John Steinbeck's Writer's Studio 30-Night Minimum

Entire cottage in Pacific Grove, California

  1. 2 guests
  2. 1 bedroom
  3. 1 bed
  4. 1 bath
Hosted by Kevin
  1. Superhost
  2. 13 years hosting

Listing highlights

24-hour self check-in

Check yourself in with the lockbox whenever you arrive.

Kevin is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated Hosts.
This charming historic studio was once owned by American author John Steinbeck. It's been featured in several articles: including “20 Romantic AirBnB Getaways”, “Get Cultured While You Sleep at These AirBnBs That are Historical Landmarks," Airbnb Magazine's June/July 2019 edition and in NYT's "Frank Sinatra Slept Here, and So Can You" (August 2020).

There is a 30-night minimum stay for this cottage.

The space
'I bought a small house and garden in Pacific Grove...' (John Steinbeck: A Life in Letters). American author John Steinbeck wrote these words to a friend about this charming house he called home in the 1940s.

This cozy studio retreat has one bedroom with a queen bed and and a sitting area, a spacious full bathroom, and a fully stocked kitchen.

The studio is approximately 350 square feet. It is original 1920's architecture and has short doorways throughout the studio. Taller guests (anyone 5'10" or taller) will need to mind their heads passing through entry-ways and in the kitchen (it has low ceilings).

It is one of three cottages on the property and has a unique and rich literary history, having belonged to John Steinbeck in the early 1940's. He used it as his writing studio and worked on novels including The Sea of Cortez while living here.

Guest access
Guests will enjoy a dedicated outdoor sitting area and beautiful views of the garden.

Other things to note
We do not have a washer/dryer on the property for guest use.

Where you’ll sleep

Bedroom
1 queen bed

What this place offers

Kitchen
Wifi
Free street parking
TV
Backyard

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Rated 4.92 out of 5 from 390 reviews.

Guest favorite
This home is a guest favorite based on ratings, reviews, and reliability

Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 93% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 6% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 1% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 0% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for value

Guest reviews mention

Where you’ll be

Pacific Grove, California, United States
This listing's location is verified and the exact location will be provided after booking.

Neighborhood highlights

The property is in a quiet residential neighborhood in Pacific Grove. It offers plenty of street parking.

As for the city, Pacific Grove has been called “Butterfly Town U.S.A.,” “The Most Romantic City in the U.S.,” “A Dreamy California Destination, ” as well as an idyllic place to get married, to honeymoon or to just hang out. Some of it is self-proclaimed, some the acclaim of people who have actually visited Pacific Grove.

You will find Pacific Grove on the very tip of the scenic, tree-shrouded Monterey Peninsula with a rocky coastline and an ambiance of charm, grace and beauty.

Founded in the 1870s as a Methodist summer retreat, Pacific Grove still bears the look and feel of yesteryear. As you stroll the residential streets admiring the charm of home after home, you will notice little plaques on many of the homes that bear the name of the original owner and the year in which it was built. To qualify for a plaque from the Heritage Society of Pacific Grove, a structure must look like it did when it was originally built.

Among its visitors are brightly colored orange-and-black Monarch butterflies, who overwinter in Pacific Grove after traveling up to 2,000 miles, arriving by the thousands starting in October, peaking around Christmas and departing by March.

Besides its scenic beauty and idyllic neighborhoods, Pacific Grove offers an eclectic downtown experience, with small boutiques, gift shops, art galleries, antique stores and more. Other vibrant shopping areas are along Central Avenue at the entrance to Pacific Grove from Cannery Row and at the top of Forest Avenue on Forest Hill.

Meet your host

Superhost
871 reviews
4.9 out of 5 average rating
13 years of hosting
Lives in San Jose, California
When we are not super-hosting on Airbnb, Kevin is an author and motivational speaker, after spending 25+ years in high tech and Vicky loves to bake and works in HR. We eloped in Central Park in New York City and love the simplicity of what life brings. We enjoy exploring new things. Whether it’s new foods, places to visit or experiences, we love the adventure of life. Most of all, we love time with each other, our kids, family and friends. We were lucky enough to purchase the home of John Steinbeck, American author and Pulitzer Prize winner, and have poured our labor of love in renovating these 100 year-old cottages. Pacific Grove is our home away from home. Kevin spent a lot of time writing his first book, A Life Worth Living, in our cottages - what a fantastic place for literary inspiration! When Steinbeck resided here he formulated the plot of The Grapes of Wrath, and wrote several books including The Sea of Cortez. This is the home he shared with his second wife, Gwyn Conger, who would become the inspiration for the lead antagonist, Kate Trask, in his epic novel, East of Eden. In a letter to a friend, Steinbeck wrote of the cottages, “It is a pleasant little house, and we miss it… You’ll find you get a lot of thinking done in that house.” ' (from John Steinbeck, A Life in Letters). We are excited to share this wonderful piece of history with you!

Kevin is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.

Host details

Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
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Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in after 4:00 PM
Checkout before 11:00 AM
2 guests maximum
Safety & property
Nearby lake, river, other body of water
Carbon monoxide alarm
Smoke alarm