This is such a gem of a house. Since this is a long review, I'll start with the host. Carmen was super nice and really responsive. The house was filled with kind touches throughout. She knew that we were bringing small kids so she provided a pack-n-play and a high chair. She also left snacks and drinks for everyone, crayons and bubbles for the kids, a few diapers and toys, and toiletries for each bathroom.
We stayed for five nights with a toddler and baby. The space was great! The location is super central and it's quick and easy to get all over town. Everywhere we wanted to go was about 10 minutes away and you can even walk to the Gaslamp district . There are several good restaurants and a coffee spot within a few blocks of the house.
The house itself is super charming with hardwood floors and lots of original architectural details. There are AC units in all of the bedrooms and in the living room so we could make each space comfortable. The upstairs living space includes a double bed, a rollaway bed, and a playroom. There's no door to the upstairs so if you have a child staying up there you might want to bring a baby gate. There is a large TV in the living room with a Roku. The kitchen is well appointed for cooking. Everything is just really nicely finished and comfortable. The backyard is indeed a work in progress but we found that to be no issue. There's a nice sized patio with furniture for adults and kids. Off street parking with a secured gate is also available in the back. While it is an extra step to open and close the gate every time you come or go, it was well worth it for us knowing that everything was safely secured. Our only recommendation is that if you are bringing small children or light sleepers, bring a white noise machine as it is an active neighborhood. We will definitely stay with Carmen again! This was one of our favorite all-time AirBnB experiences!