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Santa Cruz Beach House - Steps to Beach, Wharf, Boardwalk, Cowells, Lighthouse

Holiday home with kitchen, near Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Photo gallery for Santa Cruz Beach House - Steps to Beach, Wharf, Boardwalk, Cowells, Lighthouse

Kitchen
Kitchen
Aerial view
Kitchen
Family Room

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6119.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View map
Santa Cruz, CA
  • Place, Santa Cruz Wharf
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Cowell's Beach
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Airport, San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪45 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Convertible bed(s)

1 Double Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Santa Cruz Beach House - Steps to Beach, Wharf, Boardwalk, Cowells, Lighthouse

Three houses from Cowell's beach, the Santa Cruz Beach House offers the perfect location for anyone looking to be near it all. Steps to the Wharf, Main Beach, Cowell's Beach, the Boardwalk, Aquarius, Jack O'Neill Lounge, Steamer Lane, Lighthouse. Our unique 2 bedroom, 1 bath duplex comes outfitted with with garage, washer/dryer, back yard, LCD TVs, Wifi, BBQ.

Open for all travel!

B E D - C O N F I G U R A T I O N
Master: Queen
2nd Bedroom: 2 Twins
Family Room: Futon couch / Sofa Sleeper

A M E N I T I E S
* Free Wifi & High Speed Internet
* Washer & Dryer
* Full Kitchen w/ utensils, plates, cups, coffee cups
* Cable TV w/ HD channels, On Demand
* Beach towels, linens
* Outdoor gas BBQ with grill tools
* Kitchen cooking amenities provided
* Garage

N O T E S
* 100% NON-SMOKING PROPERTY
* Pets ok

A D D I T I O N A L
* 11% tax and $195 cleaning
* $80 pet fee (one-time)
* Check-in 3pm / Check-out 11am
* 25% due at time of booking and 75% due 60 days before arrival

Keywords: 2-Unit Beach Cottage, Beach House, Beach Cottage, Walk to Wharf, Surf, Sightseeing, Boardwalk, Cowells Beach, Near Downtown, Lighthouse, Disc Golf, Wharf, Natural Bridges

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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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: dogs (limit 1 total)
Pets not allowed on furniture or left alone.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
2 parking spaces available, 1 in garage/ 1 in driveway. May - September + Holidays from 9:00pm Friday till 9:00pm Sunday it's permit street parking.
Pets are not allowed on the furniture or to be left alone at the property. This is due to consideration of our neighbors and preventing noise.
Quiet hours are 8pm until 9am.

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
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

Santa Cruz

Located in Westside Santa Cruz, a neighbourhood in Santa Cruz, this holiday home is near theme parks. Mystery Spot is a notable landmark, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Monterey Bay and Capitola Beach. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Santa Cruz, CA

What's nearby

  • Santa Cruz Wharf - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Santa Cruz Main Beach - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Cowell's Beach - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Natural Bridges State Park - 4 min drive - 2.6 km

Getting around

  • Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) - 28 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Stagnaro Bros. - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Ideal Bar & Grill - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Las Palmas Taco Bar - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Cruzin’ Crepes - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Marini’s at the Wharf - ‬14 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Cruz Beach House - Steps to Beach, Wharf, Boardwalk, Cowells, Lighthouse pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).

What time is check-in at Santa Cruz Beach House - Steps to Beach, Wharf, Boardwalk, Cowells, Lighthouse?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Santa Cruz Beach House - Steps to Beach, Wharf, Boardwalk, Cowells, Lighthouse?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Santa Cruz Beach House - Steps to Beach, Wharf, Boardwalk, Cowells, Lighthouse located?

Located in Westside Santa Cruz, this holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Cowell's Beach and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Monterey Bay is 0.8 mi (1.3 km) away.

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. 148 out of 195 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 40 out of 195 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 195 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 195 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 195 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

rj d.

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

Staycation

Nice, open and spacious home. So close to walk to the beach and boardwalk also only a few minute drive to the grocery store if needed. We enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Madeline M.

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

Cute and Perfect

It was so easy to check in! When we got here all we could say was it is so cute! We all slept well the first night and the kitchen was perfect to make breakfast in the morning! The proximity to the ocean and the boardwalk was perfect for everything we had planned for the weekend. The house stayed cool with a nice breeze coming from the beach down the hill. We reached out to the host to ask a question and they responded immediately! Overall, it was everything we could ask for and more.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

James B.

