This house is a typical Santa Cruz (Aptos) beach rental. There are great things about it and there are less than great things about it but if your goal is to be down at Rio Del Mar beach most of the time, for a few days it should suit you just fine. If you are looking to stay in a home that has all the niceties of an Aptos home—like where someone actually lives— this is not the house for you. The upstairs common space is cozy enough and you can see down to the beach and the pier from the dinner table. It has big windows for lots of natural light, a functional kitchen with most things you will need to cook, and a fireplace that turns on with a flip of a switch. We REALLY loved the view and how close it was to the beach.
However, we did not like the thin walls and generally light construction of the home, as every footstep from someone upstairs was felt and heard by anyone sleeping downstairs. This made the experience downstairs very loud. As a family with a toddler, this was not a great choice for us. We could also hear the neighbors very easily as the rental next door is very close. We also felt like there was not much attention to detail in terms of the design, amenities, and creature comforts of this rental. Not all the appliances were functional, some lamps were missing lightbulbs, and the deck furniture needed to be cleaned before use. These are not deal breakers of course but do leave an impression of disregard for details which is disappointing for the price.
We will not be staying in this home again because it was just too loud for us but that should not dissuade others with no children/older children to take advantage of its views and proximity to Rio Del Mar beach.