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Bright, artsy, and cozy home 500 feet from the beach, 500 feet from the river

Photo gallery for Bright, artsy, and cozy home 500 feet from the beach, 500 feet from the river

Living room and Dining Room (Upstairs)
Living Room
Living room (Upstairs)
Interior
Kitchen with dishwasher, oven, stove, fridge, garbage disposal

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 492.9 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Aptos, CA
  • Place, Rio Del Mar Beach
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Seacliff State Beach
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Seascape Golf Club
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪63 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed, 1 Single Bed and 1 Crib

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Bright, artsy, and cozy home 500 feet from the beach, 500 feet from the river

The Coast Queen is a wonderful house for a pleasant getaway to the coast for the weekend. It's a perfect place for a family, a couple or even two couples. It's a short two minute walk to the beach (and coffee shop, deli, corner market, and restaurants) providing a great anchor for days at the beach, yet it's only a few miles from Santa Cruz to enjoy the wonderful food, and activities in Santa Cruz.
Rio Del Mar is one of the last of the quaint, small village areas on the central coast. You can walk about a mile north from here, and seemingly endless miles south. We are close to the cement ship as well.

The house has been recently remodeled, with new floors and appliances in a full-stocked, fully functional kitchen. The deck upstairs is a wonderful place to hang out on sunny and shady days, along with an outdoor grill and comfortable seating.

There are flat screen televisions both upstairs and downstairs, along with cable and free Netflix. We also have high speed internet.

We have a car port for two cars off street parking.
We are a legally permitted vacation rental in Santa Cruz County.

We also have - special for kids - a Harry Potter closet! It is equipped with a super comfy mattress-type thing, and pillows. (We are still waiting for an owl to find us.) Kids have been known to read books there for hours, sleep there, and play spooky games there too. (There is good light in there, for those who want it.)

We are dog friendly BUT WE HAVE A PET POLICY. If you are interested in bringing a dog you MUST tell us at the time of booking. We will share our pet policy and you must agree to it. If you do not tell us you are bringing a dog (and agree to our pet policy), we will charge an extra $200 cleaning fee.

We have a general maximum of four adults. If you plan on having more than 4 adults, you need to check with us. We charge an extra fee of $20 per night for extra adults.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
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
Please contact us for details.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
We do not allow smoking on the property.

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Make sure the heater is off!
Send me a message letting me know you’re leaving. Thanks!
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Please be aware of water use: we are in a drought. Do not overload the washing machine, as it will stop working! Lock all windows when leaving.

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
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
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

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Aptos

Located in Rio del Mar, a neighbourhood in Aptos, this holiday home 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. Travelling with kids? Consider Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History and Sky Glider. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Aptos, CA

What's nearby

  • Rio Del Mar Beach - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Seacliff State Beach - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Cabrillo College - 2 min drive - 2.5 km
  • Seascape Golf Club - 3 min drive - 2.2 km

Getting around

  • San Martin Caltrain Station - 45 min drive
  • Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) - 18 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Whale City Bakery Bar And Grill Aptos - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Poki Bowl - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Marianne's Ice Cream - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Sushi Garden - Aptos - ‬16 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Bright, artsy, and cozy home 500 feet from the beach, 500 feet from the river pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much does it cost to stay at Bright, artsy, and cozy home 500 feet from the beach, 500 feet from the river?

As of 28 March 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Bright, artsy, and cozy home 500 feet from the beach, 500 feet from the river on 16 April 2026 start from NZ$491, 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 Bright, artsy, and cozy home 500 feet from the beach, 500 feet from the river?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Bright, artsy, and cozy home 500 feet from the beach, 500 feet from the river?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Bright, artsy, and cozy home 500 feet from the beach, 500 feet from the river?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Bright, artsy, and cozy home 500 feet from the beach, 500 feet from the river located?

This family-friendly Aptos holiday home is located by the sea, within a 5-minute walk of Rio Del Mar Beach and Seacliff State Beach. The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park and Aptos History Museum are also within 1 mile (2 km).

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. 113 out of 135 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 17 out of 135 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 135 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 135 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 135 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

6.0/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

8/10 Good

diana l.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful hosts
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephen O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Love the proximity to the beach and the east of check-in and check out. Myriam was very helpful if they were in questions I would stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

6/10 Okay

Laurie M.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
Great location!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

B. Q.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is our 2nd stay here. It's so comfortable and has a nice big deck. Our stay for the
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Katherine M.

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

Great stay!

Love the location. Bedrooms are a bit small, but living room and deck are great
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Callie H.

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

Great trip

Great, cozy, comfortable place! Enjoyed the accommodations very much!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Theresa V.

