San Diego Vacation Rental FAQs

Usually, yes. When you book direct at driftvh.com, you skip the guest service fees Airbnb and Vrbo add at checkout, which typically saves 10–25%, and you work directly with our local San Diego team from your first question to checkout day. Stays of 7 nights or more are 10% off no matter where you book, and all returning guests get 10% off stays of 3–6 nights.

If you book more than 30 days before arrival, a 25% deposit reserves your home and the balance is charged to the same card 30 days before check-in. Book within 30 days and full payment is due at booking. Your total includes the nightly rate, cleaning fee, San Diego transient occupancy taxes, and any listed fees.

Related: Terms & Conditions

Our rates are dynamic, a lot like airline pricing. Summer, holidays, big San Diego events, and weekends book fastest, so they cost more. Mid-week and off-season dates, roughly fall through spring, are often a great value. If your dates are flexible, try shifting a night or two to see a lower rate.

Related: Specials

Yes. Every stay of 7 nights or more is automatically 10% off, no matter where you book, and all returning guests get 10% off stays of 3–6 nights. Select homes also offer monthly rates for stays of 30 nights or more. Just reach out and we'll quote your best available rate.

No. To protect against fraud, we can only accept payment from the primary guest named on the reservation, and the same card is used for the remaining balance. If you're traveling with friends or family, the primary guest pays Drift and the group can settle up separately.

Yes. The primary guest must meet our minimum age requirement, be staying at the home, and complete a quick online ID verification before arrival. Some homes are reserved for guests 30 and older. We review every reservation for fit, and our homes are not suited to parties or large groups.

Yes. Many Drift homes are available for stays of 30 nights or more, ideal for remote work, relocation, or a winter escape. Stays of 30+ nights are generally exempt from San Diego's transient occupancy tax and can include optional mid-stay cleans. For stays of 30 nights or more, cancelling more than 60 days before arrival incurs a non-refundable $500 cancellation fee, and cancelling within 60 days of arrival is subject to the full cancellation penalties.

Related: Contact Us

Check-in is at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 10:00 AM. Those times give our dedicated housekeeping team and inspectors enough time to clean, restock, and inspect every home between guests. Need a little more time? Ask about early check-in or late check-out, which depend on availability.

Often, yes, depending on availability. If no one checks out the day you arrive, or checks in the day you leave, we can usually offer extra time for an additional fee based on the home's nightly rate. On same-day turnover days, early access can't be guaranteed until the home is cleaned and inspected.

Sometimes. Reach out a few days before arrival and our Guest Services team will let you know what's possible for your dates.

Check-in instructions arrive by text message from 858-533-2838 the day you book, then again 2 days before arrival, and the day of your arrival.

Every Drift home offers remote self check-in, so you can arrive on your schedule without meeting anyone. After you complete ID verification and sign your rental agreement, we send a personal entry code that works from check-in time. Your digital guidebook covers the lock, parking, Wi-Fi, and house details.

Sometimes. If the home is empty and the team isn't working inside, we may be able to allow an early luggage drop or early parking. On turnover days, our housekeepers need the home to themselves until it's ready. Message Guest Services on arrival day and we'll do our best to help.

Check-out is easy: run the dishwasher with any dirty dishes, take kitchen trash out to the outdoor bins, start a load of used beach towels if there's a washer, turn off lights, A/C or heat, and fans, then lock the door behind you. Our housekeepers take care of everything else.

Yes, most Drift homes have air conditioning, such as central A/C or ductless mini-splits that both cool and heat. A select few don't and rely on ocean breezes and fans instead. Check the amenities on the home's listing before you book, or use the Air Conditioning filter when you search. When A/C is running, please keep it at 72°F or above with doors and windows closed.

Most homes heat with a central system, ductless mini-splits, or a fireplace. Mini-splits heat as well as cool, so switch every unit in the home to heat mode. Please keep heat at 78°F or below with windows closed. If a room won't warm up, text Guest Services at 858-533-2838 and we'll troubleshoot quickly.

Yes. Every Drift home includes complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, and many have a dedicated workspace for remote workers. Network details are in your digital guidebook. If the internet drops, restart the router and then text Guest Services at 858-533-2838; we'll work with the provider or send a team member to get you reconnected.

