Our two-week stay was perfect from start to finish. The house is amazing. It is filled with light. The layout is open and the gardens are private. There is parking for two cars! The appliances, tv, and showers are all first rate. There's a gas fireplace that made for a toasty living room. Our host (Robert) was knowledgable, gracious and flexible. Everything is top-notch. And I haven't even gotten to the location.

You are six blocks to one of the nicest parts of the Santa Monica beach. It is an easy walk and yet you are away from all the hustle and bustle of Main Street and the beach. (Also, the houses are far enough apart that you don't hear the neighbors -- something that wasn't true when we rented in Venice.) And for dog owners, there is a large park nearby where our lab enjoyed running around off leash.

Robert provided a list of great local restaurants. Let me add my top five, four of which are within a 5-minute walk. Moon Juice on Rose has the best cold-pressed juices around. Suberba Snack Bar on Rose has a wildly inventive menu. (Check out their bakery, too, on Lincoln.) Cafe Gratitude also on Rose is justly famous for its vegetarian fare. Sugarfish Sushi (downtown, about 1.2 miles) has very special sushi and lines to go with it -- try takeaway. But, my all-time favorite and daily haunt was Gjusta Bakery on Sunset. Their cortado coffee with nut milk is to die for. Their seeded rye bread is the best I've ever had. I am a foodie (and founded a successful food business) and this place knocks my socks off.

And did I mention that LA's largest Whole Foods is walking distance? While I'm at it, the place is an easy commute to the 10 and 405 freeways, so it was relatively quick to get to most places.

Any downsides? While there are shades in the master bedroom, it does get a bit light in the morning. So don't plan to sleep too late. And Gjusta opens at 7:00. Five stars all the way!