Gabriel's house—located in a quiet neighborhood—is a perfect retreat. We loved our weeklong stay in Santa Cruz, where we took advantage of Gabriel's well-stocked bookshelves and cupboard full of games and puzzles. The house is comfortable with modern interiors, and the backyard is a real treat; we enjoyed the spa, trampoline, and fresh veggies from the raised garden beds every day. Gabriel, who is warm and friendly, was in touch regularly and offered tips for making the most of local life: restaurants, farmers' markets, walks to the beach. Gabriel's house is well-located, close to a variety of grocery stores, shops, and the charming downtowns in the area. The cronut holes and apple fritters at Dunlap's Donuts (just be sure to arrive bright and early—they sell out), pizza at Village Host, and croissants and key lime pie from Gayle's Bakery were all delicious. We enjoyed playing in the ocean at Twin Lakes beach just down the road and watching in awe as waves crashed at Natural Bridges, a 15–20-minute drive away.