Local Area Guides

Most visits to the Monterey Bay Area start with a stroll to the iconic Fisherman’s Wharf; no trip is complete without it. Fortunately, many of our luxurious beachfront rentals are within an easy drive of the wharf itself. Known for its historical roots dating back to before California became a part of the Union, this […]

Capitola Village is the quaint, downtown area of the city of Capitola. Nestled in the northernmost corner of Monterey Bay, just a 10-minute drive from Santa Cruz, Capitola is the perfect beach town for those seeking rest and relaxation. Whether you book a vacation rental home in Santa Cruz or Capitola itself, a visit to Capitola Village

Sunshine, surf, an excellent cup of coffee, and spectacular views. This is the world-famous West Cliff Drive. Popular with visitors to Santa Cruz, local bikers, pet owners, families, and everyone in between. An outing here is easy.  The path is just a stone’s throw from Downtown Santa Cruz, conveniently near Beachnest’s luxurious oceanfront villas that

Santa Cruz is mainland surf’s birthplace, synonymous with seaside cliffs dotted with lighthouses, epic surf spots, and dramatic ocean and redwood forest landscapes. Whether it’s the beaches, the surf breaks, the vistas, or the vast coastline, everywhere seems to be a postcard-worthy view. Relax on your getaway to your Beachnest vacation home, give your eyes

A First Timer’s Guide to the Santa Cruz Wharf Nothing says beachside getaway quite like a day at the Wharf. This 2,745-foot wooden pier—the longest on the West Coast—is one of Santa Cruz’s most iconic landmarks and a must-visit stop if you’re in town.  Situated on the west side of the city between Main Beach

A Traveler’s Guide to Pleasure Point Santa Cruz No trip to Santa Cruz is complete without seeing Pleasure Point. While most visitors make this quintessential beachside neighborhood a mere stop on their whirlwind tour of the area, savvy travelers know that Pleasure Point merits more than just a quick drive-by. While it may be small—covering

A First-Timer’s Guide to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is a fantastic place to visit. Whether you plan to include the destination in an upcoming road trip along the California coast or you’re in town simply to see a national historic landmark, you’ll have a lot of fun visiting the Boardwalk. Getting

The Only California Packing List You Need If you’re planning a trip to sunny California a big part of making sure you have an enjoyable trip is to make sure you pack appropriately. When visiting the California coast there are a few things you certainly won’t want to be without and a few other things

A Traveler’s Guide to Downtown Santa Cruz Are you planning a trip to Santa Cruz County, California? If so, you might be thinking about cruising by San Jose or taking a stroll down Pacific Avenue on your way to downtown Santa Cruz. Although a relatively small town to most standards, there are so many things

The Best Spots to Watch a Santa Cruz Sunset California, the land of milk and honey, surfer’s paradise, the land of eternal summers; whatever phrase you associate with it, California is paradise. And within this lovely state you’ll find Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is one of California’s paradisiacal natural, climactic, and cultural gems and a