Entire home

California Dreamin'-BEACHFRONT 3BR 2.5BA 3-Level Townhome w/Direct Beach Access!

Photo gallery for California Dreamin'-BEACHFRONT 3BR 2.5BA 3-Level Townhome w/Direct Beach Access!

Imagine yourself here...your home away from home at the beach!
Welcoming Front Entrance on Top Floor
Place De Mer Townhomes From Beach...We are The 3rd Home From The Left
Place De Mer...Welcome To Our Backyard!
Place de Mer & South Beach View

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 8125.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Watsonville, CA
  • Manresa State Beach
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • La Selva Beach
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • Rio Del Mar Beach
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal)
    ‪15 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Double Beds

Bedroom 3

2 Queen Beds

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Lower Floor

Toilet · Shower only

Middle Floor

Toilet

Top Floor

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

California Dreamin'-BEACHFRONT 3BR 2.5BA 3-Level Townhome w/Direct Beach Access!

WELCOME TO CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'-SCCO PERMIT #211157

Discover the beauty & tranquility of the Santa Cruz Coast in our 3 BR, 2.5 BA beachfront retreat with breathtaking ocean views & direct beach access in La Selva Beach; a beautiful stretch of coastline where you can walk or run for miles & a popular surf spot where dolphins & surfers share the waves! View sea life, soak up the sun, & prepare delicious grilled meals on our oceanfront deck w/ panoramic views! Come discover why we fell in love with this magical place many years ago!

SUITABLE FOR A MAXIMUM OF 8 TOTAL GUESTS (REGARDLESS OF AGE), your home-away-from-home includes:
-5 beds in 3 bedrooms (king & 2 fulls on top floor & 2 queens on bottom floor)
-2 full bathrooms (on top & bottom floors, clothes washer & dryer are also in the bottom floor bathroom). Half bathroom on middle floor
-Middle floor gathering space with a well-equipped kitchen, comfortable living area with a leather sectional sofa & electric fireplace, dining area with seating for 8 plus 3 additional counter stools, a half bathroom and a picturesque oceanfront deck with panoramic views, a gas grill, a dining table with seating for 4 and 3 chaise lounge chairs...perfect for reading, viewing the talented surfers & the abundant sea life (dolphins, whales, seals & otters are a common sight!), bird watching, sunbathing, grilling & dining al fresco!
-Direct beach access from bottom floor bedroom, via a wooden “catwalk”, shared by our neighboring units
-Driveway & main entrance on top floor
-Please be aware that our home has 28 indoor stairs between the 3 levels and there are steps down to the beach as well. If you have mobility limitations and/or are traveling with young children, this may be a concern for you.

We are in close proximity to the lively & fun towns of Capitola & Santa Cruz, but are far enough away from the crowds...the perfect location for both an active and a relaxing coastal getaway! Many guests enjoy day trips to Monterey & Carmel and nearby Moss Landing offers fantastic fresh seafood (right off the fishing boats!) and awesome whale watching charters! We graciously invite respectful & responsible guests to share our little slice of heaven and enjoy all that California Dreamin' has to offer!

A FEW IMPORTANT NOTABLES BEFORE YOU REQUEST TO BOOK:

-While we absolutely want you to have the best experience possible at California Dreamin', we do have the expectation that our guests will be conscientious & responsible and will take great care of our home. We take tremendous pride in our home and strive to keep it in excellent condition for our own family and guests. We ask that you please remember that, while you are on vacation, you are also a guest in our home.

-PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN BEACH TOWELS

-We kindly request that guests not wear outdoor shoes in our home (indoor slippers are perfectly fine). This helps immensely with keeping our carpeted areas clean between our biannual professional carpet cleaning appointments and is greatly appreciated.

*WE PROMISE THAT OUR INCREDIBLE LOCATION & VIEWS, AND COMFORTABLE & THOUGHTFUL ACCOMMODATIONS WILL MAKE UP FOR THESE SMALL INCONVENIENCES!

-PLEASE INCLUDE A NOTE WITH A BRIEF INTRODUCTION, THE # OF GUESTS IN YOUR PARTY, YOUR REASON FOR VISITING & ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE US TO KNOW ABOUT YOU WHEN SUBMITTING A RESERVATION REQUEST.
*Hosts reserve the right to decline any booking request if we don't feel that it's a good fit for our home

THE DETAILS:
*3 Levels (total of 28 stairs connecting them)

*Top floor:
Entrance
Bedroom: king bed, Xfinity/FireTV, heater & ceiling fan
Bedroom: 2 full beds, Xfinity/FireTV, heater & ceiling fan
Full bath w/combo tub/shower

*Middle floor:
Gathering Space with fully-equipped kitchen, dining & living areas w/gas fireplace, Xfinity/FireTV & ceiling fan
Half bath
Oceanfront deck w/gas grill, dining table with seating for 4 & 3 chaise lounges

*Bottom floor:
Bedroom w/2 queen beds, optional privacy curtain, heater & ceiling fan
Full bath w/shower, washer & dryer
Beach gear (beach chairs, boogie boards, skim boards, surf board, sand toys & fishing poles)
Direct beach access

*A generous starter supply of toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, dishwasher pods & laundry supplies are provided.

