Vacation rentals in San Carlos

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Top-rated vacation rentals in San Carlos

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Top guest favorite
Guesthouse in Redwood City
4.93 out of 5 average rating, 335 reviews

Soak up the Serenity on the Patio of a Charming Cottage

Light the fire pit and dress for dinner in the vine-covered garden at a peaceful retreat with a soothing waterfall. Zen beachy decor and coastal paintings set the scene indoors, with abundant natural light enhancing easy open-plan living. Pets are welcome with a small cleaning fee of a $50 (one time fee) and additional pets $25 (one time fee). The main room is 12'x17'. Closet is 6 1/2' long. Bathroom 4'x5 1/2' + shower 3'3" x 3'3". kitchen 4 1/2' x 8". Simple breakfast served. Your own private entrance, plenty of parking on the street, nice neighborhood. We are available if you have any questions or need information on the area. 2 night minimum please. The cottage is tucked away off the street in a quiet, safe neighborhood where residents walk their dogs in pleasant weather. Nearby downtown Redwood City is home to shops and groceries and freeways and public transportation are within easy reach. There is a bus that runs at the corner of our block, it would take you to downtown Redwood City or travel down the El Camino Real. There is a train depot downtown as well. Pets - 2 small dogs in the main house, 2 outdoor cats.

Guest favorite
Home in San Carlos
4.95 out of 5 average rating, 129 reviews

Serene Oasis in the midst of Silicon Valley

Gaze out at the beautiful green canyon while having a morning coffee in bed. Head to the fully equipped kitchen to prepare breakfast and enjoy it outside on the balcony, surrounded by the sights and sounds of this stunning hilltop location. Close to 280. Centrally located in Silicon Valley for easy access to both San Jose and San Francisco. Deck/BBQ Lounge Area. Minimal. Enjoy life in the San Carlos hills. Drive about 5 minutes to lively San Carlos downtown for several restaurants and bars. Go hiking in Edgewood, Crestview, or Big Canyon. For a taste of big city life, adventure a bit further to San Francisco. Driving is the best option, I280 and 101 are easily accessible. Cal Train station down the hill - connects all the way from San Francisco to San Jose. Very spacious unit ( approximately 1200 sq.ft )

Top guest favorite
Guesthouse in San Carlos
4.99 out of 5 average rating, 765 reviews

Private Garden Cottage

Relax in our cozy cottage nestled in a serene garden setting, the perfect get-away after a day of business meetings or sightseeing. We are close to major Silicon Valley destinations; 30 minutes from San Francisco, San Jose and the beach in Half Moon Bay —with easy access to Highways 101 and 280, as well as public transportation (SamTrans, Caltrain and BART via Caltrain). Our quiet street is an easy 5-minute walk (0.2 mi) from downtown San Carlos with shops and literally dozens of restaurants.

Guest favorite
Home in San Carlos
4.98 out of 5 average rating, 131 reviews

Papillon ~ Renovated Home in Downtown San Carlos

Our upscale home is located in the lovely downtown of San Carlos on the San Francisco Peninsula. This newly remodeled two bedroom getaway is located on Laurel street (downtown San Carlos). Walking distance to a variety of wonderful restaurants and shops. The home offers room for six a large kitchen, living room, washer and dryer, and an inviting secluded balcony to relax after a busy day. We are approximately 20 mins south of SFO. We have parking spaces for 2 cars and st parking in plentiful.

Top guest favorite
Guesthouse in Mt. Carmel
4.94 out of 5 average rating, 199 reviews

Charming Studio

Small private studio with queen bed with Tempur-pedic mattress. It features an extra-large storage drawer for essentials. portable closet, fully stocked kitchen, & bathroom, backyard, porch, free parking and high speed internet. The studio is ideal for business travelers. It's centrally located between SF and Silicon Valley. easy access to highways 280 and 101. Public transportion is within walking distance as well as downtown San Carlos and RWC. FYI: The yard is shared and three dogs.

Top guest favorite
Cottage in San Carlos
4.97 out of 5 average rating, 239 reviews

Carmelita Creek House

The creek house is on a beautiful tree lined street, walking distance to downtown San Carlos. The house is a spacious one bedroom cottage with designer finishes and gorgeous vaulted ceilings. You will be surrounded by mature redwoods on the peaceful balcony and one with nature at the fire pit overlooking a year round creek. Amenities include a full sized kitchen, comfortable workspace, washer/dryer, fast WiFi, cable TV and a gas fireplace. We live in the main house on the property.

