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Family Fun with Old World Charm in a Five Star Location

Family Fun with Old World Charm in a Five Star Location

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Awesome location without the W. Cliff Dr. congestion & noise!
Spa with 27 jets and room for six guests!  Perfect after a day of surfing!
Warm and inviting entrance with a Dutch door to let in the sun & surfer chatter!
You arrive, then garage your car and it doesn't move for the entire stay!
The site of many memorable conversations

Overview of Family Fun with Old World Charm in a Five Star Location

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8158 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Hot tubHot tubHot tub
  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • Pet-friendlyPet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi

Check out the area

Map
Santa Cruz, CA
  • Popular LocationCowell's Beach7 min walk
  • Popular LocationSanta Cruz Wharf9 min walk
  • Popular LocationSanta Cruz Beach Boardwalk16 min walk
  • AirportSan Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)44 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Cromwell Room (queen-over-queen Sleep Nbr bunk bed)

2 Queen Beds

Dragon Room (Sleep Nbr queen bed)

1 Queen Bed

Victorian Room (Sleep Nbr queen bed)

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Outdoor shower

Spaces

Deck or patio
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Family Fun with Old World Charm in a Five Star Location

GATHERING TOGETHER IN A SECURE HOME ENVIRONMENT AVOIDS THE CONSTANT SOCIAL INTERACTION OF HOTELS/MOTELS. OUR 3-PERSON CLEANING CREW SANITIZES EVERY SINGLE SURFACE TO CDC STANDARDS AFTER EVERY GUEST VISIT SO YOU CAN VACATION HAPPILY & TRANQUILLY. HAVING SECURE DOWNTIME IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER! Our Santa Cruz home offers casual elegance and warmth in a safe and an undeniably 5-star location! 1700 sf with 3 bedrooms & 2 baths, the house is just steps away from West Cliff Drive but without the congestion and traffic noise. It is less than 15 yards from the access stairs to the world-famous Steamer Lane surfing area and to Cowell's Beach (at low tide, at least) . Cowell’s has perfect waves for those learning how to surf (or just body surfing), yet with only a short paddle from the beach you are smack-dab in the midst of one of the world's premium surfing lanes, Steamer Lane. The house has every comfort of home combined with special touches that arise only when a Danish contractor builds a house for himself with sturdy 1942-era redwood & mahogany construction materials. Befitting its ocean location, Steamer Lane Manor enjoys nautical themes from around the world. The master bedroom, the Victorian Room, offers a queen bed with a majestic 8-foot headboard; the Dragon Room is paneled entirely in redwood with a hand-painted teak ceiling; and the Cromwell Room sports a unique queen-over-queen bunk bed. Every bed in the house, including the queen on the top level of the Cromwell Room bunk, provides the unparalleled, custom-made comfort of Sleep Number mattresses.
The backyard is equipped with bbq, patio furniture and a 6-person hot tub to soothe the wearied guest after a day of world-class surfing, hiking, biking, dining, wining (though whining is also exhausting) or perhaps 20 back-to-back rides on the oldest, all-wood roller coaster on the Pacific Coast (1924): The Boardwalk's famous "Giant Dipper" (In an non-Covid world, the Boardwalk is open through the summer and for most school holiday periods). The location of the Steamer Lane Manor house is among the best of the very best beach rentals on the favored Santa Cruz West Side, within an easy walk to the Wharf with its active commercial fishing scene (along with some exceptional restaurants) and the venerable Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk & Casino (in business since 1907). There are many options for entertainment and great restaurants within walking and driving distance, tempting beach cocktails and great shopping for all of your surf wear and souvenirs. Lighthouse Field and the Surf Museum also are within easy walking distance -- just a few short blocks -- as is the world-class Steamer Lane overlook, whose waves tempt renown surfers from around the world and is home to numerous surf contests.. Just short of Lighthouse Field is a wonderful espresso bar at the "Rise & Shrine' located alongside the Oblates of St. Joseph Shrine. For a more actively diverse social scene, it's only a short walk (approximately 1.5 miles) -- or quick bike cruise -- to downtown Santa Cruz, home of boutique shops, restaurants and sidewalk cafes, night life, famous live music venues and a provocative ambiance that reinforces the Santa Cruz City motto: "Keep Santa Cruz Weird" . Steamer Lane Manor is situated a mere 40-minute drive to Monterey and its famous Aquarium & Cannery Row, neighboring Carmel-by-the-Sea, and the exquisite Pebble Beach golf links -- with Big Sur slightly to the south, if the road hasn't collapsed, as is infrequently the case. South of Big Sur is the exquisite Nepenthe bar/restaurant/gift shop overlooking the Pacific. If you head North on Highway One, you will embark on a unforgettably scenic 90-minute drive to San Francisco. Along the way, stop for an espresso and muffin at Whalers Cafe in the primo whale-watching Portuguese mining town of Davenport, or the isolated but remarkable Highway 1 Brewery a bit farther to the north, the awesome and picturesque Pigeon Point Lighthouse, or the venerable Duarte's Restaurant in the Portuguese fishing village of Pescadero (great key lime pie, and, if you're so inclined, tripe). Cameron's Pub in Half Moon Bay has the best fish & chips on earth and is a favorite of musically-inclined Sir Paul and Sir Mick.

