I had first booked The Lavender House about a month ago for my husband and stepdaughter and was thrilled it was available when we traveled back to pick her up from camp. This time it was my husband and I and our baby. The LH was just as charming and idyllic as my husband said it was, and I was surprised at how accessible it was from the main road, yet you immediately feel tucked away. Our son loved all the animals (as did I) and between petting horses and goats, swinging on the tree swing and taking the short, pretty walk to Nonno's restaurant for some fantastic pizza and BBQ, we had a wonderful time. We also made it into Los Gatos proper for Sunday Brunch at Southern Kitchen which I highly recommend.

It was so nice to meet Toni, who is warm and welcoming and makes you feel so at home, with access to everything. For me, this is what airbnb is all about – the chance to get a window into someone's world in a very personal space, away from the bland commercialism of the usual tourist traps.