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

Great place

Good location, clean and comfortable. I would choose this rental again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Cozy and Quaint

Listening to the waves while sipping coffee on the deck will be a favorite memory!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Wahid R.

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

Perfect family getaway

Location and property just as described. Very clean, and the manager was very responsive.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gerald S.

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

Quiet, and roomy unit

Very comfortable for a family or couple (two bathrooms).Walkable to beach in quiet neigborhood.Met all our needs.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer A.

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

We love the Coast Queen.

3rd time staying. We love the comfort of this house and the proximity to the beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Thomas J.

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

Good Stay

The property was clean, good kitchen and living space had plenty of room
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ray O.

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

Great Beach Getaway

Great time spending a sunny winter-day at the beach. Great location! Home was nicely decorated, comfortable and beachy. I appreciated the check in emails from the owner, the easy/secure parking and large outdoor deck.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ron-Barbara O.

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

So close to the beach!

The house is very nice. So close to the beach. Has everything you need for a comfortable stay. And the owner is quick to respond.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Suzy J.

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

Great location!

Our family really enjoyed staying here. It is in a great location. Close to the beach as well as a coffee shop and a few other eateries. We loved being able to just walk everywhere. We also appreciated all the information given to us from the owner regarding the location and things to do nearby. We look forward to staying here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

nancy j.

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

A great little get away for family and paws!

We really enjoyed our weekend at the Coastal Queen! Very clean, comfortable, and in a great location by some of the best beaches, Seacliff and New Brighton! If you like to walk, enjoy the beach, and like to have your pup with you, then a stay here is a win-win-win! Thanks to the owners for making it such a pleasant time!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bruno H.

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

Santa Cruz

Very comfortable home great location and very quiet.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Theresa S.

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

Simple & satisfactory!

Great location to beach, cute and tidy home; love the local recommendations in the guest book. Thanks for a good time!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Colleen R.

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

Beach Retreat

There was plenty of room to spread out. I appreciated the heater in the master bedroom. It was very comfortable and super close to the beach and coffee shop!!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Coby T.

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

Great for a small family

This is a cute little place that is great for a small family. The owners are wonderful and responsive to questions. It has great appliances and a well stocked kitchen for making all your family meals on vacation. A very short (and flat) walk to the beach is definitely a plus for us with kids!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Deborah D.

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

Fabulous house near the beach

My husband and 2 teens and dog and I had a fantastic stay at this house. It’s very close to the beach, has everything you could need, and is quiet and comfortable. A great value for this amazing neighborhood! We’d love to come back soon.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

judith l.

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

Aptos visit

Very clean. Easy walk to beach
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christi M.

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

Great place by the beach

This is our second time staying here and we love it. It is walking distance to the ocean and a great walking path. Owner is quick to respond and we loved having coffee on the balcony. A fire pit or a hot tub would make this place perfect !.tuoumake this perf td perf
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sherry S.

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

Home away from home

My husband and I come quite often to visit our daughter and grandson in Santa Cruz. We have stayed in many VRBO properties and this one was one of the best. Very clean, comfortable king bed, kitchen with all the necessary dishes, etc. for cooking meals, and a great location. Can walk to a beautiful beach and a quick drive to Santa Cruz.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

Matt L.

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

Enjoyed It!

Overall, we enjoyed our stay. Good location (loved beach access and convenience of local restaurants, not crazy about motel across the street), comfortable accommodations. Only issue we had - downstairs bathroom light did not work.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

About the host

Hosted by Myriam Cohen

Host profile image
Combined Myriam and Mikey have lived in Santa Cruz for over 40 years. We have 3 young children ages 8, 10, and 12, and spend a lot of our free time tromping in the forests here in Santa Cruz, running, going to the beach, gardening, and reveling in large cooking projects using our local bounty of available foods.

Why they chose this property

We purchased this property to have as a getaway for us and our friends, and vacationers like yourself. This property is so close to Rio del Mar beach, so it's just a short 2 minute walk back home if you forget sunscreen, or you want to cook up lunch, etc. The house is comfortable, with modern, brand new amenities. An extensive total remodel was just recently completed, so all of the appliances, bathroom fixtures, etc are nearly brand new.

What makes this property unique

This house is a perfect home for a family or 1 or 2 couples to have a relaxing weekend so close to one of the best (if not the best!) beaches on the central coast. You can walk this beach for miles in either direction, it is not very crowded, and the weather here is rarely too hot or too cold. Rio del Mar feels like a small beach town, yet it is 10 miles to Santa Cruz, and less than 40 miles from the Silicon Valley.

Languages:

English, Spanish

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