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Cozy retreat near woods and sea

Photo gallery for Cozy retreat near woods and sea

Beach
Terrace/patio
3 bedrooms, desk, free WiFi, bed sheets
Property grounds
Interior

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 9

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View map
Aptos, CA
  • Place, The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Rio Del Mar Beach
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Seacliff State Beach
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal)
    ‪13 min drive‬

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About the area

Aptos

When you stay at this vacation home in Aptos, you'll be by the sea, within a 15-minute drive of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay. .This vacation home is 3.9 mi (6.4 km) from Capitola Beach and 10.7 mi (17.1 km) from University of California, Santa Cruz.
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What's nearby

  • The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Aptos History Museum - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Rio Del Mar Beach - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Seacliff State Beach - 4 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Capitola Beach - 7 min drive - 7.2 km

Getting around

  • San Martin Caltrain Station - 45 min drive
  • Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) - 17 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Poki Bowl - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪The Farm Bakery Café & Gifts - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Whale City Bakery Bar And Grill Aptos - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Peet's Coffee - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Marianne's Ice Cream - ‬2 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Cozy retreat near woods and sea

Whether you seek a cozy retreat out in the woods or wish to enjoy a beach getaway with the family, we got you covered!

Ideally located in the enchanting forest of Nisene Marks, our newly refurbished home is the perfect getaway for some well deserved R&R. Nestled in the heart of a majestic redwood forest, our home offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With towering trees as your neighbors and the ocean just a short drive away, you'll have the best of both worlds!

The space

This rental is a fully independent guest suite with its own fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms, three bedrooms, sundeck & terrace, and a very large living & dining room for family get-togethers. The space is right around 1500sq feet.

There are no shared spaces and no other rentals on the property. The host occupies a separate unit on the property and is glad to help with any issues that may arise during your stay.
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, featuring a kitchen with a refrigerator and an oven. There's a private patio. A Smart television and a DVD player are provided for your entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Conveniences include a desk and a microwave.
This vacation home features a stereo, books, and ecotours nearby. Amenities and recreational activities include a video library, designated smoking areas, and snorkeling nearby.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Smart TV
  • Stereo
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 2 pets total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Designated smoking areas

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the marina
  • Near the sea

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM

Contactless check-in available

Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

Pets allowed

Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

Welcoming dogs only

2 total pets

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Cozy retreat near woods and sea Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 16 out of 20 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 20 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 20 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 20 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sharon B.

Liked: Cleanliness
This is a gorgeous property, the layout is incredible and there are so many beautiful spaces to be in (indoors and out!). We had just one night but it's near a shopping center as well as a state park, so many options for anything you would want to do. Gracious host, comfortable beds, all the amenities, highly recommended!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Sandi M.

Liked: Cleanliness
The property is nestled within the Nisene Marks redwood forest. Beautiful setting. It was well suited with 3 queen rooms for 3 couples. We also enjoyed including our dogs. It was a fun experience for all and met our needs.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026

10/10 Excellent

Laura A.

Liked: Cleanliness
This is a very comfortable, nicely appointed place. The location is only a short drive from the town but is very close to the entrance to the Forest of Nisene Marks. It feels isolated and removed from noise and bustle. Gabriel was welcoming and responsive. The beds were comfortable and the heating was adequate. There were many nice personal touches and it was very clean. We only stayed one night but I think it would be an excellent place to stay longer.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Patsy M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Gorgeous lay out. In the forest. Super clean. Wonderful place to visit with family in great area!!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katherine P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very clean, hosts were kind but gave us space, check in and check out are simple and smooth! The place was prepared very well and is well furnished.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Colleen S.

Liked: Cleanliness
This was a great space, conveniently located near grocery stores, restaurants, and the beach! Our family of five enjoyed our one-night stay during my birthday trip. Everything was very straightforward and self-explanatory, so we didn't need to contact the owners. They provided clear details and instructions before check-in. I would definitely recommend this place and will look for it again on our next visit.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nan B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Large, funky and private in a fantastic setting and location. We could walk into the beautiful adjacent State Park and nearby town of Aptos, or drive a short distance to Santa Cruz. Enjoyed meeting the hosts. Would stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gennaro

