I loved staying in Scarlett's light-filled and peaceful retreat amongst the redwoods. It was nice to play in Santa Cruz (downtown is about 20 minutes, depending on traffic) and return here to sleep and rest, away from the congestion and noise of the tourist crowds. The house is comfortable and well-appointed, with Scarlett's photographs of some of the local sites adorning the walls. The bed was so comfortable that both I and my friend slept very well, awakening to the sounds of birds chirping and faint sounds of the outdoor fountain. We had our own bathroom across the hall which had a very nice shower and was well stocked with towels and soap. We weren't there very much but we were able to use the kitchen (complete with a Vitamix and espresso maker), dine on the patio and lounge on the couch (both patio and couch have a nice view of a gigantic redwood as well as many other redwoods), and pet the friendly resident cat (Biddy?). Scarlett and her partner Walter were great hosts - on our last day, they made us breakfast and we were able to sit and have a conversation and discovered we shared a lot of common interests. I would have liked to have spent more time with them but alas seeing Santa Cruz was the priority this trip. Aptos itself is a small town - Norma Jean's near the hotel is nice for coffee and people-watching, and it was fun to catch a flick at the local theater. Seacliff State Beach is about a 10-15 minute drive and provides a nice walk. I'd come back to stay with Scarlett & Walter if I'm returning to the area.