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Gated Beach Front Retreat - Remodeled on 1.5 Acres Just Steps to the Beach

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Welcome to Villa Margarita!
Upper deck
Secluded 2-level deck with beach view is perfect for outdoor entertaining
Exterior
1400 sq. ft. of deck for outdoor living and entertaining

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 8232.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Air conditioning
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
La Selva Beach, CA
  • La Selva Beach
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Seascape Golf Club
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Rio Del Mar Beach
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal)
    ‪14 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Blue View Room

1 Queen Bed

Sangria Suite

1 Queen Bed

Sunset Suite

1 Queen Bed

Surfer's Cove

1 Double Bed

4 bathrooms

Blue View En Suite

Toilet · Shower only

Main Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Sangria En Suite

Toilet · Shower only

Sunset En Suite

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Gated Beach Front Retreat - Remodeled on 1.5 Acres Just Steps to the Beach

Nestled on a lush hillside with stunning ocean views, Villa Margarita is an extraordinary 4 bedroom, 4 bath gated seaside home located on 1.5 acres just steps from the beach. This tranquil 2,500 sq. ft. retreat, completely remodeled in 2019, offers unparalleled privacy yet is just a 3 minute stroll to the sand and outdoor activities. The stunning two-level wrap-around deck offers an additional 1,400 sq. ft. of outdoor living space. You'll be captivated as you see and hear the ocean from almost every room of this inviting and unique luxury home...designed to be your family's perfect seaside sanctuary.

Once you settle in at Villa Margarita you can spend your day relaxing on the pristine beach or decks, running or surfing along the expansive shoreline, or exploring nearby parks and trails. In the evening you can gather at the dining table that seats up to 10 in the airy kitchen featuring brand new LG stainless steel appliances, custom quartz countertops, a 7 ft. island and 55" flat screen Samsung LED TV. Or you may prefer to watch the sun set over the ocean as you dine on the upper deck, a 234 sq. ft. vantage point surrounded by trees and nature.

Entertain family and friends with movie night at Villa Margarita as the living room transforms into a home theatre with a projector featuring a remote controlled 150" drop down screen and surround sound. Create a cozy atmosphere with the sleek gas fireplace, or liven the room with a colorful spectrum of remote controlled LED lighting.

Bedroom 1: The Blue View Room, located on the upper level, features an ocean view with a sliding glass door to the deck. With tranquil blue walls, a queen bed, cedar-lined built-in closets and en-suite bathroom with a natural stone shower, it exudes a relaxing coastal vibe.

Bedroom 2: The Sangria Suite, located on the upper level off of the kitchen features a vaulted ceiling, ceiling speakers and two large windows overlooking the lush hillside and trees. With serene green walls, a queen bed, and a large closet, this bedroom includes an en-suite private bathroom with a large shower, and a small private patio.

Bedroom 3: The Surfer's Cove, quietly situated on the lower level, is the perfect place to unwind after a day at the beach. Featuring a private entrance to the lower deck, this bedroom offers a full size bed, a 43" flat screen LED TV and ceiling speakers. Though smaller in size, this room is big on California cool!

Bedroom 4: Step into the Sunset Suite, a spacious bedroom featuring an ocean view, queen bed, walk-in closet, ceiling speakers and a 400 sq. ft. private deck with stairs descending toward the beach. Decorated in calming neutral tones, this lower level master bedroom offers an en-suite with double sinks, quartz countertops, custom designed shower and a luxurious soaking bathtub.

La Selva Beach:
Villa Margarita is located in La Selva Beach just off Highway 1, an iconic West Coast drive. The palm trees lining Playa Blvd. give you a warm welcome as you enter into this quaint coastal community. In case you are curious, "La Selva" means "the jungle" in Spanish, a fitting description as lush green plants, trees and colorful flowers flourish, and birds abound along the pristine coastline.

Though mainly residential, La Selva Beach offers local conveniences, including El Patio Grocery, a 10 minute walk from Villa Margarita, as well as a recreation center with outdoor basketball court and playground.

