Hand built beach cottage in the "cove"... sunny, quiet, 4 min. walk to the surf!

Top rated by guests
Front of house.  driveway accommodates two cars, in addition to carport
smart TV & gas fireplace
Quartz countertop kitchen with views to backyard.
Electric range, hood, & oven
Sundeck with hill in backyard
review stars
9.9Outstanding
(59 Ratings)
"This was a fantastic place for our week with teen grandkids. Super cute cottage with multiple outdoor spaces had everything we needed. Easy walk to the beach. Easy day trips to Monterey, Pacific Gr..."
Tracy L.
Don't miss out! Price and availability may change
9.9 / 10.0
Outstanding(59 Ratings)

House in Rio Del Mar, CA

4 guests · 2 bedrooms · 1 bath

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
High-end valueWell priced for this area
Book with confidenceWe partner with the top travel sites so you know you're getting a great deal on the perfect rental

About this house rental

SCz county vacation rental permit # 251252.
Hand crafted by my dad in 1960 out of redwood and knotty pine, this meticulously maintained and spotless beach house is perfect for families with children or couples looking for a romantic getaway.
Our house is limited to 4 registered guests and rented very sparingly, and our single story "Hawaiian style" 1950's beach cottage is located on a private dead end street with a level, flat yard.... just 300 yards from the beach. Private and sunny backyard patio and sundeck with views up to tree filled open space hillside, total quiet and zen! Please read our reviews. You'll have sun, solitude, total privacy, a large backyard, sundeck, and sublime quiet in this classic/vintage, mid-century beach house, which is located on this very quiet cul de sac backing up to a Santa Cruz County Designated Scenic Corridor greenbelt in your back yard. From the backyard watch the wild-birds, seagulls, red- tailed hawks, and then listen to the owls at night. (did we say NO stairs ?!!...ours is a single story house, large level front yard and level fenced backyard, and short level walk to the sand).
We call it the "cove" because its located 300 yards from the water in what is a natural cove with the ancient fossil rich ocean cliff rising 100' behind it. (you may have read about the Mastodon tooth discovery here in June '23).
Listen to the waves echoing off the canyon walls as the ocean lulls you to sleep. Walk miles east or west (north/south) on the bay's best, wide, & sandy beach, 2 minutes out your front door. Rio Del Mar beach is simply THE best beach on Monterrey bay.
This aloha style mid-century beach home was hand-built by my dad in 1960 for my mom and is a classic mid-century beach bungalow surf shack with 12' open beam vaulted ceilings, knotty pine interior, lots of natural light, and sundeck over the carport looking out to the mountain behind and to the sunsets over the bay 300 yards to the west.
Natural gas fireplace in living room (Nov to April), large fenced backyard with patio and fire pit, and front courtyard patio out the front door (yard is 5000 sq ft). 850 sq ft' of inside living, and 900'sq ft' of outside back patio with fire pit, sun deck and front patio....single level home and yard...no stairs. Queen bed in the front bedroom and 2 twin beds in the back bedroom.
Perfect location for parents with 2 children looking to get away, or a couple, yet close to all the amenities of Rio Del Mar Beach, the village of Aptos (1/2 mile away), Capitola Village (3 miles away), and downtown Santa Cruz (7 miles west).
Everything inside and out is clean, new, freshly painted, and in perfect, pristine, and spotless condition. Private outside shower, BBQ, Comcast Wi-Fi & Smart TV (Netflix), dishwasher, and new washer/dryer.
Terrific mountain biking and hiking in the 10,000 acres of redwoods in Nicene Marks State Park ONLY 1/2 mile away in Aptos village. Bike rentals available at Epicenter Bikes in Aptos village. Golf at Seascape resort 1 mile away.
Walk to the restaurants and coffee houses, Pixi Deli, Venus Beach-side and Venus Pie-Trap in Rio Del Mar right down the street. In Aptos village visit Mentone (****!), Pacific Roasting, Peets, Cat n' Cloud coffee, Bittersweet Cafe, Persephone, Cafe Sparrow, Metone, Sushi Garden, and in Seacliff visit Manuels Mexician or Ambrosia for Indian and Maryannes for ice cream treats.
Or take a 5 minute drive to Capitola village and dine at Trestle's.
Visit the shops, fine dining and movie theaters in downtown Santa Cruz, a 10 minute drive up Highway 1.
Prime surf spots at Pleasure Point (Private's, Jack's, the Hook, the Point) are 5 miles away. Surfing lessons are available through "Ed's Surf Camp" company. Bike along the coast at beautiful Wilder Ranch in West-side Santa Cruz 12 miles away. Bike rentals available at Epicenter Bikes both in Aptos and Santa Cruz.
Don't miss the huge redwood trees in Nicene Marks State Park 1 mile up the hill in Aptos, and in Henry Cowell State Park in Felton 3 miles up the San Lorenzo river from Santa Cruz. Carmel and Monterrey are 38 miles (or a 40-50 minute drive) south.
Perfect and prime longer term rental for the traveling nurse, interning doctor, visiting professor, professionals, or parents visiting their kids at UCSC during the winter. discounted monthly rate available during "off season".
(SORRY, no children under age 6)
I try to respond within 24 hours. I must exchange emails with you prior to booking Thank you, Jeff and Peggy

Amenities at Hand built beach cottage in the "cove"... sunny, quiet, 4 min. walk to the surf!

Free WiFi/internet
Non-smoking
TV
Coffee/tea maker
Refridgerator
Kitchen
Balcony/Terrace
WiFi/Internet
Microwave
Dishwasher
Patio
Kitchenware
No pets allowed
Garden
Oven
Stove
Fireplace
Towels
Hairdryer

Map of Rio Del Mar, CA


Ratings and reviews

9.9 / 10.0
Outstanding(59 Ratings)
10.0 / 10.0Outstanding·Jul 2025
This was a fantastic place for our week with teen grandkids. Super cute cottage with multiple outdoor spaces had everything we needed. Easy walk to the beach. Easy day trips to Monterey, Pacific Grove and San Francisco.
10.0 / 10.0Outstanding·Aug 2024
It was our first time to Rio Del Mar. Appreciated the quiet unpretentious neighborhood and accessibility of beach in a cozy well kept knotty pine cottage.
10.0 / 10.0Outstanding·Aug 2024
We loved our cabin! Very welcoming and perfect for our family! Quick walk to the beach - lots to explore! We will definitely be back!
5.0 / 10.0·Aug 2022
Jeff's house has beautiful curb appeal and great appointments. We spent the majority of our time outdoors on one of the 3 patios listening to the birds, the waves, or watching the stars. The kitchen is stocked with as many tools as you would need to cook for the family. Having 2 single beds in room #2 worked well for our family of 4. The 5 minute walk to the beach was also great--this place was a breath of fresh air! Thank you Jeff!

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FAQs

Is parking included with this house?

Parking is not specified as an available amenity at Hand built beach cottage in the "cove"... sunny, quiet, 4 min. walk to the surf!. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.

Is there a pool at this house?

We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.

Is Hand built beach cottage in the "cove"... sunny, quiet, 4 min. walk to the surf! pet friendly?

Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"

What amenities are available at Hand built beach cottage in the "cove"... sunny, quiet, 4 min. walk to the surf!?

We found 19 amenities for this rental. This includes free wifi/internet, non-smoking, tv, coffee/tea maker, and refridgerator.


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