Kate's Cottage by the Sea, in Santa Cruz, CA

Description from the owner

Just 14 houses from the beach, Kate's Cottage by the Sea is a well-maintained, well stocked, single-level, comfortable house just a short, flat walk to some of the nicest beaches in Santa Cruz.

With three bedrooms, a large family room, and a separate living room, it sleeps between 8 and 12 guests comfortably (Limited by County ordinance to 8 guests aged 12 and over.).

The house has 1 King bed, 2 Queen beds, 2 Queen Futons (1 with innerspring mattress), 1 Queen sleeper-sofa, 1 Rollaway Double bed and 1 Queen aerobed, and is a great place for one family or a multi-generational vacation stay, reunion, place to stay while visiting y...our son or daughter at UCSC or attending a wedding, romantic retreat, or "girls' getaway." Pets considered by prior arrangement.

Fully-Fenced Back Yard with Hot Tub, Gas Grill, Charcoal BBQ, Covered Patio, and Grassy Area for Kids and Pets to Play. Gas and woodburning fireplaces inside. Fully-equipped kitchen with gas stove, microwave, dishwasher, and service for 12. Herbs and condiments in the pantry and refrigerator, complimentary Gevalia coffee, assorted teas, and pancake mix for your first breakfast. Fresh herbs in the garden, beach towels, wetsuits, boogie boards, a croquet set, foosball table...even an old-fashioned ice cream maker.

The house has amenities that accommodate several generations, from the high chairs and cribs to the shower chair and grab bars in the shower. Complimentary shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, and hair dryer available in each bathroom and two terrycloth robes for lounging in each bedroom, plus two for the living room guests. It's a flat, easy walk to the beach and offers on-site parking for up to 4 vehicles and parking passes for 2 more on the street. We have boogie boards, wetsuits, and sand chairs available for guest use. Easy walk to nearby beaches.

Amenities Include:

2 level blocks to 26th Ave beach

Pets OK (by prior arrangement)

Hot Tub + terry robes

Large grassy fenced-in backyard

Gas and Charcoal BBQs

Garden with Flowers blooming most times of the year

Firepit

Croquet set

Foosball table

1-Calif King Bed

2 Queen Beds, 2 Queen futons, 1 Queen sleeper-sofa

Rollaway double bed

TV in every bedroom

2 Fireplaces

Wireless Internet

Cable TV w/ On-Demand and HBO programming

Fresh herbs in the garden

2 VCRs and 3 DVD players

Beach towels, 4 Boogie Boards, assorted wetsuits, Beach Blanket, Beach Chairs for guest use

Ice cream maker

Washer/Dryer

2 bathrooms

Grab bars in shower; shower chair on request

Kitchen equipped with Gas Stove, Microwave, Dishwasher, and Service for 12

2 High chairs & 3 cribs available

Movies, Cards, Poker Chips, and Games for guest use

Owner who has lived in the area for decades and can recommend restauraunts, activities, etc.

- --*-*-*-Rate Details-*-*-*--

Winter Rates:* (January 6-February 7, 2014): $195/night midweek; $305/night weekends; $1500/week. $4200/30 days. 2 night minimum, except 3-night minimum on MLK weekend. 30-day rate includes allowance for utilities, with charges above that the responsibility of the guest.

Mid Season* (September 16-December 13, 2013 and Feb 8-May 23; excluding school holiday periods); $268/night midweek; $350/night Fri., Sat.; $1875/week Use weekend (or weekly) rates plus 10% for UCSC Alumni weekend (4/26-28), Thanksgiving week, and holiday weekends. On 3-day holiday weekends, Sun. rate is same as Fri.-Sat. rate.

High Season* (June 1-Sept. 15**; Memorial Day Weekend; UCSC Graduation Week; December 14-January 5*): $395/night*; $2650/week* **Add 10% between July 1st and July 31st and Labor Day weekend; deduct 10% Monday through Thursday nights during final 2 weeks of August and midweek in Dec.

*cleaning/restocking fee (normally $185), $45 processing fee & 9.5% local tax charged on all rentals. $50 pet fee.