Nearby Towns & Attractions:
La Selva Beach is 5 mile drive south of Aptos Village, featuring upscale boutiques & dining, and 8 miles to Capitola , the Pacific coast's oldest seaside resort town offering over 70 restaurants and shops.

Santa Cruz, the birthplace of mainland surfing in the United State, is a 14 mile drive north. You can stroll along the legendary Boardwalk, or ride the famous Looff Carousel, or the Big Dipper, a 90 year old vintage wooden roller coaster.

Monterey, 35 miles south of La Selva Beach, offers casual, tourist-friendly shops and restaurants, and attractions including the Monterey Bay Aquarium and The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

The historic beauty of Carmel-By-The-Sea is a 35 mile drive down the coast, situated next to the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links and 17-Mile Drive.

With over 14 state parks & beaches, and 29 miles of coastline in Santa Cruz County, you can swim, surf, hike, bike, shop or find your own sun-filled adventure. Exploring starts just outside your door at Villa Margarita!

Property manager

Jilka Pollack

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Safety supervision of children near retaining wall
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Events

No events allowed
Quiet hours are 10 PM-8 AM per county regulations.
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking of any kind is not permitted on property
Please remove sand from shoes, towels and clothing before entering the home. Candles and fireworks are not permitted on property.
Potential renters must correspond with owner prior to booking. Please contact owner for actual dates of availability as calendar may not be current.
Pets are not permitted. Anyone who brings a pet will be charged an additional $800 per night plus an additional $1,000 cleaning fee.

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: Quiet hours are 10 PM-8 AM per county regulations.
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 recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Watsonville

Located in Watsonville, this holiday home is on the beach. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Capitola Beach and Monterey Bay. Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds and Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
La Selva Beach, CA

What's nearby

  • La Selva Beach - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Manresa State Beach - 6 min drive - 1.6 km
  • Seascape Golf Club - 7 min drive - 5.4 km
  • Rio Del Mar Beach - 9 min drive - 8.9 km
  • Seacliff State Beach - 18 min drive - 10.8 km

Getting around

  • Gilroy Station - 38 min drive
  • Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) - 14 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪The Hideout - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Venus Pie Trap - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Sanderlings Restaurant - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Aptos St BBQ - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Gated Beach Front Retreat - Remodeled on 1.5 Acres Just Steps to the Beach pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Gated Beach Front Retreat - Remodeled on 1.5 Acres Just Steps to the Beach?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Gated Beach Front Retreat - Remodeled on 1.5 Acres Just Steps to the Beach?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Gated Beach Front Retreat - Remodeled on 1.5 Acres Just Steps to the Beach located?

Nestled on the beach, this Watsonville holiday home is just steps away from Beer Can Beach and La Selva Beach. Manresa State Beach and Rio Del Mar Beach are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 21 out of 21 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 21 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Lynn M. M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Large home with lovely beach views and lots of privacy!

This was a multigenerational stay and we enjoyed it very much. The house was well stocked with dishes, knives, spices, towels and toiletries. The welcome basket was an extra nice touch! We used the path to get to the beach for nice walks. The deck is lovely for enjoying the view. Lots of privacy and security with the gated entrance. We will recommend this house to others!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

bill p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stay at la selva beach

This was a family vacation at the beach, and everything was perfect. We love the house and the views, and you can’t beat the Monterey Bay for the variety of amazing activities. The house has everything, and we enjoyed the overhead projector to watch sports. We had fires on the beach and fires outside at the house. The beach is very uncrowded and gorgeous and just a short 2 min walk from the front door
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Vacation at Villa Margarita

My family thoroughly enjoyed our six-night stay at Villa Margarita. The house was well equipped; we had everything we needed. My family especially enjoyed the short walk to the beach, the outdoor fire pit and games, and our youngest family members enjoyed exploring the secluded and secure property around the house. I have rented several vacation houses through the years. Villa Margarita is one of the nicest houses we’ve stayed in and Jilka was, by far, the nicest and most responsive property owner I’ve communicated with before and during a vacation stay. I would definitely rent Villa Margarita again.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Adam B., Fresno

