Leave the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area behind and plan a stay at this peaceful and pet-friendly Felton vacation rental.

Tucked away in the Santa Cruz mountains just to the west of Highway 17, this cozy cabin in the woods offers a serene retreat with outdoor amenities such as a jungle gym for the kids, gas and charcoal barbecues, a smoker, and a fire pit.

The comfortable living room has space for everyone and will stay nice and cozy no matter the weather. There's a Lopi wood-burning stove, a flatscreen TV, DVD player, and a vast DVD library. Kids will have room to play and spread out boardgames, while the adults socialize. And if you need to check your email or do any online research, there's WiFi available (although cell phone service can be spotty).

The outdoor deck is also a wonderful spot to sit back and relax with a mug of tea or a glass of wine in the afternoon. On a huge lot, this cabin has a great deal of outdoor living space. Have a cookout (there's a gas and charcoal grill), smoke some chicken, sit around the fire pit after dinner and make s'mores - the outdoor entertaining options are endless. There's even a hammock for a lazy afternoon nap.

Of course, the full kitchen inside has everything you'll need in case the weather is not cooperating for a barbecue. There's a mixer, refrigerator, stovetop/oven, coffeemaker, a coffee grinder - you'll even find a collection of cookbooks for meal inspiration. The dining room table is surrounded by large picture windows, for meals with a view. You'll need to wash dishes by hand, but you can always let those soak while you go roast some marshmallows outside.

This cabin's unique layout includes a detached upstairs and downstairs. On the main level, there's one bedroom with a full bed, dresser, closet, and a small sitting area. The downstairs bedroom has two twin beds (ideal for kids) and a full bathroom. Up to six guests will be able to sleep quite comfortably here, including up to two dogs with an additional fee.

Other amenities include a washer and dryer, so there's no need to overpack or try to keep your clothes clean while out exploring. Four miles from this Central Coast vacation rental is the popular Trout Farm Inn. Here, you can spend the day at a community pool, enjoy a leisurely weekend brunch, daily lunch and dinner, and fun events such as karaoke nights and live music (a small fee does apply to use the pool).

From this Santa Cruz mountain location, you're only about 30 minutes from the beach. Spend the day on the boardwalk or on the sand, have a special meal at one of the area eateries, then return to your quiet and peaceful cabin. In the immediate area, you'll find plenty of family-friendly activities at Quail Hollow Ranch County Park and seasonal water sports at Loch Lomond Recreation Area. Golfers can bring their clubs for a game at Pasetiempo Golf Course, a scenic 10-mile drive south.

The surrounding mountains are also home to a number of wineries - Hallcrest Vineyards in Felton, Beauregard Vineyards Tasting Room, Zayante Vineyards, and David Bruce Winery, just to name a few. While out tasting, you can pick up a bottle to have for dinner that night. With all the activities within a 30-minute drive away, you may be surprised to find that your favorite pastime is just lounging in the hammock or relaxing at the deck back at your cabin.

To truly get away and enjoy the great outdoors in the Santa Cruz mountains, this Central California Coast vacation rental is an ideal retreat!

*Please note the road to this home can be long, twisty, narrow and sometimes change into a one-lane mountain road with blind curves and two-way traffic.