This is the type of place you want to keep a secret: a beachouse in the middle of farmland with a private beach and adorable lady chickens with fresh eggs! I particularly loved the vintage Wedgewood stove and sliding barn door separating the bedroom from the kitchen. I don't particularly love Santa Cruz because it doesn't feel far enough away to "get away from it all" and there's always traffic, but the Sandollar Beach Cottage was just outside of Santa Cruz.
Most of the beaches in Santa Cruz are state parks and thus do not allow dogs, so when I found this property had a private beach, I was totally sold! Walk 10 minutes down to the end of the road and there is a private beach near La Selva Beach where Zoe and I roamed for hours looking for shells and sandollars, hence why the owners named this "Sandollar Beach Cottage". I found tons of loot to take back home with me and Zoe chased birds til she was exhausted and was so tired she snored that night.
For lunch or dinner, don't forget to stop by the world famous Phil's Fish Market and Eatery in Moss Landing as featured on BBC Travel, Food Network, and Sunset Magazine. It's a casual, laid-back, family-friendly place that serves fresh-caught seafood and it's jam-packed every night of the week, so plan accordingly or call ahead for take-out.
Total Price I paid for 1 night: $232 ($121/night, $65 cleaning fee, $50 other fees)
Distance from the Bay Area: About 90 miles (1.5 hours driving)
Dogs Allowed: yes, 2 dogs max, $15/night