Entire home

Beautiful Peaceful Home away from Home Surrounded by Nature 10 mins to downtown

Photo gallery for Beautiful Peaceful Home away from Home Surrounded by Nature 10 mins to downtown

Enjoy breathtaking ocean views from this beachfront property, where sailboats dot the horizon and palm trees sway in the breeze.
Stunning historic landmark with a prominent bell tower and dome, set amidst a lush garden with vibrant flowers and palm trees.
Relax on the elevated deck surrounded by lush greenery and enjoy the scenic views.
Enjoy meals with family and friends in this inviting dining area, featuring a table set for four and a comfortable sofa.
Stunning historic landmark with a clock tower, surrounded by lush gardens and palm trees.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 62500 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Free WiFi

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Beautiful Peaceful Home away from Home Surrounded by Nature 10 mins to downtown

(Owners occupy upstairs unit with private exterior entrance. No shared space.. )

If you’re looking to get away to a quiet, peaceful comfortable place to-- relax, “work from home” or explore our beautiful City and surrounding areas, come to Santa Barbara and stay with us for awhile. About 10 minutes from SB Cottage hospital or Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, Nature’s Retreat is also an ideal and comfortable place to stay while recuperating from surgery. With high speed WiFi, a great fully equipped kitchen, and lots of outdoor surrounding space for walks, hikes, and the beach, Nature’s Retreat offers you a great “home away from home.” Bring your bikes- a wonderful bike path is just down the street. Whether you’re planning to cook or take advantage of all the restaurants providing takeout, or the many food delivery services available, all are at your fingertips. Restaurants are open for indoor and outdoor dining.
Upon your arrival you’ll find the home thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to the best of our ability, using cleaning methods recommended by the CDC. You can be assured that all remotes, light switches, cabinet knobs and pulls and door knobs are disinfected also.

Private, secluded, and "Romantic", this beautiful and spacious home is near More Mesa, "one of the most outstanding scenic and environmentally sensitive pieces of undeveloped open space remaining on the Coast of Southern California." As a bird refuge (128 species) and natural animal habitat, you may see everything from Red-tailed Hawks, Squirrels, Rabbits, Raccoons, Opossum and Skunk, to Coyote, Fox and sometimes even Bobcats. We also have chickens, and when the hens are laying can offer you some fresh eggs. No rooster.

The retreat is walking distance to one of Santa Barbara s most beautiful beaches. (Due to it s seclusion it has a reputation as a "clothing-optional" beach.) This beautifully decorated approximately 2500 sq. foot home with vaulted ceilings, ceiling fans and lots of windows, has an "open" floor plan with living room, dining room and kitchen area sharing one large space.
All this looks out on a lovely stone terrace that features a magnificent very old oak tree, and beautiful views of nature just out the back door. A great setting for outdoor dining or just relaxing.

The living room has the feel of a European "Country House", with the casual elegance of comfortable sofas and chairs around a fireplace that features an architectural antique carved wood mantel. There are touches of individually picked Architectural antique carved pieces throughout the home, including the soaring antique columns with stone bases from India that support the main arch to the dining area. The dining table seats 6 but can expand with table "leaves." There is a large bookcase/ entertainment center with 52" flatscreen TV and Blu Ray player. The home is equipped with Cox high speed Panoramic WIFI. We have one network for range and one for speed.

There is a fully equipped kitchen with center island, Dacor stovetop and Bar seating for 5, Dacor double ovens, a Miele dishwasher, and a Wine Fridge. There is also a comfortable loveseat facing the kitchen.

All bedrooms feature luxury all cotton sheets, down comforters and down pillows. We have alternative down options for the master suite.
The romantic Master suite features a California King Aireloom pillow top bed, beautiful custom fabrics, a fireplace that is open to the bedroom and bathroom, and a walk- in closet. It has a garden view with fountain and often hummingbirds, doves, gold finches, and many other types of birds visit there. The bathroom features honed travertine floors and countertop with custom tile trim and double sinks. There is a separate private area for shower and toilet.

The second bedroom has a queen size Aireloom bed, designer fabrics, a view of beautiful nature with a French door out to the back deck.

The charming third bedroom is very cozy, and features a Pine Sleigh bed with full size mattress, and custom fabrics.

The second bathroom has a single sink and vanity and a tub- shower combo and toilet.

The owners occupy the upstairs unit with exterior private entrance. There is NO SHARED SPACE. The main floor and exterior area are yours and your privacy and ours, is assured.

Near miles of trails on More Mesa----- the area is a Bird-Watchers delight. The University (UCSB) to the West and Downtown Santa Barbara to the South are just 10 minutes away.
Easy access to biking and hiking.
A bike path that will take you both West and South is close by

Whether you re interested in a vacation rental or possibly a longer stay-a month to month rental is also available-Please contact the owners.

This is an ideal place for vacationers, writers, patients recovering from surgery in the Santa Barbara area, corporate lodging, visiting Doctors or faculty, or someone who is remodeling or building a home in the Santa Barbara area and needs a comfortable place to stay during construction.
If you re looking for peace and quiet in a country setting but want to be close to downtown Santa Barbara, or UCSB, the Retreat is the perfect place for you.

