My girlfriend and I had an excellent time in Santa Cruz!
The actual rental is a one-bedroom apartment above a garage behind a main house with a large space outside to hang out in that includes a clean hot-tub that you should definitely drink beer in after a good surf. The patio actually feels very secluded from the street and neighbors. The apartment was quiet, clean, and absolutely perfect! The layout of the space is more than adequate for two people and the kitchen included everything needed to cook and awesome meal (we made mussels that we bought from the Santa Cruz farmers market with some of the great wine Matthew provided).
Steamers Lane and Cowells are just steps away and the main drag (Pacific Ave) is an easy walk on a warm night.
IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU DO, LISTEN TO THE MAN JOE WHO LIVES IN THE MAIN HOUSE. This guy Joe knows what the heck he is talking about. Very kind, very helpful, and superbly knowledgeable - a real friend during our stay. He had outstanding hiking suggestions and certainly knows where to get a good meal in town.
All-in-all, it was a 10/10 experience and I'll definitely be back!