Page Title

                            Rent The Shack!
A few important notes that will save you time (and keep your head from spinning):
1. The Shack / "Surfer" is not affiliated with any business, activity, or musicians (including the Beach
Boys)...with the exception of the Del Mar Yacht Club. The movie clips / commercials / home videos
and music contained on this and other pages is included only because I think it is fun and because
I think that you might want to look at it, listen to it, and enjoy it. I'm not selling or promoting their stuff,
and they are not selling mine. Most of the "live action" stuff comes from "You Tube", which I
presume is there because they or someone wants you to see it. Now...let's get going.
2. The Shack is located in Solana Beach, California. Use Mapquest or another
mapping service to find out where "The Shack" is in relation to your location.
3. Attractions and businesses are suggestions only, and are provided only in order to get you
pointed in the right direction. If you want to view a selection of choices for a particular activity (for
example - sailing, fishing, or dive charters), simply conduct a Google search. There are a many
options out there. When in doubt...Google it!.
4. You can easily get lost, sucked in, tumbled about, and spiral down in the following massive
"black hole" of information...and remain disoriented for weeks. Solution? Click on to reservations to
see what is available...make one...and then click back to view some more "info" when you gather
your strength.   You are not required to view every link at one sitting. You will not make it. Take
small bites.   Don't get caught up in the Spin Cycle.

How to Rent The Shack!

The Shack should be up and running, and available for your visit, by (soon to be
announced). The entire condominium community where The Shack is situated is
undergoing a major renovation ($7.2 million plus). Surfer's lucky contribution to the pot was
$88,000.
City regulations require a minimum stay of 7 days for "vacation" rentals....and those days will
go by faster than you want. You must stay in 7 day increments (not 8 or 10 days, for
example, due to Surfer's "ease of booking rules"), and begin your stay on Saturdays (again,
Surfer's personal "ease of booking rules"). No need to read all of the stuff below if you
already know what you are doing...but for the complete scoop...keep on reading. You must,
however, read, acknowledge, understand, and abide by the rules at the bottom of this page.
Just scroll on down.

You are just moments away from reserving this gorgeous One Million Dollar 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath,
1,500 square foot well-appointed condo straight across from the Del Mar Fairgrounds / Racetrack
for your vacation or business pleasure. Fairgrounds. Sleeps 4 adults (more if you place the
"extras" - i.e., kids) on a supplied aerobed. The view alone is worth one million dollars. Just steps
to the best thoroughbred horse racing track in the country. Uh…nope…gosh…I meant to say…in
the world! No kidding. Look .

Location: Saratoga West in Solana Beach. Visit Google Earth for a space view. Check out the Del
Mar Racetrack location. You can easily download Google Earth if you don't have the program...it is
free. Check it out on the Internet. With Google Earth, you can google up or down the coast to nearby
attractions.

Price? About 300 to 500 bucks per day, depending on the time of year. i will let you know. Now,
don't have a heart attack just yet. Below, you will find links to hotel room rental rates and vacation
rental properties in Del Mar and Solana Beach. I believe that you will be pleasantly surprised at how
affordable The Shack really is in comparison to the other locations.

Visit here for Del Mar hotel rate comparisons.
Visit here for Solana Beach vacation rental comparisons.
Visit here for Del Mar vacation rental comparisons.

Features:

