Sunny Private Oasis in Santa Monica
Location is everything in Los Angeles, and this is a wonderful place to experience Santa Monica.
My sunny, spacious two story townhome is a private oasis just 12 blocks from the beach. Wall to wall windows fill the home with light, while bamboo floors and beautiful outdoor patios on both levels create a warm, relaxed feel. As an end unit, it’s exceptionally quiet and private.
The neighborhood is incredibly convenient. Just a few blocks away are some of Santa Monica’s best restaurants, coffee shops and local stores. A wonderful bakery is one block away, the fresh fish market is three blocks away, and the Wednesday and Saturday farmers markets are right in the heart of town.
The beach, parks and beautiful residential streets are all easy to explore on foot. I’ve created a map of my favorite walks, restaurants and neighborhood treasures to help you discover the area like a local. The Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade are also within walking distance.
Getting around Los Angeles is easy from here. The bus is one block away and takes you toward UCLA, Beverly Hills and Hollywood. The Metro is about eight blocks away and provides easy access to downtown LA.
If you want to explore beyond Santa Monica, I have parking at the flat, so having a car is easy. You can spend the day in Malibu, hike in the Santa Monica Mountains, visit the Getty, explore Beverly Hills or Hollywood, or take a beautiful drive up the coast to Santa Barbara.
Santa Monica offers the best of Southern California: ocean, gardens, great food, beautiful neighborhoods and an easygoing lifestyle, all with Los Angeles right at your doorstep.
The Space
My apartment is a two story flat. You enter by walking up one flight of stairs. The first floor has a half bath, while the second floor has a full bathroom and two bedrooms, each with a comfortable queen size bed. There is also an air mattress available if needed.
The second story opens onto a beautiful private patio, which is a lovely place to relax and enjoy the California sunshine. My home is quiet, comfortable and filled with natural light.
I love to cook, so the kitchen is fully stocked with everything you’ll need to prepare a meal and feel right at home.
Guest Access
My apartment is on the second and third floor
Features
Fridge
WiFi
Bed sheets
Oven
Towels
Washer
TV
Heating
Hair dryer
Microwave
Iron
Dishwasher
Smoke alarms
Workspace
Clothes dryer
Coffee machine
High Speed Internet
Garden / yard
Bathtub
Air conditioning
Deck / patio / courtyard / terrace
BBQ
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Balcony
Fireplace
Toys
Covered porch / verandah
Bikes
Pool
Gym
Wheelchair accessible
Home cinema
Hot tub
Gated community
EV Home Charger
Standup paddleboard
Camping gear
Kayak
Sauna
Tennis court
Meat-free kitchen
Kosher home
Piano
Travel Styles
Long term
Weekend
Adventure
Budget
Family
Romantic
Sport and leisure
Foodie
Relaxing
Eco
Luxury
City
Beach
Water
Culture
Hiking
Cycling
Last minute
Good public transport
Golf
House Rules
Suitable for infants under 2
Suitable for children ages 2-12
Pets not allowed
No smoking
Allergens
Cat free
Dog free
Carpet free
Smoke free
Fragrance free
Low allergen
Hypoallergenic
Dates of Availability
Click on availability periods to see exchange types and descriptions.
Available
Neighbourhood
This is one of those neighborhoods where you can settle into the rhythm of Santa Monica and feel like a local. It’s peaceful and residential, with beautiful homes, gardens, mature trees and quiet streets that are wonderful for walking.
The beach is part of everyday life here. Walk down to the ocean and you can continue along the beach all the way to Venice, stopping along the way to watch the surfers, explore the boardwalk or have lunch. You can also rent an E bike, which are available throughout Santa Monica, and ride along the coast to Venice and on to Marina del Rey.
There is always something happening outdoors. On Sunday afternoons, you can take a blanket to a local park and enjoy a concert in the park, or simply spend an afternoon walking along the bluffs and watching the sunset over the Pacific.
And then there’s a little bit of LA magic. Santa Monica is home to plenty of people in the entertainment industry, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself sitting next to a familiar face at one of the neighborhood coffee shops or restaurants. It’s part of the fun of living in this part of Los Angeles.
I love that you can make your day as active or relaxed as you want. Take a long walk, rent a bike and explore the coast, wander through the beautiful residential neighborhoods, sit in a park with a book, or head home to your private patio.
It’s a wonderful way to experience Southern California beyond the usual tourist destinations. You’re close to everything, but when you come home, it still feels peaceful, private and very much like a neighborhood.
Getting to my home
You can easily get around Santa Monica and Los Angeles without a car. The bus is just one block from my flat, and the Metro station is about a 15 minute walk away. From there, you can take the train into downtown Los Angeles and connect to other parts of the city.
LAX is approximately 30 minutes away by car, depending on traffic. I have parking at the flat if you decide to rent a car, which I recommend if you want to explore beyond Santa Monica and see more of Southern California.
From here, you can easily drive to Malibu, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, the Getty and the Santa Monica Mountains, or take a beautiful coastal drive north to Santa Barbara.
Nearest airport
Lax. Los Angeles international airport. 25 minutes away
Getting Around
Santa Monica is incredibly easy to explore on foot, and you can walk to most of what you’ll want during your stay. But Los Angeles is a very large and spread-out city, so I recommend renting a car if you want to experience everything the area has to offer.
I have convenient off-street parking at the flat, so having a car is easy. From here, you can explore the many different neighborhoods of Los Angeles, drive up the coast to Malibu or Santa Barbara, visit the Getty, hike in the Santa Monica Mountains, or venture farther south for the day.
If you prefer not to drive, there are also excellent public transportation options from Santa Monica, including the Metro and buses.
