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Happy House by the Sea

Photo gallery for Happy House by the Sea

Exterior
Part of the driveway and side door entrance.
Exterior detail
Dining room to entry way
Dining

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 679.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Ocean view
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi

Explore the area

View map
Aptos, CA
  • Place, Seacliff State Beach
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Rio Del Mar Beach
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Airport, San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪63 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Livingroom

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Happy House by the Sea

Happy House is a charming 2 bedroom 1 bath Cottage just steps away to the entrance to Seacliff State Beach Park. At this time we are offering reservations that are 30+ days long. This is convenient for traveling nurses, working remote, extended vacations, families, retired guests or even locals remodeling their home that need safe temporary housing.

You have parking for up to 3 vehicles in our driveway. We have a fully equipped kitchen with coffee maker, stove/oven, refrigerator, cook ware and dishwasher. There is a washer & dryer for laundry and we provide linens and towels for the house, please bring your own beach towels.

We have wireless internet access, smart TV, DVD and VCR with movies for kids. Happy House is less than a block to groceries, restaurants and shops. Amenities include gas log fireplace, a fenced back yard and charcoal barbecue.

Explore the natural beauty in our area along the coastline to the redwood forests and beyond. As our guest you have use of our Golden Poppy Annual Day Use Pass which gets you into many Northern California State Parks, State Beaches, State Reservoirs and premiere Redwoods for free. (Regularly $10 a day).

Seacliff State Beach Park is the home of the cement ship. It has picnic areas, fishing, visitor/learning center with information on the local fossils and history. There is also a paved pathway for walking or biking that leads to Rio Del Mar Beach. The beach and walking areas welcomes dogs on leash.

We are near the redwoods in Nisene Marks State park with great hiking and biking trails. We are 10 minute drive to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Monterey Bay Aquarium is about a 45 minute drive and Roaring Camp is about a 20 minute drive.

We have a relaxed, casual atmosphere. For small kids there are 2 booster seats for the kitchen table and beach toys. We have an assortment of children's books, mega-blocks, family board games, beach chairs, umbrellas and boogie boards you are welcome to use.

Happy House is a cozy home limited to 6 guests. The default rate includes 2 guests, additional guests are $5 a person per night. Friendly, well behaved pets who are a good fit with our pet rules are welcome at a $150 fee per pet which must be arranged in advance.

Some of our House Rules:
No Smoking
Check in any time after 4 PM.
Check out time is strict at 11 AM.
Quiet time is 10pm - 8am.
No large parties, maximum of 12 people on the property at all times. Maximum of 6 people overnight with additional person fee.
Turn off the heat and lights when you go out.
Fireworks are illegal in Santa Cruz County.
Trash and recyclables must be sorted and put in the provided covered containers.
Return keys to lock box when you check out.
No pets allowed on the property unless arranged in advance and pet fees have been paid.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Kitchen booster seats, books, beach toys
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 3 total)
$150 per pet, pet rules in Rental Agreement
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Aptos

Located in Seacliff, a neighbourhood in Aptos, this cottage is near theme parks and near the beach. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Capitola Beach and Monterey Bay. Boardwalk Bowl and Sky Glider are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Cottages in AptosOpens in a new window
Map
Aptos, CA

What's nearby

  • Seacliff State Beach - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Aptos History Museum - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Rio Del Mar Beach - 10 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Cabrillo College - 19 min walk - 1.6 km

Getting around

  • San Martin Caltrain Station - 45 min drive
  • Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) - 11 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Loft Coffee - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Whale City Bakery Bar And Grill Aptos - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Poki Bowl - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Cabrillo Cafeteria - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Happy House by the Sea pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 3 total).

How much does it cost to stay at Happy House by the Sea?

As of 10 March 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Happy House by the Sea on 1 May 2026 start from NZ$395, 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 Happy House by the Sea?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Happy House by the Sea?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Happy House by the Sea?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Happy House by the Sea located?