Who would possibly want spend some time at The Shack? Any pre-approved responsible
individual that desires to relax and enjoy some quality time. Could be a couple of business
partners, or a small family looking for a great "vacation event." Or even some retired folks. Al
Bundys are not welcome...even though they are fun to view on TV.
Killer “track view” from just about every room, plus a “white-water” ocean view, and 2 outdoor
decks with the same fantastic ocean and track views. With ocean breezes and
everything…like the smell of “salt air”, for example. Seagulls and droppings not included (in
other words, if you want to watch or feed seagulls...go to the beach. They do not fly over The
Shack).
No kidding...you can lay flat on your back on the master bedroom king size bed. Look out the
windows...to an ocean or track view. A "killer view" from Saratoga West means that you have
an unobstructed view of the track and ocean. That means that you don't have a "peekaboo
view" where a chimney or adjacent unit obstructs your view of the track or ocean. You are not
required to peer through a neighbors window in order to get a glimpse of the track or ocean.
You are just a klick away from the beach. Walk, jog, skate, bike, or drive…easy to do.
Live action "Bubba Cam" coming soon...so that you can view the view from The Shack to the
track action or ocean...24 hours a day...right from your present "Internet location." Anywhere
in the world. And a virtual Internet "walk through" tour and digital pictures also coming soon.
High speed Internet access…wireless. Plop your laptop anywhere in or near the condo
(including the outdoor decks and swimming pool area) and have at it.
One of the bedrooms has been converted into a fully functional office complete with
computer (and a wireless mouse and keyboard), split screen viewing on two large flat
screen LCD monitors (in other words…you can check your e-mail on one screen while
simultaneously viewing Bloomberg or the Drudge Report on the other…and a large flat
screen LCD TV screen in the middle so that you can view a movie or news...all at the same
time), laser printer, copier / scanner, and fax. Plus…a great track and white-water ocean
view…right from your large desk as you sit in your comfortable leather chair. Prop your feet
up and lean back. I do…all of the time. Three telephone lines (one is a dedicated fax line).
Answering machine. Cordless telephone system so that you can take a walkabout and chat
without being tied down to one location. Or…use your own cell phone. Oh…and a
bookshelf. Yep…Surfer has a few of the classics - for your reading pleasure. Or bring your
own collection of “hot reads.”
Television and music provided from three separate sources (just in case one or two of those
suckers bites the dust at any given moment in time): Cox Cable (cable connection), Dish
Network (satellite connection), and Direct TV (satellite connection). Many, many channels
available. TV’s and radios in every room. Record shows so that you can view them at your
leisure. And skip through those pesky commercials.
Large screen high definition flat screen LCD TV setup in the living room, with 5.1 surround
sound. View two separate shows at the same time…or use one to view your Internet
connection via wireless high-speed Internet access. Dueling clickers (a.k.a. Dueling
Banjos) (L)…so that you can click on one station to view and listen to on one screen, while
another viewer can view another screen. Headphones available so that each participant
may view and listen to the program of their choice without disturbing others in the room.
Bring your own favorite collection of cd's or dvd’s…or pick a tune or a movie from one of the
many available selections beamed in from outer space. Surfer will provide a few cd's. .
Tunes from Willie Nelson...sing it Willie...Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, and Pancho and
Lefty , and this. Plus this. The Traveling Wilburys. Handle With Care. And Roy Obison.
(Check out Oh, Pretty Woman ). Beach Boys. Surfin USA.. Kokomo. This is my favorite Here
is another IZ. - IZ. A B. And last but not least. The Righteous Brothers and Unchained Melody
(the greatest love-song of all time).
Full size kitchen with fridge / freezer (ice cubes and cool filtered water magically appear right
