This secluded property is in a fantastic neighborhood with stunning views! The host communicated 3x after our arrival from Western Massachusetts to make sure we had proper directions and to check on our arrival time. And even though she was out of town our first day she made sure that an incredibly welcoming, responsible friend/neighbor was here to greet us. She has two units. We stayed in both. One is a bohemian, cozy downstairs apartment with a private patio area surrounded by wooded forrest and a pine tree that looks like something out of Rivendale or the Shire. (Our host didn't enter this area once during our stay.) The other, a free standing second story apartment, is more artsy and modern with it's own terrace and views of the water and the mountains. You feel like you're in an eagle's nest! The upstairs is a little more expensive and worth every penny. However, both have their own character and charm. Our host, Dana, was laid back and attentive at one and the same time. The place has been in her family since the 60's and is well loved by her the caretaker, Jim, and Dana's intelligent, adorable Australian Shepherd, Zoro. It has internet and is 5 minutes from some of the world's most majestic beaches and 10 minutes from California's hippest surf shops, a gym, yoga studio, fresh food market and a Starbucks. In addition to all this, Dana provides beach chairs, boogie boards, coolers and two sturdy mountain bikes, which we used to explore several breathtakingly beautiful trails in the neighboring state park. We also drove 20 miles north to Ventura, rented two sea kayaks and hopped a ferry to the Channel Islands! (Reservations can be found online—google: ISLAND PACKER) The adventure outfitters met us at the dock w/everything we needed, this is only necessary if you're renting kayaks but the Island(s) have plenty of trails to keep you busy for the whole day. The ferry makes two trips out and two back but you really want to spend the entire day once you're there. We paddled and hiked around Santa Cruz the largest of the four isles. They offer guided kayak tours but we opted to go it on our own. It was one of the most sublime days of our lives. My sixteen year-old son said he could stay here for a month. After seven days I felt like we had! Oh yeah, I almost forgot the purpose of our visit. We came to take his older brother to Occidental College in LA. It was 50 minutes door to door as is West Hollywood, Universal Studios, Dodger Stadium, Santa Monica and Venice Beach if you go in for that kind of thing. I LOVE college! Just sayin'. :)