Thank you for staying at our Hilltop Villa. On this page you will find a personal message from us (Simon & Jodi) along with the Villa guide, house rules, tips, tricks and directions. This page is designed to help you get the most out of your stay at our Villa. Please take a moment to review and enjoy your stay.

Here is a quick summary of what you'll find:

< A personal note from your hosts, Simon & Jodi
< House rules
< Directions to the Hilltop Villa (please review as online directions are not always correct)
< Before you leave (check out instructions)
< Property map (where to find what fruit)
< Restaurants, stores and fun destinations nearby
< Fun spots within 10 - 50 miles

A note from your hosts, Simon and Jodi:

Dear Guest,

Thank you for choosing to stay at our Hilltop Villa!

We love this property and we hope you do too! The hilltop location, sweeping views, endless sunlight, and the serenity provided by almost 500 avocado trees charmed us into buying this slice of paradise in December 2021.

How cool is it to be surrounded by your own forest in southern California? This is a truly unique location. We feel privileged to have found it … and to be able to share it with you.

The house itself needed a lot of work, so we completely remodeled and upgraded the Hilltop Villa. We poured our heart and soul into the remodel, and with the help of some very skilled and dedicated craftsmen completed the project in July 2022.

Since then we complete many other projects, such as the complete pool remodel, landscaping, outside lighting and we are working on building a pickleball court (estimated completion: February 2026).

Initially we simply told guests to treat the home like their own and to enjoy.

Unfortunately, this “love your neighbor’s property as your own” approach backfired. We were sad to discover damages caused by lack of care and how some real neat convenience items mysteriously ‘went missing.’

We are not a big anonymous vacation rental conglomerate. This property is the only property we own and it’s very special to us. We want to share it with you, we want you to enjoy it like we do, but we also need to protect it.

For this reason, we have put together some non-negotiable house rules.

Please know that we are not trying to be harsh or rigid, but we hope that communicating the house rules clearly will be a win-win situation for you and us.

Please enjoy your stay and let us know if we can do anything to make it even better.

Sincerely,

Your hosts,
Simon & Jodi
Simon cell: 858-205-4900

DIRECTIONS TO THE HILLTOP VILLA

HOUSE RULES

< No parking on the street at any time, all cars must be kept on property inside the gate
< No smoking
< No drugs of any kind
< No getting drunk
< No events, photo-or video shoots unless specifically permitted in writing by owner
< No loud noise (including music) after 10pm
< Only the number of booked and paid for guests are allowed on the property. Additional guests or brief visitors require owner's permission (and possibly payment of additional fee).
< No pets allowed without prior permission
< No jumping on beds
< No taping, glueing, stapling, decorations on ceiling or walls
< No glitter or glitter powder
< No candles
< No using the hot tub while 'wearing' spray tan
< If you break something, please let us know

VILLA GUIDE

Parking:
Please park in front of the garage and do not block car(s) of guest staying in the guest house. Please ask before charging electric cars, extra charges apply.

Garage I Supplies:
We use the garage to store all our supplies (paper towels, toilet paper, towels, sheets, cleaning supplies, K-cups, etc.). Guests are welcome to take what they need while at the Villa. Please note that we or maintenance personnel may at times access the garage to get supplies or tools without notice. Please ask before parking your car in the garage. The EV charger is located and the garage. Please see "EV charger" for more information.

EV Charger:
At first we offered the EV charger at the honor principle, but unfortunately that provision was abused. Sorry, but we now charge for charging. 1KWh costs almost $0.60 in San Diego. To charge a car is about $20-40. Please let us know if you need to a charge and we will unlock the charger. You can send funds via Venmo (@Simon-Maierhofer) or Zelle (858-205-4900).

Wi-fi internet:
Network: HoferHaus -- Password: Avocado858!

Washer/Dryer:
Washer/Dryer are located in the laundry room (by garage). Detergent and dryer sheets are in cabinet above dryer.

Trash:
Trash bins are by the front gate. PLEASE PUT ALL TRASH IN BINS BEFORE LEAVING (gray bin = garbage, blue bin = recyclables, DO NOT USE GREEN BINS).

Front Gate I Small Gate:
The front gate doesn’t open automatically when you walk up to it. There is a small, unlocked door left (north) of the big gate that allows you to walk through.

Ceiling Fans:
There are ceiling fans in every bedroom. All ceiling fans are connected to a light switch. To turn on ceiling fan, first turn on light switch, then choose the light and fan speed setting on the remote.
PLEASE RETURN REMOTE CONTROL TO ITS PLACE.

