Steps to Beach+Shops, Oceanview, Hot Tub+Firepit | Moonlight Modern by AvantStay Reviews, Deals & Photos 2025

Q: Is Steps to Beach+Shops, Oceanview, Hot Tub+Firepit | Moonlight Modern by AvantStay pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

Q: How much is parking at Steps to Beach+Shops, Oceanview, Hot Tub+Firepit | Moonlight Modern by AvantStay?

On-site parking is available at the property.

Q: Where is Steps to Beach+Shops, Oceanview, Hot Tub+Firepit | Moonlight Modern by AvantStay located?

Nestled on the beach, this Downtown Encinitas holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Moonlight State Beach and Encinitas Surfboards. Beacon Beach and San Elijo State Beach are also within 1 mile (2 km).

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Robert R.

17 Jul 2017

A perfectly elegant vacation

This is our third VRBO experience with a California beach home. This looked like a very nice place and we were not disappointed. The unit is finished and decorated in a very European style. Fixtures, flooring, and furnishings were all as nice as the pictures in the VRBO catalog. One of the pictures is the view from the upstairs dining room area of the beach and that view we enjoyed every daylight minute. It is 3-4 minutes and you are on the beach. We had 4 families and 4 cars and for once we didn't have to search the streets for a parking space. the garage (1) and drive (3) accommodated our transportation. It is a short walk to a coffee shop with great pastries. An equally short walk to the famous Handel's ice cream shop. (40 flavors!) It was also close walk to downtown Encinitas which has a number of shops and restaurants (Great Pizza). We had several small grandchildren and there was a nice park with playground equipment 2 minutes from the home. Our host Estee was accommodating and very responsive. Every element was 5 star. We will stay here again if we return to the Southern California coast. Thank you for accommodating our 2017 family reunion.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Nikki K.

8 Jul 2025

Beyond fabulous. I have stayed in my share of Encinitas beach front / ocean front properties and this far exceeded any of them. You could tell it was their personal residency and beyond gorgeous!

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

elliott B.

3 Oct 2024

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

Great location

great location and set up

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

RACHEL R.

16 Aug 2018

Spacious and perfect location

Loved everything about this place! My interaction with the property manager to the whole 5 night stay was an At! The location is perfect walking distance to beach or perfect for beach cruiser rides into town! Two kitchens that were huge. Loved how much room we had. I highly recommend staying here. The rooms were great size and lots of closet space. If i were to give one suggestion it would be more bathroom towels in each bathroom, but other than that no complaints whatsoever! Thank you for helping us to create many memories for my family and friends! Rachel Read

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2018

4/10 Poor

Mike H.

4 Aug 2018

Dissapointed

I'm not a review writer. However I felt the owner had an opportunity to make things right regarding our stay and that did not happen. I felt that some very important details were left undisclosed regarding this property. At the end of the day I felt that what I got was not what I paid for. When I brought it to the owners attention, I was offered a token that was quite frankly a bit insulting, and at that point I felt slighted which is why I write this. The property is nice and it's a great location. This goes without saying. I'll try and be brief. There is a full scale tear down of the home directly in front of this rental (the first thing you see when viewing the ocean from the home). When you are standing on the deck you are overlooking a big rectangular pit with big rig equipment and construction workers working throughout the day. Our vacation day would begin at 7:15 AM sharp with the loud beeps that heavy equipment make when they are backing up (the warning siren). The noise and work continue for the following 8 hour work day. This tear down next door has just begun and by the looks of it probably won't be complete until sometime in 2019. I can say unequivocally that it ruined our planned peaceful time that we envisioned. My single one complaint is that this construction site was not disclosed in the listing or to us once we made the reservation. When I expressed my disappointment to the owner I was in general told the following in a very nice way. 1. That this home normally rents for a lot more money so I should be happy that I was able to get it for less. 2. She offered me another stay at the same price that I paid and not the normal higher rent they normally get. My point to the owner is this. I would have paid you higher rent per night for the peace and quite I was looking for. If your listing would have disclosed the construction site I would have booked elsewhere. But you did not disclose it and therefore I did not have the chance to make that decision for myself and family. Instead I was surprised by it upon arrival and then told to essentially be happy that I got a good deal in the first place. Well that doesn't work for me. The money is not the issue. It was missing out on the experience my wife and I were anticipating. Frankly the owner should have offered me a partial refund which would have made things right in my opinion. Offering me the home again came off a tad rich.

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2018

2/10 Terrible

Claire C.