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

La Selva Beach House

This house was just as advertised! The kitchen was well stocked if you want to make meals at the house. The short walk to the beach is well maintained (not a busy part of the beach either). The upper and lower decks have an ocean view if you just want to hang out. We have stayed at many homes between La Selva and Aptos and this one ranks with the best.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hilary S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Villa Margarita - June 2023

Beautiful home with great access to the beach. Super clean, spacious, kitchen had all the things needed for cooking meals at home. Lots of special touches: welcome basket, owner checked in with us and was available for any issues (none), beds and bedding were top notch, plenty of towels, beach towels, boogie boards, beach chairs available for use, binder with recommendations for eating out and grocery shopping, and the great movie/family room with large projector screen was terrific and we had multiple movie nights. Our 5 teenagers had a blast, lots of space to explore, walk to the corner market, and get to the beach in minutes. Top notch home and experience.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer M., Santa Cruz, Ca

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Family Getaway

Our family enjoyed our stay very much. We had three generations there and were very comfortable. Jilka was very responsive to questions and easy to communicate with. Hope to come back to this very cool spot!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

mohan g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place and experience

The place is exactly as described and the hosts, Jilka and Grant, are exceptional. They are very responsive and really want their guests to enjoy the stay. The house was perfect for us ( 5 adults and 2 kids under age five ) and was well stocked with essentials and a lovely welcome goody bag. The beach was beautiful but does require navigating some steps to get to it. By all means, book a stay there for a lovely relaxing stay.. Thank you, Jilka and Grant, we had a great time.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nick H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beach House

Amazing place on the beach! We love it!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Second Stay

Lovely return visit to ideal location. Jilka was very responsive to questions and eager to make sure we had an enjoyable stay. Waves and weather were perfect :)
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Katharine C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great home away from home on the beach!

The property had everything my family needed to enjoy a week away - fully stocked kitchen, fun board games, beach gear for use - and a beautifully updated home that allowed for amazing ocean views throughout. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jeanette E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect quiet beach getaway with family

This house has everything I love about a cabin in the mountains (fire pit, wooded area, quiet, deer!) and the beach (just a short walk away!) rolled into one. The hosts were thoughtful about all the details and they were very communicative if we had questions about the area. My kids really enjoyed the big projector screen for family movie nights. Our whole family enjoyed cooking together in the upgraded kitchen and eating on the balcony while watching dolphins swim past every night. The house is gated and the beach is private to the community so it was never crowded, even on the weekend. We so enjoyed the quietness of the property. Absolutely nothing negative to say — it was perfect in every way. We miss it already and would definitely go back.
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

PETER A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house; great location.

Only good things to say. Perfect location on the beach. Great walking path. Kitchen was incredibly well stocked. Beds were very comfortable. Enjoyed the large movie screen, fire pit, surfboards, beach chairs, etc. Great spot for family reunion!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent vacation

Beautiful, spacious house in a perfect location for our family. Very clean and comfortable with well stocked kitchen. Proximity to beach was perfect. Not too close and not too far. Easy walk down even with paddle board and surf boards in hand. View of the ocean and surrounding eucalyptus and pine tress was so relaxing and restoring. Owners were immediately available by phone/text when we had questions. Highly recommend and hope to return!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Andrea H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

This property is just like the pictures but even better in person!! The owner is great to work with

It was the perfect house and location to gather our family to celebrate my husband’s birthday. The owner was super responsive and easy to work with. The property is well appointed with everything we needed!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The perfect escape

My family spent a week at Villa Margarita after Christmas. Jilka and Grant were gracious hosts. The home was a perfect place to relax with our family of 5. We spent our days on the beach boogie boarding and surfing, and evenings by the fire pit after cooking dinner. The huge projector TV was also a big hit! Thank you Jilka for opening your home to us!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Nora D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Setting for Relaxation & Connection

