I feel so lucky to have found this little piece of paradise in Ocean Beach! So much to say - where do I start??
Location - Great location in the heart of Ocean Beach! If you have a dog, the cottage is just 2 blocks from the famous dog beach. We loved walking there with our pup each day. It was so convenient and easy to access. There is a parking lot at the beach but it is small and usually crowded so being able to walk is great. There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance and Newport Ave which is the “main” strip in OB is just a few blocks away.
The unit does not include a parking spot which can be a bit of a challenge on the weekends, so I recommend doing your exploring that requires a car during the week, if possible and staying put in OB for the weekend once you get a spot. We were there over 4th of July weekend and never moved our car. Again, plenty around to do, see, and eat - all walkable. With all of that in mind, even during busy times, we never had to park more than 2 blocks away. They clean the streets on different days during the week, so be sure to read the signs when you park so you don’t get ticketed. Each street is different.
The Courtyard - When you walk through the front gate into the courtyard, you will immediately feel yourself relax. It is breathtakingly beautiful with plants, flowers, and a vegetable and herb garden throughout. Linda said to help ourselves to herbs or veggies and we very much enjoyed cooking with the herbs and enjoying the fresh tomatoes. Fernando cut a fresh cabbage for me right before we left, and it was delicious. At night, the courtyard has beautiful lighting and it feels like you are in a magical land. There are 3 cottages that share the space (2 have one bedroom, 1 has 2 bedrooms), but the layout provides a private space and seating for each one. Each unit has their own table, grill, and beach supplies (wagon, umbrella, and 2 chairs). We got very lucky and had wonderful "neighbors" in the other units, so it was nice to have friendly greetings in the mornings and after returning from the beach. However, there is also enough privacy to your space that you do not have interact if that is not your thing. There is a front and back gate that remains locked so you can feel safe to leave your towels, shoes, or other items outside in the courtyard and know they will not be disturbed. Linda will send you a code for the gate so entry is easy upon arrival.
There is an alley right out the back gate and a space for the residents of the 2 bedroom unit. Pulling into the alley is very helpful to load/unload your car when arriving and leaving or if you do a grocery run. You just need to have someone stay with the car while you do it.
The cottage - Linda and Fernando think of all of the little things to make the space inviting and relaxing. We were greeted with a bottle of wine and a nice flower arrangement on the table when we arrived. Our cottage was a perfect space for a couple and our 40 lb. dog. The galley kitchen is well stocked with cooking supplies and there is also cabinet space to put food or other items you bring with you. We didn't spend much time in the living room, opting instead to be outdoors as much as possible, but the space is clean and well-appointed. Both the living room and bedroom has nice flat screen TVs. Each unit has their own internet service and connection was excellent both in and outside. The bed was SO comfortable - even my wife who has trouble sleeping anywhere commented about how well she slept. The bathroom is small, but the space is managed well with a pocket door and a stall shower (also a pocket type door). There is plenty of room in a small closet to store toiletries. There are 4 bath towels, 2 beach towels and even a doggie beach towel provided. They are a nice quality and very soft.
We stayed for 12 nights and did have a few questions for Linda along the way. She provided her phone number and was very responsive to any questions or concerns. She and Fernando are lovely and always happy to chat when they are there. We saw them a few times when they were working on the gardens or cleaning other units.
In summary - this was a perfect experience! I cannot say enough great things about our time in OB, and we cannot wait to return!