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Beautiful, clean "Topsail" Author Home, 1½ Blocks to Beach, Fenced Yard for Pets

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Exterior
Beach nearby
TV, DVD player, books, video library
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Property grounds

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6121 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Surf City, NC
  • Surf City Pier
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • North Topsail Beach
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.)
    ‪46 min drive‬

Room options

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Beautiful, clean "Topsail" Author Home, 1½ Blocks to Beach, Fenced Yard for Pets

We hope you enjoy your stay in SURF CITY'S 5-STAR HOME! . . . and new for 2025:
LINENS AND TOWELS: Bed linens and towels are provided at no extra charge!


  • '5 STARS: We found perfection. ... a perfect place for a family with a dog.'

  • '5 STARS: Very nice and clean. The front porch is wonderful and the dog loved the fenced-in backyard.'

  • '5 STARS: Like home only better with the beach so close by and the sound of the waves as we slept!'

  • '5 STARS: Absolutely Wonderful!!!! ... I cannot say enough about the house and location.'

  • '5 STARS: This rental was everything it said it was.... It was perfect.'

  • '5 STARS: It doesn't get any better. ... Don't miss this great rental!! 6 Stars'

  • '5 STARS: Highly recommend. Perfect for anyone with a pet....Very clean, well kept, well appointed.'
  • '5 STARS: Fantastic Vacation Home!!!... You will not be disappointed!'

  • '5 STARS: Living area is huge.... The beds were VERY comfortable.'

  • '5 STARS: Great home in a great location. ... Recommend highly!'

  • '5 STARS: My Wife and I are planning to make this one of our annual vacation spots.'




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RENTAL NOTES:

  • CLEANING: Professional cleaning service provides extra cleaning and disinfecting before your arrival.

  • CANCELLATION: 14 days' notice for full payment return (7 days for 50%), lowest requirement in the industry.


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THE HOME:


TOPSAIL ISLAND is wonderfully slow-paced and family-friendly. This beautiful modern beach home, recently updated, is owned by the author and photographer of 'Topsail Island: Mayberry by the Sea.' It is in a residential neighborhood in northern Surf City, near North Topsail Beach. The home is one-and-one-half (1½) blocks from the beach and just one-half (½) block from one of Surf City's scenic canals, lined with boats and large homes and visible from the decks. It is 2 miles from the shopping/restaurant center of the island.



THE ONE-LEVEL HOME has a large, spacious living/dining room with vaulted ceiling. A big kitchen opens to it. There are three bedrooms sleeping a total of six, including large master suite with king bed, all with ceiling fans, and two full baths. (You provide towels and bed linens: your own or try either Me and Mom Cleaning or other companies that deliver/pick up.) Coastal-style furniture, seascape paintings/prints and other island art decorate the home. (No smoking, please.) Pergo Boathouse flooring is in the living areas.



THE BACKYARD IS FENCED, a Topsail rarity. This is perfect for anyone with young children or pets (up to two well-behaved dogs are allowed). Other amenities: keyless electronic door lock; large covered front deck with rockers and ocean breezes, perfect for waiting out any occasional showers; two long driveways, partially covered; outdoor shower; gas grill on back patio; ceiling fans inside throughout; high-speed wireless internet; 72-channel cable.



YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE with both Topsail and this home!


==================================




Home, built in 2000, is continually updated:

  • NEW FOR 2025 (thus far): Bed linens and bath towels provided at no extra charge. Scheduled: Conversion of tub in master bath to walk-in-shower, Fall 2025.

  • NEW FOR 2024: Rear storm door, paint in two bedrooms, air fryer, replacement kitchen faucet.

  • NEW FOR 2023: Luxury queen bed for 2nd Bedroom, toilet for master bath, pillows for all bedrooms, larger TVs in all locations, replacement rocker for front porch, replacement back door.

  • NEW FOR 2022: Chest of drawers for 2nd Bedroom, pillows for all bedrooms, 2-seat Adirondack bench for front porch, replacement rocker for front porch.

