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Modern Canyon Retreat - Near Balboa Park, Downtown, Zoo & Beaches

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2 bedrooms, in-room safe, desk, iron/ironing board - Modern Canyon Retreat - Near Balboa Park, Downtown, Zoo & Beaches (San Diego)
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In a tranquil canyon setting, this private cottage in Mission Valley offers the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. With a fully equipped kitchen, compact washer and dryer, high-quality bedding, and ample parking you'll feel right at home. Enjoy the large screen TV with Netflix or unwind in the well-manicured yard with outdoor seating.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6118 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Modern Canyon Retreat - Near Balboa Park, Downtown, Zoo & Beaches

Private Canyon Retreat | Quiet Luxury in Central San Diego
A Rare Blend of Privacy & Proximity

Tucked into a serene canyon setting, this modern retreat offers complete privacy while placing you minutes from San Diego’s most sought-after destinations. Enjoy the rare feeling of being surrounded by nature—without sacrificing convenience.

The Experience

Wake to hummingbirds drifting through the garden and soft canyon light filling the space. Start your morning with coffee on the patio, spend your day exploring beaches or Balboa Park, and return to unwind with sunset dining in your own private outdoor retreat.

This is a space designed to slow you down.

The Space

Thoughtfully designed with a clean, modern aesthetic, the home blends comfort with understated luxury.

Open-concept living with abundant natural light

Seamless indoor-outdoor flow

Calm, design-forward atmosphere

Ideal for both short stays and extended visits

Kitchen & Living

The chef-ready kitchen is fully equipped for everything from casual mornings to relaxed evenings in.

Fully stocked kitchen for cooking and dining

Comfortable living area designed for relaxation

Roku TV for streaming your favorite shows

Air conditioning for year-round comfort

Outdoor Living (Highlight Feature)

Your private patio is the heart of the home.

Outdoor dining and lounge space

BBQ grill for al fresco meals

Peaceful canyon backdrop

Ideal for morning coffee or sunset wine

Work & Extended Stays

Perfect for professionals and longer visits.

High-speed Wi-Fi

Dedicated workspace

Quiet setting for focus and productivity

Location | Central to Everything

Enjoy quick access to San Diego’s top destinations:

Minutes to Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo

Short drive to beaches and the coastline

Easy access to downtown dining and nightlife

Convenient to major freeways for exploring the region

Included Amenities

Everything you need for a seamless stay:

Washer and dryer

Beach essentials for coastal days

Fast Wi-Fi

Streaming entertainment

Ideal For

This home is best suited for:

Couples seeking a private, peaceful escape

Professionals working remotely

Travelers looking for a refined, design-forward stay

Why Guests Choose This Home

Rare private canyon setting in a central location

Elevated, modern design with a calm atmosphere

Dedicated outdoor living space

Close to everything—yet feels completely removed

Your San Diego Escape

Whether you’re here for a weekend getaway or an extended stay, this home offers a level of privacy, comfort, and thoughtful design that sets it apart.

More than a place to stay—it’s a place to unwind.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV
  • Stereo
  • Streaming services
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Office

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: Absolutely No Smoking or Vaping on or around .

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Safe

Location highlights

  • In a village
  • In the mountains
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina
  • Near the sea

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,275 square feet

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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

An adult aged 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Rules

No open flames in or around property. Fires in our canyons are a major concern.
We are strict about parties, gatherings, vaping and smoking. NONE are allowed.

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed
Noise monitor in use as well outdoor surveillance

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Absolutely No Smoking or Vaping on or around .

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
Note from host: Noise monitor in use as well outdoor surveillance
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number STR-01657L, 632221

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property
Nature Calls - Centrally located Canyon Cottage San Diego

About the area

Located in Mission Valley, a neighbourhood in San Diego, this holiday home is near theme parks and by the sea. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Mission Bay and Old Town San Diego State Park, while San Diego Zoo and USS Midway Museum are popular area attractions. Check out an event or a game at Petco Park, and consider making time for Waterfront Park, 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. Visit our San Diego travel guide
View more Holiday homes in San Diego
Map
San Diego, CA

What's nearby

  • SanDiego_HotelCircle_6270979_004
    Hotel Circle
    1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • School Buildings Of The UCSD Campus In La Jolla
    University of San Diego
    3 min drive - 3.4 km
  • Old Town San Diego State Park
    Old Town San Diego State Park
    3 min drive - 4.1 km
  • Fashion Valley Mall
    15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • UC San Diego Health
    3 min drive - 1.5 km