Top guest favorite
Guesthouse in Mt. Carmel
4.97 out of 5 average rating, 223 reviews

Mt Carmel Cottage Charmer-Bright, Stylish & Clean

Beautiful cottage constructed with its own entry, offering beauty, comfort and privacy for your travel needs. Great location for couples, solo & business travelers alike. Cottage well appointed with many travel needs. Expertly maintained and cleaned. Walking distance to Caltrain (.9 mile), bustling downtown Redwood City (.6 mi), boutiques, coffee, restaurants, parks, movies (1.1 mi) & 5 miles to Palo Alto. Easy access to San Francisco, San Jose and the Silicon Valley.

Top guest favorite
Home in San Carlos
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 275 reviews

The Perfectly Appointed Modern English Guest House

Relax and unwind in this newly constructed guest house. Completed in 2019 it offers all the amenities of a 5-star hotel suite with the privacy and ambiance of a quaint English Tudor home. Located just 2 blocks from charming downtown San Carlos in the “City of Good Living”. We are 30 minutes from San Francisco, San Jose and the beach in Half Moon Bay —with easy access to Highways 101 and 280, as well as public transportation (SamTrans, Caltrain and BART via Caltrain).

Top guest favorite
Guesthouse in San Carlos
4.99 out of 5 average rating, 155 reviews

Silicon Valley Oasis

Experience elegance and comfort in our spacious, 500 sq ft studio cottage, located in the heart of Silicon Valley. Newly built in a classic Craftsman style, it features wooden casement windows, a private garden with Adirondack chairs, and a fully-equipped kitchen with an Italian range. Enjoy a plush queen-sized bed, a cozy sectional for cinema-like experiences on a 65" TV with in-ceiling speakers, and lightning-fast Wi-Fi. Perfect for a luxurious and memorable stay.

Top guest favorite
Guesthouse in San Carlos
4.99 out of 5 average rating, 113 reviews

Delightful Hideaway in San Carlos

Fully equipped executive studio in the heart of Silicon Valley. This studio is ideal for accommodating executives, visiting doctors and nurses and other professions that might require long term stays. Visitors will enjoy the warm family-friendly environment and delightful garden setting. It is also well-suited for those on vacation who delight in visiting the nearby cities, as well as those who have families close by and want to have their own private spot.

Superhost
Home in San Carlos
4.91 out of 5 average rating, 114 reviews

Perfect Silicon Valley Home w/ Peloton Bike & Spa

Welcome to San Carlos, the City of Good Living! Relax in a clean, comfortable home located in a peaceful, safe neighborhood. The space offers fast WiFi, four bedding options, and workspaces. It is just a 7-minute walk to the train and bus stations, with restaurants, coffee shops, and sports bars nearby. I provide complimentary bikes, coffee, and tea. The living room and backyard are set up for guests to enjoy, including access to the hot tub for relaxation.

Guest favorite
Home in San Carlos
4.98 out of 5 average rating, 141 reviews

New!! Silicon Valley Charming 3B2B House Fast wifi

Beautiful fully furnished home with magnificent bay views. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley -- 15-20 mins drive away from SFO. Beds and linens are new and very comfortable. Kitchen includes new stainless steel appliances. The house is walking distance to highly rated downtown restaurants and shops and to Caltrain station with service to San Francisco and Silicon Valley. It is perfect place for family visit, business trip and team retreat.

Popular amenities for San Carlos vacation rentals

Quick stats about vacation rentals in San Carlos

  • Total rentals

    320 properties

  • Nightly prices starting at

    ﺩ.ﺇ110 before taxes and fees

  • Total number of reviews

    15K reviews

  • Family-friendly rentals

    110 properties are a good fit for families

  • Pet-friendly rentals

    100 properties allow pets

  • Rentals with a pool

    80 properties have a pool

Your guide to San Carlos

All About San Carlos

Midway between the vibrant metropolitan hub of San Francisco and the booming tech hub of San Jose, San Carlos is a small community on the San Francisco Bay. Its small size and sprawling terracotta-tiled roofs provide the perfect Mediterranean aesthetic to fit with the city’s temperate coastal climate and cozy downtown area. Streetside eateries, boutique shops, and trendy cafes line the palm-dotted boulevards, and a major aviation museum brings in fans of aeronautic history.

