Michael's place is right across the ocean and very close to Santa Cruz- beautiful 10 minute drive. The area is absolutely beautiful, the beach across the street- literally a 20 second walk - is stunning and cannot be missed. We saw a seal playing in the water and the cliffs and huge rock formation were breathtaking.
The restaurant / coffee shop next door is so convenient with healthy, delicious options.
Michael's house is quirky and I felt as if it was in the beginning stages of falling apart. I appreciated the fully equipped kitchen and cute bathroom, but overall the bedding seemed old and unclean and the last guests had left the garbage in the front porch. There were cigarette burns on the chairs of the front porch which definitely needed an overall cleaning (the whole porch).
The bed made a lot of sound by just sitting on it ... I was afraid when my six foot son slept on it that it might break!
This area is expensive but I felt like I paid a lot for a place none of us felt very comfortable in.
The laundry room is stuffed full to the ceiling and I was about to do laundry (my daughter's clothes for college interviews) only to discover that I needed quarters to use both the washer and dryer. When you are traveling all over the place this can seem suddenly extremely frustrating! I gave up because we did not have that much change at the time.
Also there are people living/ staying in I think two other places in this tiny courtyard and we were able to hear them very well the first night from the kitchen, as if they were talking loudly right inside the same kitchen. Luckily that was the only time we heard other people (who were not quiet) but just to forewarn others that the other places are in very close proximity ...
The house itself needs a huge overhaul or a little bit of rehabbing to make it feel a bit more comfortable. If the price had been maybe 50$-60$ less I would have overlooked these things. It needs some TLC right now.
Michael was very communicative which I appreciated a lot. Very quick to respond to anything I asked/ needed. Very responsive.
I would recommend this place to someone who perhaps has more money to spend than myself yet doesn't want to spend even more at a hotel in Santa Cruz. Who can more easily overlook some things and enjoy the gorgeous area.