Staying at Gabriel's home is like staying at a family member's home. It's a real family home with generational photos, unique art and culture items, an amazing collection of books, and everything you'd find in a home with young children. (There are even height marks on the wall in the children's room! ❤️) Gabriel welcomed my small dog, who was able to go in and out of the house through the pet door in the kitchen. His home is just a 10-minute walk to a beautiful and popular dog-friendly beach. On one of the evenings I lit a fire in the fire pit in the backyard. We had everything we needed for a relaxing few days near the ocean. If you're looking for a down-to-earth location for your stay in Santa Cruz, this is it.