Lovely Hillcrest SUTRA, Private yard, Walk to Balboa Park/Zoo. Pet Friendly!

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Entire home

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6110 sq m

Popular amenities

Dryer
Parking available
Washer
Kitchen
Air conditioning
Pet-friendly

Explore the area

San Diego, CA

San Diego Zoo
‪13 min walk‬
Balboa Park
‪4 min drive‬
Hotel Circle
‪4 min drive‬
San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)
‪15 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Common spaces

1 Double Sofa Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Kitchen

Balcony

Garden

About this property

Welcome to an amazing secret in the heart of Hillcrest. Located one block away from Balboa Park and the world renowned San Diego Zoo. This bright spacious 2 bedroom 2 bath recently updated home is perfect for long stays or quick weekend getaways. Our place is located in a true walking neighborhood they are numerous coffee shops, restaurants, bars and many other attractions within walking distance. We are located five minutes away from Downtown San Diego and only 15 minutes away to La Jolla.

Hillcrest is a neighborhood in San Diego located northwest of Balboa Park. It is an accepting urban village with a small town feel. Hillcrest is known for its tolerance, diversity and locally-owned businesses including eclectic restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs and boutique shopping. It is also known for its salons and spas, medical offices, two major hospitals and the largest concentration of LGBTQ+ owned businesses in the city.

Balboa Park is a cultural oasis that includes 17 museums, gardens galore and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. At 1,200 acres, Balboa Park is one of North America’s most iconic urban parks and a must see on any visit to San Diego

Being in the heart of the city, Balboa Park and Hillcrest are accessible by a number of major streets. Additionally, Hillcrest is among the most walkable neighborhoods in San Diego with a neighborhood Walk Score of 87. Rideshare is easily accessible. Many Bird scooters and bikes nearby.

Pet friendly, $99 per stay!
No smoking, loud music or parties. We do accept pets but it is important to pickup after them on a daily basis. Also, there will be an additional one time charge of $99 for pet cleaning.

Property manager

Efrain Cabas

Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

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Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 18

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)

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

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

Property Registration Number 636181, STR-03932L

About the area

San Diego

Located in Hillcrest, a neighbourhood in San Diego, this holiday home is near theme parks. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Balboa Park and Waterfront Park, while San Diego Zoo and USS Midway Museum are popular area attractions. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Petco Park or Snapdragon Stadium.

San Diego, CA

What's nearby

San Diego Zoo - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
Balboa Park - 4 min drive - 3.6 km
Hotel Circle - 4 min drive - 4.6 km
Petco Park - 5 min drive - 4.5 km
San Diego Convention Center - 6 min drive - 5.4 km

Getting around

City College Trolley Station - 4 min drive
Old Town Transit Center - 11 min drive
San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) - 15 min drive

Restaurants

‪McDonald's - ‬11 min walk
‪Sydney's Grill - ‬11 min walk
‪Hua Mei Cafe - ‬15 min walk
‪Rich's - ‬13 min walk
‪The New Gossip Grill - ‬12 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Lovely Hillcrest SUTRA, Private yard, Walk to Balboa Park/Zoo. Pet Friendly! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Lovely Hillcrest SUTRA, Private yard, Walk to Balboa Park/Zoo. Pet Friendly!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lovely Hillcrest SUTRA, Private yard, Walk to Balboa Park/Zoo. Pet Friendly!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Lovely Hillcrest SUTRA, Private yard, Walk to Balboa Park/Zoo. Pet Friendly! located?

Located in Hillcrest, this holiday home is within 1 mi (2 km) of San Diego Natural History Museum and San Diego Zoo. Balboa Park and Petco Park are also within 3 miles (5 km).

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Jeni L.

14 Apr 2025

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

Great House, Great Location

We loved this house, came to take the kids to the zoo and Sea World, and it was just perfect. The location couldn't be better and the host is super responsive.

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kathy C.

26 Mar 2025

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

Fantastic Stay

Lots to love about this property including the super convenient location. Easy walk to zoo and Balboa Park as well as shopping and restaurants. Off street parking was great too. House was warm and welcoming as were our hosts! Thanks for a great visit!

Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Keith L.

23 Mar 2025

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

Very comfortable and great location

Easy walking distance to Balboa Park and SD zoo. Very accommodating hosts and nice comfortable stay.

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Susan T.

20 Jan 2025

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

Great spot for a long weekend

Wonderful property for our weekend at the SD Zoo and other Balbao Park museums - so many good restaurants nearby, and convenient to all the sights!

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alice H.