*Dishwashing liquid, bathroom hand soap, shampoo/conditioner & body wash are provided. We attempt to keep these full, but cannot make guarantees of this.

*All bed linens, kitchen dish towels, a set of 8 bath towels & washcloths, and 1 bath floor mat & 1 bathroom hand towel (per bathroom) are provided. Towels are for indoor use only. Guests provide their own beach towels.

*An assortment of games & puzzles (located in the lower portion of our wine glass cabinet), binoculars & a telescope are provided for your enjoyment.

*Security cameras: For our protection and yours, we have 2 outdoor security cameras on premises (near our front entrance & on the downstairs catwalk), as do most homes in our complex. These cameras may not be covered, unplugged, repositioned or tampered with in any way. Please be assured that there are no cameras on the middle floor deck or indoors & your privacy is respected. We fully comply with Airbnb & VRBO’s policy on surveillance devices. If you take issue with this, then California Dreamin’ is not an appropriate property for you

RULES & EXPECTATIONS: Please review prior to requesting a booking

-Guests provide their own beach towels

-No pets allowed, No exceptions, due to host’s severe allergies & HOA Rules (this includes service & emotional support animals)

-No smoking/vaping/drugs/illegal activities (this includes indoors, on our deck, on the catwalk and near our front entrance)

-No parties/events/large gatherings that exceed our maximum guest allowance (8 overnight, 10 at any given time).

-STRICT MAXIMUM OF 8 TOTAL OVERNIGHT GUESTS (regardless of age, this includes babies & children). If you have visitors, guest count may not exceed 10, including overnight guests

-No campers, RV's, Trailers allowed, per our HOA rules

-FIREWORKS, firepits, deep fryers, etc are strictly prohibited. Only BBQ grills provided by homeowners are allowed

-Recycling bins are provided at the South end of our complex (we are at the North end). Please dispose of all recyclables in these bins (HOA & county requirement).

-$500 security deposit required to ensure that you take excellent care of our home. This is a hold on your credit card and not an actual charge. This will be released after our housekeeper inspects our home & linens, within 5 days of departure.

-VRBO Host Fee = $325 cleaning & laundry fee, which is paid directly to our housekeeper + a $30 damage protection waiver. We do not profit in any way from this fee.

Property manager

Shelly Firebaugh
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
No pets...no exceptions, due to host's allergies &
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Guests are required to sign rental agreement. Host reserves the right to decline any booking request if guest is deemed to not be a good fit
No pets, No exceptions, due to host's severe allergies (this includes service & emotional support animals)
The maximum number of guests that are allowed is 8 people total, regardless of ages

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
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 and a first aid kit

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 near theme parks and on the beach. Mystery Spot is a notable landmark, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Capitola Beach and Monterey Bay. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Watsonville, CA

What's nearby

  • Manresa State Beach - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • La Selva Beach - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Seascape Golf Club - 8 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Rio Del Mar Beach - 13 min drive - 5.7 km
  • Seacliff State Beach - 18 min drive - 11.0 km

Getting around

  • Gilroy Station - 39 min drive
  • Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) - 15 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Beer Mule - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Corralitos Brewing Company - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪The Hideout - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Venus Pie Trap - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is California Dreamin'-BEACHFRONT 3BR 2.5BA 3-Level Townhome w/Direct Beach Access! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at California Dreamin'-BEACHFRONT 3BR 2.5BA 3-Level Townhome w/Direct Beach Access!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at California Dreamin'-BEACHFRONT 3BR 2.5BA 3-Level Townhome w/Direct Beach Access!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is California Dreamin'-BEACHFRONT 3BR 2.5BA 3-Level Townhome w/Direct Beach Access! located?

Nestled on the beach, this Watsonville holiday home is just steps away from Beer Can Beach and Manresa State Beach. La Selva Beach is 0.9 mi (1.5 km) away.

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. 85 out of 85 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 85 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 85 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 85 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 85 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jonna B.

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

Relaxing Getaway

Home is beautiful and well stocked. You can open up windows on any floor of the house and see, smell and listen to the ocean. Very relaxing and the hosts are very responsive and considerate. We look forward to coming back and staying again!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christine L.

