One simply could not ask for better than Sean and Shelley's rental. We initially rented their cottage following the sale of a home as we need a flexible short-term living arrangement. This evolved into a four month rental as a global health epidemic emerged shortly after our arrival, rather hampering our planning. We couldn't have found a better place to be, respiratory viral crisis or not.
The cottage itself is a renovated garage and Shelley and Sean did a spectacular job of refurbishing it. They exploited every opportunity for natural light, including two skylights, to superb effect; all of the windows make the place feel very open and airy. It is brand new construction and has every appliance one could need, including a washer/dryer combination and a dishwasher. The television is Roku equipped to enable streaming whatever you'd like. Abundant storage in the kitchen cabinets allows for utility and easy accessibility. The furnishings are all brand new, including a very comfortable couch, and the space is well suited to two people. With the residence set back from the street it is quiet and the neighborhood is very pleasant for walking, biking or jogging; the hilltop behind the main house has sweeping and impressive vistas, especially at night. The house is also very conveniently located as you can make it to the beach in Venice or Santa Monica within 15 minutes by car. The entry to the Ballona bike path is also no more than a few minutes from the cottage and we rode to and from the beach in Marina del Rey on multiple occasions. Target is conveniently located only five minutes by foot and there are a few restaurants within walking distance as well. While typically unheard of in LA there is ample street parking without any restrictions. The garbage and recycling is very simple to take care of and Shelley and Sean welcomed us to add to their composting, which is put to good use in their garden.
Sean and Shelley are great people and they have a delightful family. They went above and beyond and ensured there was nothing we were in need of. They are welcoming, affable, well educated people with two daughters who are friendly and sweet kids. They are very familiar with the area and can offer helpful insights and good advice about everything for those not native to LA. They are immediately responsive with any questions or concerns and wholly accommodating; they allowed us use of their grill any time we wanted. We would be remiss if we failed to mention one standout feature of the rental, which is the inclusion of a Ricky. A Ricky is, without exception, among the sweetest and cutest dogs to have ever existed. Ricky is a rescue who is so hopelessly lovable as to be worthy of study by astrophysicists as she has a gravitational pull disproportionate to her mass, and it is all but impossible to enter her orbit without being pulled in to pet her. She is prepared to greet you most times of the day or night, tail wagging and ready to play. If you fail to fall in love with this dog you should very seriously consider your own humanity.
We consider ourselves remarkably lucky to have found this rental and it should be considered a hidden gem in a city as vast as LA. Whether you find yourself there for a weekend or six months you will be hard pressed to find a better rental or hosts.