Entire home

Bright and Colorful - Family Friendly! Short walk to the Best Beaches in Town!

Photo gallery for Bright and Colorful - Family Friendly! Short walk to the Best Beaches in Town!

Beach nearby, sun loungers, beach umbrellas, beach towels
Exterior
1 bedroom, free WiFi, bed sheets
Smart TV, fireplace, video games, DVD player
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Reviews
10

Exceptional

Entire home

1 bedroom2 bathrooms1320 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • DryerDryerDryer
  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Outdoor SpaceOutdoor SpaceOutdoor Space

Explore the area

Map
Santa Cruz, CA
  • Popular LocationSunny Cove Beach8 min walk
  • Popular LocationSanta Cruz Beach Boardwalk6 min drive
  • Popular LocationSanta Cruz Wharf6 min drive
  • AirportSan Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)46 min drive

About this property

Entire place

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

Bright and Colorful - Family Friendly! Short walk to the Best Beaches in Town!

You will be “Walkin’ on Sunshine” anywhere you go in this delightful Santa Cruz home. The bright and colorful, newly redecorated 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath home sleeps 7 (plus 1 more child on the folding cushion bed). The house is centrally located on 14th Ave. in Santa Cruz, just a short walk down the street to the 14th Avenue Beach (Blacks Beach) entrance to Twin Lakes State Beach.

These are the nicest, warmest beaches in Monterey Bay, with perfect sand, great boogie boarding, and fire pits for nighttime gatherings. Near the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor and the famous Crow’s Nest restaurant, you can rent kayaks or stand-up paddle boards or relax and watch the sailboat races on Wednesday afternoons.

The smoke-free, family friendly, house is fully furnished in seaside décor with all the amenities to make your stay comfortable and relaxing. Kick your feet up and enjoy your morning coffee and catch some rays up on the sunny second story deck. Unwind in the evening sitting on the large sofa in front of the big-screen TV and the cozy gas fireplace. Enjoy your favorite tunes or connect to the web with high-speed Wi-Fi.

Sleep in comfort in the serene downstairs bedroom, decorated in peaceful décor, with a luxurious queen bed and flat screen TV. The upstairs bedroom has a full size bed, a private bathroom and access to the wraparound deck. The kids will love the third bedroom that includes bunk beds (with a trundle and small seats that fold out into sleeping cushions), another big flat screen TV, and a Wii video game system.

The kitchen is fully equipped with granite countertops, gas stove, French door refrigerator, and dishwasher. Plates, glasses, cooking and eating utensils are provided. There is a separate laundry room with front loading washer and dryer.

Guests will also enjoy the large, private backyard with room for the kids to run or play on the play structure with swings. You will love relaxing on the hammock under the palm trees, and the large patio with the gas grill. No need to pack sand buckets, shovels, boogie boards or beach umbrella as we provide all of that for you, including a few small wetsuits. There is even a wagon to help you bring all of your stuff to the beach.

Just a 5 minute drive to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and 10 minutes to the adorable beach town of Capitola. There are also plenty of local surf spots.

This is a great home for families in a residential neighborhood. It is not a party house.

Our location is just 45 minutes from Carmel and Monterey, 45 minutes from San Jose International Airport and just over an hour from San Francisco Airport.

This house is completely non-smoking. Sorry, no pets are allowed.*

*Pleaese note that the owner does have a dog that sometimes joins us at the home, so we don't recommend anyone with pet alergies books this home.


Keywords: Beach, Beach House, Cute, Twin Lakes, Live Oak, Live, Oak, Santa Cruz, harbor, Yacht Harbor, boardwalk, wharf to wharf, blues festival, wharf, ocean, waves, surfing, boogie boarding, sand, sunshine, bright, colorful, family, kids, relax, deck, BBQ, grill, hammock, Capitola, near beach, Seabright,

Property manager

Donna

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels
  • Beach umbrellas

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

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

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo
  • Video games
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Garden
  • Gas grill

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby
  • Washer/dryer

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • Near a hospital
  • Near the marina

Things to do

  • Water park on site
  • Water sports equipment on site
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park 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

  • 1 unit
  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,320 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 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 not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Adhere to the guidelines in rental agreement
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Santa Cruz