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

Iconic California Views

We stayed here for a family holiday gathering. The views are amazing and the condo is so comfortable. The beach is just down the stairs and bonfires at happy hour makes it pretty darn perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nancy F.

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

Beautiful birthday beach bash!

Gals celebrating in an amazing home in a gorgeous setting. Perfect walking beach. Dolphins playing. Home is lovely with everything you need including fully equipped kitchen. Very organized and clean. Wonderful decor. Great communication with owners. Fantastic boutique shopping and restaurants in the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Elaine S.

California Dreamin relaxing

California Dreamin met all our needs, it was a very lovely beach house. The ocean views were amazing you could hear the waves day and night. The owners were very informative and easy to work with and always kept in contact. We will definitely book this beach house in the future. Thank you
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shelley F.

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

Making Lifelong Memories

We chose this location as our once a year trip with my mom and her lifetime friends ❤️ This has been one of the best vacations we have ever had! The home is AMAZING! Amenities are higher end but so comfortable! Everything you need is here, inside and outside! Clear guidance to access WIFI and instructions to utilize all of the thoughtful amenities. The beach and the views were better than we could have imagined. Spending the night on the beach watching the sunset is something we will never forget. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us, far exceeded our expectations! We will be repeat customers!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie D.

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

Great time!

The house is so comfortable. We always have a great time when we come down for annual trip! Thank you for sharing your home
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Meredith S.

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

Gorgeous home and unbeatable experience!

This is a beautiful home away from home. It sits right on the beach and offers unmatched peace and tranquility. Our children and their spouses joined us to celebrate our anniversary and have some much needed time together. Shelly was wonderful to work with. Thank you for sharing your home with us!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Teresa D.

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

Wonderful stay

Beautiful home
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie K.

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

Hidden gem

Wonderful beachfront property that is clean, spacious, and well appointed with everything you would need down to beach toys, fully supplied kitchen and comfortable beds and furniture. Hosts very prompt with response to any inquiries. Will be returning! Thank you for a memorable vacation property.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Mark/Irene B.

High school graduation in a beach house

We had a wonderful stay to celebrate our daughter’s high school graduation. Gorgeous house, very clean and beautifully decorated. Hosts were wonderful and attentive. Thank you Bret and and Shelly, we will be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Alexander M.

Amazing Experience!

I hesitate to write this review because I want this place to be available whenever we want to use it! It's terrible. You'll hate it here. Go somewhere else! KIDDING. What a hidden gem in an oft-overlooked part of the Northern Coast. The place was spotless, beautiful, and so charming. The hosts were responsive and so thoughtful. They even had someone hand deliver a locally baked pie and hand-churned ice cream from their favorite spots. I couldn't recommend this place more highly.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Alexander M.

Spoiled!

We enjoyed every second, the views are unbeatable and the house is thoughtfully stocked. Bret and Shelly were easy to communicate with and we felt right at home! There is just something magical about being right on the water!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Deanna B.

Beachfront Retreat

Our girls weekend at California Dreamin could not have been better! This wonderful home directly on the beach had everything we needed to make our stay perfect. The view was incredible, beds were comfortable, kitchen was fully stocked & well equipped, and the front door parking was extremely convenient. Beach inspired decor throughout was tasteful and fun and the layout of the home worked very well for our group of 6 women. We had plenty of space inside and on the deck. We enjoyed beautiful weather with walks on the beach and on rainy days took advantage of a great selection of games, puzzles, books, and the binoculars that were provided by our hosts. There were also sand chairs, boogie boards, umbrellas and toys for spending a day on the beach. It’s very apparent Shelly & Brett take great pride in California Dreamin and the comfort of their guests, I highly recommend staying here and hope to return soon!

10/10 Excellent

Luther H.

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

Great locations

As long as stairs aren't a problem for anyone in your group the location has all the amenities and is prime location. The enclosed balcony really seems to trap the ocean sound making it a constant majestic symphony of sound. Love the place.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

teresa s.

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

Perfect ocean getaway!

We enjoyed our stay so much! This home has it all and the best location! Clean, comfortable and lots of extras. We loved having access to boogie boards beach chairs and beach toys. Hosts are kind and responsive. We can’t wait to come back!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan O.

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

Girls trip

My nieces ,best friend and I had great visit, lots of laughs and good food and of course lots of shopping
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Diane W.

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

Beautiful beach front town house

We, four high school friends, who chose to spend our 70th birthday celebration here. The views are simply stunning and the home has every amenity you need during your vacation. It is an excellent choice for a relaxing home base after spending the day enjoying Watsonville, Monterey and Capitola. The list of don’ts seemed a little daunting but we treated it like our home so it was no issue for us. There are 28 stairs which were somewhat difficult if you are little elderly with knee/leg issues. Overall, I highly recommend California Dreaming ❣️
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Gary O.

