This property is suitable for families with children and related mature groups, but not for groups of younger adults who might bring many vehicles, drink or party or stay up late. The beds (2 Kings, 1 Queen etc) are best suited to families. Please do not ask to book if you are a group of unrelated adults.

This 2800-square-foot, split level architectural house inspired by the artist who commissioned it in the 1970s. From the sidewalk where you will park, there is a spectacular downhill view of the ocean 0.4 miles away. From several rooms and the rear deck there are scattered glimpses of ocean between an overgrowth of trees, bushes and plants. The living room, dining room, kitchen and master bedroom all have high or very high open-beam ceilings. Some other rooms have low ceilings. Decorated with a mix of the traditional (marble floors, 5 chandeliers, 25 hanging pendant lights, antique furniture and lights), artistic (silver nickel bathtub, track spotlights illuminate original art) and eclectic items, the property invites you to breathe, rest, dream, laugh and play. It is not the standard in-style manicured hotel with neatly mowed short lawns, and not a property newly furnished for rent only. There is fast internet, and you could stream from your own satellite or cable service to two smaller TVs, but the seating is not set up for TV viewing. Please do NOT ask to stay if the house does not match your preferences.

The pool is 3 - 6 feet deep and heated all year, but neither the pool nor spar can be used after 8pm, and also because of noise restrictions, there can be no music heard or played outside at any time. Kids playing is not a problem.

The two full suites are upstairs, each with a small ocean view between trees, and private full baths. The master suite has a king bed, a fold out full sofa-bed suitable for a child, lots room for an air-mattress (we may or may not have any since they do not last long - please ask), private balcony and a marble floor in its private bathroom. The guest suite also has a king bed and twin pull down Murphy bed. A smaller bedroom downstairs has one queen bed, and French doors to its own small private patio. A ladder loft at the top of the house, with four twin beds, serves as a fourth play/sleeping area for kids. There is also a twin bed in the large study room.

It is easy for large groups to spread out in the house. You can cook and feast in the oversized old kitchen, equipped with a six-burner, two-oven Wolf commercial-style range, large prep island. The kitchen table can seat 8, and the island has 3 stools. The dining room is bright and its table seats 10. The big living room has 2 couches, a marbled floor and tall double French doors leading to the pool and its adjacent elevated deck. Or you can retreat upstairs to one of the very private suites.

There are two areas to gather outside, on either side of the house. There is a French style white wooden dining table and BBQ in the kitchen garden, on a tiled area adjoining the kitchen. There is a small "lawn" like area of tall local grasses and natural wild plants and weeds that are adapted to the shade under the huge tree - very little will grow in the shade.

In the rear, you can sit on the deck to talk, in shade if you like, or splash in the lap pool, and soaking in the attached spa, but not after 8pm. We do not have a sun lounger - the frequent overnight ocean fog and day time sun destroy many materials. You can eat by the pool on a Balinese teak dining table, … and if you ever decide to venture off the property, Del Mar's best beaches, parks, shopping, race track, fair grounds and dining are all down the hill.

My house is near the top of a steep hill facing the ocean, about 0.4 miles straight downhill to the beach, so you may hear waves at night, but there is a steep cliff there so you must head either North or South to get to one of two beaches. You can walk to the south beach via roads or a wilderness trail but almost everyone would drive because you will want to have towels, water, cooler box, snacks, clothes etc. and it is a steep hill to come back up.

It is 1 mile from house to either of two popular beaches; one North is just north of the shops and high end restaurants of Olde Del Mar on Camino Del Mar from 11th to 15th St. The very north tip of this beach is for dogs. Torrey Pines State Beach to the south is much more beautiful and is accessed via the coast road with the best views in the county. You can park right by beside beach if you pick your timing and walk over the large breakwater rocks, of pay for two large parking lots with restrooms, but not shops. The amount of exposed sand varies by year and from tide to tide, but we prefer to go at low tide.

Although you may occasionally hear waves at night, this is usually a very quiet neighborhood; hence when outside, no shouting, screaming, and never any music or radios. Do not open gates to neighbors’ houses and do not knock on their doors. Make sure all people arriving know the house number. No events, parties, receptions etc. You must never drink alcohol to point where judgement or actions are impaired, or people become noisy. No people on property other than the guests specified at time of booking. Do not use the spa or pool after 8 pm.

This is the house I live in when not rented. It contains my personal property including clothes. It is NOT a hotel. If you are looking for convention, and all new decorations please stay in one of the 8 excellent nearby hotels including two very high ends ones. You have responsibilities and duties similar to those of any homeowner (strip beds you used and begin one cycle of washing, wash and put away dishes, put trash bins out on Sunday, clean up and put away things you moved, leaving house as you found it...). Only when you help in this way can we complete the cleaning in a few hours before the next group arrives.

You can park directly in front of the house on the street, from where there is a 50 foot path with three 4 inch steps down to the house. There is unlimited free parking downhill from the house, but NO parking uphill, in front of mailboxes or in the alley. There is room from one car or truck (but not RV) on loose stones in the rear. The garage is not part of the rental.

Please make sure everyone in your group is aware of the house rules. Your deposit will not be returned if anyone complains about a violation of a house rule. We have not had trouble with kids playing; it is always adults who cause problems.

Keywords: house, 2 suites, pool, spa, ocean view, trees, top location