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John Steinbeck's Cottage: 30-Night Minimum Stay

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Spacious living room with tented cathedral ceiling and adorned fireplace
Room
Farm table in dining room with view of the back garden
Front view of The Steinbeck Cottage
Living room with plenty of places to curl up with a Steinbeck book or two
Reviews
9.8

Exceptional

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 284 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Fireplace
    FireplaceFireplace
  • Kitchen
    KitchenKitchen
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor spaceOutdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Pacific Grove, CA
  • Popular LocationCannery Row9 min walk
  • Popular LocationMonterey Bay Aquarium10 min walk
  • Popular LocationLovers Point2 min drive
  • AirportMonterey, CA (MRY-Monterey Peninsula)8 min drive

Most relevant reviews

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining Area

About this property

John Steinbeck's Cottage: 30-Night Minimum Stay

'I bought a small house and garden in Pacific Grove...' (John Steinbeck: A Life in Letters). John Steinbeck wrote these words to a friend about this charming house he called home in the 1940s.

This cottage was featured in Country Living's article "You'll Never Guess Which Classic American Author's Cottage is For Rent."

There is a minimum stay of 30 nights. Enjoy discounted rates (already reflected in published rates) and pay $0 city occupancy tax.

The Space
This cottage has a unique and rich literary history, having belonged to John Steinbeck in the early 1940's. It has been renovated to pay homage to the period and history of the property.

This darling home, known as The Steinbeck Cottage, has a beautiful living room with a tent cathedral ceiling. It's focal point is the fireplace, richly adorned with carvings of birds and flowers. It has a queen sleeper sofa, a love seat, two reading chairs and a flatscreen TV.

There is a large bedroom, accommodating a queen bed, a sitting area, and a cozy electric fireplace. There is a fully stocked kitchen with everything you need to create great meals. The dining room has a farm table and is surrounded by floor to ceiling picture windows, overlooking the garden and offering peaks of the bay. The beautiful bathroom features white subway tiles in the shower and blue Moroccan lantern tiles on the floor.

The front yard offers an outdoor sitting area. Guests can also enjoy beautiful views of the garden from the sitting area just right outside the steps of the back door.

The cottage is approximately 900 square feet. It is original architecture from the 1920’s and has short doorways throughout the cottage. Taller guests will need to mind their heads when passing through the rooms.

Interaction with Guests
While The Steinbeck Cottage is one of the three cottages on the property, it offers plenty of privacy and a dedicated outdoor sitting area.

The Neighborhood
Pacific Grove has been called “Butterfly Town U.S.A.,” “The Most Romantic City in the U.S.,” “A Dreamy California Destination, ” as well as an idyllic place to get married, to honeymoon or to just hang out. Some of it is self-proclaimed, some the acclaim of people who have actually visited Pacific Grove.

You will find Pacific Grove on the very tip of the scenic, tree-shrouded Monterey Peninsula with a rocky coastline and an ambiance of charm, grace and beauty.

Founded in the 1870s as a Methodist summer retreat, Pacific Grove still bears the look and feel of yesteryear. As you stroll the residential streets admiring the charm of home after home, you will notice little plaques on many of the homes that bear the name of the original owner and the year in which it was built. To qualify for a plaque from the Heritage Society of Pacific Grove, a structure must look like it did when it was originally built.

Among its visitors are brightly colored orange-and-black Monarch butterflies, who overwinter in Pacific Grove after traveling up to 2,000 miles, arriving by the thousands starting in October, peaking around Christmas and departing by March.

Besides its scenic beauty and idyllic neighborhoods, Pacific Grove offers an eclectic downtown experience, with small boutiques, gift shops, art galleries, antique stores and more. Other vibrant shopping areas are along Central Avenue at the entrance to Pacific Grove from Cannery Row and at the top of Forest Avenue on Forest Hill.

Getting Around
The Steinbeck Cottage is centrally located and a short walk from many scenic destinations. It is located a half mile from The Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row, as well as downtown Pacific Grove. Lover's Point beach is just one mile away and downtown Monterey is two miles away.

