Recent travel spurred by a hankering to tackle my bucket list led me from NYC to the doorstep of Evan and Anja in Santa Cruz via Pacific Highway 1.

Their home, a quaint beach bungalow, is not only chock full of all the creature comforts (refer to their listing for exact amenities), but topped off with a few extra fixings for a great time including bikes, boards, and fresh baked bread that Evan crafts in his clay oven.

Excited to make the most of my stay and dart off the beaten path, their suggestions led me to tour a redwood forest, soak up some sun at a surfer's paradise, dig into local and home-cooked fare (their treat!), then tap my toes in tune to a proper soul shakedown at a nearby venue in a mere 48 hours.

It's always hard to pick the right place to stay solely based on photos and reviews, but rest assured, that rarely, if ever, will you stumble across a more humble couple who are truly keen to make their home yours.

Thank you both, seriously and sincerely. Hope to see you again sometime soon!