Marcia's home was just lovely! So cute and comfortable, and great location. Marcia was great at communicating before and during my stay. I would gladly recommend her home.
Marcia’s home has such a peaceful atmosphere. Our family felt right at home. It’s in the very best location for Los Angeles. She was right when she said that everything was in walking distance. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s are just around the corner. We found so many cute little coffee shops and restaurants. The hiking trails were just a 15 minute car ride. I definitely recommend Marcia's beautiful home.
It was such a pleasure staying at Marcia‘s place in Santa Monica. It’s such a beautiful two two-story apartment. We could get to every place on foot. We didn’t even need a car. Her kitchen is very well stocked with everything we needed to make cooking easy. You can really tell she likes to cook.
The apartment is 12 blocks to the beach. We really took advantage of walking there. She had plenty of towels for us to use and even some chairs and a couple bikes. No matter where you’re traveling from I really suggest you book with MARCIA’s place.
Don’t look at her calendar because sometimes she’ll just decide to take a trip.
Great experience! Thank you, MARCIA
Marcia was a wonderful house guest, everything was absolutely perfect when we got home and we'd very happily have her come again. She even insisted on paying for the cleaners, which I don't ask for if it's just a short Pluto stay, and she left me a lovely present. We one day hope to have the opportunity to go stay at her place.
Marcia stayed in one of our homes for several nights during the LA fires, as her home was in a potential evacuation zone. We had a brief opportunity to meet and chat, and she was an easy guest to host.
Thank you, Karen and David, for letting me stay in your beautiful home.
Your luxury condo was absolutely stunning, with breathtaking views of the entire city from every window. I honestly had to pinch myself!
The condo is immaculate and beautifully decorated, and Karen was wonderful and so easy to communicate with. Everything was exactly as described. The location is fantastic, just around the corner from the museum, next to the gorgeous Palace Hotel, and only three blocks from the Metro, making it incredibly easy to explore the city.
I stayed for five days while helping my daughter move to Berkeley, and next time I’m back, I can’t wait to stay again and actually enjoy more of San Francisco.
I’m putting this experience in my memory as one of the great gifts I’ve had the privilege of experiencing.
Feedback for Annet & Theo·Non-Simultaneous exchange·10 nights
There are moments in life that restore your faith in humanity, and this was one of them.
I had never met Annet and Theo before, yet they welcomed me into their beautiful home with such warmth and generosity that I immediately felt at ease. They graciously offered me their guest room, shared their kitchen so I could prepare my own meals, and made me feel completely at home.
Their home was so peaceful. Sitting in their backyard listening to the birds each morning was incredibly calming. The easy walk to the train through nature, along beautiful paths and bike trails, became one of my favorite parts of each day. It gave me a chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and restore my energy.
They also introduced me to several charming little towns rich with history, and we enjoyed a wonderful lunch at a lovely café. Those experiences made my trip even more meaningful.
I am deeply grateful that they opened their home and their hearts to someone they had never met before\. Their kindness, generosity, and trust touched me more than I can express\. I look forward to the day they visit me so I can return the same warmth and hospitality they so freely shared with me.
Thank you, Annet and Theo. I will always treasure your kindness and this unforgettable experience. ❤️
Feedback for Krista·Non-Reciprocal exchange·3 nights
Krista was a delight to host. She and her daughter stayed for a couple of nights and left the apartment exactly as they found it. I would happily welcome them back anytime.
Thank you for a great stay in San Luis Obispo. Your place is so cute and relaxing. I appreciate you taking me in for a couple of nights after the Los Angeles fires. I will always remember you kindness. Thank you!
Feedback for Melissa·Simultaneous exchange·5 nights
I loved my stay at Deena and Gideon's house! The home is clean, beautifully furnished, and so easy to navigate. The office/guest room was perfect for working remotely and everything just felt so comfortable. The kitchen is so well set-up. Their outdoor space is gorgeous and really felt like a retreat. The hammock, gazebo, outdoor dining, and garden are all so lovely. It's a quiet neighborhood with a walking trail right outside their door and so close to everything in downtown Encinitas. The guide they shared was incredibly helpful and it was fun to feel like a local with all their suggestions. Highly recommend!
It was a pleasure hosting Deena and her family in my home. They left it just as they found it. Plus they left a sweet note with a gift card from my favorite see’s candy from down the street. Yummy!
Premium
Marcia
I am a holistic psychic healer, business strategy coach, and lifelong entrepreneur. After many successful years building consumer product businesses, I am now enjoying a new chapter filled with travel, meaningful connections, and meeting people from around the world. I am also writing a book, which has become a wonderful creative journey.
I usually travel on my own and have done many non-simultaneous home exchanges, staying in a spare bedroom and enjoying the company of my hosts while still having the freedom and independence to come and go as I please. I love being able to stay in the heart of a city, experience the neighborhood like a local, and discover a place through the eyes of the people who live there. Some of my best travel experiences have come from these exchanges.
I love dancing, hiking, exploring beautiful neighborhoods, and creating delicious gluten free and dairy free meals. I meditate twice a day and strive to live a happy, balanced and conscious life.
I am a warm, respectful and easygoing guest who enjoys good conversation, discovering local neighborhoods and learning from the people I meet. I love the unexpected connections that happen when you open your home and share a little piece of your life with someone from another part of the world.
I look forward to sharing experiences, making new friends and welcoming you to Los Angeles if your travels bring you my way.
People Like Us is the world's most trusted home exchange community. We believe in sharing, trust, generosity, respect, communication, equality, cooperation, honesty, hospitality, friendship, flexibility and adventure. We take pride in our homes and we care about the environment in which we live: our village, city, country and our planet. We care about the ethos of home exchange and we do it because we love the experience and the friendships that it generates.
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