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This cottage was wonderful. One of the best stays I've ever had. Rustic and charming in the middle of a wooded area in Nisene State Park. Quiet spacious accommodations that feel like you're in a tree house but only a quarter mile walk to Aptos Village. Lots of space comfortably handled five adults. Well equipped. Hundreds of DVD's for entertainment. The private deck was an added bonus. I loved the artistic and eclectic decor. Great hiking trails through the park and into the redwoods just outside the door. I would love to stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary F., El Cajon

Liked: Cleanliness

Peaceful and secluded

This property is SO quiet and secluded, nestled in the deep woods. But it's also very close to a great market, home-made ice cream and restaurants. We walked to these nearby places when we didn't want to take the car. Gabriel was a WONDERFUL host. We felt comfortable, cozy and safe in the house surrounded by the beautiful woods. Behind the gate to the property, there is room for two cars only, which was fine for us. We were sisters, nieces and daughters, aged 16 to 76.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Renee M.

Interesting house

Definitely a lot of room to entertain a lot of people. One shower and hardly any towels. Do not leave dog food down on the floor the ants will get into it.For such a large house, there’s only four coffee cups.Beautiful plants outside and lots of metal artwork sculptures that have got character.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

dianne V.

Liked: Cleanliness

Paradise

A beautiful place that had not only the solitude of peace and quiet but yet so close to everything. If you want to go to the ocean, go to the ocean. if you want to go to the mountains, go to the mountain. If you want to enjoy a dinner or ice cream the town is in walking distance. Our stay was absolutely wonderful. wonderful.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katja I.

Liked: Cleanliness

Aptos weekend

This is a great location, walking distance from Nisene Marks Park (redwoods) and the Aptos Village with nice market and restaurants. Beautiful Sea Cliff Beach is a longer walk, or 5 minute drive. The back deck looks over forest and feels secluded and there are lots of big windows looking out that direction too. The hosts live on the property, which turned out fine. They were very helpful when we had a few small requests. The front of the property is tighter than it appears in the listing photo. Parking is a little tight but worked out for us with our three cars.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jean A. A.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful place

This was our second visit. Still great. We'd do it again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

S M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great place, great host

This place was spacious and clean, and in a beautiful location, easy to get to. The host was wonderful. I had some trouble with the gate, but I think it was partially "User error", and Gabriel responded immediately. I was there with my adult children to celebrate my mother's 90th birthday. It was a great place for us to land together and then go celebrate at my mom's house. There was room for everybody. Great kitchen, beautiful bathrooms. My kids all said they would love to do this again when we come visit my mom. A little expensive, but worth every penny.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

marie f.

Liked: Cleanliness

finishing touches

Bedding should be upgraded
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Cheri W.

Disliked: Cleanliness

Beautiful Area & home

Owner Gabriel was wonderful, he responded to our requests quickly & helped with our issues. Home is a back house with owner living in front house. Home was large enough for our family of five. The is in a beautiful setting of trees & greenery. Lots of sky lights which let in a lot of sun light (even at 6am). The last guest had left some dirty pans in oven. It was nice but could of been cleaner. Owner is taking care of these issues. Home had 3 Queen beds & 1 trundle bed. No bunkbeds or sofa bed. We were able to sleep 5 comfortably. The bedding was great and the bed comfortable. We had plenty of kitchen equipment to make meals. Our location made good accessibility to Monterey Bay Aquarium, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the cement ship wreck at Seacliff State Beach. Our stay was for 4 nights. This location was over 3 hours from our home.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Florence B.

Liked: Cleanliness

amazing host!

Very accommodating host
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gary M.

Liked: Cleanliness

good time

fun open space
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jean A. A.

Liked: Cleanliness

This one is Great!

Four of us spent a long weekend and totally enjoyed ourselves. Gabriel is a fabulous host. The house was more than comfortable and the location can't be beat. We'll probably come back when it warms up in order to enjoy the outside patio.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Russell B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Spring break 2024

We really enjoyed our stay at the property. It was well cared for and perfect for a family. The property is attached to the owners home but it is completely separate in terms of living space. We felt like we had plenty of privacy and autonomy to come and go as we wanted. The kitchen is stocked for cooking easy meals. One thing to note is that there is a dog on the property but was very well behaved and did not bother us. Lastly the property is well positioned to access shops, groceries, the beach, and the state park right down the road. I’d stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024