Our large living room is enhanced with an inviting fireplace stove amidst a mix of mahogany paneling, stained glass window, hardwood floors, luxurious seating and a 65" flatscreen. The Dragon Room features an exquisite, hand-painted teakwood coffered ceiling depicting nearly 100 marching gold dragons (nothing scary!!). The breakfast nook offers a pub table for 4, along with a 300-year old dining table for 6 from a pub in Ireland in the dining alcove. Every guest group receives a handmade, vegan and cruelty-free cosmeceutical skincare product as a gift from owners Rob & Maryann's own boutique lab -- a gift intended to make for some very, very happy hands!

Note: WE DON'T RENT ON CRAIG'S LIST AND WE NEVER, EVER WILL ASK YOU TO WIRE MONEY. SCAMMERS ARE OUT THERE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TRAVELERS, SO PLEASE BEWARE!

Keywords: Beach House, Surf, Santa Cruz, CA, Cowell's, Beach Boardwalk, Wharf, Westside, Learn to Surf, Shopping, Downtown Santa Cruz, Best location,quiet neighborhood, ocean view, three bedrooms, two baths, hot tub, Sleep Number beds.

Property manager

Rob Hardwicke
Premier Host
Premier Host

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 12:00 PM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
(With bunkbed restriction)

Events

No events allowed
Parties and events are not allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 20 lb per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Small dogs (20# or less). $25 surcharge per dog.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
This actually is our home so please treat it as if it were yours.
Our neighbors are good people, so please be considerate, most especially outdoor talking & laughing in the hot tub after 9pm. All quiet after 10pm.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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
Note from host: Parties and events are not allowed
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

This holiday home is located in Westside Santa Cruz, a neighbourhood in Santa Cruz, and is near theme parks and near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Monterey Bay and Capitola Beach, while Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Roaring Camp Railroads are popular area attractions. Travelling with kids? Consider Santa Cruz Surfing Museum and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center. Kayaking and scuba diving offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with ecotours and cycling nearby.
Map
Santa Cruz, CA

What's nearby

  • Cowell's Beach - 7 min walk
  • Santa Cruz Wharf - 9 min walk
  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - 16 min walk
  • Ocean Street - 3 min drive
  • Natural Bridges State Park - 8 min drive

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - 18 min walk
  • Ideal Bar & Grill - 10 min walk
  • Stagnaro Bros - 18 min walk
  • Boardwalk Bowl - 14 min walk
  • Cruzin' Crêpes - 18 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Family Fun with Old World Charm in a Five Star Location pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 20 lb per pet.

What time is check-in at Family Fun with Old World Charm in a Five Star Location?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Family Fun with Old World Charm in a Five Star Location?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Family Fun with Old World Charm in a Five Star Location located?

This family-friendly Santa Cruz holiday home is located by the sea, within a 15-minute walk of Cowell's Beach and Monterey Bay. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is 0.8 mi (1.3 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 162 out of 174 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 174 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 174 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 174 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 174 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Nelse F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spring Break getaway
We just had a great week at this house. The location is incredible as we could walk to the wharf, bike from the house to all the incredible routes in and around Santa Cruz. Our family of 5 fit perfectly with the bunk bed and second bedroom. One of us had to work the whole week so the adorable desk in the alcove of the primary bedroom worked perfectly. The hot tub was great and there was even room for playing in the side yard. The kitchen had everything we needed. There was even a sweet gift of a delicious bottle of Bonny Doon wine and some hand lotion made by the owners. We’ll be back!
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location for Boardwalk and watching surfers
Great stay good location host is good hot tub cleaned regularly house is an old Santa Cruz house with that certain charm. Could use a few minor repairs ( back shower slow to drain, towel rack broken, back door hard to open) and a little less clutter, especially in the kitchen which was small to begin with and all the stuff made it hard to prepare meals, so we ordered out more than we had planned which added significant cost but helped out the local economy. But really we rented it for the location and it was perfect in that regard. Easy walks to a lot of great activities. We hardly drove at all.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dorothy F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
New Years Holiday House
Great location, pet friendly a total bonus!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Walking paradise with a cozy home
Excellent house with a great location. Walking along the surfing area was so nice, easy paths for granny. Boardwalk for the teens to entertain themselves. House had everything needed. Enjoyed the hot tub and outdoor grill. Great choice for Sant Cruz family getaway.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephen C., Tucson

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Steamer Lane Mannor
Great home with fantastic loc
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023

About the host

Hosted by Rob Hardwicke

Host profile image
Rob's a Los Gatos-born & raised native Californian, whose family has been in the area since the late 1800's. Maryann hails from tiny Pittsfield, New Hampshire, brags that she is of 100% Polish stock, and arrived in California to live and work for the first time in 1971. At one time or another, both she and Rob have been residents of New York City and both have enjoyed extensive overseas work and/or living assignments in Asia, Europe and South America. They exude a casual warmth and dedicated kindness that aims to provide every guest of their Steamer Lane Manor beach home with a happily memorable stay.

Why they chose this property

Rob fell in love with this house way back in 1972, fresh out of grad school. His longest tenants were his parents, Bern & Mima, who resided here from 1974 until 2001 -- Bern living until age 95 and Mima an admirably active 101. Built by a Danish contractor for himself back in 1942, the house saw no corners cut in terms of quality or aesthetics. It is Rob & Maryann's favorite spot on earth when they're in a mood to inhale the restoring freshness of Pacific Ocean salt air, enjoy a delightful fish dinner, bike and hike the coastal cliffs, sip a craft beer at one of Santa Cruz' burgeoning microbrew establishments -- or just loaf in the company of friends and family.

What makes this property unique

Steamer Lane Manor is unique in so many ways -- location, amenities, 'good vibes' (this IS California after all), secure parking and new friends.

Premier Host

Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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