This vacation home is located in Eastside Santa Cruz, a neighborhood in Santa Cruz, and is near theme parks and near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Capitola Beach and Monterey Bay, while Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Roaring Camp Railroads are popular area attractions. Traveling with kids? Consider Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History and Boardwalk Bowl. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Twin Lakes State Beach - 1 min walk
  • Sunny Cove Beach - 8 min walk
  • Ocean Street - 4 min drive
  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - 6 min drive
  • Santa Cruz Wharf - 6 min drive

Getting around

  • Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) - 24 min drive

Restaurants

  • Crow's Nest Restaurant - 18 min walk
  • Oak & Ale - 2 min drive
  • Peoples Coffee - 14 min walk
  • Starbucks - 7 min walk
  • Brady's Yacht Club - 4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Bright and Colorful - Family Friendly! Short walk to the Best Beaches in Town! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Bright and Colorful - Family Friendly! Short walk to the Best Beaches in Town!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Bright and Colorful - Family Friendly! Short walk to the Best Beaches in Town!?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Bright and Colorful - Family Friendly! Short walk to the Best Beaches in Town! located?

This family-friendly Santa Cruz vacation home is located near the beach, within a 10-minute walk of Twin Lakes State Beach, Lincoln Beach, and Sunny Cove Beach. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Capitola Beach are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 185 out of 198 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 198 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 198 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 198 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 198 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Caroline P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Exactly What You and Your Family Need in Santa Cruz
My family and I (myself, husband, parents, children (3.5 and 1.5) just spent 5 nights here. We cannot say enough wonderful things about this property from the house itself and the kitchen amenities to the backyard with the swing set and the grill/patio. We were very happy with the neighborhood- walking distance from the beach, close to market and food, as well as the famers market held in the shopping center nearby on Sundays. It also is a short drive to the Santa Cruz boardwalk and in a convenient location to highways and roads to go to Monterey/Carmel. Traveling with small children is always very daunting but this house was perfect with the backyard keeping them entertained and it is well maintained and also fenced in. The house was well stocked- towels, kitchen accessories etc. We also found the washer/dryer to be an added bonus and very useful in case it was needed. There is always room for improvement (although it was not much)- we found the floors could be cleaned a little better by their cleaning service and there was an awkward step leading to one of the bedrooms and the upstairs room that was not marked so just be careful. Would we stay here again? ABSOLUTELY! This house is perfectly sized for 6 guests and is exactly what you need as a home base and a place to stay to enjoy your vacation! Thank you to the owners for thinking of the small details and making your guests feel at home and comfortable. THANK YOU!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lori J., Lewes

Liked: Cleanliness
Very happy!
Wonderful location and owner was very helpful when we had questions. It’s a peaceful neighborhood and easy walk to the beach.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

janeenandjerry c., Santa Rosa, CA

Liked: Cleanliness
Our home away from home
We love this home's location, beach nearby and great backyard to play in with our grandkids!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leighton and Liz T., Harbor Springs

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location!
Our family really enjoyed this home and location. So much so that we tried to stay longer! The back yard is completely fenced in as well, so would be really great for anyone with small children. The beds were very comfortable, and the house has everything you would need for a comfortable stay. We didn’t use the grill, but it’s a nice addition for a backyard hang session. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan P., california

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Santa Cruz home!
The house was very clean and well designed for functionality and comfort. It was the perfect size for our group (1 grandparent, 2 parents, and 2 children - tween and teen). It was spacious inside and had a lovely back yard. The beds were very comfortable. The kitchen was well stocked with cookware and had modern appliances. We would very happily stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

janeenandjerry c., Santa Rosa, CA

Liked: Cleanliness
To play with the grand kids
Wonderful weather! Great visits with our family! Beach walks, farmers market and the great neighborhood vibe!
Stayed 11 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rita A., Hamilton, Mt