Property manager

Cathy

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio
  • Terrace

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby

Comfort

  • Ceiling fan
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed
  • Note from host: Absolutely no smoking anywhere on the premises

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Meal delivery service

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near the marina
  • Near the sea

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 2,500 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 40

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
Guests can access their accommodation through a private entrance
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels and store extra beds
Remove personal items and take out the trash
Turn off the lights and return the keys
If any furniture ( interior or exterior),pillows, bedding, flashlights, hangers, etc., are moved or removed from rooms please return to original locations.
Take out any recycles and dispose of items in blue recycle cans, throw empty plastic bag in beige trash can.

Access methods

Private entrance

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Please discuss with owner

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Beautiful Peaceful Romantic 10 min Downtown Santa Barbara House
Beautiful Peaceful Romantic 10 min House
Beautiful Peaceful Romantic 10 min Downtown Santa Barbara
Beautiful Peaceful Romantic 10 min
Beautiful Peaceful Romantic 10 min Downtown Santa Barbara House
Beautiful Peaceful Romantic 10 min House
Beautiful Peaceful Romantic 10 min Downtown Santa Barbara
Natures Retreat Beautiful peaceful romantic 10 min House
Natures Retreat Beautiful Peaceful Romantic 10 min House
Natures Retreat Beautiful peaceful romantic 10 min
Beautiful Peaceful Romantic! 10 min From Downtown Santa Barbara
Natures Retreat Beautiful Peaceful Romantic 10 min
Beautiful Peaceful Romantic! 10 min From Downtown Santa Barbara
Beautiful Peaceful Romantic! 10 min From Downtown Santa Barbara

About the area

Map
Santa Barbara, CA

What's nearby

  • Upper State Street - 5 min drive - 3.7 km
  • Goleta Beach - 7 min drive - 6.3 km
  • University of California, Santa Barbara - 7 min drive - 6.6 km
  • Santa Barbara County Courthouse - 11 min drive - 11.0 km
  • Santa Barbara Bowl - 14 min drive - 12.1 km

Getting around

  • UC Santa Barbara Station - 17 min drive
  • Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) - 10 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪In-N-Out Burger - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Dave's Dogs Grill - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Lighthouse Coffee - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Beautiful Peaceful Home away from Home Surrounded by Nature 10 mins to downtown pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Beautiful Peaceful Home away from Home Surrounded by Nature 10 mins to downtown?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful Peaceful Home away from Home Surrounded by Nature 10 mins to downtown?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Beautiful Peaceful Home away from Home Surrounded by Nature 10 mins to downtown located?

Situated by the sea, this vacation home is within 1 mi (2 km) of More Mesa, More Mesa Beach, and Santa Barbara Orchid Estate. Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital and Upper State Street are also within 3 mi (5 km).

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Beautiful Peaceful Home away from Home Surrounded by Nature 10 mins to downtown Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 98 out of 112 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 112 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 112 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 112 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 112 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Rose O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing

Cathy's home was the perfect place for my family to stay during preparations for our son's wedding. It was beautifully relaxing at the end of several wonderful but exhausting days. Cathy was a gracious and responsive host who happily shared her family history when we asked about the photos on her wall.
Beautiful side-yard
Family History Shared
Backyard Honey Tree
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lyn K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Garden Setting

This home is in a lovely, quiet garden setting. We were five adults and one infant and there was plenty of room for all of us. The home was quite clean and comfortable, and while the owners live upstairs we rarely heard any sounds at all from their quarters. The location was close to town and grocery and other stores were close by. There are several easy walks nearby to a bike path or towards the bluffs overlooking the ocean. A very nice location for a visit to Santa Barbara.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Deborah O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful house!

We loved our stay. The house was big, clean and beautiful. Loved the yard.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

David D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Santa Barbara break

We took a break from our driving to stay a while in a very nice house in a beautiful natural setting. The house had everything, and the hostess was warm and welcoming. An excellent visit overall.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

laurel r.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Home

The property was beautiful and the owners were very hospitable. We highly enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jeannie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Country home

Very lovely home, well stocked and comfortable. Quiet and secluded but still close enough to every thing we wanted to do.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrew V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Tranquil Stay

Tranquil stay in a peaceful setting. Cathy and Jim have a lovely house in a beautiful environment. We had a peaceful time staying with them.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

mindy b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect place to getaway!

