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Happy House by the Sea

Photo gallery for Happy House by the Sea

A dining area with a table and chairs, a hanging light fixture, and a view of the outside through large windows.
A green building with large windows, a small garden with various plants and flowers, and a green fence.
A green house with large windows and a garden with roses.
A dining area with a wooden table and chairs, a wooden counter with a sink, and a view of the outside through a wooden fence.
A beachside pavilion with wooden benches and picnic tables, overlooking the ocean and a pier.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Beach equipment
    A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Walk to Monterey Bay

Popular amenities

  • Balcony or patio
  • Dog-friendly
  • Toys
  • Barbecue
  • High-speed internet
  • Washer/dryer

Explore the area

View map
Aptos, CA
  • Place, Seacliff State Beach
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Monterey Bay
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Rio Del Mar Beach
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Airport, San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪64 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

Add dates for prices

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About the area

Aptos

Located in Seacliff, a neighbourhood in Aptos, this cottage is near theme parks and near the beach. Mystery Spot and Roaring Camp Railroads are notable landmarks, 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. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and cycling.
View more Cottages in AptosOpens in a new window
Map
Aptos, CA

What's nearby

  • Seacliff State Beach - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Monterey Bay - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Aptos History Museum - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Rio Del Mar Beach - 11 min walk - 1.0 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Loft Coffee - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Marianne's Ice Cream - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪The Hideout - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The Farm Bakery Café & Gifts - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Venus Cocktails & Kitchen - ‬15 min walk

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 25 October 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Happy House by the Sea on 1 December 2026 start from NZ$16,244, 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 Monterey Bay. Aptos History Museum and The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park 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

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in, communication

Easy walk

Close to the beach
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 17 April 2021
It is always a pleasure to have you stay with us. Thank you!
Verified review

6/10 Okay

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
Response from VrboOwner on 17 April 2021
The storm with heavy downpour of rain we recently had may have contributed to this traveler's experience. Our home is professionally cleaned and sanitized in between each stay, if something seems wrong when you arrive let us know so it could be corrected. Home maintenance is important to us, its planned and scheduled. The house has been in our family over 60 years.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 27 March 2020
Thank you for the wonderful review and helpful information!
Verified review

6/10 Okay

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
Response from VrboOwner on 27 March 2020
All fees are transparent before you make a reservation. This home has been in our family over 60 years. We are definitely into every apect of maintenance and preventative maintenance our home requires and anticipate what it may need in the future. It's been updated with recent floors, drapery, plumbing, painting, electrical, appliances, bathroom, gas fireplace, fencing, outdoor structures, high speed internet, and satellite TV. In the repair, replacements and new brought in we actually seek out and prefer the vintage beach house feel rather than a commercialized or more modern approach. With that said comfort and convenience is important to us and we don't think we are compromising this. You can find books on our shelves dating back to the 1800's and you are welcome to read from our library as long as the books don't walk away. Our gardener comes 2-3 times a month to maintain the front and back yards. You can enjoy a small lawn, and fragrant blooms of roses, hydrangeas, princess flowers, jasmine, geraniums, rhododendrons and camellias on our property while you are there. In the rare case there is a windstorm happening during you stay you may expect some loose foliage. You can usually expect an ocean breeze in the evening, windstorms are rare, but one did occur throughout a hefty portion of California during this guests stay. We love how the heater warms the place up quickly. The gas fireplace puts out heat as well but we use it for ambiance. While on the subject of the fireplace, it has 3 fan settings designed to push the heat into the house if it is on high fan setting it could be loud for some. We hope people enjoy their stay. Thanks for reading
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

8/10 Good

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great stay

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

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Awesome place

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

8/10 Good

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

Beach stay

Very nice weekend
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Cute. Functional. Great Location.

Served our needs well.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Very Enjoyable Stay!

It was perfect for my wife and border collie. Close to the beach and convenient store.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022
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