*Standard Terms: 50%+$100 due on booking, next 25% due within 30 days, balance due 30 days before check-in. 15% rescheduling/cancellation fee; payments are refundable only if cancelled dates are resold. Trip cancellation insurance may be available to you through outside providers. Check with owner for further information.

*$850 refundable security deposit OR $100 plus damage waiver insurance ($39) required. During high season, no extra charge for check-in on a Saturday, unless that would leave a gap of only one night.

***Contact us for monthly rates. Note: No Local tax for stays of 30 days or more.**

***Ask about the annual visitor program! Earn points for each night you stay. Collect 10 points and earn a free night.**

*2-Night Minimum stays most times; holiday periods and high season may have 3-Night or longer minimums (unless there's a gap that's shorter). No single-night bookings.

*Credit cards accepted. Contact owner for further details. PayPal verified. Ask owner for link to seal.

*Rates may change periodically, but your rate will be the rate at the time your booking is made.Read more

Additional Location Information

This house is on 25th Avenue, on the East side of Santa Cruz. Two easy blocks from several great beaches. Great surfing, boogie boarding, beachwalking and places for evening beach fires all within an easy, mostly level walk.

Location Type Beach, Ocean

Rental fees

Additional notes from owner

See "Property Description" section for rate details, payment terms and cancellation/rescheduling policy.

$49 damage insurance +$100 refundable security deposit OR $850 refundable security deposit required. Ask owner for details.

What Past Guests Are Saying

Overall Rating

• Cookie
  San Francisco

  Relaxing and fun!

  Left on 11/19/2012 for a stay in November 2012
  
  

  I rented the cottage when family was over from New York and DC. Everyone loved it.. and went back happy and relaxed.
  Everything in the house was clean and fresh.. towels, linen but not fussy. It has a very homey feel. It also is very nicely stocked.. almost everything you would need.. is probably there.
  One of the days, it rained the whole day.. and yet there was stuff to do all day.. games, hot tub (so relaxing), books, TV.
  There are multiple beaches within a block or two.. very easy access.. I was amazed to see dolphins so close to the shore.
  
  I had a wonderful time with my family here and will surely come back!
  

  More Details ►

  Detailed ratings for this rental

  • Check in
    
  • Cleanliness
    
  • Comfort
    
  • Location
    
  • Service
    
  • Value
    

  
  

  
  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Families

  ---

  Was this review helpful? Yes

• Kit
  Bay Area

  Incredible family retreat!

  Left on 06/12/2012 for a stay in May 2012
  
  

  For mother's day my brothers and I rented Kate's Cottage by the Sea. The cottage worked wonderfully for our family retreat! There are three private bedrooms and a pair of futons that slept everyone comfortably. Kate's also has a wonderful backyard where we relaxed and played bocce ball. Did I mention that Kates is a few blocks from the beach? All in all we had a wonderful stay. Kate's is an ideal getaway just an hour or so from the Bay area. I would definitely stay there again!

  More Details ►

  Detailed ratings for this rental

  • Check in
    
  • Cleanliness
    
  • Comfort
    
  • Location
    
  • Service
    
  • Value
    

  
  

  
  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Romantic, Disabilities, Families

  ---

  Was this review helpful? Yes

• Jane and Ian
  Oxford, UK

  Perfect house and location for a relaxing family holiday.

  Left on 06/02/2012 for a stay in April 2012
  
  

  We booked at short notice and Kathie couldn't have been more friendly and helpful. The house was spacious, homely and incredibly well equipped. The location was quiet, close to the beach and we enjoyed having a shaded patio and a garden. There was nothing complicated about arriving, staying or leaving the house and we all felt very relaxed.

  More Details ►

  Detailed ratings for this rental

  • Check in
    
  • Cleanliness
    
  • Comfort
    
  • Location
    
  • Service
    
  • Value
    

  
  

  
  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  ---

  Was this review helpful? Yes

• Happy Guest
  Sacramento

  Awesome... Everything as promised

  Left on 10/03/2011 for a stay in September 2011
  
  

  Everything was as promised... not a detail missed. Working with the owner was great. I'll definitely stay here again

  More Details ►

  Detailed ratings for this rental

  • Check in
    
  • Cleanliness
    
  • Comfort
    
  • Location
    
  • Service
    
  • Value
    

  
  

  
  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  ---

  Was this review helpful? Yes

   

  Response from Kathie Gutierrez - 11/07/2011

  

  Kathie Gutierrez

  Owner

  It was a pleasure having you stay. I look forward to your next trip.