4 Jan 2025

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

The Secret about Hillcrest SUTRA

This is the best location in town. Hillcrest is so close to 'the central park' of San Diego ("Balboa Park) that you can walk south to the Zoo in 12 minutes, not to mention the other 17 museums inside Balboa, the green jewel of the tenth largest city of the country. Better yet, the whole neighborhood is residential, walkable, and close to a dozen great restaurants on University Ave to the north. Is it a secret? I almost missed it, checking out places that claimed they were close like the hilly Gas Lamp district (in the airport's flight path!), and spots around and beyond busy freeways. We stayed at a fancy downtown hotel with a bay view & a spot by the airport, but nothing measures up to our wonderful five days here in Hillcrest.

Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ashli W.

17 Dec 2024

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

Lovely rental

This Vrbo was just as listed. The place was spacious and perfect for my husband, toddler and dog to stay. The location is right by the zoo which was very convenient for us. The host messaged us regularly to make sure we were ok and had everything we needed. I definitely recommend this place.

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelli C.

13 Nov 2024

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

Our 1st VRBO was a Positive Experience

The Sutra is a very nice home away from home that I will stay at again if there comes a need. There were a couple cleanliness issues but nothing I couldn't deal with on my own. My 12 yr old Pomchi, Sally, loved exploring in the adorable back yard. The TV and couch were huge,which we loved! Definitely a wonderful experience.

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marcie S.

26 Sept 2024

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

Family trip

We had a great trip for my granddaughters 3rd birthday. Adorable little house and a great fenced yard for the dog. The owners were attentive and the snacks were a perfect touch. I would definitely stay again.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alexander K.

19 Sept 2024

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

Awesome little home near Balboa Park

We had to evacuate due to the Bridge Fire. We stayed at some local motels for three days and then decided to make a mini vacation out of our evacuation. So, we looked to San Diego. We found this little gem of a home near Balboa Park. In haste, I threw all my running shoes in my bag (and not a whole lot of other clothes), but no matter, my XC daughter and I spent the days running all around the beautiful neighborhood trails. The house was cute and perfect to relax. We went to the beach and loved walking around the peaceful town. It was close to bars and restaurants, so we took an UBER and it was quick and easy. I would definitely stay here again.

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Angel S.

13 Sept 2024

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

Great location

Great location, was able to early check in for a small fee. Will definately come back to this place.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Claire S.

8 Sept 2024

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

Easy place to be

Like our last visit, everything was to our satisfaction. The backyard is private and has everything we needed. The beds are comfortable and so is the couch. The air conditioner works really well. It's a nice quiet neighborhood, walking distance of lots to do and see. The host is responsive.

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Claire S.

26 Aug 2024

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

Relaxing space

This rear side of the house is relaxing. Large comfy couch, giant TV, decent kitchen, good size usable yard, and very comfortable firm bed. Walk to Great Maple and shops on University, Balboa Park. TV connection went out a lot. Seems to be a recurring issue. Host was responsive, happily. I don't love it when places have you do all the cleanup at the end of your day, I suppose if it reduces the cost, I'm OK with it. I would definitely stay here again. Very comfortable, clean, as everything we needed, including us, grill and nice picnic table and place to do yoga in the backyard.

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anthony and Brenda P.

1 June 2024

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

Great Location! Great hosts!

We’ve stayed here several times. We love that it’s close to restaurants, balboa park, markets, overall enjoy the location. Nice and quiet neighborhood. Nice touch to have drinks and snacks. Gina and Efrain always check in to make sure we are enjoying our stay. We plan to stay here again.

Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tahylor L.

24 Apr 2024

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

Weekend trip

Great spot, fantastic owners, would absolutely stay here again

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lizzie W.

14 Apr 2024

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

Prime location and excellent hosts

Efrain was an excellent host! He followed up shortly after I checked in to esure that we had everything we needed. If I messaged him he would responded quickly. The house was very clean and exactly as described. The area is safe and quiet. Parking on the street is easy if you do not want to park in the garage. Perfect location for a stay in San Diego! Would highly recommend this home. We will definitely be staying here again!

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deb H.

8 Apr 2024

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

Perfection!

I rented this home for a week long family visit to San Diego. 3 adults and a 6 year old. The neighborhood was quiet and we were able to walk everywhere. Coffee shops down the street, Balboa Park and the Zoo. We rented a car to do the outlying things but with all this quaint little neighborhood affords you don't really need to. The owners were very attentive when asked questions and helped with a couple of challenges we have due to food allergies. A sweet little spot for anyone planning a trip to SD.

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

James G.

1 Apr 2024

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Vacation

My family and I were in San Diego for vacation and decided to get a Vrbo instead of 2 separate hotel rooms. The house was easy to find. The check in was very easy as well as the check out process. We had a good time and enjoyed the peacefulness of having a house. The only downfall was the lack of water pressure when taking a shower and the house could use a very deep cleanining.