There are many fantastic restaurants, activities and shops in the area.

Other Things to Note
- Check-in time is 4:00 pm and check-out time is 11:00 am.
- There is a firm no smoking and no pet policy.
- We do not have a washer/dryer on the property for guest use.

Property manager

Kevin & Vicky Delaney

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen
Outdoor space
Fireplace

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets 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
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

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Pacific Grove

Located in Pacific Grove, this cottage is by the sea. Fisherman's Wharf and Pebble Beach Golf Links are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore 17-Mile Drive and Monterey Bay. Check out an event or a game at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and consider making time for Monterey Bay Aquarium, a top attraction not to be missed. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Pacific Grove, CA

What's nearby

  • Cannery Row - 9 min walk
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium - 10 min walk
  • Lovers Point - 2 min drive
  • Fishermans Wharf - 3 min drive
  • Pacific Grove Golf Links - 5 min drive

Getting around

  • Monterey Station - 10 min walk
  • Monterey, CA (MRY-Monterey Peninsula) - 8 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Monterey Bay Aquarium - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Gianni's Pizza - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Carl's Jr. - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Sea Harvest - ‬13 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is John Steinbeck's Cottage: 30-Night Minimum Stay pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at John Steinbeck's Cottage: 30-Night Minimum Stay?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at John Steinbeck's Cottage: 30-Night Minimum Stay?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is John Steinbeck's Cottage: 30-Night Minimum Stay located?

Situated by the sea, this cottage is within a 10-minute walk of Cannery Row and Monterey Bay Aquarium. 17-Mile Drive and Monterey Bay are also within 2 miles (3 km). Monterey Station is 10 minutes by foot.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 68 out of 79 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 79 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 79 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 79 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 79 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer L., Long Beach, CA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely wonderful
Could not have been more comfortable, beautiful, or carefully tended to. A very special place. Thank you, Kevin and Vicky!
Stayed 30 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kristen M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Cabin Stay in Monterey Area
We spent the month of August here is this cute cabin. It's in a nice quiet part of Pacific Grove. It's centrally located for trips to Carmel, Big Sur, and Old Monterey.
Stayed 30 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Irene L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Enjoyable stay
Great central location, close to everything. The cottage is surprisingly spacious, very clean and well appointed. There was plenty of space for our belongings. The sitting furniture in the living room is very comfortable, as is the bed. The dining area is especially nice, with a large table and lots of light. The kitchen is equipped with everything one needs for simple cooking. The place may not be optimal for very tall people, as the ceiling is low in some areas. The hosts are wonderful, friendly and responsive. The cancellation policy is very generous. Not having the laundry facilities or the dishwasher was a bit inconvenient, but on the whole we had a very comfortable stay. Will be coming again!
Stayed 30 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Virginia Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Pleasant stay in a historic cottage
Great location and good service. A few recommendations: replace the current old windows with new ones so they can be opened to air the rooms, install a bar and a mat in the shower to prevent the elderly from slipping in the bathtub. We enjoyed the cottage very much and would highly recommend it.
Stayed 31 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Linda V., West Sacramento

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cute cottage
We enjoyed our stay at this lovely cottage. Parking was street only but we had no problem finding a space.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Michelle S.

Amazing enchanting piece of history!
We loved every minute at this charming and enchanting cottage. We lived like a local. Walked to restaurants. Made supper in our historic kitchen, It was a delightful balm for the soul.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jeanclaire C.

Cozy Cottage - All you need!
This home was perfect for our little family, a toddler and infant. The bed was very comfortable and the room had a fold out couch that was perfect for our toddler. We liked the ambiance of the fireplace. The location was very convenient. We walked to the Aquarium and Cannery Row, with a stroller; going down was better than the walk back but we made it each time. Kevin and Vicky were very helpful and provided thoughtful information to make our stay easy. Would highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Lach E.

