Have fun with the whole family at this beautiful retreat in the redwoods. Close to ziplining, Roaring Railroads, wine tasting, hiking with waterfalls and beaches. The Mystery spot and Monterey are not too far away. Wake up to birds chirping and views of the redwoods. There is a creek that runs behind the property and the San Lorenzo river is across the street. The home has 2 bedrooms, a kitchen and 1 bathroom. A mini-crib available.
House was very cozy and cute. Communication with owner was excellent. Location was great and the surrounding forest was beautiful. House needs the following for a comfortable stay: cutting boards, colander, more mirrors, hooks for coats by front door, dresser in master bedroom. If you are looking for a very sweet and quiet getaway spot, this is it!
Loved our stay here for a peaceful trip! The beanbag chair in the living room and all the rooms were set nicely. However the walls in the house were thin and easy to hear someone else constantly. Also, we arrived to find an ant problem in the kitchen (throughout the coffee maker, sink, and dishwasher countertop). Would visit again for closeness to Capitola
Rustic Charm in Brookdale â Great Location with Some Quirks
This home is located in Brookdale, just outside of Ben Lomond â a charming area with a rural, woodsy feel and a working-class, progressive community vibe. It has a lot of character and feels like a quieter extension of nearby Santa Cruz, with easy access to redwoods, hiking, and attractions like the Mystery Spot, Los Gatos, and the Santa Cruz coastline.The neighborhood itself is peaceful and tucked away, accessed by a narrow, single-lane bridge that adds to the cabin-in-the-woods atmosphere. The home has an older, lived-in feel â likely having seen many generations â which gives it some charm, but also means itâs a bit rough around the edges. The listing photos present it nicely, though they may not fully reflect some of the more worn aspects.Inside, the house has some quirks: a few large spiders, a room with just a rug and storage boxes, and a main bedroom that opens directly into the living room without a door â something to note for guests seeking more privacy. The porch could also use a little tidying up to make it a more inviting spot to relax outdoors.That said, the location is excellent if youâre looking to explore the Santa Cruz Mountains and donât mind a more rustic experience. While I spent most of my time out exploring, I did enjoy my stay. With a bit of renovation and attention to detail, this property could be a truly cozy forest retreat. Iâd recommend it for travelers who prioritize location and donât expect to be pampered.
This is an older home that has had some refurbishments. It could use a few more, but it has what it needs. To me, I care more about if a rental is clean than if it is new and fancy. It was clean, but it did smell a bit like dog (maybe from previous renters?) in some places. One of the main bedrooms was only separated from the living room by a curtain. That didn't matter to us, because we all went to bed at the same time. But if you have a late-night tv watcher, this might cause a problem for those who want to use that room and go to bed earlier.
The home is located in a quiet neighborhood. The location is perfect for exploring Henry Cowell State Park, San Jose, and Santa Cruz. If you have Shipt, this is located within the delivery area. I had no problems with phone connection or wi-fi. In fact, both were quite good. The kitchen had what I needed. If you are looking for a luxury stay, this is not it. If you are looking for something quiet, clean, simple, and close to nature, this is perfect for you.
If you want privacy in the middle of the redwoods I would definitely recommend this place. Internet has not been an issue (though there is little to no cell service).
The house itself is old (which is a plus to me) but dishwasher, stove, tv, etc is all up to date. It's full of beautiful views and plenty of space.
The driveway up is really steep so for those not comfortable with that (we weren't after the first time) there's a space to park at the base of the house right before you turn off.
The only downside is a couple of the windows don't have curtains and the nice computer desk in the main room doesn't have a dedicated computer chair. If you want privacy in the redwoods I do recommend it.