The testimonials appearing below are from 1993 to 2010. We began renting our home as a Santa Cruz vacation rental in May 1993. During the 1990s the house was remodeled to the present condition as you see it today with the exception of the addition of new hardwood floors and carpets, refrigerator, new HDTVs etc, during the spring of 2009. In 1998, the home became our primary residence for six years. But in 2006 we started renting again.  See the Reservations page for the calendar. The review comments below were taken from a journal diary which we put out for people to document their visit for their enjoyment and the enjoyment of others. We hope this will give you a better idea of the home and this terrific neighborhood.

2010

March
Great beach house! Love sitting on the deck watching the water, boats and beach while the kids napped. So relaxing  The house is super comfortable and the baby gate is such a nice touch with a family having a toddler. We thouroughly enjoyed the weekend away with the grandma and grandpa visiting from New York. San Carlos, CA

2009

Sept 30 – Oct 4
Had a WONDERFUL time!!  We spent one day in Monterey, mostly at the Aquarium and Cannery Row; another day just beach-combing; and then Saturday all day on the Boardwalk.  And each day it was such a pleasure to come back "home".  It was such a treat.  The grandkids had a ball. I did find time to do one of my favorite things (cook) on Friday night, using the BBQ for a delicious meal and watching the sunset. Once again, thanks for everything - you have a beautiful home, and we appreciated being able to share it.
Kevin, Molly, Alex and Ava  
North Carolina 

February 11, 2008
What a great vacation in truly wonderful house, best location, lots of sun lights and such a comfortable place to stay. Your house is so organized and we loved all the little extras, like the sundeck and  large indoor Jacuzzi. We hope to be back soon.
Sabine

2007

November 26, 2007
We had such a great Thanksgiving holiday at your house and in Santa Cruz. The lads (26-30) enjoyed it as well. We had unbelievable sunny, warm days (except the last)!! Thanks.
Sue and Jim - San Francisco

November 19, 2007
Thank you so much for letting us stay in your beautiful home. I was impressed in how well it was stocked with all the necessities. We all had such a good time.
Brooke and Logan - California

October 22, 2007
Thank you so much for the use of your lovely home. It was wonderful for all the kids (ages 28-32). to be able to stay with us. The bride had her hair done in the dining room. It made for wonderful pictures. We loved being close to the beach and the sea lions lulled us back to sleep after they woke us in the night. Thanks again. When we come back to Santa Cruz, we will give you a call.
Bruce and Becky - California

September 1, 2007
What a place! Please, can we live here? We wanted for nothing! Thank you. We had a blast in Santa Cruz!  Special mention for Linda's Seabreeze Cafe on Seabright Ave. It rocks!
Phil and Ingrid and kids - London, UK

July 14
Another wonderful sojourn at Seabright! It was great to meet you in person! We loved our stay and so did the company that came to visit. Had beautiful blue sky for 3 days at each end and a soothing cloud cover on between. We did our usual exploring of the area - beaches and mountains, golf, etc. In Monterey, wine tasting (David Bruce and Byington), and this time visited the Arboretum at UCSC. Wish we lived hereso we could be "volunteer "weeders" there. We enjoyed discovering Gayles in Capitola - will be starting our diets tomorrow! See you next year.
Kris and Dave - California

June 30
Our week in your beach home has been wonderful! The weather, fun people, boardwalk, beach and of course, your home made it a very special time for us. We are sold on Santa Cruz and will return next summer. Hopefully you will continue to provide a refuge away from the Arizona summer heat for us. We couldn't have had a better experience!
Ron and Mary Jane - Phoenix, AZ

June 23, 2007
We really enjoyed the house.  It was ideal for our needs.  My 9 year old grandson was enchanted with all the wonderful lighting effects, my 7 year old granddaughter delighted in the little remote controlled dog which she befriended in short order and worked at teaching it to go up and down the stairs.  My daughter-in-law totally loved the massage chair and jacuzzi, my son glued himself to the HDTVs, and I truly appreciated the quiet second bedroom and bath to myself.  You have a wonderful, light, airy, comfortable place--ideally located for exploring the area, and very well-designed and equipped.  I think you're brave to rent it out so generously?  My brother, John, and his family rented a house on the street south of Seabright, which was dark.  He and his wife loved our place and are thinking they may come back another time and see about renting it from you.  I don't know when they're thinking of doing it, but I know they'd love it. Thank you so much for entrusting us with your delightful home. It was the perfect home-away-from-home for us and favored us with all its charms and comforts during our family reunion. We couldn’t have been more pleased. Best wishes to you.