out of the door), dishwasher, range / oven / microwave, coffee pot, toaster, blender, and a
garbage disposal. And plates and bowls, and some pots and pans, and a crock-pot. And
forks, spoons, glasses, coffee mugs, and steak knives…and a serving platter and some hot
pads. Plus paper plates and plastic cups. Bottled spring water for drinking...delivered right
from Arrowhead to the large, cool crock. And two old fashioned charcoal-fired Weber Kettle
barbecue grills right on the top deck. In one, you can grill some fresh fish, steak, kabobs, or
chicken…all at once. Or prepare the world famous "Surfer Burger" - I'll tell you how. At the
same time, you can slow roast a turkey or prime rib on the other…with hickory chip flavor, if
you wish. Oh, and be sure to seat yourself at the outdoor glass bar on that very same top
deck (that faces smack-dab at the ocean and track) to enjoy food and beverages that you
prepare or have delivered. Oh...and the hummingbirds will hum right up next to you to get at
the special "Surfer Feeder." Them little critters really like it here at The Shack. No kidding!
They will even buzz right on up "in your face" so that they can check you out...if you do not look
familiar to them. After you pass their test...they will do their thing...and they will allow you to
do yours.
A Celestron telescope so that you can zoom in on the moon. That is really cool. And some
binoculars so that you can get a close up view of the track or surf action at the beach from
The Shack.
On the lower deck: Table and chairs, and a jumbo hammock…capable of containing at
least 6 individuals…no kidding…count’em…all at one time. A great family affair. Giggles
and Laughs. Surfer has personally participated in the “Great Hammock Experience” on a
number of occasions. Swing in the breeze, and catch some rays. Listen to music. Or read
a book. Or tell a joke and laugh. Or hug someone.
Wood burning gas-fired fireplace…for use on a foggy and soggy night. Ah...the smell of oak,
eucalyptus, and pinion. A cozy fire is good! Anytime. And some cozy comforters and warm
blankets to wrap around yourself during "winter" in San Diego.
A hot-wired security system connected to a central monitoring station. Arm it when you
leave, and it monitors everything. Plus, a lockable heavy duty iron gate from your stairs that
lead to the pool. A key is required for entrance, but you don't need one to get out...just in
case you need to get out fast.
Two car garage. Will accommodate two cars, or one limo. Sorry…you must provide your
own vehicle. However…secretly tucked inside the garage (also known as The Shack's
"Chamber of Fun" storage center) are a few 21 speed mountain bikes available for you to
pedal to the beach (1/3 mile away)…and enjoy a few rays and sunbeams. Or up or down the
coast. A very popular activity in San Diego. And…a washer and dryer…so you can “tidy up”
your outfit after your excursion.
You are just one flight of stairs (28 winding stair steps down the turret stairs - or 13 stair
steps, and a 30 foot walk around the corner, if you want to use the front door) away from the
swimming pool, hot tub, and sauna. Barbecue (gas propelled…so you don’t have to lug a
bag of charcoal to it), a table top counter, and fresh water with a sink. These features are
available for you to use to prepare your favorite fixin’s - right at the pool. Tables, chairs,
umbrellas, and lounge chairs. The Clubhouse is right there…complete with full kitchen
facilities, gas fireplace (no wood necessary), outdoor deck, bathrooms and showers, a
billiard table downstairs, and lots of space for meetings. Indoor Clubhouse facilities (except
for the bathrooms and showers) must be reserved…but it is easy to do. Contact Shawn at
(858) 353-3950 for pricing and arrangements. Outdoors…at the pool…it is first come - first
served. But I can clue you in with a top-secret tip: after almost 30 years of living here,
overlooking and right next to the pool and making astute observations and performing a
variety of scientific calculations with slide-rules and microscopes, I have reached a keen
conclusion. It is this: hardly anybody uses the pool or pool area! Incredible. Reworded…the
pristine pool is empty of people 99% of the time. It is yours for the taking. Use it.
Daily maid service available at The Shack.