Getting around

  • Fashion Valley Transit Center Station
    3 min drive
  • Old Town Transit Center
    5 min drive
  • San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)
    14 min drive

Restaurants

  • Hampton’s “On The House” Breakfast
    8 min walk
  • Monkey Bar
    3 min drive
  • Crust Kitchen
    6 min walk
  • Communion
    5 min drive
  • The Remy
    19 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Modern Canyon Retreat - Near Balboa Park, Downtown, Zoo & Beaches pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Modern Canyon Retreat - Near Balboa Park, Downtown, Zoo & Beaches?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Modern Canyon Retreat - Near Balboa Park, Downtown, Zoo & Beaches?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Modern Canyon Retreat - Near Balboa Park, Downtown, Zoo & Beaches?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Modern Canyon Retreat - Near Balboa Park, Downtown, Zoo & Beaches located?

Located in Mission Valley, this holiday home is 0.7 mi (1.1 km) from Hotel Circle and within 3 miles (5 km) of Mission Bay and University of San Diego. Fashion Valley Mall and UC San Diego Health are also within 2 miles (3 km). Fashion Valley Transit Center Station is 28 minutes by foot.

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Modern Canyon Retreat - Near Balboa Park, Downtown, Zoo & Beaches Reviews

Reviews

Exceptional

All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 26 out of 33 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 33 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 33 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 33 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 33 reviews

10

Cleanliness

9.6

Location

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daniel A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved our stay here. It was nestled in the hills and felt very serene and secluded. Location was great with easy access to beaches and downtown San Diego including the San Diego Zoo. Communication was fantastic, and the property manager was very helpful. If we go back to San Diego we would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael C.

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

San Diego Hidden Gem

A hidden gem in a central location. It exceeded our expectations especially the outdoor garden patio.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Matthew H.

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

Great, quiet location!

We really enjoyed the location with how quiet it was. It was close enough to the highway to get most anywhere easily. The house is hidden back in behind some businesses, but wasn't too hard to find. The owner was very communicative, we had everything we needed for our stay.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

kate s.

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

We liked the house.

We have rented in San Diego a half dozen times in the last couple years. This was a great house in terms of good indoor and outdoor spaces, comfort, privacy, a lovely yard, a good kitchen and other amenities. The bed was comfortable. It also has good access to the freeways. You must have a car. The house is not in a walkable neighborhood.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Jon l.

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

New Years Visit

Overall this was a great property to stay at. It is a very serene location as described with ample outdoor seating. It was cooler the whole time that we were in town so we didn't get to take full advantage of that. The house was clean and spacious for a 2 bedroom, and the kitchen was extraordinarily equipped! We would absolutely stay at this house again, but several items of feedback that we wanted to give. First, the supplies provided were slim (i.e. toilet paper, trash bags etc.) There were 2 of each item and for 4 adults over 5 days this wasn't enough. Though the Host did respond quickly to drop off extra items it felt inconvenient. Second, the Pack and Play mattress is very discolored and appears dirty. We used the sheet provided as well as one we brought along, but first impressions on seeing it weren't great. Lastly, the guest bedroom downstairs is very limited on outlets and it was very difficult to plug everything we needed to in the room.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Aline C.

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

Your on slice of paradise

Stayed at the cottage 5 nights and my family and I had the best time. The property is immaculate and has all you need in order to have a phenomenal time while in SD. The gardens was my absolute favorite part of the house and my kids enjoyed watching the birds bathe in the water fountain outside, butterfly watching and searching for a friendly small lizard they found while exploring. The house is packed with all the things one would need while on vacation and we grilled out and enjoyed a nice evening at the cottage 3 nights out of 5 (after spending all day long enjoying SD it was nice to chill at the cottage). The cottage feels very very safe and its pretty secluded from other homes so you are tucked away in your own little paradise. I have nothing but amazing things to say about our experience while there. Stacey, the property manager, was promptly available to answer any questions and was an angel in helping us when my husband had a medical emergency due to his personal health. Stacey was understanding, caring and very flexible with our family as we made sure my husband's health was taken care of. All and all, we loved our stay at the cottage and we are already planning to come back next year. Ooh, the beds were so comfortable and the towels/bed sheets smelled amazing clean and fresh. 5 stars!! Thank you Stacey for making us all feel at home while in your home.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sergey M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice house,nice location.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Linda W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful and nice location
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Eileen C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful grounds and location.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrea J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place and yard!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

marc u.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This place was awesome
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Karine D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location, nice house, very quiet, loved the garden
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was fabulous!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paula J.

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

Cottage place

Nice, clean and quiet location
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Claudio R.