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

family visit in santa cruz

nice, simple two bedroom home with enough updates to make it comfortable, close to beach as advertised.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

angelo g.

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

Great place

I frequently visit Santa Cruz area as my grandchildren live in Aptos I’ve stayed all over the area this is one of the best places to date
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cameron N.

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

Location, Location, Location

This property was only steps away from the break at Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz CA. Being a former local I couldn't ask for a better spot. It was a short walk or ride, for those who still skate, to thw Santa Cruz warf and Beachboardwalk.Each morning I could rise and shine and take an incredible walk on the West Cliff bike and walking path. Very close to downtown Santa Cruz too which offers plenty of nice restaurants to chose from along with some adult night life options. I will definitely look to stay here again on my next trip into the area.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Casey J.

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

Quick trip to SC

Great little place close to the beaches and boardwalk. Perfect place to grab some sleep in a great neighborhood.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Graham B.

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

Short walk to the beach

Enjoyed our time at this location. Short walk to the beach. Enjoyed time in the turfed yard to eat, play and relax during our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mike K.

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

Great Spot

Our family enjoyed our stay in SC. The location was great, accommodations clean and had everything we needed.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Great location in Santa Cruz

This place serves as a great getaway for our family of 4. Would definitely come back! Great place if you have pets
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Julia M.

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

Overflow guests

This property was a perfect place for family members who had traveled from out of the area for a milestone birthday party. Within walking distance of our home. It would have been nice if there was basics in the kitchen like salt/pepper, coffee and/or tea. Overall 5 stars 😊
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deano M.

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

Stay in Santa Cruz

Good
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

4/10 Poor

Barbara W.

Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Missed opportunities to enjoy

Cute property, fantastic location. Unfortunately, having time to enjoy the location and sites was interrupted both days of our short trip. First day- no hot water, and we were boiling water for 3 people to wash up. 2nd day, 3.5 hours to dry laundry that had to be packed up wet and sat all day while we traveled was not pleasant. Would have been much easier to stay in a hotel suite, without offered amenities. The furniture is not as pictured- basic, brown faux suede fabric sofas. No headboard on queen bed, pillows are up to the blinds and we had to move the bed away from the wall just to get in/out of bed from both sides. The bedrooms were freezing, didn't realize there was a portable heater in the Queen room because the closet doors were off the tracks and couldn't get the doors open. Very disappointing stay, made worse for the 2% refund for all of our inconveniences.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jolane G.

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

Great location

This unit worked very well for us. We loved being within an easy walk to so many things. Communication with the host was very good. Beach towels, games and basic supplies were all provided. The garage was not usable for us to park in as there are vines that make the opening too narrow and we didn’t want to scratch our car. But we only had one car so it was fine to park in the Driveway. The back yard also wasn’t usable for us. The outdoor furniture wasn’t clean and the ‘grass’ was mostly dirt with gopher trails. The neighborhood was quiet and felt safe. The check in and out processes were easy. Minor improvements to the yard, and adding more dishes would be nice. We had issues with the front door lock, but that was a minor thing since we could also go out the back door or garage. Overall great stay.
Stayed 10 nights in May 2023

4/10 Poor

Monique B.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Worst communication EVER! And DIRTY floors!