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katie S., Omaha, NE

19 Mar 2024

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

Great location & responsive hosts!

The property was as advertised in a great neighborhood and location. Garage was very nice to park off the street. At one point we needed some kitchen supplies, and the host was very responsive. We were happy with the stay!

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ron P.

10 Mar 2024

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

Great location

This properly had everything we needed. An easy walk to Balboa Park and the Zoo.

Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Sarah I.

27 Feb 2024

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

A Jem in San Diego

Property is well situated. We were quite literally 10-15 mins from beaches, shopping, SeaWorld, etc and only a couple of blocks walking distance to Balboa Park. A really great location! The house is well appointed and tidy. There were 4 of us (husband, myself, 2 kids) and we never felt like we were tripping over each other. The couch at this place is so big and awesome- I want one for my house. Efrain and Gina are lovely hosts, and responded immediately on the few occasions we reached out with questions. I would definitely stay here again!

Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

James B.

2 Feb 2024

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

Nice place.

We really enjoyed our stay and would so again.

Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

David B.

10 Jan 2024

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

Wonderful Stay!

Property is quite nice, great location, affordable, and has basically everything you would need while on a trip! We used the kitchen quite a bit, and the full fridge / freezer and stove / oven allowed us to basically make home cooked meals and eat at / fully enjoy the property. We had our small dog too, and he was able to take care of his business on the backyard lawn (we cleaned up after him of course) and I did my morning workouts in the backyard too. We went in January, so it was cold, and all the house heaters kept the place nice and warm. If I was going to be really picky, our only complaint was the San Diego water taste! We are from Sacramento and are used to water without minerals (of course, Davis and Woodland have that mineral taste too), so we used ice cubes from the freezer to get the water cold and it was fine then. Overall, an excellent stay and lots of room for a family of 5 (2 adults + 2 kids + 1 dog). Highly recommend!

Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

J E.

9 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Pleasant Stay

Location couldn't be better. Host couldn't be better. Furniture and layout could be improved. Kitchen wall cabinets and microwave were installed 12" higher than normal, so reaching up for dishes or to pull a hot drink out of the micro was risky. Vertical blinds in kitchen need repair. One of the bedrooms had just a night stand, so no place to put luggage or clothes. We made do.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melissa L.

27 Sept 2023

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

Fit the bill perfectly

The property was just what my husband and 2-year-old needed. The home was clean, spacious, and child-friendly. There were waters and snacks that felt like such a nice touch. It was super close to Balboa Park and other great locations. I would definitely stay here again.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lina C.

2 Sept 2023

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

Great find!

We had an excellent stay! The house was large enough and comfy enough that we didn't mind staying in to weather Hurricane Hilary (the extra large couch and strong AC are clutch). The only "ding" is that the bathrooms are slightly outdated, but the outdoor space and other amenities make up for it!

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

About the host

Hosted by Efrain Cabas

Local business owner, with a love for property and vintage cars, living in Hillcrest for the past 25 years. I live nearby, really enjoy hosting, and am quick to respond to guests quickly.

Why they chose this property

Our property is elegant, comfortable, secure, and in an amazing location. We are located in the heart of San Diego's neighborhood, Hillcrest, which is centrally located from downtown, Mission Valley, Balboa Park/Zoo, Sea World and the beaches.

Hillcrest is a neighborhood in San Diego located northwest of Balboa Park. It is an accepting urban village with a small town feel. Hillcrest is known for its tolerance, diversity and locally-owned businesses including eclectic restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs and boutique shopping. It is also known for its salons and spas, medical offices, two major hospitals and the largest concentration of LGBTQ+ owned businesses in the city.

Balboa Park is a cultural oasis that includes 17 museums, gardens galore and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. At 1,200 acres, Balboa Park is one of North America’s most iconic urban parks and a must see on any visit to San Diego

What makes this property unique

Relaxation awaits in our beautiful 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit, with new updates. The living area is very spacious with sofa, large TV and great views. The kitchen is fully stocked and ready for cooking. We provide coffee as well. Private entrance with yard with beautiful fruit trees.

Location is everything: We are located in the heart of San Diego's Hillcrest neighborhood. Steps away from exquisite dining, night life and shopping. Less than one mile to the world famous San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park which hosts various museums, an Organ Pavilion, period architecture, street performers and local artisans.

A short drive to local beaches, harbor excursions and sights, the Padre's Petco Park, Sea Word and SDCCU Stadium (formally Qualcom Stadium).

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests

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Lovely Hillcrest SUTRA, Private yard, Walk to Balboa Park/Zoo. Pet Friendly!

Photo gallery for Lovely Hillcrest SUTRA, Private yard, Walk to Balboa Park/Zoo. Pet Friendly!

Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Common spaces

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

About this property