Mary, Kenny, Jennifer, Jonas, Becca. Palm Beach, Florida

June 16, 2007
We had a great time in your beautiful home! The kitchen is much more enjoyable to cook in than our own at home! Thanks so much for the “baby gate” it was definitely helpful. Our 23 month old has now figured out how to use it so I guess it must be time to go home! The house is in such a perfect location for all ages. Our 19 year old twin daughters enjoyed it as much as our 3 and a half and two year olds. Thanks for sharing your home. Would love to come back again.
David, Jill, Melissa, Jessica, Abigail & Matthew South Passadena, CA


2006 Summer
August 19, 2006
D&B, thank you for providing such a comfortable beach house. We fixed some great fish dinners here, enjoyed morning coffees on the rooftop deck, beach walks, Boardwalk and of course Capitola. Gayle's provided a fabulous birthday cake for youngest. The battery operated stuffed dog in the 2nd bedroomm was a big hit.
The Flath Family

7/29/2007
A very good experience. We spent the second two weeks of our Soquel experience here and overall a great choice. The house is great and the upgrading and remodeling is very well done. Aldos was good for breakfast/lunch/brunch but not so good in the evening. Seabright Brewery, Al Dente were both very goo.d and very busy, ea three minute walk. The Crow’s Nest, also an easy walk, was very enjoyab for dinner. The Boardwalk and MYSTERY SPOT a hoot! Real, old fashioned seaside tourist traps. But, better still, the eclectic mix that is Santa Cruz-sit out on the pavement (sorry-sidewalk) downtown and people watch-absolutely fascinating! Dodg shouters, ageing hippies, ladies who lunch, gay couples, Van Helsing look-a-likes –awesome!
Denny, you were a sweetheart when you sorted out a probem we had. Hope Hawaii was good. The weather here was great during our stay.
Pat and Hannah, St. Helens, England

7/15/2007
Wonderful two weeks in S.C., just a block down on Mott from where I lived in 1970 as a UCSC Senior. Fabulous weather the whole time. Big booming Fourth-Of-July – wow! Love the decks, the sun room, closeness to Boardwalk and Downtown. Nice 25 minute walk to movies. Sorry, but breakfast at Aldo’s was perfectly disappointing. Happy Hour at the Crow’s Nest for the Wednesday night Regatta was pretty nifty. Loved all the amenities in the house – music, fireplace, computer, etc.

Previous Years (Note: There was a period from 1999 to July 2007 that our home was not a vacation rental.)

We love your garden. It’s my favorite hobby too. This is my favorite beach house and we always hate to leave. June, 1999.

We loved all the new editions. This is a great beach house. We had a wonderful stay and I sure wish we could stay longer. Beth, July, 1998.

What a fabulous beach house! We had gorgeous weather, everything was perfect. Thanks for sharing. Jane, 1998.

This is our third year staying in your beach house. Love the location, views and new editions and remodels. We are rolling over our deposit so that we can stay here again next year. Amelia, August, 1997.

This is the first time we’ve stayed in Santa Cruz but I have a feeling it won’t be the last. The house certainly added to our feeling of peace and relaxation. It’s hard to go back home. Nancy, September, 1996.

The weather was nice all week. We thoroughly enjoyed all the new additions. We’ve stayed here for three years and we hope to continue renting. 1996.

So I reflect on my month’s stay in your cottage. I realize it’s been a time of joy. My children have each spent time with me. The beach and boardwalk and out to dinner have added to my personal time of togetherness while developing a great “personal awareness” of each other as grandchildren, parent and children. Your cottage has certainly been a wonderful place to be for an exciting fall at Seabright. November, 1995.

Dear everyone, I spent a grueling few weekends early this year searching for a summer rental as our family had done in the 50s. I decided the childhood location was too far south (Aptos) and honed in on this Seabright area. After lots of driving and looking and fatigue, I narrowed my choice to one house: your home. Naturally it was booked solid all summer. Imagine my delight when I learned of a half hour old cancellation (Don’t know why I asked) by a regular who just bought a house nearby! So there you have it. I had very nearly committed to a nearby, inferior house. We enjoyed depth charges at Java Junction, brews and food at Seabright Brewery, salad bar at Carpo’s, lovely local food at Gabriella’s, unusual Chinese at O’mei (oh my!), pottery painting at Petroglyph, frolicking on the beach. I love this place!  Karla, 1995.

My family and I have been coming to Santa Cruz now for years and have been renting another neighborhood cottage. What a difference this place is. All your remodeling and interior decorating makes your home very easy to rent not to mention how extremely comfortable and well equipped it is. Thank you so much for allowing us to rent form you. You’ve done a wonderful job of decorating and we look forward to renting from you again. Connie, June, 1995.

The deck was the greatest. We lived there the last ten days. Gordon, April, 1995.