Every home has a fully equipped kitchen plus a starter pack of essentials: paper towels, dishwasher tablets, dish soap, trash bags, hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toilet paper, and laundry detergent. Starter supplies cover your first few days, so plan a quick grocery run for longer stays and staples like coffee.

Yes. Every bed is made with fresh, professionally laundered linens, and we provide bath towels for each guest plus beach towels at most homes, so there's no need to pack your own. Staying a while or need extras? Text Guest Services at 858-533-2838 and we can arrange fresh linens or a mid-stay clean for an extra fee.

Most Drift homes include an in-unit or private washer and dryer, plus a starter supply of laundry detergent. Check the listing amenities before you book to confirm for your home. With laundry on site, you can pack light, which is especially handy for longer stays and sandy beach days.

Yes, on request. Your cleaning fee covers the professional clean after you check out, so mid-stay cleans and linen refreshes are an optional add-on at an additional cost. They're popular for weeklong and monthly stays. Tell Guest Services your preferred day and we'll schedule your home's housekeeping team.

Yes. A pack 'n play is available at our homes. For extra baby gear such as high chairs, strollers, or full-size cribs, we recommend a local baby-equipment rental service that delivers right to your door.

Text our local team right away at 858-533-2838. For emergencies, call 858-997-1230. We're available seven days a week and respond quickly because we're based in San Diego.

Hot tubs are heated and included with your stay. At homes with a private pool, pool heating is an optional add-on for your full stay, since it takes hours to warm up and can't be turned on for single days. Please keep sand out; a cleaning fee applies if the pool or spa needs extra service.

Yes! Select Drift homes in Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Bird Rock, Encinitas, and beyond welcome well-behaved dogs with pre-approval. Use the Pets Considered filter or browse our pet-friendly collection, then tell us about your pup when you book so we can confirm the home is a great fit.

Our standard pet fee is $200 per approved pet, plus applicable taxes. It covers the extra cleaning needed after you leave so homes stay fresh for guests with allergies. Some homeowners set their own fee or limits, and larger or multiple dogs may need an added deep-clean fee.

No. Pets are allowed only at homes approved for pets, and every pet must be pre-approved before arrival. An unapproved pet results in a $1,000 fine and can also lead to extra cleaning charges and cancellation of your stay. Share your dog's breed, size, and age when booking and we'll match you with the right home.

Yes. Trained service animals are welcome at every Drift home with no pet fee; just let us know at booking and describe the task the animal performs. Emotional support animals are considered case by case with a reasonable accommodation request before your stay. Guests remain responsible for any damage.

Related: Terms & Conditions

Most Drift homes include on-site parking, such as a garage, carport, or assigned space, but the number of spots varies by home. Beach-area garages can be narrow, tandem (front-to-back), or low-clearance, so check the listing or ask for garage dimensions if you're bringing a truck or large SUV.

Related: Search Homes

Extra cars can use free street parking along Mission Blvd and West Mission Bay Dr, or the free public beach lots near Belmont Park and at the ends of some side streets, where overnight parking is generally allowed. Spots fill fast in summer, so arrive early and follow posted signs to avoid tickets or towing.

Related: Local Area Guide

Most homes come stocked with beach essentials, typically beach chairs, an umbrella, and beach towels. Sand toys aren't provided, but you are welcome to use them if they are on site. There are a number of rental shops at the beach for kayaks, beach cruisers, boogie boards, and more!

Yes. Select homes include a Level 2 EV charger in the garage or driveway; use the EV Car Charger filter when you search. Charger types vary by home, so if you drive a Tesla or need a specific adapter, ask us before booking and we'll confirm it works with your car.

It depends on the home. Our collection includes oceanfront and bayfront homes right on the Mission Beach boardwalk, ocean-view homes, and walk-to-the-beach homes a few blocks from the sand in Pacific Beach, La Jolla, and beyond. Use the Oceanfront, Bayfront, or Walk to the Beach filters to compare.

Quiet hours are 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM, in line with San Diego's noise ordinance. Our homes sit in residential neighborhoods, so please keep music and voices low, especially outdoors and on rooftop decks. Noise violations can lead to fines, removal from the property, and loss of your rental payment.

No. Drift homes are in residential neighborhoods and can't be used for parties, weddings, receptions, or large gatherings, and only registered guests may stay overnight. Celebrating a birthday or bachelorette weekend? Quiet time together within your approved guest count is welcome; save the big celebration for a local restaurant or the beach.

