Perched on the sand, The Boathouse offers an idyllic beach retreat with unobstructed ocean views from its Lower Unit. Savor a peaceful atmosphere as you listen to the sound of waves, or step out onto the deck and dip your toes in during high tide.
Reviews
9.69.6 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 446 sq m
Popular amenities
Ocean view
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor Space
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About this property
Beachfront Retreat On Sand with Charming Nautical Features | Lower Unit
Paradise on the beach! Sitting right on the sand at one of the most beautiful semi-private beaches in Santa Barbara, “The Boathouse” is the perfect retreat! This property is located on the best part of Miramar Beach! Constructed of teak, mahogany and white spruce, accompanied by etched and stained glass windows, this unique cottage has been designed to look and feel like a well-built custom sailing vessel. The property consists of two separate one bedroom/one bathroom units joined by a connected stairway inside and a common entrance from the outside. Each of the units can be rented separately (sleeping 2 adults and 2 children each for example) or rented together for a maximum of 6 to 8 people. Please take into consideration that this property is equip with multiple sets of stairs that are required for access down to the unit and down to the beach. As is typical with many Santa Barbara homes, this property does not have AC. Open windows and the use of fans allow ocean breezes in to keep the house cool during hot summer months.
The Lower Unit sits closest to the sand. Views are unobstructed from the deck as there is no railing and just sandy beach below. During high tide you may just be able to dangle your feet in the water from the deck! Relax and enjoy the amazing view as you listen to the sound of the surging waves. Let the waves lull you to sleep in a comfortable queen size bed. For your entertainment, this cozy cabin is also equipped with a television, cable TV and wifi. However, you will be too busy enjoying the outdoors! Just a few steps to the sand, where plenty of beach accessories await for your enjoyment—chairs, umbrellas, kayaks and boogie boards included.
When you are ready to enjoy a meal, a small kitchen provides all that you need for cooking or step up to the roof deck for your barbecuing pleasure! (Deck is shared with upper unit) If eating out at great restaurants is more your style, Montecito's lower Village is only a mile away and downtown Santa Barbara is a short 10 minute drive.
When flying into the area, the property is easily accessible from Santa Barbara Airport (only about 20 minutes away) and Los Angeles (90 miles south).
The Boathouse—Lower Unit (1 Bed/1 Bath with a sleeper sofa in living room). Please inquire if you would like to book both Upper & Lower levels together (2 Bed/ 2 Bath) or see listing titled "Entire Unit".
**Please Note: If both units are rented by separate parties, expect some interaction and possible sound due to the nature of the stacked units, internal stairs, upper deck, shared laundry, and common stairs to the beach. This property is equipped with multiple sets of stairs that are required for access down to the unit from the parking lot and down to the beach. It may not be suitable for guests with mobility issues.
Property amenities
Beach
On the beach
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Stovetop
Toaster
Bedrooms
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Sofa bed
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Hair dryer
Shower
Towels provided
Living spaces
Living room
Separate dining area
Entertainment
DVD player
TV with cable channels
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoking not allowed
Services and conveniences
Concierge services
Location highlights
Near a health/beauty spa
Near a hospital
Near a zoo
Near an outlet shopping mall
Near the bay
Near the marina
Near the ocean
On the waterfront
Things to do
Bodyboard
Kayak
Water sports equipment
Basketball nearby
Birdwatching nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Mountain climbing nearby
Rock climbing nearby
Sailing nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Snorkeling nearby
Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
Swimming nearby
Water skiing nearby
Whale watching nearby
Wildlife walks 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)
An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
Guests are required to submit their signed contract and initial payment to Vacation Rentals of Santa Barbara no later than 24 hours after booking.
Reserving guests will be required to complete a secure ID verification during the booking process. Failure to do so will result in void reservation.
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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 has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
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
About the neighborhood
Located on the beach, this vacation home is in Montecito, a neighborhood in Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara Bowl and The Easton Gallery are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Santa Barbara Zoo and Santa Barbara Channel. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center and Santa Barbara Maritime Museum are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain biking and hiking/biking trails. Visit our Santa Barbara travel guide
Is Beachfront Retreat On Sand with Charming Nautical Features | Lower Unit pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Beachfront Retreat On Sand with Charming Nautical Features | Lower Unit?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Beachfront Retreat On Sand with Charming Nautical Features | Lower Unit?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Beachfront Retreat On Sand with Charming Nautical Features | Lower Unit located?
Nestled on the beach, this Montecito vacation home is within a 15-minute walk of Miramar Beach and Fernald Point. Butterfly Beach and Hammond's Beach are also within 2 mi (3 km).
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Beachfront Retreat On Sand with Charming Nautical Features | Lower Unit Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Perfect location and space for a couple or small family to enjoy the beach and all SB has to offer. The place is small but we loved it and would rent again!
This is a precious location. You can stay on the beach and walk down to the exquisite rosewood Miramar beach resort and enjoy their restaurants and bars.
Bottom floor does hear the people above you if that would bother you. Otherwise an amazing spot
Great location right on the beach! Loved waking up to the crashing waves. Unit was perfect for the two of us and our little baby. Would love to stay here again.
