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Casa Grotto, 1 Bed Stone Cave Cottage, Panoramic Ocean View, Stone Shower, & Gym

Cottage in San Marcos with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Casa Grotto, 1 Bed Stone Cave Cottage, Panoramic Ocean View, Stone Shower, & Gym

Interior - Casa Grotto, 1 Bed Stone Cave Cottage, Panoramic Ocean View, Stone Shower, & Gym (San Marcos)
1 bedroom, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets - Casa Grotto, 1 Bed Stone Cave Cottage, Panoramic Ocean View, Stone Shower, & Gym (San Marcos)
Fridge, microwave, stovetop, coffee/tea maker - Casa Grotto, 1 Bed Stone Cave Cottage, Panoramic Ocean View, Stone Shower, & Gym (San Marcos)
Terrace/patio - Casa Grotto, 1 Bed Stone Cave Cottage, Panoramic Ocean View, Stone Shower, & Gym (San Marcos)
Property grounds - Casa Grotto, 1 Bed Stone Cave Cottage, Panoramic Ocean View, Stone Shower, & Gym (San Marcos)
Take advantage of a firepit, a garden and laundry facilities at Casa Grotto, 1 Bed Stone Cave Cottage, Panoramic Ocean View, Stone Shower, & Gym. In addition to a gym, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

1 bedroom2 bathrooms

Popular amenities

  • Ocean view
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
The current price is AU$586
includes taxes & fees
27 Jan - 28 Jan

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.

Casa Grotto, 1 Bed Stone Cave Cottage, Panoramic Ocean View, Stone Shower, & Gym

Welcome to Casa Grotto, a one-of-a-kind hillside retreat perched 800 feet above sea level with breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean—from La Jolla all the way to the San Clemente Islands. Nestled on the lush green mountainside above Lake San Marcos, this private stone studio offers a peaceful escape where coastal serenity meets natural design.

Built into the hill using real stone from a 1970s dynamite blast, Casa Grotto is as unique as it gets. Inside, you’ll find organic materials, arched windows, and warm, modern finishes that honor the land it was built on. The space features a queen bed, full kitchen with concrete countertops and filtered water, a private gym, and a truly memorable stone shower—accessed from the bed area and illuminated by natural light from above.

Casa Grotto is perfect for solo travelers or couples seeking a calm, inspiring space to recharge. We’re just 4 miles from Cal State San Marcos—ideal for visiting parents, faculty, or alumni—15 miles from the Escondido wineries, and only 20 minutes from the coast and local beaches. If you're planning a beach day, we’re happy to provide surfboards and beach towels upon request. And don’t be surprised if our two friendly boxers stop by—they supervised the entire remodel and will gladly try to join your stay.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Hob
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1.5 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

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.
  • No lift (single-level property)
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Things to do

  • Gym

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)
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Property does not allow children

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  • Kitchen
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  • Air-conditioning
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, 214 reviews
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includes taxes & fees
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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 18

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:
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

This property does not allow children

Events

No events 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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
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

About the area

San Marcos is home to this cottage. LEGOLAND® California is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Oceanside Beach and Del Mar Beach. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at San Diego Polo Fields or Frontwave Arena.
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Map
San Marcos, CA

What's nearby

  • Lake San Marcos Executive Course - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park - 2 min drive - 1.5 km
  • St. Mark Golf Club - 4 min drive - 3.0 km
  • LEGOLAND® California - 11 min drive - 11.2 km
  • Carlsbad State Beach - 15 min drive - 16.0 km

Getting around

  • Carlsbad Poinsettia Station - 23 min drive
  • Carlsbad, CA (CLD-McClellan-Palomar) - 15 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪St. Mark Executive Course & Tap In Tavern - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Senor Pancho's Mexican Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Amalfi Cucina Italiana - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Casa Grotto, 1 Bed Stone Cave Cottage, Panoramic Ocean View, Stone Shower, & Gym pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Casa Grotto, 1 Bed Stone Cave Cottage, Panoramic Ocean View, Stone Shower, & Gym?

As of 17 Jan 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Casa Grotto, 1 Bed Stone Cave Cottage, Panoramic Ocean View, Stone Shower, & Gym on 27 Jan 2026 start from AU$586.32, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Casa Grotto, 1 Bed Stone Cave Cottage, Panoramic Ocean View, Stone Shower, & Gym?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Casa Grotto, 1 Bed Stone Cave Cottage, Panoramic Ocean View, Stone Shower, & Gym?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Casa Grotto, 1 Bed Stone Cave Cottage, Panoramic Ocean View, Stone Shower, & Gym?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Casa Grotto, 1 Bed Stone Cave Cottage, Panoramic Ocean View, Stone Shower, & Gym located?

Situated in San Marcos, this cottage is 1.2 mi (1.9 km) from Lake San Marcos Executive Course and within 3 miles (5 km) of Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park and St. Mark Golf Club. Palomar College and La Costa Golf Courses - North and South are also within 6 miles (10 km).

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Casa Grotto, 1 Bed Stone Cave Cottage, Panoramic Ocean View, Stone Shower, & Gym 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. 4 out of 4 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 4 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 4 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 4 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 4 reviews

10

Cleanliness

10

Location

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kyle H.

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

Unique Property!

My wife and I had an amazing stay. The hosts did a remarkable job turning the mountainside into a comfortable and homey rental. We enjoyed the visits from their happy doggos. Thanks!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bobby B.

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

Unbelievable property with the BEST view!

I would rent this property over and over again. My girlfriend and I had the best experience! The property is immaculate and the view is absolutely stunning. The grotto house is first class, and I highly recommend renting it.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brookellyn J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This might be one of the best VRBOs I’ve stayed in. I’m not sure what was more stunning…. The views or the unit itself. The dogs were so very sweet and the attention to detail to ensure the stay went well was noticeable. Host was super communicative and attentive. Will be staying here again. BOOK NOW if you’re on the fence!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jessica R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is such a unique property. If you’re looking for a quiet getaway, this is your spot! The views were amazing that little house itself is completely made of stone and absolutely perfect in every way. We didn’t use the outdoor shower, but it was very cute and I will definitely use it next time we come back and we will definitely be back.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025