TVs:
Every bedroom (and living room) is equipped with Google or ROKU smart TVs (not cable). You can stream your favorite channels. PLEASE USE YOUR OWN ACCOUNT FOR PAID CONTENT.
PLEASE RETURN REMOTE CONTROL TO ITS PLACE.

Air Conditioning & Heating:
The thermostat in the master bedroom provides heating/cooling for the master bedroom and the two bedrooms next to it.
The thermostat in the living room provides heating/cooling for the living room, kitchen and the bedroom next to the pool table. PLEASE TURN OFF A/C OR HEAT WHEN NOT AT HOME.

Kitchen:
The kitchen is fully equipped with:
Refrigerator with freezer, filtered water, ice dispenser, full size cooktop and range with built in Air Fry, dishwasher, microwave (in the bottom center cabinet), dual coffee machine (K- pods & regular filter drip brew), toaster, citrus juicer, blender, etc. Dishwasher tablets are beneath the sink.

Basic supplies:
We provide all of the following: Towels, linens, sheets, pillows, blankets, toilet paper, shampoos, laundry & dishwasher detergent, kitchen sponge, K-cups (coffee), oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, spices, hummingbird feeder, basic water toys, corn hole game (and bags), billiard table. If you run out of anything, let us know and we'll tell you where to find it in our supply room.

Pool:
Our paradise pool is always 'green energy heated' (= the water flows through black panels on the roof, which increases the temperature 3 - 8 degrees). From July - September, the water temperature is usually in the 80s. During the colder months the temperature drops into the 60s. Conventional heating is available (we only charge for the cost of propane used to heat). Simply let us know what temperature you desire. Our pool is serviced weekly. PLEASE DO NOT REFUSE POOL SERVICE. We usually provide a selection of water floats.

Pool vacuum:
To keep our pool clean and clear we have a pool vacuum that roams around. Please untangle the vacuum if it gets stuck and let us know if it is not moving during 'regular roaming hours' (9am - 4pm). IF THE VACUUM IS IN YOUR WAY AND WANT TO REMOVE IT, PLEASE ASK FOR DIRECTION FIRST TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE POOL EQUIPMENT.

Lighting:
There are various light features for ambiance.
String lights around house: The light switch is by the dryer (blue sticker) in the laundry room.
String lights at pool gazebo & view fence, tiki torches around the property: Those lights are solar- powered and will turn on automatically after sunset.
Patio spotlight: This light is above the patio door. It illuminates the grove. The light switch is by the patio door.
Living room light: The custom-built lighting fixture in the living room can be turned on and dimmed by the switch labeled ‘big light.’
Living room mood light: LED lights will provide subtle blue background lighting. Light switch is right next to the 'big light' switch.

Propane BBQ I Patio Heater I Firepit:
Propane gas BBQ, patio heater and firepit are outside. It’s logistically difficult to keep propane tanks full all the time, that’s why we don’t guarantee a full propane tank. Tanks can be refilled at Daniel’s Market (7 min. away), Home Depot, ACE Hardware, etc. If you finish the tank, it would be a kindness to refill for the next guest.

Big Blue Patio Umbrella:
This umbrella is an amazing piece of equipment. To open, please:
1. Turn the crank to open the umbrella canopy. Make sure the ribs don’t get stuck on the fire pit or furniture (it won’t open).
2. Squeeze and lift the handle up to the desired position.
When closing, please first crank close the umbrella canopy (make sure the ribs don’t get stuck) and then squeeze and lower the handle.

Master Bath Fan:
The fan in the master shower plays music if connected to your device via Bluetooth. The pairing code is 1234.

Hair Dryers:
Hair dryers are kept in the master bathroom and big guest bathroom.

Iron I Ironing board I Vacuum:
Iron is kept in the laundry cabinet. A full-size vacuum is kept in the garage.

Acrylic Drinking Glasses:
Our Acrylic drinking glasses are great around the pool, but PLEASE DO NOT PUT GLASSES CLOSE TO THE FIRE PIT!

Cameras:
We have security cameras in various outside locations and the garage. No cameras inside.

Hot Water:
Due to the size of the house, it can take 1 minute for hot water to travel to master and guest bathrooms. Despite having the biggest possible water heater (80 gallon), due to the size of the house & luxurious rainfall shower heads, if everyone takes extended showers at the same time, water may run out temporarily until heater catches up.

