My Blue Ocean

My Blue Ocean: California

Prepare to be left speechless by the view as you open up the 32-foot retractable sliding doors to soak up the ocean breeze at this beachfront home. With glass walls offering unobstructed views of the beach and boardwalk, you'll be awestruck from the moment you arrive. The open concept kitchen is perfect for entertaining, with its sleek counters, polished stainless steel accents and imported stone flooring. Though it's not the biggest space, the floor plan has been cleverly designed to include a cool dining nook and plush living area, and a quick slide of the glazed frontage makes the space immediately double in size. With the soft, powdery sand of the beach literally on your doorstep, we doubt you'll want to go far. But if you do, you'll find an array of shops, restaurants and bars just a stone's throw away.

Home truths:
*Bathrooms have door-free access into the bedrooms
*You're living by a much talked about beach so there won't always be peace and quiet
*Unless accompanied by parents, the host insists on having guests who are at least in their mid-twenties
*There's a strict no-party policy
*One of the bedrooms appears to be specifically designed for children and could feel awkward for adults
*The glass facades let in a fair amount of light in all the rooms all day long
*Two guests will sleep on a sofa bed in the communal area