I took my family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids age 9 and 10) to Jim's place for a month of summer of fun and I can't believe how awesome our stay turned out to be!
First, Jim is an awesome host - super friendly, easy going, great to talk to, accommodating, and attentive. We made a request for more curtains in the bedroom to add more privacy, and Jim took time out of his weekend and really went out of his way to help us feel at home. He was also very responsive answering questions about the house and the neighborhood, and gave us some great suggestions on things to do in the area. I highly recommend Jim as a host!
Next is the house. The house was definitely accurate to the description on Airbnb and the some. The carpets throughout the house were so comfortable, the bedrooms were big, kids spent plenty of time on the couch watching movies, and the outdoor spaces were perfect for enjoying the Santa Cruz weather. The wifi and internet was also very fast and reliable throughout the entire house. I'm embarrassed to say that it was better than what I have at home! The kitchen wasn't the biggest but it had everything we needed to make meals at home.
Finally, location. I loved that Jim's house is in Aptos, which is quieter and more quaint than Santa Cruz, while also being no more than a 15-20 min drive to any attraction or landmark destination in the area. The Boardwalk was so easy to get to, Roaring Camp RR, Mystery Spot... there are also lots of options for groceries, restaurants, and shopping nearby, no more than 5 min to the closest Safeway and 10-15 to Trader Joe's. Even if you don't have a car, there's small shopping center basically across the street that has restaurants, liquor store, and groceries too. And the best part is that the beach is a 10-15min walk from the house. Definitely pick up some boogie boards for the beach!
We loved the house and will definitely come back again for another stay. Thanks Jim!