the mattresses as the beds were very uncomfortable. Given the location this is a great spot because it is close to downtown Santa Cruz, the beach, Shadowbrook and activities like Wilder Ranch trails.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sandie S.

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

Loved the birds

Everything was clean and ready. Quiet area along the lake. Loved that you can walk to beach and food. No useable out door space because of all the birds nesting but grate to watch them from the house. The bathroom was in the entry and not well arranged. Beautiful location!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura K., Berkeley, CA

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

Amazing view, short walk to beach

This was a great spot for our short Santa Cruz getaway. The big picture windows overlook a lake that is the home of hundreds of cormorants (and a few egrets) and you can bird watch to your heart's content right from the living room. The beds were very comfy, and the kitchen has everything you'd need. We appreciated the good reading lights, and there is a small but well curated collection of literature. Jim was very friendly and responsive to our requests. You can walk to the beach in just a couple of minutes, and there are restaurants very close by.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

4/10 Poor

Mary G.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, listing accuracy

Sub par

House smells bad: constant smoke (pot?) and mustiness. Dirty pillows, refrigerator , coffee pot, and whole environment was unkempt and old, worn. No kitchen staples that can be used safely. Fall risks: rugs and shower. No place to hang towels. Very quiet and beautiful view.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Dale F., Applegate, Oregon

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness

Fell a Bit Short of Expectations

First, I want to mention that the owner did reach out to us following our departure to apologize for a few things, which was appreciated. We had high hopes for this place, but there were some things that made this stay forgettable. First and most glaringly, the cormorants! Apparently, these migratory water foul are in the area during the time of our stay. They were nesting in a tree between the house and the lagoon. They sh*t everywhere. The outside area of the house was unusable, our car was covered in crap and feathers within the first hour of parking on the opposite side of the house. The windows facing the lagoon (big ones in the picture by the table) had streaks of crap all over them. The owner washed the windows with a hose right after our arrival. The windows were again streaked with crap within the hour and for the rest of the stay. The plants, porch, trees, everything in the back yard was white with excrement. Also, this place does not have A/C. It got a bit warm and we tried to cool things down and get some airflow by opening windows, but the smell of the birds was too bad, we could not keep the windows open. The bathroom is tiny and not excedingly clean (don't look in the vent and ignore the glass shower wall and stains on faucets). Not that I was expecting the place to be modern, but a lot of the things were fairly dated. A few supplies missing (foil or plastic wrap and dryer sheets) and parking was an issue one night.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Maeve G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location and neighborhood. Able to walk to the beach. Decor and furniture could use some updating though, felt like staying at a family’s house more so than a fancy rental, but not really in a bad way? Host was really great! Nice guy, nice neighbors, I’d stay again.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Georgia K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location, beautiful views, comfortable stay
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was very clean and perfect for my adult son, his dog and me(Mom)! Super quiet neighborhood and lovely short walk to a terrific beach!Got to meet Jim, the owner, who is very easy. A wonderful few days!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Catherine M.

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

Santa Cruz stay

Lovely place to stay, quiet area close to the beach with lovely views. The house was clean and well set up with everything we could need for our stay. We enjoyed it!
Stayed 8 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Helen R.

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

Like living in a tree house.

Very quiet stay. Nice, pleasant hosts as well. Will stay here again, if possible.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Madeleine N.

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

Location Location Location

Loved our stay at Jim's place. This was just the perfect place for. View of the lagoon and the wildlife, very close to the beach, and the harbor. Jim was an awesome host. Check-in was very easy, and all communication with Jim was timely. Will definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julie S.

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

Wonderful stay!

Very impressive location and a great house. It has everything you may need, super comfortable!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jeff A.

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

Weekend in SC

Jim is a very friendly and accommodating host!! We'll definitely be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

About the host

Hosted by Jim Lewin

Host profile image

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests