This remote ‘mushroom’ cottage is equipped with its own sky dome

Surrounded by 10 acres of oak and madrone trees, this cottage in Aptos, California almost only stands out against its natural surroundings because of the large, stilted deck attached. With a grove of redwoods also nearby, there are various hiking and dirt biking trails that are accessible right off the deck.

A large, dome-shaped window offers constant, panoramic views of the surrounding forest and tall trees, and gives the otherwise simple and rustic cottage a slightly modern edge.

The interior ceiling is lined with 144 plywood triangles, an intricate theme that is continued in the geometric shape of the window panes. This shot shows off the simple, space-saving design that features a bedroom loft area perched above the main floor.

The pentagon-shaped main floor has a mini kitchen, bathroom and living room area (a pull-out futon is to the right, behind the open door). A small ladder directs you to the top floor bedroom loft, and the entire open space is simply decorated with light wood.

Big on simplicity and living life authentically, hosts Kitty and Michael offer a well-equipped but minimal kitchen just beneath the loft. Here, guests will find a mini fridge, hot plate, toaster oven and other accessories as well as a pantry stocked with some healthy snacks.

The mushroom cap cottage is home to its own permaculture farm, as well as a thriving hummingbird community that the owners refer to as a 'Hummingbird Airport'. When they aren't out hiking, dirt biking, beaching, or soaking in some rays on the deck, guests can take a chance to visit with the goats, chickens, outdoor cats and dogs that live on the property.

Though it seems secluded and is in all the most important ways (ie. peace and quiet) this cottage is actually smack-dab in the centre of one of the most tourist-frequented and beautiful areas of California—about 1.5 hours south of San Francisco and the same distance away from Big Sur. More locally, Aptos is only about 25 minutes away from Santa Cruz and 10 minutes from the nearest beaches. All for under $350 for a weekend.