Avocados:
Our avocado grove needs water equivalent to 5 inches worth of rain every month. The map on the next page shows where our ~470 avocado trees are located. We sell the avocados commercially to pay for the water bill. Please only pick avocados you can use. Avocados picked from the tree take 10 – 14 days to ripen. Throughout much of the year you will find avocados on the ground (especially January – June). Unlike store-bought avocado, even fruit that looks dark and ‘ugly’ is usually good and tasty. Simply pick it up, slice it open, and enjoy. Peak avocado season is from January (when avocados are maturing) to June (when they are picked). ‘Babycados’ (new crop of avocados) start growing in July. PLEASE DO NOT PICK AVOCADOS FROM JULY – DECEMBER AS FRUIT WILL NOT RIPEN AND NOT TASTE GOOD.

Citrus Trees:
There are various citrus trees on the property: Different types of oranges, grapefruit, tangerine, kumquats (pop in the whole thing) and lemon.
The various varieties ripen at different times, but the map below highlights the two areas where you’ll find the citrus trees. Have fun exploring ... and put the electric citrus juicer (kitchen) to work.

Macadamia Nuts:
Left and right of the front gate are macadamia nut trees. Unfortunately the nuts don’t grow cracked open and dipped in chocolate. They are truly a tough nut to crack. Feel free to pick some and take home (please don’t break our knifes or kitchen countertop trying to crack them open).

Disclaimer:
Our property is in the country. This means you may see wildlife like Coyotes, squirrels, skunks, roadrunners, racoons, etc. Although we haven’t had any issues yet, please note that there might be less adorable characters such as scorpions, rattlesnakes, etc. CLOSE SCREENS AT ALL TIMES. If screens are open, insects and animals come inside. We are not liable for any injuries or damages caused by animals or slipping, tripping, etc. on the property.

Guest House:
There is a guest house on the same property. The guest house is also available for rent. You can view the proximity via aerial pictures of our listing. Although a small portion of the driveway is shared, the Villa is very private as it faces away from the guest house. The Villa pool area and backyard is exclusively for use of Villa guests and is not shared with guest house guests. None of our guests (Villa or guest house) has ever complained about lack of privacy.

Contact:
You can contact me (Simon) on my cell phone (858-205-4900) at any time.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE (CHECK OUT INSTRUCTIONS)

< Please put back all remotes (ceiling fans, TVs, etc.) to where they below
< Please turn off A/C, heating, lights and appliances not being used
< Please put used towels in laundry room
< Please put dirty dishes in dishwasher and start dishwasher (1-hr cycle)
< Please put all trash in trash bins outside the front gate. DO NOT USE GREEN BINS
< Please leave linens on bed
< Rule of thumb: Please leave our Villa as you've found it

PROPERTY MAP (WHERE TO FIND FRUIT)

We grow a variety of fruits on our property. Pink & white grapefruits, different varieties of oranges tangerines grow just south and west of the pool (upper red box).
Additional varieties of oranges and tangerines along with cumquats grow further south inside the avocado grove (lower red box). We also grow cherimoya's and passionfruit (can you find them :). An electric citrus juicer is in the kitchen. Enjoy!

RESTAURANTS, STORES & FUN DESTINATIONS NEARBY

< El Parque: Just 2-3 miles away. Mexican restaurant with other options like bowls, burgers, fish & chips. Quaint place with neat outside ambiance. Inexpensive, good food. Beer on draft.
< Monserate Winery: Just down the road, 10-15 minute walk away. Wine tastings, casual fare and upscale restaurant.
< Z-Cafe: Great food at affordable prices.
< Z South: Mexican food. Delicious and more upscale.
< Peking Wok: Best Chinese food in town. Good lunch specials.
< Fresco Grill: Upscale Italian food.
< Estrella's: Good Mexican food.
< Veranda at Grand Traditions. Upscale restaurant with nice ambiance
< Daniel's Market: Closest supermarket. Not upscale but has all the basics and is know for its Burgundy Tri-tip. It's great on the BBQ.
< Albertsons: The nicest grocery store around.
< Grocery Outlet: Groceries at a discount with some neat and changing food items and good prices on the basics.
< Kenny's Strawberry Farm: Open Friday - Sunday (usually January - July)
< Fallbrook Winery: Another nearby winery
< Toasted Oak Vineyard and Winery

FUN SPOTS WITHIN 10 - 50 MILES

< Temecula wineries. There are dozens to choose from. Some of our favorites are Leoness and Renzoni winery.
< Ocean (Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Del Mar ... you can just travel Highway 101 from Oceanside to La Jolla).
< LEGOLAND (Carlsbad)
< San Diego Wild Animal Park (Escondido)
< San Diego Zoo (San Diego)
< Seaworld (San Diego)
< Balboa Park (San Diego)
< Gaslamp Quarter (Downtown San Diego)
< San Diego Harbor