Can you imagine checking into an Airbnb and finding a photo of yourself among the decor? That’s exactly what happened to one Utah family who traveled to San Diego for a family trip.
Aubrey Birrell and her sister had traveled from Utah to San Diego County for their grandfather’s 80th birthday. Shortly after they arrived at the Oceanside rental, their father, who was there to help them unpack, jokingly pointed out that someone in the picture looked like him.
A closer look revealed that it actually was him, along with Aubrey’s sister and brother. The photograph appeared to have been taken during a family trip to San Diego approximately 12 years earlier.
The unexpected discovery initially left the family uneasy, but after hearing the full story from the Airbnb host, they realized it was just a crazy coincidence.
The Family Recognized People in the Photograph
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Aubrey told CBS8 that the family had visited the area for a soccer tournament around 12 years earlier. They stayed in both Mission Beach and Imperial Beach during that trip but could not determine exactly where the photograph was taken.
Aubrey later contacted the Airbnb host and learned that a San Diego decorator and photographer had supplied the picture. The photographer reportedly takes aerial beach photographs that are used to decorate vacation homes. “They said it was just a crazy coincidence,” Aubrey said.
After Aubrey posted about the discovery on TikTok, viewers shared stories about finding themselves in other unexpected photographs. Some also suggested that the coincidence was a sign of good luck and told her to buy a lottery ticket.
The Host Offered to Send Them the Photograph
“It was very, very strange. We were creeped out. The rest of the time we just made jokes about it. I called all my friends and said, ‘Look how weird this is!'” Aubrey added.
The family enjoyed the rest of its San Diego trip despite the surprising discovery. The Airbnb owner has since offered to send them the photograph as a souvenir, and Aubrey said that they are trying to work that out.