This was a perfect place to stay to connect with our family during the pandemic. Such a beautiful view of the beach and easy access, away from crowds. We brought wetsuits and had a blast using the boogie boards. The weather was so perfect that we were able to enjoy many sunsets from the deck. The kitchen was a joy to use and everyone fit well around the table for our Thanksgiving meal. One thing to note, if you'd like to prepare coffee that's not Keurig, you'll need to provide your own method. Other than that we had everything that we needed. Thanks so much Jilka!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Diana M., LA PINE

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

R & R 2020

This was by far the best Vacation for me to date. The house was beautiful, clean and so important it was comfortable. We felt a million miles away from chaos. Instacart was the ticket.... more time to enjoy the beach. I can’t wait for our next Staycation. Jilka thank you for sharing your home 😊
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Exactly as described

We had a wonderful time recently staying at Jilka & Grant's home. Everything was immaculate and looked exactly like the photos. The view was actually even a little better than expected! The beach was fun and not at all crowded. Although too cold for us to swim (we did see others swimming) we had a great time building sand castles and finding shells. In the evenings we sat around their wood burning fire pit. Our firepit at home is gas, so the smell of a real wood burning fire was great. The evenings were really special sitting in a circle around the fire with our family. We would definitely go back again and again. Jilka was amazing to work with. She was extremely conscientious, answered my texts within seconds and was very generous in helping us in many ways. All in all, it was a great get-a-way, and we hope to return soon. Thank you so much Jilka & Grant!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Cathy H., Los Altos, CA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful home on coast

Every amenity was thought out with care, home is comfortable and private, beds were great, kitchen was perfect for family gathering, lots of space to spread out on decks in fog and sun, beautiful home with very attentive and available owner.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Lisa F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ideal escape from the city!

Considering the many restrictions on travel and recreation for Summer 2020, my family of four set out to find a place where we could safely and comfortably relax and enjoy the great outdoors with friends. We wanted beach access without crowds, hiking without heat (and crowds), and accommodations spacious enough for two families to share. Villa Margarita was such a perfect fit, I thought at first that I must have dreamt it up. Nestled in a gated corner of a charming seaside neighborhood, this sprawling property offers privacy, security, easy beach access, proximity to walking paths, hiking trails, and parks, and plenty of room to spread out. The kitchen, grill, and decks were perfect for preparing both large meals and picnics for the beach. There was plenty of room for the kids to run around outside for hours, or play inside with the many amusements provided. Our group looked forward to days full of adventure on the beach and trails, and evenings spent relaxing in front of the fire with puzzles and board games. The projection screen in the living room was a huge hit, and made for many memorable movie nights. The only dilemma was whether to look at the screen or the gorgeous ocean view on display in the same room! Our hosts were kind and helpful and I really believe that they wanted us to have a terrific vacation. Their attention to detail meant that we had everything we needed to fully enjoy the property and local attractions. Their home has recently been thoughtfully and beautifully renovated, clearly with maximum comfort and relaxation in mind. We appreciated the comfortable beds, ample closet and drawer space, wrap around decks, oversized kitchen and living room furniture, and the huge washer-dryer set! Our hosts provided more than enough supplies for the beach, kitchen, and bathrooms, and they were available by phone or text as needed. Coming from Los Angeles, this part really thrilled us: the wildlife! From the house and decks, we frequently saw deer grazing outside, also rabbits, squirrels, and so many birds. At the beach, we saw dolphins, jellyfish, crabs, pelicans, and sandpipers. On hiking outings, we enjoyed finding wild blackberries, huge trees, wildflowers, lizards, snakes (only a couple), and even a pig! Part of me wants to erase what I've just written and keep this place a secret for my family, but it's really too wonderful not to share. Go and reconnect with nature, your family, your friends, and yourself! Enjoy!
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Michael H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rio Del Mar

Great house in an incredible location!

About the host

Hosted by Jilka Pollack

Host profile image

Languages:

English