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Private Beach House with amazing views of Shwan Lake and Twin Lakes Beach

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your current months are January, 2025 and February, 2025.
January 2025
February 2025

Photo gallery for Private Beach House with amazing views of Shwan Lake and Twin Lakes Beach

Beach nearby, beach towels
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Beach nearby, beach towels
Outdoor dining
Smart TV

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Dryer
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Santa Cruz, CA
  • Santa Cruz Harbor
    7 min walk
  • Sushi Market Sprouts
    6 min walk
  • Santa Cruz Metro Center
    4 min drive
  • San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    46 min drive

Room options

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The price is €330
for 1 cottage
includes taxes & fees
6 Jan - 7 Jan
Aptos Ocean / Bayview Cottage near beaches. Pets & parking. Walkable to beach

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Private Beach House with amazing views of Shwan Lake and Twin Lakes Beach


Enjoy peaceful serenity and natural beauty as you check the surf from your own living room. Watch great blue herons, snowy egrets, and cormorants through two huge windows overlooking picturesque Schwan Lagoon and Twin Lakes Beach -- the best family beach in town! (permit #181472)

Steps to the sand, this house is just six houses up from the beach. Sunbathe, bodysurf, wander a long stretch of shoreline, have bonfires in the legal fire pits, and enjoy dramatic sunsets just steps from your door. Walk to the harbor to rent SUPs and kayaks, or sail on one of the Chardonnay II's daily cruises across Monterey Bay.

Spellbinding views from the bedroom, living room, and kitchen create a peaceful zen-like quiet. The back patio, a lagoon-side garden oasis, is perfect for happy hours and morning coffee in the sun. This home is your own Shangri-La.

LIVING AREA Unwind into vacation mode in a comfortable living room with a charming upright piano. Plush furniture offers ample seating, and picture windows overlook Schwan Lagoon. Settle in and watch a movie on the 43” flat-screen TV after a fun-filled beach day. Watch Cormorants, Egrets, Herons, Ducks, Geese, Eagles, Hawks and Hummingbirds galore from the comfort of your living room.

KITCHEN & DINING Tap into your culinary side in a bright and spacious kitchen outfitted with a full suite of stainless steel appliances. When it’s time to eat, share delicious home-cooked meals in the sun-soaked dining area.

BEDROOM, SLEEPING AREAS & BATH This single-story unit sleeps up to three guests between a bedroom, a bonus room, and the living room. Sleep soundly on a California King size bed in the peaceful bedroom, in addition to a full sized Futon Couch that can fold to a bed for extra sleeping space (also New as of August 2021). The living room is furnished with a full-size sleeper sofa and a comfy small fold-down loveseat. The bonus room features a queen-size bed, closet etc. Find a sparkling walk-in shower, and Bluetooth-capable mirror in the bathroom.

OUTDOOR AREA Breathe in the coastal air on the private back patio with seating for four. This cozy waterside sanctuary features a fire pit, lush foliage and a wood deck. The front patio also has a table with sun shade that's great for afternoon happy hours!

EXTRA AMENITIES & MORE DETAILS Guest amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, games, a Bluetooth speaker, plus a nice piano and a guitar for fostering your own entertainment and creativity. There is parking for up to two cars in the driveway. Please note that this property does not have air-conditioning. Additionally, the patio is located down a flight of steps and the owner lives on-site in a separate apartment.

THE LOCATION Stroll to any of 10 neighborhood restaurants within blocks for excellent food, drinks, and live music. Drive only 10 minutes from this central location to access downtown Santa Cruz, UCSC, Capitola Village, The Boardwalk, golfing, surfing, hiking, shopping, and all the colorful culture our Santa Cruz area has to offer.

Note: This is a county permitted "Hosted Rental" with a separated unit on one side of the house where the owner lives. The rental is completely soundproofed and private with locking doors.

No smoking inside.
Our customers tell us they can't get enough of this holiday home's great location. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Harbor Beach. Free WiFi and a kitchen are available in the holiday home.
  • The holiday home offers a kitchen, a washing machine and a patio
  • Free WiFi
  • On-site recreation includes a playground
  • Guests speak favourably about the area's walkability and the beach
  • Just a 4-minute drive from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and 7 minutes from Monterey Bay

Property manager

Jim Lewin

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby
  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Firepit
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • One pet total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Designated smoking areas

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near the sea
  • On a lake
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Housekeeping (on request)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 12:00 PM

Special check-in instructions

An adult aged 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Maximum 1 pets
    • Service animals are exempt from fees.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
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
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, which will enable you to manage your booking. An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking.

