Condo

The Mermaid's Perch!

Photo gallery for The Mermaid's Perch!

Living area
Living area
Living area
Living area
Living area

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Aptos, CA
  • Seacliff State Beach
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Rio Del Mar Beach
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Seascape Golf Club
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal)
    ‪17 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony

About this property

The Mermaid's Perch!

Summary:
Stunning 180 degree ocean view in Rio Del Mar!

The Space:
This bright and beautiful condo offers a must-see 180 degree view of the Monterey Bay!  
Short-term Rental Permit #231206
The perfect beach holiday awaits you in this 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom end-unit condo on Rio Del Mar State beach.

Relax in the fresh ocean breeze and watch the frequently passing whales and dolphins. Enjoy the sunset with a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean.  Sleep to the soothing sound of the waves crashing on the sandy shore. Wake up to a peaceful ocean sunrise.  Soak up the sun on a beautiful beach ideal for long walks on the sand.

The living room has abundant natural light, amazing ocean views, hardwood floors, sofas, TV and a gas fireplace. Simultaneously enjoy a warm fire, entertainment and whale-watching.

The home features three appointed bedrooms, including one with a luxurious king-size bed, another with a plush queen-size bed, and a third with two comfortable single beds—an ideal setup for a family seeking both space and relaxation.

The elegant kitchen has custom cabinets, granite counters and another gorgeous ocean view window above a large apron-front sink. The well-appointed kitchen has everything you need for preparing gourmet meals including a Viking range fit for a chef, Subzero refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, microwave, various small appliances and plenty of cookware.

This charming and near-perfect condo is not only conveniently situated on the beach - it is also near restaurants and coffee shops with tons local flair!

Why NOT break away from the herd in ordinary hotel rooms and make your home-away-from-home extraordinary!

✔ Strategically located in a place where nature intersects with urban life
✔ Exclusive guest parking in a carport
✔ A gas BBQ grill and an outdoor table with seating for 6. There is no inside dining table, however, we have a fold-up card table with 4 chairs in the closet
✔ Dishes, glassware, flatware and Tupperware are included
✔ Small 4 person dining table & chairs
✔ Free wifi
✔ End-unit condo offers more privacy and maximizes the ocean views
✔ Small (shared ) pool in the complex - Please note that it is heated in the summer only.
✔ Spectacular ocean view (which many units in the complex do not have)

Surf City Rentals Policy
Guests must confirm they have read and agree to the following policies:

No Parties or Disruptive Behavior: Surf City Rentals prohibits parties, open-invite events, disruptive gatherings, and any behavior that disturbs the surrounding community, including excessive noise, visitors, trash, smoking nuisances, parking issues, trespassing, or vandalism.
Cancellation Policy: We strictly adhere to our cancellation policy, and no exceptions will be made.
Trip Insurance: We strongly advise all guests to purchase trip insurance to protect their booking in case of unforeseen circumstances.
By booking, you confirm you have read and agree to these policies.
Thank you!

Property manager

Jody Stelck
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Outdoor space
Parking available
Water view

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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
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Non-smoking. No Pets Allowed.

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

About the area

Aptos

Located in Aptos, this condo is near 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 Museum of Natural History are also worth visiting.
Map
Aptos, CA

What's nearby

  • Seacliff State Beach - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Rio Del Mar Beach - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Seascape Golf Club - 3 min drive - 2.6 km
  • New Brighton State Beach - 14 min drive - 4.7 km
  • Capitola Beach - 20 min drive - 8.1 km

Getting around

  • San Martin Caltrain Station - 51 min drive
  • Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal) - 17 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Marianne's Ice Cream - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪The Hideout - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Peet's Coffee and Tea - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Erik's DeliCafe - ‬2 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Mermaid's Perch! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Mermaid's Perch!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Mermaid's Perch!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Mermaid's Perch! located?

Situated by the sea, this condo building is within a 10-minute walk of Seacliff State Beach and Rio Del Mar Beach. The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park and Aptos History Museum are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

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. 24 out of 36 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 36 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 36 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 36 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 36 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Paul B.

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

Breathtaking views and perfectly furnished beach condo

The pictures on the VRBO do NOT do the ocean views justice. The home is comfortable and furnished and the owner has thought of everything. It was a great experience for our family and we hope to go back. The Surf City rental management company was also very helpful with good information before our stay and when we wanted to extend another day.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Vincent T.

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

Weekend Trip

We enjoyed our weekend trip to Monterey and our stay at the mermaid house. Clean, updated, quiet condo with close proximity to the beach. Will stay here again if it's available next time we visit the area.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Roya M.

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

Mermaid house

Very clean and comfortable condo. Beautiful view and walking distance to beach
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cali M.

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

Great place in Aptos

Great place with amazing view. We had an issue with ants the beginning of our stay because of the warm weather . I let them know and an exterminator was out within a couple hrs. Definitely will stay here next time we’re in town.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melanie K.

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

Lovely place, great location

The pictures accurately show the property which we thoroughly enjoyed. The owner even had tea candles which came in handy when there was a power outage in the area. My only request would be the addition of a tea kettle. Otherwise it was absolutely perfect and we most definitely will return.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jami L.