I agree with Steinbeck
I agree with Steinbeck that the cottage encourages reflective thought. Great architectural spacial planning as well. Nothing wasted here.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Sharon B.

Charm and Romance in Pacific Grove
The Steinbeck Cottage did not disappoint. It is charming, romantic, cozy, warm, and we began calling it home immediately. It is the perfect base for visiting Spanish Bay and Point Lobos and also walking distance to some great restaurants like Il Vecchio and Vivolo's, to the water, and to the charming downtown. We can't wait to return to Steinbeck Cottage and make many more memories in our new home away from home. Thank you Kevin and Vicky for sharing your delightful home.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Lori R.

Extraordinary Pacific Grove Cottage – Book it!
My wife and I stayed in the Steinbeck cottage for 5 nights, but fell in love instantly. We felt at home when we walked in the front door and wanted to move in for good. If you are looking for a clean, comfortable and relaxing stay on the Monterey Peninsula, look no further. This place exceeds expectations. A few highlights… • The entire cottage is inviting, but the living room and outdoor seating areas really make you want to sit down and loose yourself in a good book or conversation. • Parking available on the street, right in front of the cottage every day of our stay. We never had to look for a spot or park down the street. • Walking distance down the hill to Lighthouse Ave. and/or Central Ave. for some good restaurants (e.g., Vivolo's Chowder House, Happy Girl Café/Kitchen & El Cantaro) and coffee (Happy Girl Cafe). • Kevin and Vicky provided excellent, detailed instructions for everything. • The Monterey Peninsula is full of wonder and puts both remarkable natural beauty and great social experiences right out your door. We have stayed in many excellent VRBO properties, but this one really stands out. We will be back.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Michael P.

Perfect cottage for an extended stay!
We absolutely loved our time at the Steinbeck Cottage! We stayed for about 8 days and found that the cottage was perfect for an extended vacation. It couldn't have been more cozy and inviting, with charming decor throughout. The nooks and crannies really gave you the feel of an older home, yet the renovations made it quite suitable for modern living. The bed was the most COMFORTABLE bed ever -- hated to leave it! The kitchen was fully equipped with cooking utensils, which made it easy to make some low-budget meals in between exploring all the great restaurants nearby. The location of the cottage itself was perfect -- walking distance to many tourist hot spots, cafes, and restaurants. We would love to return one day! Thank you for sharing this treasured piece of history with us. -- Rabon & Jacob Wilson
Stayed 8 nights in May 2018

8/10 Good

Suzie B.

Cozy, peaceful, comfortable.
This is a well-located peaceful spot with easy access to Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel. Just a little driving to Big Sur.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Barbara G.

Cute and Cozy
Enjoyed our stay. I thought it was a little too pricy. The bedroom and bathroom are a little cold. Could use a space heater. Otherwise it is a darling cottage.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018

8/10 Good

Ken D.

Tremendous time
We had a fantastic time the space was magical. Loved the sacredness of the space. Only caveat was the television and DVD we found it impossible to get the DVD working, either one of them.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

Susan V.

Perfect charming cottage
My daughter and I had a lovely time staying at the Steinbeck Cottage. Everything is well thought out and oozes charm. The perfect needed getaway. We will come back! Susan
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

Julie J., Oakland, California

Lovely hidden gem
The Steinbeck cottage proved to be all I'd expected for a quick getaway. The cozy house is picturesque and comfortable in a quiet residential neighborhood. My hosts were very solicitous in checking in to see if I'd settled in ok. The cottage kitchen is equipped with the basics, but if you're planning on doing a lot of cooking I'd bring along extra pots and pans to suit your needs. I did not take advantage of the outside garden since it was winter and cool, but the gas fireplaces made the interior cozy and welcoming for reading and relaxing. I'd definitely recommend this accommodation for a couple or a single.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Paul H., Ottawa Ontario Canada