28 Jul 2018

Unluxurious, problem-filled “quirky” rental

This is our family of 14’s 7th summer renting homes through Home Away. We are not newbies at renting and I have never been so disappointed in a home before. The location of this property is beautiful. Steps away from the very crowded Moonlight Beach. Inside, this was not a luxury rental. It is filled with broken down deck chairs, flattened out lumpy beds and pillows and skimpy kitchen equipment. The kitchen had no blender, no martini shaker, not 1 platter! Want hot water to shower? You must let the water run 5-10 minutes before showering. Really. The upstairs cooktop is Induction & tricky to use. You must only use special pots & eggs & everything sticks, nothing is easy. The first morning, the coffee pot was broken. We bought a new one at Costco and the owner did reimburse us. The owner responds to issues, we just had so many. Broken fridge, broken garage door and thats not counting the so many quirks peculiar to this house. Not enough bath towels. There should be at least 2 lg towels per person. There were not. The six beach towels supplied cannot leave the property & be used at the beach. We used them to supplement the bath towel situation. There were 4 broken down, rusting beach chairs for 14 people. All other beach houses we have rented had tons of chairs. We had to borrow some from relatives & purchase 4 which we left with our relatives. Estee says you can rent equipment on the beach. We rented this beach house for 14 days. It is absurd to rent 14 chairs for 14 days plus pay for this so called “luxury beach rental” If you advertise your beach home as sleeping 14, it needs to be equipped for 14. The most distressing thing was the condition of ALL the outside furniture. The upstairs deck has woven wicker chairs. On every chair the wicker was dirty & UNRAVELING & catches on your clothes. AWFUL! This was the space we wanted to gather because you have the beach view from here. The downstairs circular sofa that looks so pretty in the pictures, has huge tears in the cushions, is dirty & there is no view or breeze from down there. The topper though is that the home next door was demolished & you overlook a HUGE dirt pit construction site. On day 10 of our stay a massive drill was delivered & noise began at 7AM. Estee seems nice but this house needs TLC before it can be labeled “luxury”. Location alone does not make a home luxurious. It’s a combo of ease & beauty that creates luxury. This house is way too pricey for a very unluxurious rental

Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2018

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jeff K.

6 Dec 2017

Amazing property in an awesome SoCal spot!

We used this home for a family reunion for people coming from distant places. First and foremost, its SoCal destination speaks volumes for its attractiveness. Moonlight Beach couldn't be more darling, or more fun. A really nice place to vacation, and the house is just so close. The house itself is wonderful for large groups: so many bedrooms/sleeping arrangements, with enough bathrooms to accommodate. We comfortably used every space offered: the decks, the dining spaces, both kitchens (cooked an amazing Thanksgiving dinner for 14!), and even the outdoor seating spaces. The house was wonderfully appointed, and the owner very responsive to our questions and needs. While I do not have much VRBO experience, I loved this house and give it, the location and the owner very high marks.

Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Cindi B.

12 Aug 2017

Great location, Wonderful house

My family of 7 adults snd 4 children spent a great week here. The house is spacious and well appointed. We enjoyed eating many meals out on the upper deck. The location is perfect for walking to the beach, restaurants and coffee shops.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

judy b.

24 Jun 2017

FANTASTIC BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY! GREAT OWNER! GREAT FAMILY REUNION!

We stayed here for 4 days in June for a family reunion. The home is immaculate and beautiful.The bedrooms were spacious and really comfortable. There are 3 beautiful masters with en-suite bathrooms and the other bedrooms are super spacious, pretty and comfortable. There are 2 huge fully equipped kitchens so we only had to make one grocery store run as there was plenty of space to keep everything refrigerated. The floor plan is nice and open so you can cook and visit at the same time. The decor is very modern beachy and there are so many spaces upstairs and down to gather and hang out. We loved the balconies where we could see the whole of Moonlight Beach and catch the cool breezes. The location is as good as it gets being just steps to the beach and the town. The garage is filled with beach chairs, boogie boards and anything else you would want for a day at Moonlight beach which is such a fun beach. It has 3 volleyball courts, a snack bar with bathrooms, great waves for boogie boarding and the beaches are great for walking with the ocean on one side and the bluffs on the other. The hone is also so convenient to the town and you can walk to any restaurant or shop easily. Estee, the owner was great to work with and so responsive and accommodating. I would highly recommend this property and will stay here again if lucky enough to have the opportunity!

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Steve T.

31 May 2017

Pretty much as advertised

Beautiful house, great location and owner was very accommodating and helpful. Owner was quick to answer questions via text and it was just a really nice stay. Just make sure that when you book the place, to read all of the instructions the owner provides...that will help your stay. Lovely house and when we are back in Encinitas and if the house is available, will definitely love to book it!