Who said California doesn’t have seasons. Again we had a wonderful stay. Again the experience was different than a year ago. While the rain was relentless, this cottage just got cozier and cozier. The new deck is wonderful and I ventured out there at each break in the weather. I’ll be back. Thanks again for another wonderful experience. Bobbie, January, 1995.

The weather outside was frightful but your place was so cozy and delightful! We laid around and boozed and snoozed! We walked and drove down east cliff drive, saw some spectacular surf. We hope to return often. Jim, January, 1995.

We spent a wonderful Thanksgiving evening in your attractive beach home. The view of the ocean and the (most beautiful) sunsets were outstanding. Genevieve, November, 1994.

Our family has been vacationing in Santa Cruz for generations, and we love it. We arrived on Saturday in time to do some grocery shopping at our favorite local market, Shoppers Corner, and grab a bite to eat at Seabright Brewery. One day we went for a walk at the end of the peer and watched the sea lions. We came home and ate lunch spending three hours on the deck. Later we walked down to Aldo’s for a glass of wine and some calamari while waiting for my sister to arrive. You have done a great job on the house and we feel very comfortable here. You have great neighbors too. September, 1994.

We had a wonderful stay at your home! I stayed at this house about 30 years ago-the changes are amazing! We have stayed in the Seabright (Castle Beach) area for generations. My Aunt owned a home here in the 1960s so Seabright is like a second home to me and now to my children. Staying at your home has just added one more happy memory to all the happy memories we have of this area. Patti, 1994.

Had a great time spending fourth of July weekend here. This is my first time in Santa Cruz and I loved it being here in this awesome beach house with terrific view. I also thought it was cool that we were only 5 minutes from the Boardwalk and Yacht harbor. I loved everything in this house form the decks with a view of the ocean to the garage door opener. I hope I can visit this beach house again. Christina, July, 1994.

We had a great time with three of our granddaughters. We are looking forward to another visit soon. Gena 1994.

Thank you very much for an enjoyable stay. I had a lot of fun. This is a very enjoyable beach house. The view from the new deck is breathtaking! The whole city is wonderful and I can’t wait to move here some day. Wendy, April 1994.

I had a wonderful time staying in this immaculate beach house. It was really convenient having the boardwalk and beach and yacht harbor only steps away. We are coming to stay in your house again at Christmas. Thanks a bunch, Katie. November 1993.

We had a great time in a great house, thank you. I was afraid we wouldn’t have equipment for a Thanksgiving dinner, but you proved me wrong. Thank you. The Deck is fabulous. Perfect weather all weekend so we used it a lot. Jane, November1993.

Both my husband and I can’t thank you enough for this haven for a few days of complete bliss. This is the first time we’ve ever vacationed in a beach home, a garden model home. I’m looking forward to a return trip, Janette, October, 1993.

This trip to your “home away from home” has been great. We’ve always gone to Dillon Beach in the Bodega Bay area, but will choose Santa Cruz form now on. Bert, 1993.

My family had a wonderful time at your wonderful beach house. We thank you so much for the use of it. So I finally got to see your home. It was worth all the work. You’ve done a wonderful job decorating. Joanne, 1993.

We had a wonderful stay at your cute home. We love to look out the upstairs window to climb the big trees outside the kitchen, to see the ocean water over the deck through the day, and see the sunset each night. The many walks along the beach were peaceful and fun, especially those walks near the witching hour where we can see anything from bonfires to vampires. But, all fun aside, the peacefulness here is what a writer needs to write a good book. There is much joy in sitting outside on the deck downstairs at the Master Bedroom talking to passers by while sipping a fine glass of champagne. This has been an experience that has brought new meaning to the term serenity for us. Thanks for sharing your cozy get-a-way, Bobbie, October, 1993.

Our family has been vacationing in Santa Cruz since 1913 (great grandmother). We enjoyed bringing our baby girl to your beautiful “Tree House”. The upstairs view is so cheerful. The view of the trees and ocean gives us the feeling of being in a (designer) tree house. Everything is outfitted perfectly. Even the dishes match. Thank you for sharing a little bit of heaven with us. Many happy memories to all that share this house. Brad and Blair, August 1993.

Dear owners, this is a very pretty little cottage. I enjoyed my stay. Healy, age 9, July 1993

It was so nice staying in a clean nicely decorated house. You did a wonderful job with the remolding. We’ve vacationed in Santa Cruz for over 15 years and still enjoy Seabright Beach. Jeff’s and Jennifer’s Mom - July 1993.

This house is very cute! You also got a great view of the ocean. Thank you for letting us rent it.  Jennifer, age 9 - July 1993.

To the Owners: This is one of the best houses I ever stayed in. I hope we get to rent it next year.  Jeff, age 11, July 1993.

info@vacationsantacruz.com