Whenever renting online, you always hold your breath when you arrive for the first time at the house. Particularly if you have booked for a larger group. This was no different. But driving up to this house, and then walking through it for the first time elicited nothing but "oohs" and "ahs" from the various folks in our group. Starting with the location. STUNNING. Your own private viewing location for the best sunsets on the west coast and step across the street to walk along the cliffs in either direction. An easy stroll to Sunnie's (the best Mexican food in the area) and a 20 minute walk to downtown Ocean Beach.
Then, the house. Starting with the gated parking for four cars. When that gate closes behind you, there is a real sense of privacy and security. Open the garage door to the game room with pool table, couches, and big screen TV. Step through that room to the courtyard with the inground hot tub. Back into the house, the laundry room is functional and out of the way and the first floor bedroom is perfectly sized for one or two. Not an ensuite, but a bathroom right next to it. The kitchen is one of the best we have seen in a rental. Top of the line appliances (a six burner Viking stove!), coffee maker, etc. all decorated in the nautical theme of the house. Dining room is perfectly sized for 6 and the living room is up two steps with a big lounging couch and large screen TV. Step outside to your own deck with plenty of seating and enjoy the ocean breezes.
Upstairs, the bedrooms are roomy, the beds are comfortable and the bathrooms are well situated (although I am not a fan of the "open shower" concept). Four bedrooms upstairs, including one Master, one Junior Master (each with king beds) facing the ocean, then another Junior Master and a bunk room with four beds.
We had 11 people in two different families staying in this house and it was perfect. Enough room to spread out, but good spaces to come together as well. The perfect place to use as our San Diego vacation jumping off point.
There were issues that came up during the week. This happens, particularly when you have a house situated right across the street from the ocean. But the Drift team was responsive (I got a response to a text within two minutes) and the issues were dealt with as quickly as possible.
If you stay in this house, make sure you cover the deck furniture at the end of the day. If you don't, the ocean mist will cover them with dew overnight. Don't ask how I know that!
One thing to note is that three of the bedrooms don't have closets. There are plenty of closets around the house, but keep this in mind when you unpack.
We really don't have a single negative thing to say about this house (except the open design of the showers, but that is more of a personal taste issue). We would not hesitate to rent this house again. If you are looking for an ocean front house to host a group from 5-15 people, and this house is available, jump on it and you won't have any regrets...