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10 minutes from San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Gas Lamp District, Public Beaches.

Photo gallery for 10 minutes from San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Gas Lamp District, Public Beaches.

Fun open kitchen serves deck, dining room, and living room.
Kitchen as viewed through dining area from living room
King bed showing footboard below the mattress surface.
Sunny front bedroom-- 2 single beds
Front Bedroom

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
San Diego, CA
  • Balboa Park
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Petco Park
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • San Diego Zoo
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)
    ‪8 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Living Room Sofa Bed

2 Queen Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Spaces

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

About this property

10 minutes from San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Gas Lamp District, Public Beaches.

Urban Cottage recently totally remodeled. Oak floors. Working fireplace. Air Conditioning. Open concept kitchen --- French doors access large deck. Keurig coffee maker. Laundry. Ironing board. Iron. King poster bed in Master bedroom. Twin beds in bedroom two. Queen hide-a-bed with luxurious mattress (used by Ritz-Carlton, Waldorf Astoria, Hilton). Bathrooms with showers. WiFi. Smart T.V. Off-street parking. Located in historic South Park area of San Diego.

Note: Pak and Play available upon request for families with childen age 2 and under.

Property manager

Dorothy Gager
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
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
Pak and Play is available on request.
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Events

No events allowed
Quiet after 10:00 p..m.
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Absolutely NO smoking of any kind.

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds, gather used towels and store extra beds
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Please replace any furniture you might have moved to the original position
Fold and stack deck chairs
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
1. Please be considerate of neighbors.
Please remove shoes to protect floors on the house.
10:30 pm quiet time on the deck

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
Note from host: Quiet after 10:00 p..m.
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
Property Registration Number STR-00552L, 617321

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

San Diego

Located in South Park, a neighbourhood in San Diego, this holiday home is near theme parks. USS Midway Museum and North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre are cultural highlights, and some of the area's popular attractions include San Diego Zoo and Waterfront Park. Check out an event or a game at Petco Park, and consider making time for Belmont Park, a top attraction not to be missed. Looking to get your feet wet? Water tubing, fishing and swimming adventures can be found near the property.
Map
San Diego, CA

What's nearby

  • Balboa Park - 8 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Petco Park - 3 min drive - 3.4 km
  • San Diego Zoo - 4 min drive - 3.0 km
  • San Diego Convention Center - 4 min drive - 3.8 km
  • Port of San Diego - 5 min drive - 4.9 km

Getting around

  • 32nd - Commercial Station - 3 min drive
  • Old Town Transit Center - 13 min drive
  • San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) - 15 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Harland - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Humberto's Taco Shop - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Rock Steady Real Jamaican Restaurant - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Pizzeria Luigi - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Kindred - ‬4 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is 10 minutes from San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Gas Lamp District, Public Beaches. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at 10 minutes from San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Gas Lamp District, Public Beaches.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 10 minutes from San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Gas Lamp District, Public Beaches.?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is 10 minutes from San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Gas Lamp District, Public Beaches. located?

Located in South Park, this holiday home is within 3 miles (5 km) of Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo and Petco Park. San Diego Convention Center and Port of San Diego are also within 3 miles (5 km).

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. 115 out of 123 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 123 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 123 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 123 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 123 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Amir A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place to stay!
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Caroline B.

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

Perfect stay in San Diego

We loved our stay at this beautiful historical house. The neighbourhood was perfect, close to the city and the sights, but very quiet and safe, with lots of beautiful trees and flowers. We enjoyed sitting on the back porch and taking daily walks. There is some noise from planes flying over the house, it didn't bother us, but you might want to bring earplugs. The house is spotless, very well equipped and the beds very comfortable. Thank you Dorothy and Jerry!
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brigette L.

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

So nice we did it twice!

This is our second stay at the Urban Cottage. Dorothy is great, the place is fantastic. It has a great location, its safe, walkable and overall lovely. I would do it a third time!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laquisha D.