No. Each home's maximum occupancy is set for comfort, safety, and city rules, and we don't make exceptions, including for children and overnight visitors. Unregistered guests may be charged $250 per person, per night, and can void your reservation. Need more room? We'll gladly help you find a larger home.

No. Smoking and vaping are prohibited inside every Drift home and anywhere on the property, including balconies, patios, and rooftop decks. Violations result in cleaning and restoration charges and may lead to removal from the home without a refund. Fireworks are also prohibited on all properties.

Trash and recycling days vary by neighborhood, and your home's day is listed in your digital guidebook. Many homes have a trash valet that rolls bins in and out for you, so just bag trash and place it in the outdoor bins. Before check-out, take all indoor trash out to the bins.

For most direct bookings of fewer than 30 nights, cancel at least 30 days before arrival for a full refund or at least 14 days before for a 50% refund; cancellations within 14 days aren't refundable. For stays of 30 nights or more, cancelling more than 60 days before arrival incurs a non-refundable $500 cancellation fee, and cancelling within 60 days of arrival is subject to the full cancellation penalties. You can reschedule once without penalty 30+ days out. Airbnb and Vrbo bookings follow that platform's policy.

Related: Terms & Conditions

Refunds are processed promptly after cancellation and usually appear in your account within 7–10 business days, depending on your bank. Reservations made through Airbnb or Vrbo are refunded by the platform on its own timeline. Reach out anytime if you'd like an update on your refund status.

Most reservations don't require a traditional security deposit. Instead, a non-refundable Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) fee covers up to $2,500 of accidental damage reported before check-out, excluding pets, smoking, over-occupancy, and intentional damage. We also recommend travel insurance to protect your trip against unexpected cancellations.

Related: Terms & Conditions

Tell us before you check out; honesty really helps. Accidental damage reported during your stay is typically covered by our Accidental Damage Protection program, up to $2,500. Unreported damage, missing items, or excessive cleaning found during our post-checkout inspection may be charged to the card on file.

Yes. Text us at 858-533-2838 as soon as you notice and our team will look for it during the post-checkout inspection. We ship found items back for the cost of postage plus a $35 handling fee. Unclaimed items are held for 7 days, then donated or disposed of in line with California law.

A full-service manager like Drift handles it all: professional listings on Airbnb, Vrbo, and our direct-booking site, dynamic pricing, guest screening and seven-day guest support, housekeeping, inspections before and after every stay, maintenance, restocking, and STR license and TOT compliance, so you earn rental income without the day-to-day work.

Related: Property Management

Most full-service San Diego vacation rental managers charge a percentage of rental revenue, while guests typically pay the cleaning fee and transient occupancy taxes. Drift's fee depends on your home's size, location, and service needs. Request a free rental income estimate and we'll walk you through projected revenue, costs, and exactly what's included.

Yes. For the homes we manage, we handle City of San Diego short-term residential occupancy (STRO) licensing, ongoing compliance reporting, and transient occupancy tax (TOT) filings and communications. Mission Beach licenses are capped by the city, so if you're buying there, talk to us early about license availability.

Related: Property Management

Absolutely. Owners block dates for personal stays and we coordinate housekeeping before and after. Many owners plan around peak summer and holiday weeks to maximize income, but the calendar is always yours. During owner stays you get the same keyless entry and freshly cleaned, inspected home our guests enjoy.

Each home gets a dedicated housekeeping team that learns its quirks, plus a pre-arrival inspection and a post-checkout inspection for every reservation. Our local maintenance team handles small fixes fast, trusted vendors handle bigger jobs, and we keep you informed before major repairs so there are no surprises.

Related: Property Management

Yes. Alongside nightly stays, we market select homes for stays of 30 nights or more, which can fill slower off-season months with traveling professionals, relocating families, and snowbirds. Longer stays are generally exempt from transient occupancy tax and mean fewer turnovers, and we tailor the mix to your goals.

Related: Property Management

Drift manages vacation homes across coastal San Diego, including Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Mission Bay/Bayside, Bay Park, Ocean Beach, Sunset Cliffs, Bird Rock, and La Jolla, plus select homes in Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, Encinitas, Leucadia, Cardiff by the Sea, and the mountain town of Julian.

Related: Search by Area