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

Pelicans seals and ocean views

Spur of the moment trip with grandkids. Aptos great Santa Cruz location. Close to beach. Good restaurants. Just what we needed! Furniture had been updated since reviews. While table is nice two couches or another chair would be better. Only 1/3 tvs connected to any cable. Overall great but maintenance should fix blinds and ants
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Anne S.

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

Aptos Family Trip

Location and views were amazing. Lots of windows to look out over the beach and ocean. The property was clean and fully stocked with any supplies we might need. The layout of the bedrooms could be a bit awkward with younger children.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marjorie S.

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

Great view

Representation was a very accurate.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steven H.

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

Very nice clean property

Enjoyed the property and was exactly what we expected.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alice A.

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

Beautiful View!

Our stay was perfect! We’ll be back soon 😎
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Tracy D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Beautiful but….

Mermaid’s Perch had a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. Several times, we saw dolphins from the balcony. It’s exactly what we wanted when we booked the trip to Aptos. Communication with management was fast. Especially, when the unit was bombarded with ants. Thankfully, they took care of the issue immediately. My only complaint is that there was not enough comfortable seating for six people. The pictures posted show two love seats. When we arrived, there was only one love seat and a round dining table with four, hard wood chairs. I want to give this place a five star review but the seating was so uncomfortable that I wouldn’t book it again if I was traveling with six people.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

KIMBERLEE D., Oakley, CA

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

Quiet oceanside getaway

We enjoyed our stay. The home was clean and very comfortable for our family of 4. The views are amazing. Its a bit of a walk to and from the beach due to the home being at the top of the hill but plenty of parking being a quiet area if you wanted to drive the short trip down the hill. There are also decent bathrooms at the beach. We enjoyed this location because it is in a quiet area but close to active towns like Capitola and Monterey for a visit. 5 stars to the management of the property who handled an issue we encountered at the property as well. We will definitely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah C.

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

Delightful

Amazing views including whales, seals and dolphins!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kelly S.

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

Amazing Location

Beautiful place to stay in Aptos. Full beach views. Cute cafe, restaurant and little store walking distance right down the hill. Everything was a plus with the exception of the couches. Just bring a couple of sheets to cover as they were worn and seemed a little dirty but definitely not worth changing your plans. Absolutely worth the stay. Nice outdoor table and chairs for meals, games, relaxing, etc. No need to bring your white noise. The sounds of the waves is so relaxing. Very close driving to Capitola and Santa Cruz.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

4/10 Poor

Peter S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Weekend only

Very nice condo, great views, decent area. The issue was after the weekend, workers showed up at 8am on Monday with power washers, gas generators, nail guns, etc. doing work on other units, but parked all their stuff in front of our back door, crazy noise, couldn’t wait to leave today. Not to mention all the construction debris littering the left side of this unit.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hillary T.

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

Wonderful Family Vacation

Had a lovely stay! Would defiantly stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

6/10 Okay

Phyllis R.

Liked: Cleanliness, location
Disliked: Check-in, communication

Great View

The location and view were stupendous. Beds were very comfortable. A lot of high-end things, i.e. Viking range/oven, although not a lot of pots and pans This is not a large place. More than 4 people would be really pushing it. Biggest problem was the lack of WiFi. The last two day we all used cellular data. Be aware there is NO table you can eat at or work on. There is a peninsula that is cramped, low, with almost no knee room. We did find an old card table downstairs, but three of the four legs have been bent/ broken. You have to be really careful to not dump it. If stairs are an problem, be aware that at the top there is no handrail where it makes a turn.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christine C.

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

Fantastic and Relaxing

The home surpasses our expectations. Beautiful and relaxing. All the enmities to make a trip very comfortable.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

Mary G.

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

Don’t count on the washing machine.

All was great until we wanted to use the washing machine. There was mold on the glass of the door and more inside, too much to make it usable.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michele C., California

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

Perfect location ! Great Amenities!

We enjoyed a three day weekend getaway ..drove in Thursday evening and spent the rest of the weekend enjoying the ocean views and perfect weather. Spent one day visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the other at the beach (located perfectly down the block). The home was filled with every amenity needed, a great cooks kitchen, and comfy beds . The owners have really put thought and effort into making mermaid's perch all the comforts of home. We will be back !
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn C.

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

Amazing Sunsets while checking out Universities

Amazing Sunsets!! Great place to stay while enjoying all the wonderful beauty that Monterey Bay has to offer. Also checking out universities with niece.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth S.

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

Perfect place for college roommate reunion

Everything about the booking process was excellent. Jody was extremely helpful and responsive - very grateful to have worked with her and Hallie. The condo exceeded our expectations - beautiful and wonderfully comfortable and cozy, with a gorgeous ocean view. Loved the beach, neighborhood, and most of all the warm and welcoming environment to relax and get caught up with long-time friends. More amenities than we had time to enjoy. Would love to return! It’s s very special place.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl H.

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

Aptos Sunsets

Very easy to rent with a spectacular view of the sunsets and beach. Easy walk to the beach.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kevin S.

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

Great stay

Positives of the view and area outweigh negatives of old couches and lack of seating
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2022

8/10 Good

Tony A.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mr. Annunziato

We all agreed that the sofas and the carpeting need to be replaced.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

About the host

Hosted by Jody Stelck

Host profile image

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests