Historic Oceanfront House - Stunning Views of Long Sands, York Beach, ME
Families have been waking up to stunning ocean views at this home since 1902 - come experience it for yourself! This historic beach home has been in our family for decades and is one of the only original homes still standing on the bluff.
Our property’s best feature is its LOCATION! We are directly oceanfront and an easy walk to all of the fun at both Long Sands and Short Sands beaches. Stroll to fantastic restaurants, coffee shops, and bars; unique local gift shops; indoor games at the charming candlepin bowling alley/mini golf spot or the kid-favorite Fun-o-Rama arcade; a sandy playground; sweet treats like ice cream and famous Goldenrod Saltwater Taffy; and even York’s Wild Kingdom, a zoo and amusement park! A longer walk in the other direction will take you to crashing waves and stunning vistas at the cliffs of Nubble Lighthouse. Off-street parking for 5 cars means you can skip expensive and competitive beach parking! Beach chairs and toys are provided, plus a little red wagon to haul that beach gear (or maybe some kiddos!) down to the beach!
The first floor features a spacious, open living and dining room with tons of seating and an oceanfront sunroom perfect for enjoying your morning coffee, evening wine, a book, or a catnap! The ground floor also features a fully equipped kitchen, laundry room, a shared powder room off the foyer, and a multipurpose room with futon, shower, and tv, great for extra guests. On the second floor you’ll find four bedrooms and a full bath with tub. A third floor features two rooms with two twin beds each and sweeping views.
Outside enjoy a fenced yard directly overlooking the ocean - perfect for kiddos and pets. Gather with friends and family overlooking the Atlantic, cook up a mouthwatering meal on the grill provided, close your eyes and sunbathe in a reclining chaise, or grab your binoculars and see if you can spot your friends and family at the beach!
We hope you’ll join us for a memorable, rejuvenating vacation! Please contact us with any questions. Week-long rentals preferred, inquiries for shorter and longer stays accepted.
Layout details: First floor - Living, dining, kitchen, sunroom, half bath, additional multipurpose room with shower, futon, etc.
Second floor - Bedroom 1: Queen, full ocean view Bedroom 2: Full, full ocean view Bedroom 3: Two twins, partial ocean view Bedroom 4: Full Full bathroom
Third floor - Room 5: Two twins, full ocean view Room 6: Two twins, full ocean view
Fully equipped kitchen with: Dishwasher Traditional and Keurig coffee pots Microwave Toaster
Additional Features: WiFi Smart TV with streaming options like Netflix and YouTube TV (so you can keep up with that summer baseball schedule!) Second TV with DVD player in ground floor multipurpose room Fenced yard Parking for 4 cars plus 1 garage space Washer/dryer Kiddo and pet friendly (refundable pet deposit required) Beach gear provided (chairs, boogie boards, toys, wagon, bocce ball, etc.) Linens and beach towels provided
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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 deadlock
Frequently asked questions
Is Historic Oceanfront House - Stunning Views of Long Sands, York Beach, ME pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).
How much does it cost to stay at Historic Oceanfront House - Stunning Views of Long Sands, York Beach, ME?
As of 4 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Historic Oceanfront House - Stunning Views of Long Sands, York Beach, ME on 5 Apr 2026 start from AU$977, 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 Historic Oceanfront House - Stunning Views of Long Sands, York Beach, ME?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Historic Oceanfront House - Stunning Views of Long Sands, York Beach, ME?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Historic Oceanfront House - Stunning Views of Long Sands, York Beach, ME?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Historic Oceanfront House - Stunning Views of Long Sands, York Beach, ME located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Long Sands Beach and Short Sands Beach. York's Wild Kingdom and Nubble Lighthouse are also within 1 mile (2 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had a great time, walked around downtown, went to beaches, the lighthouse, got ice cream, went to the bars on the weekend, and brought my two daughters to York wild kingdom. The place is beautiful, very clean, and kid friendly.
James G.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 13 July 2024
Thank you so much for the review, James! I’m glad you and your family were able to make the most of your York Beach vacation 😊
Have a wonderful rest of your summer!
- Julia & Family
My multigenerational family had an absolutely wonderful time at this home.
The view was beautiful and it was an easy walk down to the beaches.
The house was well stocked and we appreciated the boogie boards and beach supplies.
Jessica C.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Dec 2023
Hi Jessica!
We're so happy to hear everyone enjoyed their stay at Bittersweet. Glad that you were happy with the odds and ends we include in the home.
You're welcome back any time!
Cheers,
Julia
The house is the perfect balance of a charming old ME cottage and a comfortable place that feels like home. All that with a great view down Long Beach and the sound of waves rolling in.
Susan D.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Oct 2022
Hi Susan,
Thank you for taking the time to write such a nice review for us. We agree, it's hard to beat looking out over the ocean to the left, and the waves crashing onto the beach to your right. Falling asleep to the sound of those waves is the best!
You're welcome back any time.
- Julia
Absolutely wonderful! Historic, older, roomy house directly on the ocean. South facing, sunny yard all day! Comfortable, clean, everything we needed was there. It was like going to “grandma’s house.” Dogs felt right at home too. Walk to Long & Short Sands, Nubble Lighthouse-can’t beat the location and the views. Terrific hosts too. We are grateful that they shared their treasure with us.
Andrea S.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 July 2025
Hi Andrea! Thanks so much for the kind review. We’re so happy you and your pups enjoyed your stay at the house. Would love to have you again!
-Julia
The home is more than comfortable, it has New England character and charm! Fresh linens, ready made beds. The ocean breeze in the heat of the day was welcoming and refreshing. Location was ideal. Both beaches were accessible. The spacious front yard offered close up views of paddle boarders, fishermen and lobster boats. Truly a Maine vacation spot.
Kate H.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Aug 2024
Hi Kate! We're so happy you appreciate the character of the historic home. We agree that the location & views are one of a kind! Thank you for taking the time to write us such a kind review.
Hope to have you back soon!
-Julia
Our 3 generations thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this big, old beach house overlooking Long Sands! The hosts have made nice updates - comfy beds, great water pressure in showers, new fridge, etc. we spent almost all of our time on the enclosed sun room or in the back lawn. Easy to get everywhere - Long Sands, Short Sands, and Nubble Lighthouse - and sufficient parking too!
We just loved it and hope to be back!
Maureen C.
Stayed 15 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Sept 2022
Hi Maureen! We are so happy you enjoyed your stay at our home. It is such a special place to us, we love to hear that others appreciate its beauty and charm as well. You're welcome back any time.
- Julia
We came up for Easter, my 60th birthday and to mourn the loss of my father.
Julia and her family are wonderful people and hosts. This house is walkable to both Long Sands and Short Sands beaches, and Nubble Lighthouse. I highly recommend staying here as it is very comfortable, dog friendly, has amazing views of the ocean and has a well equipped kitchen. Nina
nina r.
Stayed 15 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Dec 2023
Hi Nina!
Thank you again for your time and the thoughtful review. You know you're welcome back any time :)
Cheers,
Julia & Family
We had a great stay with all age ranges and three generations. Our aunt used to live in what used to be the house next door, so the location is very familiar and nostalgic for us. The location DOESN’T get any better. There was plenty of space for everyone, quick walk to Long Sands with everything we needed - beach wagon, boogie boards, chairs (nice ones), outdoor grill. Thank you! We hope to be back.
Jessie N.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Dec 2023
Hi Jessica!
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. We're so happy to hear you enjoyed your stay as well as the amenities we're able to offer. Hope to see you again soon!
-Julia
We had an amazing week at this beautiful home in York Beach! The house was incredibly spacious, making it the perfect fit for our multi-generational family — everyone from grandparents to grandkids had plenty of room to relax and enjoy. Even our two dogs felt right at home!The fenced backyard was a huge bonus, not only giving the dogs space to run safely but also offering stunning views of the water. Mornings with coffee on the deck and evenings watching the sunset were a daily highlight.Location-wise, you truly can’t beat it. We were able to walk to both Long Sands and Short Sands beaches, Nubble Light, and — most importantly for our crew — Dunn’s ice cream shop. Everything we needed was just a short stroll away, which made it easy to relax and enjoy our time without constantly getting in the car.We would absolutely stay here again and highly recommend it for families or groups looking for a peaceful, pet-friendly coastal escape with all the charm of York Beach right at your doorstep.