Liked: Cleanliness
Fun on the beach
Wonderful neighborhood. Quite, spacious, close to the beach, and the home offered everything you could hope for including boogie boards for body surfing. The large backyard, with umbrella tables offered a relaxing place to unwind after a day full of fun.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dana D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Always the best
This is our fourth time staying at this property and it has officially become a family tradition to go here each year. The house is beautiful, clean, and perfectly accommodates what we need for our family. They have everything that you could possibly need access to and it always makes everything so seamless. The owners are so kind and always super quick to respond if you have a question. We went here the first time when my younger son turned 1 to celebrate his birthday, and we were having so much fun looking at pictures over the years of them playing at this house. I really can't say enough good things about this place and the family that rents it out. We can't wait to go back again next year!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rae B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay! Tons of space
Everyone had a place to sleep, the place had all the cooking stuff you could possibly need, and the backyard is huge! Right down the street from Twin lakes Beach and in close proximity to grocery and restaurants. It was a perfect reunion house for 6 30+ year olds reminiscing about our younger days living in Santa Cruz
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jami L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beach trip with grandkids
Great trip! House conveniently located for east beach access and access to all the Santa Cruz hot spots
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Richard H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Walking on Sunshine totally fits
Sunshine was our homebase for family and friends to gather to celebrate our UCSC graduate. Incredibly well equiped, great outdoor space for entertaining, centrally located, would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Steven K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Santa Cruz
Stay was fine and host very responsive. Only potential issue is that the upstairs bedroom had steep steps down and was somewhat more like a loft than stand alone bedroom
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lauren D., Macomb, MI

Liked: Cleanliness
Fam Vaca
Great house to host our family vaca! Kids loved the backyard and house was very clean and had everything we needed!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

HANNAH G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy Beach House
We had such a wonderful stay at this home. It felt cozy and homey from the moment we walked in! The kitchen was well stocked with dishes/pots and pans and the rooms were all comfortable and clean. We loved the 7 minute walk to the beach and enjoyed going each day!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Briana H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fun family experience
Clean, nice, and home-y! Loved our stay and our children did too. Thank you for a nice weekend!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bethany G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Just bring your clothes and toothbrush!
My favorite thing about this place was everything that came included for our use: wetsuits and boogie boards for my 8- and 10-year-old sons, beach toys and buckets, 5 beach chairs, Wii with tons of games, batteries of all kinds, books, games, tape, Sharpies, spices, condiments, lots of throw blankets, paper cups, tons of toilet paper, shampoo, etc. Any time I needed something, it was already provided. I especially loved not having to bring our own beach stuff! They seemed to think of everything! It was a great stay!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

Katie C.

Great location
We loved the size of the house and how accommodating us was for our family. The location was amazing! Very close to beautiful beaches and wonderful food. We really enjoyed our stay and plan on returning.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

janeenandjerry c., Santa Rosa, CA

Liked: Cleanliness
To visit our children and grandkids
Another wonderful stay at "Sunshine" Thank you Mike & Donna!
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anne P., Reno, NV

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Getaway!
We booked this house for a gymnastics competition that also coincided with my son’s 12th birthday. House was perfect for our family unit and his best friend. Close to everything including the competition, Mystery Spot, and Henry Cowell redwood state park. Weather wasn’t amazing for the beach -it’s March!- but we could walk to the water in short order so I’m looking forward to coming back during beach season! We had a lovely time. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Samantha C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing!
We had such a fun time at this place. Our kiddos ended up calling it the “yellow house” and on our way home that’s all they asked about. It was so cute and perfect for our little family. The kids LOVED all the toys and playground in the back. I felt like it was cozy but for sure plenty of space. We will definitely come back in the future!! Thanks Donna and Mike!!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Daniel S., Sunapee NH

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent stay
A very attractive house in a quiet neighborhood 2 blocks from the beach. The bedrooms are a bit small but the living room, dining room, and kitchen are spacious.The kitchen is extremely well equipped and there is much beach equipment available. There is a lock with a code so check-in is no problem. We very much enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jesse B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great House/Great Location/Great Destination
My family and I really enjoyed our stay. The house is great and the location is perfect. It is a short walk to a very nice beach and it was easy to get to-from the places we visited while in Santa Cruz. We’re already considering a return trip!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

david r., Novato, CA

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful
Wonderful property in a great location. Perfect for a weekend away with family!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dana D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Home away from home
This is our third time staying at this property and we absolutely love it. The location is perfect and so is the house. I loved the updates to the guest bathroom as well! It's so close to the beach, has a great backyard for the kids, and is a short drive to the boardwalk and downtown Capitola. When I was having an issue with the door lock, Mike picked up the phone right away and got the lock reset. My kids love coming here and we can't wait to be back again next year. Thank you as always for a wonderful stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Andrew W., San Diego

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely place for kids, walkable to beach!
The house is very kid-friendly with games inside and out and a small play structure with swings in the backyard. We’d happily come back!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022