The only access to bathroom is through the bedroom so you must be flexible if you invite friends. Great beach and fairly calm waves due to the property facing mostly south.
Really enjoyed our stay! Had a bit of a challenge with the incorrect lock box code and each it someone at 9:30 at night, but was able to finally reach someone and received the correct code.
Perfect location, we walked miles on the beach every morning and evening. Just a few doors down on the sand from the glorious Rosewood Miramar Hotel, which we frequented often. Perfect distance to Montecito shops and restaurants, a drive to Rincon, wine tasting in Los Olivos, and a day in the Funk Zone. It was perfection in every way!
My partner and I celebrated our engagement here and absolutely loved it. It was small, but just good enough for the two of us. It was on the beachfront and having immediate access to the beach was amazing. We had reservations to Caruso's which was just a short 2 min walk down the beach, which we recommend! You do share the building with the upper unit, but other than hearing their footsteps here and there, we did not interact with them at all. Host and everyone a part of the rental company were very accomodating. They gave us complimentary wine and helped us with our accomodations to enjoy our engagement to the fullest!
Kevin N.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Geoff H.
3 January 2023
Best of Many Vacation Rental Experiences
We have rented many vacation homes all over the world. Viki and the team at VROSB provided, without question, the best overall experience we have ever had. They were super responsive when we had questions. The listings were spot-on in terms of accuracy. Their recommendations for restaurants and other activities were very helpful. We highly recommend them and look forward to our next trip to Santa Barbara!
Thus beach house called the Boathouse was a perfect choice for our Christmas week. The bedroom feels just like your staying on a yacht...bed is so comfy. Waking up to a sun filled living room watching the waves roll in was so very soothing. The beach walks, the books read, and the fabulous meals prepared made for an absolutely perfect retreat preparing us to enter the next decade. Happy 2020!
Spent a few days here with my family, the location is great. The bed was comfortable, the overall feel is cozy, but comfortable. The back bedroom tv does not get live stream due to weak internet signal, but not a big deal. There are 2 kayaks, boogie boards, beach chairs and beach toys available for the little ones so don’t bother bringing them. Kitchen has all the basics if you plan on cooking. Would love to come back again some time.
Beautiful beachfront property--go to sleep and wake up to the waves and sea critters. Watching the beach walkers with their dogs was almost as much fun as watching the pelicans and sea lions (?). We saw a lot of pelicans fishing, and a few of the larger sea mammals that we think were sea lions popping their heads out of the waves. A truly renewing stay on the beach. A knee problem made the descent from parking to the front door a challenge, but slow and steady did the trick. If you can arrive before dark, do so. There is a light switch to turn on lights to the rock stairs, but we didn't find it in the dark. Property is very well maintained, and we heartily recommend it.
Location, Location, Location. Don’t think I need to add much else. The bottom unit opens right up to the north beach side of Montecito. Parking is tight and only a single space is shared between the units (first-come-first-serve). However, guest parking is available if you don’t get the spot but I could see this being an issue during the peak summer months. The top of the unit is a shared deck with patio furniture, BBQ, beach toys. Cool spot to cook dinner and enjoy the sunset. The actual units are pretty tight and the giant mirrors in the photos mask how small the place is. It is very well decorated so you feel like you’re staying in a captain’s quarters on a ship if you’re into that; I loved it. A small family or a couple would do well in this unit. Can’t beat the beach access and how peaceful this place is with the crashing waves lulling you to sleep.
I was looking for private accommodations on or very close to the beach in Montecito for a solo getaway. Boy did I hit the jackpot! This little beauty was perfect. When I arrived, I opened the French doors and just stood there listening to the waves crash on the beach. I could feel my entire body relaxing within minutes.
It's a cute little place that was perfect for me. It was convenient to the lower village neighborhood with great restaurants, shopping, and a grocery store.
I could clearly hear the family with young children in the upstairs unit, but they checked out the next day and no one checked in for the remainder of my stay.
As the listing indicates, there are a lot of stairs from the parking area down to the unit's front door via the interior staircase, but I didn't pack a lot so it wasn't too bad.
FYI: There are no kitchen staples except salt and pepper. Stop at Von's on Coast Village Rd and get your essentials (coffee/tea, etc.) on the way there.
I will definitely book this place again.
We were very pleased with the property. Small, but has everything you need. Very well appointed, and we especially appreciated the nice and numerous beach towels and bath towels. Terrific location and very responsive management team. We would definitely go again. Plus bonus of great neighbors!
We LOVED our stay. The property management is available via text for any questions you may have. The beach and location are amazing. The bed was very comfortable. I would love to return.
We had a fantastic week. Everything about the house was exactly as advertised. Location, comfort, and communication could not have been better. I consider myself a pretty tough customer when it comes to hotels/accommodations, I only have positive things to say.
We greatly enjoyed our stay. Great location. Very clean and cozy. Fantastic that they provided access to two kayaks. Will definitely plan to return. Property manager was very helpful.
Can't beat the location and beauty of the property! The back bedroom is small and very tight. They need a few more appliances in the kitchen (no blender). A dishwasher and air conditioning would make it perfect!