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property

Private Beach House with amazing views of Shwan Lake and Twin Lakes Beach Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 118 out of 124 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 124 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 124 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 124 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 124 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Samantha C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Place
Great location in Santa Cruz and the house had a great layout and was very comfortable. Great view of the water and numerous birds. 3 min walk to the beach. 10 min drive to shopping areas. 30 min to redwoods and an hour to Monterey. When we come back to the area, we will be staying here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deborah M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place in Santa Cruz!
James's place is in such a great location, just a short walk to the beach. I really enjoyed the kitchen...i love to cook and it had everything I needed, including sharp (a rarity at most VRBO's)!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jim L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family event stay
House is clean and nicely stocked the views to the lagoon provide lots of entertainment for bird watchers nice quite location. Would recommend
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alex S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Super in Santa Cruz
Great property, great owner, super location. We had a great time. Thanks Jim!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

4/10 Poor

Mary G.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Sub par
House smells bad: constant smoke (pot?) and mustiness. Dirty pillows, refrigerator , coffee pot, and whole environment was unkempt and old, worn. No kitchen staples that can be used safely. Fall risks: rugs and shower. No place to hang towels. Very quiet and beautiful view.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessica H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location
The best part of our day was the location of the property, which was right on a slough (like a pond), And we had a wonderful time watching all the cormorants and pelicans and other birds on the water. The place is super close to the beach, harbor, restaurants, and a very peaceful and friendly neighborhood. The bedrooms were super comfy, the kitchen was spacious and clean, the bathroom was small, but also clean with good water pressure:)
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sonia S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location
The location is a quick walk to a great beach and some local eateries. The view is also a great bonus!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gail H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Charming Sunny Lagoon Cottage.
A nice stay for a married couple and a couple of fur babies. The house was well stocked. We appreciated the plentiful towels, pillows and blankets. The driveway is pretty long and steep. Not an issue when we parked towards the top of driveway. Access to the yard was on the side of house, out front. A note to others to ensure the blinds to the huge windows are closed during the day because it got hot even with the ac on and our pups were warm. Overall cute place, great neighborhood and access to everything. We will be back. Thank you James!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

John B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Surgery Recovery
I had back surgery on 8/12 and needed to be close to surgeon for two weeks. I also needed walk-in shower, no stairs, and flat neighborhood. And pet friendly. It worked quite well .
Stayed 16 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lance M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Had a great time
Close to beach, swimming, fishing, nice walks and of course board walk fun. Close to aquarium.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gail B., Santa Rosa, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect location and size for three people
The house was great and the owner was quite nice and not intrusive at all. We really appreciated the simplicity of the decor and the cleanliness.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Miriam R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful views and location
This was the perfect property for the three of us. Very close to the beach. The owner was great to work with, very responsive.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jane D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Ideal location gorgeous view
Posting for this property accurately shows the beautiful view of the lagoon. It is steps away from a great beach and a convenient store for snack. Jim was a responsive and friendly host. Gorgeous weather in Santa Cruz! My husband, adult daughter and I had a fun relaxing time.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amy N.

Liked: Cleanliness
perfect vacation spot!
the neighborhood is perfect for a vacation! quiet with gorgeous views of the ocean and the lake. the house features gorgeous big windows that highlights the breathtaking views. the house is super clean with everything you need to make this spot your own. everything is up to date. we will absolutely be coming back!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Daniel S., Sunapee NH

Liked: Cleanliness
Very comfortable and private
The house was clean, comfortable and very private. We very much enjoyed watching the birds on the lagoon. Easy heat adjustment. Excellent communication from the host. We hop to stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda B., Minnesota

Liked: Cleanliness
A great place
We enjoyed our stay--the unit is spacious and has a wonderful kitchen. So close to the beach, and convenient to so many things. We loved our stay, our host was very helpful and responsive. We were very happy with our stay. Thanks!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kim H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great!
Property is exactly as advertized, and it was perfect for our trip. Easy beach access and plenty to see and do.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful!
We enjoyed our stay at this property! It is close to the beach, and the view of the lagoon from the window is amazing. We will definitely stay at this property again when we visit Santa Cruz.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amanda F., UK

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing stay at Santa Cruz
We stayed for a week at Jim’s amazing house and it was everything we could have wished for and more! The house was beautiful and so clean and comfortable and gave us absolutely pure relaxation, The location is perfect too. The view of the lagoon is outstanding and you can even see the ocean! Jim was very responsive to any questions and so obliging to any requests and super helpful whilst giving us total privacy. We really cannot rate this place highly enough! We can’t wait to be back! Thanks for everything Jim!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steve S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Loved it!
Great place to stay, loved the view! Thank you
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location, views, and friendly host
We had a great time in Santa Cruz. The property is a short walk to beach and has a great view of the lagoon. Host was very attentive and welcoming. Even got invited to their neighbors party!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Lagoon
Property was as advertised. Plenty room. Owner communication was very good
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melissa S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Wknd Get-Away!
Walking distance to all we needed for a tranquil 2-days away… left the large windows open (to enjoy the view) and it was still very private… beds were delightfully comfy, firm yet soft. James was extremely helpful with his (local) recommendations, much appreciated! We will definitely return for another stay when we have the chance.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura K., Berkeley, CA

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing view, short walk to beach
This was a great spot for our short Santa Cruz getaway. The big picture windows overlook a lake that is the home of hundreds of cormorants (and a few egrets) and you can bird watch to your heart's content right from the living room. The beds were very comfy, and the kitchen has everything you'd need. We appreciated the good reading lights, and there is a small but well curated collection of literature. Jim was very friendly and responsive to our requests. You can walk to the beach in just a couple of minutes, and there are restaurants very close by.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bob T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place
Perfect for a weekend. Great location, clean, plenty of room. Jim is a great host
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023