Stayed 3 nights in May 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany G.

27 Mar 2017

Great home away from home close to the beach!

Our family of 5 plus two additional children recently stayed at this property for 5 nights. We chose this home because it was very close to our friends whom live locally, but it really turned out to be the perfect space for our spring break getaway. This home was the perfect layout for multiple families, but in our scenario it was equally great, giving the older children their own kitchen and spacious hangout area (family room) separate from ours on the upper level. With so many rooms, it's a great option for a very large group, but also for those that don't enjoy being cooped up together in tight quarters while traveling. It was a close walk to the nearby Moonlight Beach and with lots of local shops and great dining options, you don't have to go far unless you want to. The home was clean and seemingly well maintained with no major issues. Estee, the homeowner, was wonderful to deal with and super prompt to respond, though fortunately we didn't need her during our stay, except to add an additional night and extend our trip. Overall, we had a great experience and would definitely suggest this home for your next trip to Encinitas!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

ruth n.

6 Dec 2016

Thanksgiving week at this beautiful house!

Family trip for a week to Encinitas and loved staying here. The house is laid out really well, plenty bathrooms and space. Two kitchens. Spent most of our time upstairs though. Beds were very comfortable with good comforters, pillows. If you are going to do much cooking recommend bringing some of your own spices and favorite pans or serving dishes. Property is well maintained and was very easy dealing with the owner. Great view from the patio and upstairs dining table. The location is fantastic. Can walk across street to the ocean and also can walk to the town of Encinitas. There are many great restaurants right there in Encinitas. Recommend Taco Stand (lunch), Maurizos (dinner) and Swamis for breakfast or lunch. Highly recommend!

Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

5 Nov 2016

Fantastic accommodation for our corporate retreat

We stayed here in early March - set up was great for our 8 business partners - with good meeting space, lots of rooms and facilities. Location to the beach was great. Estee was extremely helpful and accommodating with arrangements for dinners and activities - everything went off without a hitch making for a very successful and enjoyable retreat

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Marzi C.

26 Oct 2016

Real Californian experience.

The house is super spacious, many sitting areas inside and outside, and is located right at the beach, what allows to be in the house and enjoying the view from the beautiful balcony but also it's a block away from the beach. It's amazing that it is standing separate from other properties and every room is very comfortable and equipped with essentials but also AC. Great isolation do not allow any noise coming from other rooms. Just perfect place to spend holidays, reconnect with friends and family in a very luxurious environment. We had the best weekend ever!

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Stacy V.

21 Aug 2016

Relaxing wonderful stay

My family loves Moonlight beach and this rental is in the exact perfect spot (there are not many opportunities to be almost right on the beach - but you are close enough without major stairs in this home). Beautiful house with ample space and everything you might need to make your vacation simply amazing. Thanks Estee for all your help and flexibility - we had the best time!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Maria P.

1 Aug 2016

Moonlight beach home

The location couldn't have been better. From the upstairs patio we were able to watch the ocean. What a treat! We consisted of 13 adults ranging from 18 to 85. All of us had a comfortable place to sleep and use of the bathroom. We mostly ate in, and the house being equipped with two kitchens, made the job easy. The listing description was accurate regarding the location, layout and amenities. We had a small drainage problem in a couple bathroom sinks, but we easily took care of it. I would recommend his property to my friends and my relatives

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Chad H.

26 Jul 2016

COMING BACK FOR SURE!!!

We booked this house for a week vacation with my large family - 8 adults, 3 teenagers, and 4 kids and it was more than enough room for everybody. The house was fantastic and has everything you need. The patio doors to the balcony were a little tricky but once we figured it out everything was smooth sailing. The beach is absolutely incredible for people of all ages. It has volleyball courts, tiki hut umbrellas, fire pits (which we took full of), a few bbq's, a rental center, snack shack and good surfing! You can walk to town and hit the restaurants and bars as well. The train station is also a 5-10 walk away, which we took to Old Town to cruise around and go out to dinner one night. The owner Estee is very nice, accessible, and easy to deal with. Not a negative thing to say about the house or the trip, we will definitely be back!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lydia R.

7 Apr 2016

Perfect group get-away

Delightful escape. Perfect group home so close to the beach and within walking distance to town! The owners are very friendly and helpful. Highly recommend this vacation home! We hope to visit again!

Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kerry G.

