We had a great stay at Teresa and Julia's place just after New Year's. The house is small but light and airy, with fun, modern decor that was refreshing compared to many musty beach rentals. There are thoughtful touches throughout: from a tray of coffee and tea in the kitchen to incredibly thick, soft, fluffy white towels (think glam-spa) in the bathroom. Our 2 and 5 year olds loved playing on the loft, though I would be cautious with younger kids (though Teresa and Julie thoughtfully left us a stair gate). FYI, if traveling with kids, we were able to fit the pack-n-play (also provided, thanks!!) at the foot of the giant king-sized bed in the bedroom, which worked out well for us.
The only drawback in our stay was the unusually cold weather that hit the coast during our visit. The small area heater with video fireplace in the living room was cozy, as were the throw blankets, but the bedroom stayed pretty chilly. This probably won't affect most visitors, since the weather in Aptos is usually much more mild, but if you are planning a winter trip, it could be helpful to know.
Overall, we had an excellent visit and would definitely recommend Teresa and Julia's place. The location a block from the beach (and half a block from Pixie's Deli, which has delicious breakfast burritos and more) can't be beat.