Exactly as expected from photos and description.
A comfortable and well equipped vintage cottage property. We enjoyed our stay. Communications with the owners were efficient and agreeable. We came from an absolute 5 star property which is probably why this one gets a 4 star, but the property is everything it claims to be.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Amy M., Houston

Perfect for small groups and Steinbeck fans
We rented the John Steinbeck Cottage for a week, along with the other two companion cottages for a few overlapping days at the end of that week -- it was absolutely ideal for our needs. It is the perfect setup for 3 couples -- we each had our own space (3 cottages -- each with comfortable beds, full bathrooms, full-sized fridges, TV rooms, and more), and a shared common outdoor space in the beautiful courtyard. The main cottage's kitchen and dining nook were perfect for preparing and eating breakfast together. The photographs are true to the property, and the property is clean and lovingly maintained. The decor and feel of the cottages is very true to that time period, and sweetly eclectic. People were definitely shorter in the days that the cottage was built, so there are a few doorjambs where our taller guests had to duck their heads, but we all agreed it was no big deal and still very comfortable (and no one accidentally hit their head!). The owners are extremely responsive and friendly, and provided excellence service throughout. It is in a perfect area of Pacific Grove -- within walking distance to a grocery store and the Monterey Bay Aquarium (although be aware -- the walk back to the cottage is almost all uphill!) -- I preferred to take the 5 minute drive myself. We absolutely loved our stay and are enthusiastically recommending it to friends.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Carole J.

Loved every minute we were there!! So rich in history.
Excellent!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Alison T.

Great place
Quaint and lovely
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Patti Z.

Quaint and Cozy
Great location, quiet and peaceful, beautifully decorated, had everything we needed. Didn't want to leave. Patti Zierman
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

afi k.

Our stay was very good
Very cozy , quiet clean place , we enjoyed it and yes will come back and we recommend this place to others
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Christine S.

Lovely cottage!
Our family of four loved our stay in the cottage! Great location with a cute and roomy interior.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Xenia G.

Perfect stay
We had a perfect stay in this lovely cottage.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Carlin A.

Cutest place ever!
The loveliest home I have ever rented on vrbo or homeaway! Absolutely charming with gorgeous decor. Great location too!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2017

About the host

Hosted by Kevin & Vicky Delaney

Host profile image
When we are not hosting our guests, Kevin is an author and motivational speaker, after spending 25+ years in high tech and Vicky loves to bake and works in HR. We eloped in Central Park in New York City and love the simplicity of what life brings. We enjoy exploring new things. Whether it’s new foods, places to visit or experiences, we love the adventure of life. Most of all, we love time with each other, our kids, family and friends.

We were lucky enough to purchase the home of John Steinbeck, American author and Pulitzer Prize winner, and have poured our labor of love in renovating these 100 year-old cottages. Pacific Grove is our home away from home. Kevin spent a lot of time writing his first book, A Life Worth Living, in our cottages - what a fantastic place for literary inspiration!

Why they chose this property

Pacific Grove is a charming town with wonderful restaurants, a beautiful coastline and the historic Cannery Row. And there’s plenty to do – sailing, whale watching, hiking, kayaking, cycling, and wonderful coastline pathways to stroll between the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Lover’s Point. Pacific Grove also has the historic literary appeal of being the home of John Steinbeck, American author and Pulitzer Prize winner.

What makes this property unique

Besides being charming and beautiful, the cottages are distinctly unique having once been the home of author John Steinbeck. There is a rich and wonderful history to these 100-year-old cottages.

When Steinbeck resided here he formulated the plot of The Grapes of Wrath, and wrote several books including The Sea of Cortez. This is the home he shared with his second wife, Gwyn Conger, who would become the inspiration for the lead antagonist, Kate Trask, in his epic novel, East of Eden. In a letter to a friend, Steinbeck wrote of the cottages, “It is a pleasant little house, and we miss it… You’ll find you get a lot of thinking done in that house.” ' (from John Steinbeck, A Life in Letters).

We are excited to share this wonderful piece of history with you!

Languages:

English
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