16 Feb 2016

The Magic of Moonlight Modern

Prior to arrival, I was able to study the gallery of photos on the Moonlight Modern Facebook page, and instantly was blown away. Our group of 8 quickly settled into our new home, and I personally felt as if I knew every square inch from the visualization of the photos. It was beautiful inside and out! The close access to the beach, and the many activities that can be accommodated around this beach entrance are limitless. Our group also enjoyed the quick 10 minute walk to the main strip of Highway 101 to shop, eat, and enjoy the Self-Realization Fellowship meditation gardens - Which is a "must do" if in Encinitas. We utilized the house for a 4 day yoga retreat, and the sacred space provided exactly what we needed for our group of 8 yogis. We also enjoyed the company of the owner for a portion of the time, and she too brings her own magic. The magic of Moonlight Modern and the magic of Encinitas will bring me back again. Many thanks!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Melissa H.

15 Feb 2016

A yogi's paradise!

My group and I came to Encinitas for a yoga immersion. We stayed at Estee's place because of it's location and size. The house is incredible! The bedrooms were all very large and cozy and the amenities were top notch. We could walk to the beach to practice either on the sand or the bluff. The outdoor patios at the house were wonderful spaces to hold our workshops, journal and share meals. The house is so close to all sorts of amazing shops, coffee houses and other delicious restaurants. This truly is the perfect location for a get away. Moonlight Beach being so close was nothing short of amazing. It was so fun seeing all of the surfers, volleyball players, family and more having a great time too enjoying the Pacific and this wonderful beach. We even used the fire pit on the beach for some outdoor night play! Encinitas and Moonlight Modern has stolen our hearts. We will definitely be back!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

lesley L.

2 Dec 2015

A gem I would like to keep to myself

We had a wonderful experience at this property. The house, it's location and owner were all top notch. A perfect location for corporate and or family functions. Plenty of personal space as well as great open group space. When we are back in town, we will most defiantly look to stay again.

Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2015

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sheena L.

5 Oct 2015

Exceptional experience, beautiful house and great location!

I recently stayed here, as part of a mastermind retreat with 6 friends. It was a perfect house for us -- there was plenty of space so everyone could have their own private room, but also very conducive to getting together. The modern decor was beautiful and everything was newly renovated and in great condition. We enjoyed many conversations in the living spaces and had a private chef come in to cook a meal that we ate at the outdoor table. The views were amazing, and with the windows open, the sound of the waves was so calming. Many homes say "steps from the beach", but this one really was -- we regularly walked there without shoes! It was a wonderful way to experience all that Encinitas has to offer. Estee was great and provided some nice suggestions for dining and group activities. She was always available with any questions and made the whole process so easy. I'd highly recommend!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sylvie P.

26 Aug 2015

Amazing house and great location

We just spent a week at this nice house, the pictures are exactly how the house is. It is well located, the beach is really nice and it is in a fun neighbourhood. We were two families ( 4 adults and 7 teenagers) and we had plenty of space for all of us. Our teens enjoyed the surfing and the evening bond fires on the beach. Would definitely recommend and would love to go back! The owner ,Estee, is always quick to answer any questions you may have.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Chris A.

25 Jul 2015

Modern, beautiful house in prime location.

This house is spacious, well appointed, a one minute walk to the beach and a 10 minute walk to excellent shopping and dining. It is located on Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, CA. This beach has the best amenities and facilities of any in the San Diego area, imo. The house has 6 big bedrooms that can easily sleep 12 people. An office located on the top floor also has a sleeper sofa. The house is two stories with large screen tv's and a full kitchen on both floors. The 5 1/2 bathrooms have great modern fixtures and are very nice. The outdoor shower was utilized every day when we returned from the beach. The house has a very fast wifi connection and had no problem keeping up with our group's numerous iPhones and iPads. The owner was reachable and attentive and we would not hesitate to rent this house again in the future.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nancy B.

22 Jun 2015

amazig beach,gorgeous home

“perfect beach house” 5 of 5 starsReviewed April 29, 2015 for a stay in April 2015 I can’t say enough good things about this fantastic home and the wonderful, extremely helpful owners. The house was HUGE and more beautiful then we expected, with a lot to offer. Everything in the house is modern with state of the art appliances and decorated perfectly! Even though we were a large group, we were all comfortable and still had enough room to have our own space and privacy. The beach and ocean views were to DIE FOR! The playground, volleyball courts, bonfires and beach restaurant were right outside our door and the town being a few blocks away ensured that we always had something to do when we weren't out sightseeing. We were really glad we didn’t choose one of the houses on the cliff as they were nowhere near the main beach and had tons of steps down to the sand. Our location was perfect. We truly never wanted to leave. We definitely plan to stay there again - It's worth it! more

Steps to Beach+Shops, Oceanview, Hot Tub+Firepit | Moonlight Modern by AvantStay

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