San Carlos makes an excellent jumping-off point to hike the surrounding area’s marine ecological reserves or to bike in the Santa Cruz Mountains. You can also take the scenic California State Route 92 west from San Carlos, past fields of pumpkins and organically grown produce, to the popular seaside town of Half Moon Bay.


The best time to stay in a vacation rental in San Carlos

Generally mild conditions are found throughout the year in San Carlos, with warm, dry summers and slightly chilly winter months bringing modest levels of rain. Being so close to San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland, there are always festivals and events throughout the year to explore. Pride activities are celebrated throughout the Bay Area in June, while Half Moon Bay hosts a huge pumpkin festival in October.

Smaller happenings, like the San Carlos Farmers’ Market, with vendors retailing local produce and artisanal goods, occur throughout the year in downtown San Carlos.


Top things to do in San Carlos

Hiller Aviation Museum

The Hiller Aviation Museum hosts different activities and exhibits showcasing over a century of aeronautic history. Over 50 aircraft of varying classifications and periods are on the property, along with flight simulators, cockpit replicas, and historical exhibits detailing everything from the first powered flight to prominent women in aviation history. In addition, a regularly rotating schedule of events on the museum grounds includes water rocket building workshops, plane painting, and open cockpit days.

Filoli Historic House & Garden

Nestled into the Santa Cruz Mountains, this historic, sprawling estate features a preserved Victorian home and 16 acres of manicured gardens that run into the expansive parklands and natural areas surrounding it. The Filoli House is registered as a California Historic Landmark and includes 56 rooms, 17 fireplaces, and over 50,000 square feet of faithfully restored 19th-century living space. Hiking trails and self-guided exploration paths run through the more than 600 acres of surrounding redwood groves and chaparral ecosystems.

Bair Island State Marine Park

The Bair Island Ecological Reserve comprises 3,000 acres spread across three islands. Hiking paths through the park’s mudflats and salt marshes provide viewing opportunities for several unique and endangered aviary species, like Peregrine falcons, pelicans, and egrets. Rays and leopard sharks can often be found swimming throughout the meandering tidal channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are there San Carlos vacation rentals on Airbnb with pools?

    Yes! Dive into the perfect getaway at one of over 80 vacation homes with pools in San Carlos, available on Airbnb. Make a splash and soak up the sun in style!

  • Are there vacation rentals with a dedicated workspace in San Carlos?

    Yes! Work meets play with ease at over 190 vacation rentals in San Carlos featuring dedicated workspaces. Stay connected and productive in your home away from home.

  • Where should I stay in San Carlos?

    Make yourself at home in San Carlos by choosing from our most frequently booked neighborhoods. We have over 690 vacation rentals in Mt. Carmel, and over 690 vacation rentals in Edgewood Park.

  • Are there pet-friendly vacation rentals in San Carlos?

    Four-legged friends are welcome in San Carlos. Choose from more than 100 vacation rentals for guests traveling with pets.

  • Are there family-friendly vacation rentals in San Carlos?

    San Carlos has more than 120 family-friendly stays. Amenities on the property may include high chairs, travel cribs, or strollers.

  • What are the most popular amenities for House Rentals in San Carlos?

    Enhance your stay in our House Rentals with the most popular amenities: over 130 homes with wifi, over 110 homes with free parking, over 60 homes with air conditioning, over 110 homes with a kitchen, and more. Indulge in the ultimate retreat, tailored to your preferences.

  • Do private suite rentals in San Carlos have a kitchen?

    Absolutely! We offer over 10 private suite rentals with a kitchen in San Carlos. Enjoy a tailored experience with all the comforts you desire.

  • Do guesthouse rentals in San Carlos have free parking?

    Absolutely! We offer over 20 guesthouse rentals with free parking in San Carlos. Enjoy a tailored experience with all the comforts you desire.

  • Do private suite rentals in San Carlos have air conditioning?

    Absolutely! We offer over 10 private suite rentals with air conditioning in San Carlos. Enjoy a tailored experience with all the comforts you desire.

  • Do private suite rentals in San Carlos have wifi?

    Absolutely! We offer over 20 private suite rentals with wifi in San Carlos. Enjoy a tailored experience with all the comforts you desire.

Destinations to explore