Located in Seacliff, this cottage is within a 10-minute walk of Seacliff State Beach and Aptos History Museum. The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park and Rio Del Mar Beach are also within 15 minutes.

Reviews

9.6

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. 209 out of 263 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 43 out of 263 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 9 out of 263 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 263 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 263 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Alan H.

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

Clean and Convenient

Great stay for our Family! Just a short walk down to the beach at Seacliff State Park.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

6/10 Okay

craig a.

Liked: Check-in, communication

Easy walk

Close to the beach
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth H.

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

Happy House

The Happy House was perfect. We had a great time walking with ours dogs on the beach. Enjoyed the nearby restaurants and ice cream shop. Hope to return again soon.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Penny S.

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

This place is perfect for a small family

We love the Happy House! It's cozy and just what we need for a nice refresher break from Valley life. Thank you! :)
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2021

6/10 Okay

jennifer e.

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

Diamond in the rough!

Great location - a real diamond in the rough! Nice neighbors. Could use some TLC... toaster elements only working on one side, frying pans did not sit flat/connect to burner surface. Living room couch a little uncomfortable - but i am nit-picking. had a great time!!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

6/10 Okay

Elliot B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

OK but musty

While the description of the property and environs is mostly accurate, the house was not well maintained or cleaned and had a musty smell.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Gary and Sara F., Durango

This is our 4th year @ Happy House and every year I love it more.

Everything you need is at your fingertips! Cute and cozy with comfy linens and a well stocked kitchen with all you need for cooking or BBQing ( even a patio for al fresco dining!) Booking was a breeze and owner Emelia is a joy to work with and quickly will take care of any concern. For travelers with 4 legged family members Happy House is a dream come true! The backyard is safe and secure and you can explore the beauty around you. The beach is a short stroll down a scenic path. There are several great dining options all within walking distance. Aptos is a ‘hidden treasure’ along the California Coast and Happy House is a perfect place to spend your vacation.
Stayed 22 nights in Apr 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Gary and Sara F., Durango

This is our 5th stay @ 'Happy House'each year it gets better! Sun, restaurants, it's all here.

A Perfect home away from home. Cozy & convenient cute local restaurants, sun, and sand and shops are steps away and the fun of Santa Cruz and Capitola a short drive. Emelia, the owner, is a joy to work with. Quick to respond to anything you might need. Comfy beds plenty of linens, towels and supplies . The kitchen is stocked.Pots pans,appliances and has all you need. The washer/dryer is a life saver. wonderful Patio is safe & secure for pets. anenjoy alfresco BBQ .meals Books, DVD's for kids, ( but why stay inside when the ocean is steps away?) A real home-away-from-home. Forget hassles if pricey hotels and enjoy Happy House you will adore this hidden Aptos gem. Once to come you'll be back for another visit.
Stayed 21 nights in May 2017

6/10 Okay

Brent A.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Review of Happy House

Overall, it was a pretty good stay. For the value, I would suggest staying multiple nights (pet fee plus cleaning fee are high for one night). We just couldn't stay multiple nights. The check in process was simple, owner's communication was outstanding. The property itself is old and there is minimal investment in keeping property well maintained, newer looking and there was an "old stench" to the house the entire time. We had to open windows and light a candle for most of the time, which made it very cold at times. It got windy, therefore, so much brush landed on my car from the non-maintained trees and branches around the area. The furniture was uncomfortable and needed to sit on pillows. The King Size bed was very comfortable. The walk to the beach was short, so convenient. Overall, I would not spend this kind of money again and just get a hotel nearby to be honest. If I had a bigger group of four or more, I would have stayed in a larger house. The owner was very nice and pleasant. Please invest more in the property to update it.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jen J.

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

Fantastic beach area getaway

What a pleasant surprise this little beach house was…perfect sleeping configuration, cozy comfy beds, awesomely supplied kitchen, great backyard patio, and super convenient to walk on the beach or beach walk…we will return to this place for sure!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey B.