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

Work with a little fam fun time

Was in town for a Nurse practitioner conference but wanted to also spend time with family so got this cozy home. Description was 100% accurate home was perfect! Clean, cozy and backyard was peaceful and refreshing!! I sat on the patio each morning and drank my coffee!! Loved it here and will definitely be back!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ann R S K.

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

Wonderful house, wonderful neighborhood!

We loved this sweet, welcoming house! We felt so at home there! The house has a great back deck looking out over a lovely little yard with a bird feeder and so many pretty birds! The interior of the house was so open and inviting and the beds were all very comfortable with high-end bedding. The neighborhood is just the best, with so many great restaurants within walking distance. Harland’s was just three blocks away, with the most wonderful breakfast tacos. Such a great stay!
Stayed 21 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Great neighborhood and host

The neighborhood was close to things we wanted to do and see—most within 10 minutes. And the house met our needs for occasional cooking very well. Quiet streets. Accommodating hosts.
Stayed 14 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cindi G.

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

Charming home in South Park

This 2-bedroom home was just what we were looking for. Close to so many things in San Diego. Quiet street. Perfect for walking or catching the bus 2 blocks away. Hope to return again.
Stayed 22 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Wendy C.

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

Enjoy this cottage

Lovely cottage. Fully equipped. We have stayed here many times. Great neighborhood with quiet residential streets, excellent restaurants, shops and grocery stores within walking distance or a few minutes of driving.We highly recommend.
Stayed 35 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan G.

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

Wonderful Cottage

This was the perfect place. It was beautifully decorated and had every amenity you could need. Dorothy was quickly responsive and very helpful in finding us places to eat, see and shop. We made fresh juice from the oranges in the backyard almost every morning. It is centrally located and easy access to everywhere you might want to go. This is now in my favorites for when we come back to San Diego.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura W.

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

Spacious home in a great location

We loved our week stay at Dorothy's cottage for our family of 5. The home is really spacious, which suited our teenagers well, and it was the perfect location for exploring San Diego and its amazing beaches.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christine F.

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

Great Location for Family

Amenities and location were amazing! Couldn’t have asked for a better stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melanie S.

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

A relaxed getaway in the middle of San Diego

This was our first trip to San Diego. This gem of a house is in South Park. Each delightful house on these quiet streets is unique and beautifully landscaped. We could walk around the shady, quiet streets to get to fantastic restaurants like Piacere Mio (we went there twice). It is right next ot a Target so that you can pick up any food items at the same time. Dorothy, the host, sends you a list of excellent restaurants nearby. We were about 2-3 miles from most places we wanted to visit. The beds were comfortable, the kitchen was well-stocked with dishes, pots, and silverware, and there was a toaster and a coffee maker. The house is so beautifully decorated, you can tell someone with an artist's eye decorated it. There is a washer, a dryer, and a dishwasher. The yard had a picnic table and a glider swing, and since the tangerines were in season, we picked some for breakfast. It is a quiet neighborhood, but conveniently close to everything you want to access. We used Uber and Lyft to get around. It is under the flight path of the airport, but I think most of San Diego is. I brought a travel white noise machine, and that took care of the noise at night. There is a selection of books for children and adults. There were children's board games. The TV also had an Apple TV connection for streaming. If you have any questions or problems, Dorothy responds quickly and is so helpful.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katherine S.

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

Excellent!

Our stay was fantastic! The cottage was so cozy and clean. There was plenty of space to eat and cook if you want. I was impressed by the location and how convenient the restaurants and grocery stores were. There are an abundance of things to do like Downtown San Diego, the Zoo, and Balboa park. I would recommend this cottage to anyone visiting San Diego.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jim B.

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

Wonderful cottage near Balboa Park

This cottage exceeded our expectations. A wonderful historic home that has been updated. Our party of 3 adults and 1 child had plenty of room to relax after taking in a day of activities. Great to have a deck and backyard to enjoy. Would stay here again for sure!!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Courtney A.

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

Great space!

Everything you needed to make it an easy stay - washer/dryer, plenty of clean towels, coffee, blankets, utensils, pots & pans, books, access to Apple TV, etc... Space was very large, but very cozy in decoration. Great for a family! Loved our stay and would stay here again when visiting!
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Constantina Z.