Homeowner association rules strictly enforced…particularly with respect to noise and parking.
Be courteous…but have a good time. If you have a hankering for shouting and yelling, do it at the
beach. Once you get those decibels out of your lungs, come on back.
A copy of the Saratoga West Homeowners Association rules are available here. A complete list of
my rules can be found below. Other than that, have a great time!

Oh...by the way...If you desire to conduct an office function, birthday party, wedding reception, or
business meeting at the spacious Saratoga West Clubhouse with a large number of participants,
have the participants park on Via De La Valle or Solana Circle. Parking locations and driving
directions to Saratoga West available here. Just a short walk away.

Don’t hog the guest parking spots on site (because they are limited and should be available to
other folks in the community). Sure…utilize one or two so that you can conveniently provide food and
/ or supplies for your “Clubhouse Experience”. But no more than that, out of respect to the other
owners, guests, and tenants. Maximum occupancy in the Clubhouse is 100 happy people.

Activities:

Need a taxi cab? Call Mike at Vantage Cab. Best available in San Diego. Surfer gives Mike
a “5 thumbs up” endorsement. Clean van, courteous, and always on time! (760) 613-6568.
Plenty of all types of churches around. Try this.
Want to get away for a day? Amtrak station about a mile away. Here you go. Take the Pacific
Surfliner north or south. Here is some ride information. Great ride, great views. Lot's of
parking available at the station...or have Mike deliver you. Or take your bike. Take the
Coaster south to downtown San Diego. Plenty of stuff to do there…such as Old Town, Point
Loma, Gas Lamp, Sea World, Scripps, Balboa Park (aviators...check this out), the ballpark,
or the world famous San Diego Zoo. On the bay…harbor cruises, dinner cruises, and
sailboat rentals...plus The Midway and the Star of India. And here. And Seaport Village. Or
swing on down to the Hotel Del. Or maybe the Torrey Pines Glider Port.
Or, for a “south of the border” experience, transfer from the Santa Fe Station to the Red
Trolley and rumble down to Tijuana. And this. Oh...and this. Shopping, Jai-Alai, crunchy
tacos, and salty margaritas. Home of the Caesar Salad . Did you know that? Or drive on
down to Puerto Nuevo for some great lobster at the beach. Or Ensenada and The Baja
1000. Or further on down to San Quintin for a great surfing experience.
Do you like critters? Try this for the birds in Del Mar, this for the cats and bears in Alpine.
How about camels, turkeys, and birds? Or buffalo?
Or, cast your hook in the Pacific. Launch from Shelter Island for deep sea fishing or sailing,
or slap on a wetsuit for some scuba diving...launching from Mission Bay.
Don’t like going south? Then head north. Flowers? Ecke.
LegoLand , Disneyland, (history), Knotts Berry Farm, (history), Anaheim Stadium, Dodger
Stadium, and Olvera Street. Los Angeles Union Station…all within a short 2-hour train ride
away. Oh... and don't forget about the Ducks or the Lakers. Let the engineers engineer and
the conductors conduct. You do not have to drive on the crowded LA freeways. Your 2-hour
function is to sit down and enjoy the ride. Do it…and have fun doing it. Then get out and
explore! Maybe a trip to the Santa Monica Pier. Or the legendary Malibu Surfrider Beach.
Malibu Pier. History. And here. And here. Or keep heading north to Solvang. Or try this for a
view while you spin up the coast. No Kidding...Surfer's uncle and cousin saved the tower
and restored that sucker back in the 80's.
Come back for some golf at Morgan Run, La Costa or Torrey Pines. Bring your own
clubs…or rent some. Or, mess around at the golf driving range or tennis courts just down
the street.
Or surf. Rent a board here. Waves to the north, and waves to the south. No kidding…we
gotta beach right here. Spend a day and /or evening “cooking out” or hanging around on the
sand, lounging on your favorite beach blanket, giant beach towels, beach chairs, and gas
propelled hibachi (all provided at The Shack's "Chamber of Fun" storage center). Boogie
boards and swim fins also provided here at The Shack's "Chamber of Fun" storage center.
Pack the cooler, and picnic basket (again provided at The Shack's "Chamber of Fun" storage
center)…with weenies, kabobs, burgers, beans, chicken, potato salad, corn on the cob,
watermelon, and marsh mellows. And root-beer. And lemonade. Yummy. But…you, dear
guest, must provide your own ice, food, bathing suit, and dental floss. After that, come on
back here for some hot apple pie and ice cream. And maybe some hot chocolate.
Don’t feel like cooking? Plenty…and I mean plenty…of great restaurants nearby! Click
here. Or here . Or, head just a few short miles up the coast to Cardiff's "Restaurant Row" for
a waterfront dining experience in any of a number of restaurants. Or, go a little further to
Encinitas or Leucadia. Lotsa good places there, too. Be sure to check out the La Paloma
Theatre while you are in the neighborhood. And for the best turkey dinner in town...don't
miss the Encinitas Cafe. Sidewalk dining as well...and great breakfasts. Or head south to
La Jolla. Check here too. Plenty of places there, too. Or - have your breakfast, lunch, or
dinner delivered right to the door via MobileWaiter. See Surfer's selection of favorite eating
spots at the bottom of this page. How about an early morning sunrise walk on the beach?
We got the sunrises, and we got the beaches. We even have sunsets! Yep…and good
ones, too. Or, perhaps a mid-afternoon jog on the sand right next to the Pacific Ocean water
(you must provide your own running shoes), or a game of badminton, beach volleyball,
horseshoes, or beach bocce-ball (equipment is provided by The Shack and contained in the
"Chamber of Fun" storage center). You may have to even toss a Frisbee as well. Or fly a
kite. How about a late night walk, hand in hand, with that “someone” special?
Here’s an idea…stay here at The Shack for a week…and then blast off on an ocean cruise to
Mexico. Cruise Liners are available weekly. Or…head to Catalina Island for a few well
deserved days of R&R.
And I guess you might have time for Mount Palomar (to look at the stars), or Julian (for some
great apple pie), or Borrego Springs (to watch the flowers unfold and bloom). Or maybe the
Wild Animal Park. Football…check out The Bolts. Baseball…Padres.