We had a great time in this beautiful home thanks to Cathy & Jim! The house was clean and beautiful, but also in the perfect location to take a walk to the awesome private beach If we ever are back in the Central Coast, this will be our place to stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Robert V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely place

Truly a “nature’s retreat.“ Beautiful place. Lovely location, even if at the end of a narrow road. Good communications with the owner, clean as a whistle, comfortable beds, lovely garden, very pleasant stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jason M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Lovely, Pastoral Getaway

Our stay at this beautiful rental in Goleta was nothing short of delightful. The spacious three-bedroom house is set in a serene, rustic pastoral landscape, offering a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle.Inside, the home is a treasure trove of charm and character, with ornate decor, fascinating art pieces, and family photos that add a warm, personal touch. The large kitchen, seamlessly opening into the family sitting area and dining room, made for a wonderful space to gather, cook, and enjoy meals together.Every detail of the home reflects care and thoughtfulness, making it a comfortable and inviting retreat. We truly appreciated the unique ambiance and welcoming atmosphere. My friends and I truly enjoyed our time at Cathy and Jim's home. We highly recommended their place for anyone looking for a peaceful and inspiring getaway!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Susan C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous property

Not often are the photos as good as the actual property but in this case they are. We loved this home, the location and the amenities including a wonderful kitchen and cosy spacious living room. We had a great stay
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dana H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

More Mesa SB retreat

Great location in nature’s backyard, very comfortable, very quiet, with walking access to the ocean. If you like just hanging out in a peaceful relaxed setting, with easy access to biking, hiking, and or beaching, this is the place for you.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gladys M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely home with all amenities needed

Lovely home with all the amenities needed for our family gatherings. Outdoor BBQ and patio, full kitchen, living area was spacious and comfortable. Host was very responsive and available. Looking forward to staying here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lisa G., West Covina

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful

Location is perfect - a mile walk to the beach. Home is beautiful, inside and out. Relaxing on the patio was peaceful with bunnies and hummingbirds. The entire stay was excellent.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Eileen U.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful home and garden

The kitchen was the perfect gathering place during our stay in Cathy and Jim’s beautiful home. The kitchen was outfitted with every pot, pan and dish we needed for home cooked meals. We all enjoyed spending time outside in the beautiful and scenic backyard. Cathy welcomed us with open arms and was available for questions throughout our stay. We would definitely stay here again if we return to SB.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deborah A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay for a Graduation celebration!

We were thrilled to stay here when we came to Santa Barbara for a UCSB graduation. We celebrated with the family in the lovely backyard, enjoyed the quiet location, and found it convenient to everything. The house is amazing and filled with history. The hostess went out of her way to make us feel welcome and comfortable. My children told me the beds were the best they'd ever slept in. It was a perfect choice for our trip. Thank you Cathy!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Heidi G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great quiet getaway

Lovely property and really quiet. It was a gem. My family stayed for a week during a family wedding. It was perfect and we were extremely comfortable. Great deck in the back. I’d love to stay longer
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tracy C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic home in Santa Barbara

Nature's retreat is a lovely property. The grounds are amazing and the view of the mesa is so nice! Cathy is a great hostess and makes sure all the details are taken care of. We loved sitting on the side patio by the fountain watching the birds and on the main patio enjoying a glass of wine. The location is fantastic as it is midway between UCSB and downtown. There is a close grocery store and you can actually walk to a beach overlook from the house. The kitchen is well stocked and the home is very comfortable. We highly recommend and will stay here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

lovely property

This is a lovely home--beautiful furnishings, everything you'd want in a kitchen and a hydrangea-filled backyard. The owners have recently added a great new barbeque, which we used quite a bit! Also, the owners were wonderful to deal with. Highly recommended!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Joan G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Santa Barbara Sojourn

The house was very comfortable with beautiful interior decor and very comfortable furniture and beds. The kitchen was well equipped and stocked with the necessary basics (re: cooking oil, spices). Wall-enclosed front grounds demonstrated excellent landscaping with fruit-bearing lemon and apple trees. The back patio was spacious, featuring a large interesting oak tree and a path leading to the beach. The neighborhood was quiet and safe. We really didn't want to leave.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeff b., Los Angeles, California

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing weekend

We spent the New Year’s weekend at this beautiful property. It was exactly as advertised and thus the great reviews. Cathy was most responsive and the entire booking and checkout process was easy, and the communication was excellent. We would not hesitate to book again. We had a wonderful time.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nicole B., Stockholm

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful house in a beautiful area

We had a great stay at this house. It offered all of the amenities we needed for our family for the weekend and the backyard was amazing for the kids to play in. Cathy was very communicative and was able to answer all of my questions. Cathy and Jim live on-site which I was a little worried about at first but we didn’t see them all weekend. We would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mark B., Minneapolis, MN, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing...

A beautiful home nestled into the countryside, yet close to downtown Santa Barbara. The house is impeccably decorated, inviting, and comfortable. Cathy and Jim are fantastic hosts and available for any need. Pictures do not do the patio and property justice, the peacefulness of having coffee in the morning while listening to all the birds is not to be missed. We will definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anand C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Reunion

We had 3 generations that were reuniting for a weekend getaway post-Covid. The house, setting and environment were perfect for this - from the great hikes nearby (some even in the backyard), to the cozy comfortable seating around the house for casual and late night conversations over wine. We loved it!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

gail s., small town, new mexico, usa

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful and comfortable home

The house was lovely, and pretty perfect in every way. The kitchen was well equipped and the bedding was first rate. We enjoyed knowing about Cathy's musical career. There are three main seating areas inside and we used them all. We proudly hosted a few people that we were in town to see,, and they were very impressed — and comfortable.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023