• Gallagher, Murphy and Rogers families
  Sacramento

  Comfortable and accommodating

  Left on 09/27/2011 for a stay in September 2011
  
  

  Kate's Cottage provided the perfect home base for us during a weekend soccer tournament in Santa Cruz. The home is clean, comfortable and much larger than it appears from the outside. We had three families staying together and we never felt crowded, even with four teenagers.
  
  The kitchen is clean, spacious and functional. The futons in the family room provided a great kid-friendly sleeping and lounge area. The biggest surprise was the back yard. The landscaping is lovely, and there is a covered patio with a hot tub - the girls really enjoyed soaking after their games.
  
  Kate was kind enough to provide welcome instructions via email in advance of our stay detailing the many extras that were available to us - wetsuits, boogie boards, beach blankets and towels, and a picnic basket.
  
  The neighborhood is quiet, and there are several beaches a short walk away.
  
  While the home is very clean and comfortable, it doesn't feel fussy. We never felt like we shouldn't sit on the furniture or make ourselves completely comfortable. It has the feel of staying at the home of a friend, and we are all very happy to call Kate our friend! Enjoy
  
  

  More Details ►

  Detailed ratings for this rental

  • Check in
    
  • Cleanliness
    
  • Comfort
    
  • Location
    
  • Service
    
  • Value
    

  
  

  
  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  ---

  Was this review helpful? Yes

   

  Response from Kathie Gutierrez - 09/27/2011

  

  Kathie Gutierrez

  Owner

  I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and look forward to having you come again.

• Ruth and family
  SF Bay area

  A plus - In More Ways Than One

  Left on 06/20/2011 for a stay in June 2011
  
  

  Better equiped than expected and larger than anticipated. Utilities and pantry items were aplenty and the whole family enjoyed the convenience of the TVs+ and the hot tub. I would definitely return!

  More Details ►

  Detailed ratings for this rental

  • Check in
    
  • Cleanliness
    
  • Comfort
    
  • Location
    
  • Service
    
  • Value
    

  
  

  
  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  ---

  Was this review helpful? Yes

   

  Response from Kathie Gutierrez - 07/03/2011

  

  Kathie Gutierrez

  Owner

  Ruth,
  I'm so glad you had a good time, and it was nice to meet you! I look forward to having you return!

• Fabienne
  Newhall

  Welcoming with so much attention to detail - we are coming back!

  Left on 04/12/2011 for a stay in February 2011
  
  

  We loved our stay in this beautiful cottage! Kate made us feel so welcomed with her attention to detail. There were even flowers and champagne waiting for us(it was Valentine's weekend). The owner even made the extra effort to bring a high chair, a crib, toys and a teddy bear, who was sitting on the couch when we arrived, for our little one.
  These gestures are such an obvious sign on how much the owner cares and wishes for her guests to relax and feel completely on vacation and pampered. Thank you Kate!
  To anyone who is looking to spend a beautiful weekend or week(s) in Santa Cruz, we sincerely and highly recommend Kate's Cottage. It is very clean, has beautiful spacious rooms, a lovely backyard, and it's wonderful that the beach is within a couple of blocks. And, if you perhaps want to simply rest at home, there is a wide selection of books to read, videos to watch... games to play as you sit next to the wood burning fire place. We wish we could have stayed longer and hope to be back again soon!
  
  

  More Details ►

  Detailed ratings for this rental

  • Check in
    
  • Cleanliness
    
  • Comfort
    
  • Location
    
  • Service
    
  • Value
    

  
  

  
  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  ---

  Was this review helpful? Yes

   

  Response from Kathie Gutierrez - 07/03/2011

  

  Kathie Gutierrez

  Owner

  Fabienne, It was fun for me that you all had such an enjoyable time. Looking forward to seeing you again soon!