Get the latest scoop on San Diego events here.

Visit here for fairground event schedule.
Visit here for thoroughbred racing schedule.
Visit.Yobubbacam.com for a live internet camera view from Surfer’s Shack-at-the-Tack at Del Mar
(coming soon).

Book here. Coming soon. Easy to do…on line. After that, everything else happens
automatically. All you have to do is get here. You will get a key. From then on, you are on your own.

Whitney or Elizabeth Todd at Todd Coastal Properties in Rancho Santa Fe will answer any last
minute questions...but they are not going to come out and hold your hand.

Quick background snapshot: Saratoga West was erected in the mid 70's, and is mid-way through a
massive renovation project (as of 11/1/07, with an expected project completion date of Summer,
2008). It was featured in Architectural Digest magazine for its unique "European / Mediterranean"
design. You know...the Portugal "white villas on the cliff....over looking the ocean" stuff. There are
90 condos in 9 "clusters." Ten condos per cluster. Of those 90 units, while all are situated in a
killer location at Saratoga West right across from the track, only a few have "killer views." The
Shack is one of them. In fact, The Shack was the "model" unit where the sales office was located.
Clue here: the developer is not going to select just any unit for promotion of his project. He is going
to use the best. Need I say more?

O.K. A few last details. Granite and glass, and limestone and hardwood floors throughout...except
for the master bedroom and guest bedroom. The bedrooms have warm carpeting, so you can keep
your feet warm when you leap out of bed to start another great day at The Shack.

How are you going to get to The Shack? Drive, train, bus, float, or fly. Check this out
for best rates on airfares, car rentals, and cruises. Once you get here, check .here or here for an
easy way to get around if you wish. If you just don't feel like driving or hiring a taxi cab on a particular
day of your stay...you can, believe it or not, hitch a ride on a bus to just about anywhere. The closest
bus stop is just steps away....at the corner of Via De La Valle and Pacific Coast Highway. Take your
bikes with you. You can even take the bikes on the train. Read a book while the drivers transport
you to the classy destination of your choice. Then you launch out, in the fresh air, for a great bike
ride experience. Click here for some ideas. Pack a sack lunch if you want. Put it in your knapsack.
Try this. Or this. Or this . Oh, and one last thing...hot air balloon rides. They pop up all around The
Shack. Just look out the windows on just about any evening. And they come in a rainbow of colors.
Try one.Fairgrounds. - IZ.