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

Highly Recommended Great Location

This is a great smaller home located above Sea Cliff State Beach. I would say perfect for four guests and quite acceptable for six. We had six. Very old school in a good way. Not a super modern property and not a party destination if that is what you are looking for. The host was very easy to connect with. We would definitely return.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Curt S.

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

Great Time

Not easy finding house so close to the beach that will accept multiple Large dogs. Mexican restaurant, general store and ice cream. 1 block away. We did not do any cooking but it appears the house was well stocked with pans and utensils to do the basics if you wanted to cook. Hopefully we will be able to come back soon.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Carol H.

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

Awesome!

The house is a cozy place in a great location. We enjoyed relaxing in the backyard and walking down to the beach. Would definitely recommend!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marc D.

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

Great Location

Happy House is in a great spot. Near the Highway and closer to the beach. Santa Cruz and all it had to offer is about 15 minutes away. It might take longer on heavy traffic days. The cottage is small but fit our family of six comfortably. The courtyard behind the cottage is inviting, but we didn’t have the time to enjoy it. We had a nice visit.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amanda S.

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

Beach getaway

Great location near beach, food, ice cream! Cute beach house! We really enjoyed our time there.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tyler B.

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

Home away from home

Myself and my family stayed here last year, and came back just for the fact that this property is in an excellent location with a caring owner that is responsive to your needs! I’ll probably stay here again next year!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kevin K.

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

Always a great place to spend time!

Great location, clean and nice accommodations, great for small families!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kim A.

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

Very cute little cottage

We had a wonderful time at the Happy House so close to the ocean and the little downtown area, would definitely come again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Megan M.

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

Perfect

Had a great time the house was furnished with all that you needed and what was stated in the description of amenities. Very clean , and fun looking at the books and games.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Pat B.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

cute beach house

Great location just a few steps to restaurants, store, ice cream shop and about a 5-minute walk to beach (the beach is downhill, but you can also drive to a parking lot if walking up and down a hill is an issue for you). Short drive to the magical Forest of Nisene Marks.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Eddielynn M.

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

We had a wonderful stay.

This is a very cute and comfy house. Well equipped with everything we needed. Patio is fenced and great for our dogs. Small store close by, Snow-white restaurant and a few others. Seacliff state park is within walking distance, we also hiked State Park Nisene. Thank you, Happy House, for a wonderful and relaxing time.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joe L.

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

Great stay

It was a great stay; recommend it.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sarah H.

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

Great location

Our family spent a week here, it's right next to a nice beach and not far from a lot of good day trips. The house is cute and has a nice patio in back for kids to play on. I
Stayed 8 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Scot B.

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

Awesome place

Will definitely return. Loved my stay
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

8/10 Good

Emily C.

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

Beach stay

Very nice weekend
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

About the host

Hosted by Emelia Nahinu

Host profile image
This home has been in our family close to 70years! We keep it available for family to visit and share it with guests like you. Many of the books, decorations and furnishings are from an older era, and may have special meaning to the family giving it a retro feel, we prefer to keep it this way. It is still important to us to keep up with home maintenance, appliances and comfort all which we hope you will find satisfactory.

Why they chose this property

This is an Eichler home built in the 30's and has been our family over 60 years. The front of the house has floor to ceiling windows which let in lots of natural light. Our yards have beautiful colors in the flowers. We love that our children and grandchildren can come and enjoy our beach house like we did as kids. We welcome you to come and enjoy it too.

What makes this property unique

Happy House is very close to the beach, at night we can hear the waves crashing upon the shore. We are also just a short walk to fantastic restaurants, ice cream, coffee shop, shopping, and a small grocery store. We have known this to be a safe, highly desirable neighborhood close to a lot, but usually peaceful and quiet at night.

Languages:

English
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