  • NEW FOR 2021: Luxury king bed for master, 2 twin beds, back-deck breakfast table and benches, gas grill, cordless door blinds, 12-cup coffeemaker (companion to existing Keurig single-cup maker), pots/pans, all smoke alarms, hot water heater.

  • NEW FOR 2020: Kitchen Faucet, 2nd Bathroom Toilet, Master Bedroom Bed Covering, Keurig Coffeemaker, Back Deck Rockers, Front Deck Rocker Pads.

  • NEW FOR 2019: Living Room sofa and love seat, Roof.

  • NEW FOR 2018: Trane air conditioning/heat pump.

  • NEW FOR 2017: Pergo Boathouse flooring in living areas.

  • NEW FOR 2016: Luxury carpeting in all three bedrooms.



Keywords: Beach House, Island Home, Fenced Yard, Pets, Dogs, Wi-Fi, Camp Lejeune






VRBO DETAILS:

During your stay at this vacation home, you're just a quick walk from Surf City Beach. Enjoy features like laundry facilities. Free WiFi and a kitchen are available in the vacation home.
  • Air-conditioned home with kitchen, washing machine, and 2 bathrooms
  • Free WiFi
  • Amenities include laundry facilities
  • Onsite recreation includes a playground
  • 8 minutes by foot from Surf City Beach and a 4-minute drive from Back in Touch Massage, Yoga, & Lomilomi
This vacation home offers its guests barbecue grills and laundry facilities. The front desk is open around the clock.

Property manager

Ray McAllister

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming cats and dogs only
  • 2 pets total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Single level property
  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • In a village

Things to do

  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • No carbon monoxide detector or gas appliances (host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Recycling
  • Unit size: 1,302 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs and cats are allowed
  • Maximum 2 pets
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Note from host: Up to 2 well-behaved pets ($33 EACH PER NIGHT).

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Beautiful, clean "Topsail" Author Home, 1½ Blocks to Beach, Fenced Yard for Pets Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 135 out of 149 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 149 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 149 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 149 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 149 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Laura T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great pet friendly Place!

Home was clean and it was pet friendly. Needs a lot of updating, but that did not bother us. Would stay again! Make sure you bring your own linens as they are not provided! I personally forgot, but that was my fault.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

John P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Topsail is best in September

This property had everything we needed. The space was very comfortable for five adults, three of them worked a couple days remote. The outdoor shower was perfect to rinse off the sand. We had room in the kitchen to cook together and we spent a lot of time on the two open air porches. The sliding gate on the front porch gave our older lab a chance to be outside by herself, along with the fenced in backyard. A beautiful added touch were the roses and Cana Lillies that surround the front stairs. Thank you Ray for sharing this home with us.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Terry A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katherine M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect home layout

We loved our stay here - one level living was so nice and unique compared to most rentals in the area. Kitchen had almost everything we needed and we made most of our meals. We couldn't find a grill brush so we picked one up and left it under the kitchen sink. Hopefully the next guests enjoy as much as we did! My only hesitation in giving a glowing review is that we'll have trouble booking again! Truly enjoyed.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alyssa B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful stay

House is beautiful. Property owner very responsive and wonderful! Book this house. !!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Mayberry by the sea

House was perfect for what we needed. Close to the beach, clean, in great neighborhood
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Yvonne S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Awesome location - great house

Loved the location. Quiet neighborhood. Back deck has views of the canal. House is well appointed, clean and beds really comfy.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laurie M.

Liked: Cleanliness

June 2024

The property was very nice and the fenced in yard was great for the dogs. Very close access to the beach and great location.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christine O.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect home

Our 3rd time staying here and looking forward going back next year!!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Thomas L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Cousins at Mayberry by the Sea

Way a perfect week for me and 2 cousins. Ray was the perfect host. We’ll be back.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elihau G., Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Liked: Cleanliness

A pleasant and airy beach cottage.