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

Enjoyed our stay

Enjoyed our stay. We had a problem with closing of front gate but owner helped resolve the problem.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mike S.

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

Great property, very clean

An absolute Gem! Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chris B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A wonderful house in prime location. Our family loved this property. It is in a prime location with easy access to highways and was minutes away from everything we did while in town. The property is tucked behind some office buildings and provides a Avery private space. The property is well kept and beautiful with small wildlife abundant (small lizards, butterflies, hummingbirds).Would highly recommend this property if you're in town!
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved our stay at this Mission Valley property! The location was perfect—close to the airport, SDSU, and with easy access to I-5. The gated entry made us feel safe and gave total privacy, and the certified wildlife habitat made the property feel extra special.The house was beautiful, the kitchen had everything we needed (modern appliances, cookware, and even a gas grill), which made cooking at home super convenient.Stacey was a fantastic host—quick to respond and always checked in to make sure we had what we needed. Highly recommend this place to anyone visiting San Diego!
Picture of the beautiful garden
Looking off into the horizon from the driveway
Great that the house came with a Tesla charger
Picture of beautiful garden
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Henry L.

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

What a wonderful getaway

Property is secluded and location is within couple minutes to freeway entrance.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary Lou S.

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

Beautiful property and Quiet Stay -

Beautiful!!! Birds and Butterflies. The garden and landscaping is top notch and it has a beautiful outdoor seating to appreciate it all. The house is beautiful,clean and close to everything. Kitchen is well appointed. Quality beds and linens. LOVED IT!!. It was so private we didn't feel like were in a big city. Highly recommend it. ML
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marina D.

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

Fantastic house

The house is fantastic and in an amazing location. There are no neighbors, you are isolated from everyone. The house was super clean and spacious. Stacey, the property manager, is extremely responsive. Any issues we had were dealt with right away. Bring your when dishwasher tablets, there were only 2 provided, which was a bit weird. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

Kathleen D.

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

Bi annual visit to see the kids

Grandparents visiting son, daughter in law and grandson. We needed a kitchen so that we could provide Grams goodies. We also needed A/C. This property delivered on both. Very clean and lovely decor, both inside and outside. Our only disappointment was the actual area where the property is located. We both felt that the rate was a good value. If this prperty were in a better neighborhood it would have ben 3 X the cost. That said, we always felt safe and secure.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

6/10 Okay

Ben F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Disliked: Location

House is wonderful, but not in Mission Hills as advertised. Owner wrongfully called the police on us

The house itself is quaint and (very) secluded with comfortable sleeping accommodations and an excellent outdoor area. It's hidden behind office buildings and hotels, which is nice for privacy but makes Ubers very difficult to call as they cancel when they cannot find the gate. We stayed here because we have family in Mission Hills thinking we were very close, however, it was a 10 minute drive to the neighborhood. The proximity is directly up the canyon and very misleading because it's geographically close, but not a close commute. All of this was okay and we still would have given the property a better review if not for the owners treatment of us on Saturday night. There were 6 of us staying at the property, and Saturday night we invited exactly 5 friends over to play games and hangout for the 4th of July. We're in the living room playing board games when we get a knock on the door and it's the police. Apparently the owner had been watching the cameras (there are like 8 outside) and was under the impression we were having a party. We think because people came and went in separate Ubers and that triggered notifications on the gate. I didn't have my phone on me, so had missed calls from property management, so the owners felt the next logical step was to call the police on their guests. The officer rung the doorbell and was clearly frustrated that he'd even been called, as there was no outside noise and there were 8 people in the living room playing Twister. The officer's words verbatim were "The owner called the police and thinks you guys are having a party. Obviously that's not the case. I literally do not care." and he left in such a hurry we only had time to say “thank you sir”. It was that ridiculous. So all in all the property is beautiful and well secluded, but not private. You'll have difficulty getting Ubers and you're not close to Mission Hills, but don't get too comfortable in your secluded space as the owners are watching you on camera and will call the police on you for playing board games late at night.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rhonda D.

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

Comfortable

Loved the individual heating in each room. Also the deck was amazing.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Iliana B.

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

Amazing home!

The entire experience was beyond wonderful! The house was a bit tricky to locate but the privacy was phenomenal! Huge yard we were able to fit 2-3 cars easily. Beautiful backyard that was relaxing. The house itself was very clean inside and out! Stacey was available for all of questions and concerns within seconds. I would highly recommend this beautiful and specious home to anyone and we will be staying there again in the future. Thank you for the kind hospitality!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021