The Sand Box

Your home away from home at the beach..welcome to "The Sand Box". Remarkable ocean, beach and lighthouse views from nearly every room in the home. Enjoy a cup of morning coffee as you watch the sun rise, or a glass of your favorite beverage marveling over another stunning sunset. Play a board game with the family in front of the cozy fireplace in the evening.

This well appointed home has a fully stocked kitchen offering granite countertops, a five burner stove, double ovens, microwave, dishwasher and wine fridge! And for the hubby or bbq master of the group, a large built - in outdoor BBQ is waiting outside with the best views of all! (There is also a smaller Weber)

This unbeatable location is within walking distance to numerous restaurants. The Crow’s Nest, Johnnie’s, Aldo’s, Café El Palomar and Java Junction are all minutes away. Take advantage of the many benefits of the harbor, including Kayak and Stand up Paddle Board rentals, fishing charters, Chardonnay or O'neill sunset cruises, or strolls along the newly paved oceanfront promenade. Enjoy the Summer sail boat races right from your own balcony or walk to see beach bands and BBQs, volley ball games or make a bon fire in one of the multiple fire pits Twin Lakes beach offers (get there early during Summer).

This is a three bedroom home (2 Queens, Double, Twin) with extra sleeping/bonus room (Twin w/ a second pullout Twin Trundle Bed) and 3 Full Bathrooms.
Parking for 3-4 cars. 4 if your cars are small, 3 if you have a truck or SUV.

Vacation Rental Reviews

• Family Fun

  Stayed 7 days ending in June, 2022

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  a guest recommends this vacation rental

  We had visited The Sand Box in October of 2021. We were so impressed that we rented the home for June 2022 that very evening. Upon arrival for our stay this June, we noticed the home was not as clean or maintained as it had been when we last visited. The detail that was given to this home in 2021 as far as cleanliness was clearly lacking, which was very disappointing considering the cost to rent here. It was necessary for us to clean various areas in the home. The bonus room was quite dirty and unfit for use as a sleeping area without first cleaning and sweeping it. The carpets throughout the home were not vacuumed and had stains everywhere. The master bathroom's toilet seat was
  unsafe to use because it was not securely attached. The sheets on the bed were ripped and torn with stains on them. The throw rugs had not been cleaned and were filthy underneath them. The patio furniture on the upper deck was so rotten and torn that we were unable to use it. The screen door going out to the upper deck was broken. The decks facing the ocean were covered in bird feces and had not been cleaned in months. The yard was overgrown and filled with dog and cat feces that sitting outside was not an option. I personally scooped up the poop just so the smell wouldn't creep into the house. Although the home was not up to standards, we made many new memories in Santa Cruz.

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• Thank you!!

  Stayed 2 days ending in February, 2022

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  Mike i recommends this vacation rental

  Beautiful home. So comfortable. It felt like something out of a dream. Thank you!

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• Fantastic House Right Near the Ocean

  Stayed 4 days ending in January, 2022

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  a guest recommends this vacation rental

  This house was beautiful and fully stocked with everything you could want. Fabulous view and just a few steps from the beach.

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• Great location, great view

  Stayed 7 days ending in January, 2022

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  Jeff G recommends this vacation rental

  We stayed over the NY holiday and even though it had rained 4 days straight, the house and setting were a delight! The house was very clean, well appointed (the rain did drive ants inside one of the bathrooms, which the owners were aware of, left traps and notes for us.) We thoroughly enjoyed the amazing views of the beach during our morning coffee and sunsets w our wine. We traveled w our 12yr son and inlaws. We all enjoyed playing bingo and other house supplied games at night. Our whole family loved the trip, the house was perfect. Looking fwd to our next visit!!!

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• Loved your "Home Away From Home"

  Stayed 7 days ending in November, 2021

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  Lena E recommends this vacation rental

  We loved the proximity to the beach and other desirable locations around Santa Cruz County. The house was beautiful and well stocked for every situation. The views from every room were incredible and made everyone's stay memorable. Thanks for a wonderful experience!

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• Fabulous Family Home!

  Stayed 4 days ending in October, 2021

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  Lisa H recommends this vacation rental

  Our family trip was amazing! I loved that the bedrooms all are separated from the loud family kitchen & living room!! MY Family is LOUD! But, those who were sleeping ALL were quiet! I can not wait to go back. !!

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• Wonderful home for a family trip!

  Stayed 3 days ending in September, 2021

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  Roxanne P recommends this vacation rental

  We had our entire family together for a local baby shower. There was enough room for all of us to hang out and the sleeping options were great. The house was decorated wonderfully. The view is spectacular and the location is really convenient to The Boardwalk, Capitola and a short walk down the beach to the Crow's Nest.

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• Great friends getaway

  Stayed 3 days ending in May, 2021

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  Nick G from Morgan Hill, CA recommends this vacation rental

  I had been looking for a spot that would host great views, people watching, closeness to shops and restaurants, and I found it with this location.
  
  The Sand Box gave us fantastic sunrises and sunsets, a big enough space for 6 adults and a 2-year-old to relax and have a good time.
  
  The place came well-stocked, clean, and easy to get in and out of.
  
  We enjoyed our stay and left saying that this trip should become an annual tradition!

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• Great Weekend getaway

  Stayed 3 days ending in February, 2021

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  Robert G recommends this vacation rental

  House was very clean. Smelled fresh and clean inside upon arrival. Great area. Would definitely rent again.

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• A perfect setting

  Stayed 8 days ending in December, 2020

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  Kerry H from San Bruno, CA recommends this vacation rental

  If you want to stay in a lovely home just steps from a public beach with an unbelievable view of vibrant sunsets and the busy harbor, then this is the place for you! The house is spacious, very clean, well stocked, and extremely comfortable. It is centrally located close to restaurants and stores, and multiple county and state parks within easily drivable distances. And the Boardwalk is just minutes away!

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• Nice stay

  Stayed 6 days ending in October, 2020

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  Theodore L from Redlands, CA recommends this vacation rental

  Nice place. Great location just steps from the beach. Even though the house is on a relatively busy street, it is still very quiet. The beach is also wonderful. Not crowded, clean and close to a restaurant and coffee shop. All within walking distance. The home is wonderful with a magnificent view from the breakfast table. Plenty of towels and fully stocked kitchen. We had a great stay for the week here. Really easy to have a nice socially distanced vacation here.

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• Twin Lakes beachfront Getaway

  Stayed 4 days ending in October, 2020

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  Sharon P recommends this vacation rental

  This is a lovely home, with views of the beach and ocean. We had so much fun here! Great kitchen, large bathrooms, easy access to beach.

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