This was our first time using VRBO, so didn’t realize that when we didn’t get our access codes to the house even on the day of, we figured we would get them by the 3pm check in time… no. We traveled 8 hours to the location, had dinner plans at 6, and were supposed to check in at 3. 3:15 we arrived. We thought maybe the codes are at the property? Nope. Called our host. Nothing. Texted. Nothing. Called a couple of times more. Finally on the 3rd call the woman answers and literally says “can you stop! I’m on my way to the house” and hangs up. Clearly she knew we were calling, but no hello? Sorry? Hi??? Nope. So we waited. 45 minutes. Still nothing. We called VRBO customer service, they apologize, say they don’t have the codes, and call the husband. He said he had no idea where his wife was… ok. What do we do? We wanted to clean up and shower- it’s almost 4:30, still not in the house or have any codes. Finally almost 2 hours after check in time, we get an email (presumably the one we should have gotten the day before) with our access codes. We never saw our host- even though she said she was “on her way”. Finally get in, it’s ok. Perfect location, but the floors were dirty, the towels smelled like wet dog and there were so many weird construction miscues… a spot with no flooring, just wood, an extension cord attached to the microwave near the stove that should be secured and not just hanging around, the lamp was broken, just not what we were expecting. Clearly we were late to dinner, not a good start to our vacation. The rest of the week was fine. We were happy to bring the trash cans out to the road, but there were no directions as to what day was trash day. Other vacation rentals we’ve stayed at had that clearly noted. It would have been much better if our host was polite, cared a little, and had a lot more consideration for the people paying to stay at her home! I would not rent from this host EVER again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Michael M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Santa Cruz beach house was great! The only recommendation I have was it smelled a little damp, or slightly moldy, coming from the laundry room.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Bryan L.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This house is all about location. It's a short walk to West Cliff, the Pier and the Boardwalk. If you want to be near the beach, it's hard to beat. Also, the property manager was excellent -- prompt with communication and flexible with our requested late checkout. That said, it's a pretty average, relatively dated Santa Cruz rental with some quirks. Nothing really bad, but just understand you are paying for the location and set expectations accordingly. Given our needs and this experience, I would book it again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Jo V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Cozy, lots of immenities and comfortable beds. However, the bathroom was very small, no counter space and the toilet seat kept coming loose. It was a little farther than just steps to the beach.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michelle G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Location was amazing and the little enclosed backyard and BBQ was a nice bonus. Had just enough space for us but we weren't there very much with so much close by. Great info ahead of time and easy check-in. Will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house! Perfect location, convenient to everything Santa Cruz!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Remington G.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Great location but house needs fine tuning

The overall cleanliness was sub par. Underneath the beds was dirty. The rugs in the rooms had a strange texture and felt dirty. Our toddler’s feet were dirty after walking around for 5 minutes. The instructional laminated sheets were dirty. The bathroom was somewhat clean, except the drain for the bath tub was disgusting It’s unfortunate that you need to replace the drain plug so every time you do that you see how nasty the drain is. Also there is dark mold growing on the ceiling of the bathroom which is very concerning. The toilet seat came off a few times. And the toilet paper holder is set up so that the toilet paper can come off easily, which was very inconvenient. Regarding the check in: it was fine except the locks on the doors were confusing. We contacted the host (very nice person) about it and it was cleared up pretty early, but would have appreciated instructions on how the locks worked.The accuracy of the pictures was a concern. For one, it’s a completely different couch than in the pictures. The bed frame for the Queen/Double was not accurate (no headboard). And the actual frame for it was super wobbly. The garage (not pictured) had several items in it, we had to move a chair to be able to get in and out. Laundry floor is dirty cement.Overall my wife and I were disappointed at the state of the house, especially given the price we paid. We understand that it’s a great location, but a little attention to the details of the house can go a long way in comfort.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

jennifer G.

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

Great location

Loved this place and dog friendly.If you have kids in college and want a place to stay close by this is it. The dogs could visit with the kids and everybody was so happy to see each other in such a great location setting. The owners are super nice too!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Migdalia D.

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

wonderful place

It was very comfortable, past guests have left some spices that was nice, enough towels, thank you for the bech umbrella, I left it in the garage. Clothes dryer is not working well, it takes many cycles to dry completely, great stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Lucy P.

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

Great Location Needs Fine Tuning

We were very happy with the location of the property and for the most part everything was as described. The biggest disappointment was the uncleanliness of the place. The host was quick to respond and send cleaners out the day after my complaint however, they still did not do a great job. We paid alot in fees and I resented having to do my own cleaning.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Angelia C.

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

Location😎 Location🎣 Location 🎡

Such a fun, quick family trip. Great location! Perfect space to bring our dog. Quiet neighborhood and safe location. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Jodie L.

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

Location, location

So close to everything. Started each day with a walk along the cliffs/ocean. Property is small but very comfortable for a few people. Would have given a 5 rating except i felt they could have at least given you a couple of dishwasher tabs to use. Had it full before we realized there was nothing available. My husband has some mobility concerns and it would have been nice to have some type of shower support.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2023

About the host

Hosted by Diana and Shay

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