Another great trip to Laselva beach

a
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Julie D.

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

Great place

We really enjoyed this home. It’s updated, easy access to the beach and lots of fun beach extras . The owners were very accommodating and easy to work with!!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robin G., Mansfield, MA

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

East Coast meets West Coast

The house and location was fantastic! We are regular beach goers from MA and enjoyed the beach just ateps away. The house is spacious and was so relaxing. The neighborhood was safe and there was quick access to local stores and the highway. Thank you California Dreamin!
Stayed 13 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rachel B.

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

Home by the Ocean

Wonderful views overlooking the ocean, right on the beach. Amazing to fall asleep to the sound of the waves! The house is very well equipped (including beach chairs and body boards) and the owners were helpfully communicative before our arrival.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Martha L.

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

CA Dreamin

We felt so comfortable, relaxed and so fortunate to be able to stay in such a dream location. The owners left nothing to question about spoiling the renters. We hope that we have an opportunity to stay there again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Yulia A.

Amazing views!

This is a real Californian Dreaming property right on the beach! We enjoyed every moment of our stay. Very clean and everything is just as described. Shelly and Bred are great hosts! We will be back soon! Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jane H.

Wonderful vacation!

We absolutely loved staying at California Dreamin' with our friends- it's a beautiful home with gorgeous views and direct access to the beach. We really appreciated Shelly's excellent communication, extremely kind approach, and genuine care for her guests. She made us feel very welcomed and valued. We highly recommend staying there, and hope that we can come back soon. Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen T.

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

Absolutely loved this place

The unit is furnished beautifully with a super cute California Dreaming theme. Kitchen is well stocked. Loved that the owner texted us shortly after check-in to make sure everything was well. Two main bedrooms on top floor so felt very comfortable sleeping with windows open so that we could listen to the waves. Would most definitely stay her again. Owner had a binder with instructions and restaurant and grocery store suggestions. Can't think how this listing could be improved. Thank you Shelley and Bret
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

About the host

Hosted by Shelly Firebaugh

Host profile image
Over the past 15+ years, we have vacationed with our 3 children, families & friends in La Selva Beach and made so many wonderful memories. We have always dreamed of owning a beach home of our own. We are both Bay Area natives and raised our kids in the East Bay and love the proximity of La Selva Beach...just a quick 1.5 hour drive, but once there you feel like you are so far away from the hustle & bustle of everyday life! Now that we've made our own dream come true, we graciously invite you and your family to share our little slice of heaven that we call California Dreamin' and our happiest place!
Warmly,
-Shelly & Bret

Why they chose this property

We chose our Place de Mer townhome because the complex is very family-oriented, it's BEACHFRONT, has stunning ocean views from every room, is situated on a beautiful, clean, uncrowded, peaceful beach patrolled by lifeguards, where beach bonfires are enjoyed (we highly recommend them!). We are a short drive away from the Bay Area & local attractions such as Capitola, Santa Cruz, Monterey & Carmel,...it's the perfect location for making memories with your loved ones!

*If you tire of hanging out on the beach all day, there's plenty to do in the surrounding area! California's oldest seaside resort town, Capitola, with plentiful shops & restaurants, is just 10 miles north & downtown Santa Cruz & the iconic Beach Boardwalk are just a few miles further. Moss Landing is 15 miles south of us, Monterey is 18 miles further & Carmel Valley/Carmel by the Sea are just a little further & make for a wonderful day trip. For wine lovers, there are plenty of tasting rooms nearby & you just might discover a new favorite! If cooking is not your idea of a vacation, indulge in the culinary delights of the many restaurants in Aptos, Capitola, Soquel, Moss Landing & Santa Cruz, many of which offer outdoor dining! And for those seeking a more active vacation, try your hand at an array of water sports, throw a fishing line in the surf and hook a perch, halibut or striped bass, pack your tennis gear for the nearby courts just a short drive away, discover new terrain as you hike along the coast, zip-line through the trees, go berry picking or buy a freshly baked pie at Gizdich Ranch, book a whale watching adventure or fishing charter, catch a beach concert or take a thrilling ride on the 4th oldest roller coaster in the U.S., the legendary Giant Dipper, with speeds up to 46 MPH & a spectacular view at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, explore the swimming hole & beauty at the Garden of Eden in Santa Cruz, book a tee time at Seascape Golf Club in Aptos...the possibilities are endless!

What makes this property unique

Direct beach access from the downstairs bedroom & stunning panoramic ocean views from every room! Miles of clean, sandy beach for long walks or runs...often with a private, secluded feel! We strive to keep California Dreamin' in pristine, up-to-date condition for our own family and our guests, which sets us apart from some of the other vacation rental properties in our complex.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests