Questions planners ask.
Everything a corporate retreat organizer needs to decide whether the house works, without a single email. If something is missing, ask — a person answers, usually the same day.
The house
How many people can the house hold?
Thirteen overnight, across five bedrooms and five bathrooms. A king and three queens sleep eight adults in private rooms; the bunk room — one single plus four bunks — absorbs the rest. Retreats of eight to twelve people fit the house best.
What is the sleeping configuration?
Bedroom One has a king. Bedrooms Two, Three, and Four each have a queen, and Bedroom Two looks at the ocean. The bunk room holds one single bed and four bunks. Thirteen beds in total, just under 5,000 square feet of house around them.
Do we get the whole house?
Always. There is no shared space, no other party, no host in a back unit. Whole-house buyout is the only way we rent it.
Is the pickleball court really private?
It is in the backyard and it is yours for the stay. Paddles and balls are in the house. The court has lights, but they go off at ten — the neighbors are full-time residents and we would like to keep them friendly.
Is there air conditioning?
No, and you will not want it. The house is two minutes from the water and the ocean air does the job. There are fireplaces in both living rooms for when the fog wins.
Working here
Is the wifi good enough for a working retreat?
Yes — wifi reaches the whole house, including the decks and the court side of the yard. Teams run video calls from here regularly. If your session depends on a flawless livestream, tell us when you inquire and we will talk through it honestly.
Where does a group actually work?
The dining table seats twelve and is the main room by default. When you need to split up there is a study with a proper desk, an upstairs family room with a fireplace and an ocean view, a downstairs family room with a large TV, a game room, and decks on every level.
Can we cook for the group, or bring a caterer?
Both work. The kitchen has a gas range, a double oven, a dishwasher, and real counter space, plus a grill and an outdoor dining area on the deck. Caterers are welcome. Downtown Santa Cruz is ten minutes out when nobody wants to cook.
Getting here
How far is it from the Bay Area?
About 40 minutes from San Jose, 55 from Palo Alto, and 75 from San Francisco or SFO. Sacramento is closer to two hours and forty-five minutes. Highway 17 over the hill is the only real approach — leaving the city before three on a Friday makes it an easy run.
Where does everyone park?
On the property, free, with room for about four cars, plus a Level 2 EV charger. It is a quiet residential street, so carpooling from the office is the neighborly move — and it is a better start to the trip anyway.
How does check-in work?
Keypad on the front door, code in your booking confirmation, so an early arrival never waits on anybody. Washer and dryer are in the house.
Booking
How do we book, and what does it cost?
Send an inquiry with your dates and headcount. A person — usually Amber — replies within a day with availability and a straight quote. No pricing games, no back-and-forth to get a number.
When should we book?
Summer weeks go months ahead, so plan those early. Spring and fall midweek is where the good retreat dates live, and those are often available closer in. Minimum stays move with the season; we will tell you the one for your dates.
What house rules matter for a group?
One that genuinely matters: quiet hours are 10pm to 8am, including the deck and the backyard. Every neighbor on the street lives here full time. Retreats have never had a problem with it — we just would rather you hear it from us than from a sign.
Still deciding? The rest of the pitch is one page back.
← Retreats at Shaw BeachAsk us directly
Dates, headcount, and what you're gathering for — we reply within a day with availability and straight answers.