We really really liked this place. A great old house with lots of room for the two of us who stayed the entire 2 weeks and the 5 friends who came at different times for varying time periods for a relaxing vacation. Great beds, extremely well stocked house (including kitchen) with lots of bath and beach towels, sheets, blankets, extra pillows, and beach chairs. Great shower too. The beach is a very short walk (5 minutes or less) away and it was great to walk the beach and watch the paddleboarders from the backyard. This place felt like home. Great location on the water and easy to get to attractions in the area. We would definitely return and recommend this place to others. Overall a truly wonderful vacation in a wonderful place.
Sarah V.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Nov 2021
Thank you so much for the kind and thoughtful review, Sarah! Looking forward to having you back in the future. - Julia
Our extended family stayed here from 05/27-06/03/23 with 13 of us being in the house at one point. At no point was there any issue with space or comfort. The house itself is immaculate, spacious, beautiful, and the view can't be beat. The short walk to the beach is a HUGE bonus!!! Stew was readily available when we needed him for a very MINOR issue which was addressed and resolved immediately.
We are very much looking forward to returning next year.
Did I mention the view???!!!!
Super W.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Dec 2023
Hi Sheila!
Thank you so much for the kind review! I apologize for the small issue that came up but am so thrilled to hear it was addressed promptly. We agree the views are hard to beat :) Hope to see you again soon!
-Julia
Our mom always wanted an oceanfront stay with her family. This amazing house made her dream come true. We had family members arrive over the course of several days and there was plenty of room for all those that were able to spend a few nights. We had one day were she had all of her family together. Four generations!!! She was very very happy. This historic house was amazing!!! And suited the needs of everyone of all ages. They really do provide everything you need for an amazing stay!!! I thank This family for sharing this amazing home with others to experience this awesome location and views. Also they were very responsive and easy to work with. We would definitely stay again!!
Sylvie G.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Oct 2022
Hi Sylvie!
Thank you so much for the wonderful review. We are always so happy to hear when the house can bring other families together, as it does ours. We hope to have you all back again some day.
-Julia
We chose this place for our end of the school year get away and we’re so glad we did!! The house is so big with plenty of sleeping options and very comfortable beds. Plenty of space for a big crowd to spread out including an amazing closed in porch and perfect back yard! The beach is a short walk making it easy to go multiple times a day. We loved going back in the evening after 6 pm when the dogs were welcome!! The house was clean and well stocked. Plenty of extra blankets, pillows, bath and beach towels! Lots of boogie boards and 5 very nice beach chairs as well as a wagon! Also close to the shops and a second beach option where there is an arcade and indoor bowling and mini golf for the rainy days. A short drive to Ogunquit for the cliff walk. Another short drive to Kittery and Wells. I recommend Offtheboatlobster where you can get a good deal on lobster and other seafood cooked and ready to go. The owners were a pleasure to deal with and check in was smooth. We would definitely stay here again without hesitation!! LM
laurie m.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Aug 2024
Hi Laurie!
Thank you so much for the detailed review. We are delighted that you had such a wonderful stay and hope you are able to return to Bittersweet. We agree the location cannot be beat!
Talk soon, Julia!
This house is what my idea of what a beach house should be. The views are unbeatable and the house is incredibly comfortable for just a couple or a large group. The kitchen is well equipped for cooking and there is plenty of space to enjoy a meal both inside and out. You are walking distance to both beaches and to the Nubble Lighthouse. Julia and her family are amazing hosts and we will most definitely be back to this classic beach house which is incredibly dog friendly.
nina r.
Stayed 18 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Jan 2023
Hi Nina!
Thank you so much for such a thoughtful review. It's always so nice to hear from guests who appreciate the house and its location as much as we do. It looks like you've already got another visit scheduled for the spring - we can't wait to have you back!
- Julia