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

Charming cottage

Comfortable and enjoyable!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jessica K.

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

Excellent location great stay

We loved the location. Walkable to restaurants and a toddler playground. Five minute drive to the zoo. Hosts had excellent recommendations. Two full bathrooms were great. AC split for living room/kitchen. Fans for bedrooms. All one floor. Great for toddler. Had books and board games.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer L.

Great location, great property

We really enjoyed our stay! The house is very roomy, and is fully stocked with the odds and ends (condiments, spices, laundry detergent, etc) The location cannot be beat, and the neighborhood seems very safe. I would recommend this rental.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2017

10/10 Excellent

Linda B.

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

Lovely Cottage

Comfortable and attractive cottage. Everything we needed and located in a great area. Easy driving to the attractions we wanted to see. Lovely backyard that our 6-year-old grandson enjoyed. The owner was extremely helpful and easy to contact. Would stay again!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Irma A.

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

Beautiful cottage!!!

This home was totally amazing!! Loved every bit of our stay!! House was perfectly clean, our host was amazing!! Dorothy was constantly in touch with us making sure our experience was perfect!! Would highly recommend this home!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Allysa A.

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

Lovely Home

This lovely home had every amenity you could want for a home away from home. The neighborhood was very walkable and had some great restaurants. Only downside is the airport noise... but it hardly kept us awake after some long days site seeing!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lauren S., Portland

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

Beautiful Home & Neighborhood

Loved the North Park area and close to many of the SD sights and neighborhoods. The home was well maintained, cozy, and clean - We liked the open concept connecting the kitchen/dining area/living room. The backyard was also really lovely.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tammi A.

historical home

We had Christmas at this darling house as it is near where my daughter lives. It was in a great neighborhood with Balboa park very near. Very new updates and great blend of old and new finishes. Would definitely stay here again when visiting San Diego.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

sharon t.

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

siblings in san diego

the home was a wonderful remembrance for us growing up. we ended up spending more time in the home then venturing out since the kitchen was so accommodating. we sat and ate meals together at the dining room table just as we did when we were kids, sharing stories about mom and dad and of course each other. the house was very comfortable, the beds amazing! would definitely return to this home if ever back in south park.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ashley B.

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

Perfect Location

Our family enjoyed a lovely week long stay at the urban cottage. Perfect location for traveling with little kids. We were able to spend time at the zoo, beach, as well as local restaurants and shops with minimal travel time. Dorothy offers a clean and lovely home filled with all of the essentials. The beds are so comfortable! We hope to return!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

About the host

Hosted by Dorothy Gager

Host profile image
My husband and I are retired civil engineer, and educator, now artist. We have traveled China, Nepal, Lhasa, France, England, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Tangiers, Thailand, Cambodia, and most of the National Parks in the USA. My husband is a mountain climber and has climbed over 50 Sierra peaks including several in Yosemite. I read to Senior Centers Without Walls via a conference call. I also do art, and have a bronze piece (Junior Birdman) in the Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park. We are a long way from our roots which are in South Dakota, Indiana, and Montana. !!!

Why they chose this property

My husband's family moved from South Dakota to this San Diego home which we inherited. In 2014, it survived a fire which resulted in a fun total renovation. We love the persimmon tree which offers shade over the deck and abundantly produces fruit in October and November. Our father planted that tree 40 years ago. He also planted the sweetest naval orange tree whose fruit ripens in December through February.

What makes this property unique

In the soft San Diego evenings, you will love to sit in the glider on the back deck to watch the sun set over the palm trees. If you are a winter guest, you may enjoy the Persimmons and Naval and Mandarin oranges in the back yard, or a cozy fire in the living room. The flag on the desk in the living room is from our father's service in the Seabees during WWII. He served on Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific. Legend has it that the house served servicemen in another way. After our parents purchased the house, several return "guests" knocked on the door requesting "Evelyn". We think she was a great patriot!

Infrequently, guests have mentioned air traffic noise, but it does not bother most travelers. A white noise machine is available for the most sensitive.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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