This house is spacious, full of light and convenient to the beach. It has a large living room, and kitchen. Dining area with a large table. Comfortable beds. Front porch with chairs and back porch with a table and chairs. The enclosed back yard is ideal for your dog and the enclosed outdoor shower with hot water is great for the (mandatory) rinse off when returning from the beach. We had a very enjoyable stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steve S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Totally Enjoyed Vacation

This home we stayed at was great, the only complaint I have is with Mother Nature, Mon - Wed the waves were to strong for boogie boarding!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Valerie C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice and relaxing

Although our stay was short, it was very relaxing. The place is absolutely beautiful and dog friendly. There are very detailed instructions about how things work in the house, such as hot/cold knob to the shower, you just have to read :). Overall a great place and we highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Courtney E.

Liked: Cleanliness

Mayberry by the Sea

Each year we take two beach trips. One with our parents/in-laws and one with the our family of four. This was our first trip taking a pet and our first trip to Surf City. The house was the perfect place to relax and spend time with our family. The walk to the beach was easy. The backyard was perfect for our furry friend to play fetch and we loved the sunset views of the water. We came home and didn’t sleep because our bed isn’t as comfortable as those in the house. I will say, it is the coldest beach house we have ever stayed in. We ended up having to turn the air up. My husband says we are coming back next year for two weeks and may potentially buy property in the area.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Mike S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Sully’s

Nice home. Clean, bright, convenient to beach. Our family of 6, plus dog, very much enjoyed our stay. When not at the beach, hung out on the front porch a lot and read some of the books-plentiful, provided by Ray owner. Mike
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

James D.

Liked: Cleanliness

3 generation family vacay

Great location and dog friendly home. Huge/beautiful front porch with afternoon shade was one of the highlights of the vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brian P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Medium Rare

Like a perfectly cooked steak it was medium rare. As a family who likes to travel with their dogs it is rare you can find a house in this particular location with a nice shaded fenced in yard for the pups. House had all the necessities to host and entertain family, and friends. Ray was a pleasure to deal with during the check in process.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Maureen R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Location - Great House - Great Time

Really enjoyed staying at Mayberry! The master bedroom w/bath was separated from the two guest bedrooms and bath by the dining room/family room. The open floor plan for the kitchen, dining room and family room flowed well. The front porch was great for shade and the back porch for sun. The fenced in backyard was perfect for the dogs as was the front porch with a gate to block the stairs. Very close to the beach, shops and restaurants on the island. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness

Great fall break

We enjoyed our stay. It was fun to read Ray's book and then check out some of the spots that were mentioned. The beach is close by, very nice, and was not crowded. Ray's communication was excellent. Thanks for a great fall break!
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christine O.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful stay

It was our second time staying at this home. It’s in a perfect location and not far from the beach. The house is clean, accommodating, and perfect for us and our dogs. The fenced in yard is a big plus!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Thomas W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great home for family and pets

Wonderful place for family and pets. Awesome to have a fenced in yard!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness

Quiet neighborhood

Property was clean and the beach was a block away. Plenty of off-street parking. Owner was easy to reach.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Judy H., Oklahoma City and Greensboro

Liked: Cleanliness

Peaceful and close to the beach

The Mayberry by the Sea beach house was true to its name; family and pet friendly. The neighborhood is quiet with not a lot of traffic. The home was awesome, just what we were looking for. Must remember to bring your own sheets and towels but everything else met and exceeded our expectations. Rat was especially nice and accommodating answering multiple questions very quickly. We would definitely stay her again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tim L., Bermuda Run, USA

Liked: Cleanliness

Great location and super nice place!

Ray was great to communicate with. The 1 1/2 block distance the wonderful and quiet beach is perfect. The easement to the beach lands you away from the main access points so we had tons of room. and the neighborhood is really quite off the main road. The fenced backyard was fabulous for the dogs! Easy walk to restaurants, and if so inclined a walk down to the Trailer Bar is a fun stop in. Would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karen A.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beach Getaway

This property was very nice and accommodating. Short walk to beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022