Reviews of Property: Beautiful, Secluded Bay View Cottage in the Trees

Description Cottage, 500 sq. ft.,
1 Bedroom, Sleeps 4, 1 Bathroom
Amenities beach, town, garden, balcony, internet access, satellite or cable
Rates per property (USD)
$126 - $140/night 
Accepts Online Payments
Joe Dunn
+1 415-686-0576
+1 415-454-5425 103
Speaks: English, Spanish

16 Reviews of Property 191123 in San Rafael, California

Rating
5 out of 5

Staying at the

Stretton Auburn, WA
Review Submitted: October 6, 2009 Date of Stay: September 2009
This cottage (or "yurt" as many refer to it) is a perfect getaway for 2, but can accommodate 4. It's maintained in immaculate condition, lots of windows, views through the trees to the water, squirrels and deer visit regularly, and everything you need to cook a meal if you desire. Easy access to Hwy 101 for visits to the wine country or elsewhere. We recommend taking the Larkspur Ferry into San Francisco as there is free parking! The owner is an excellent host and provides lots of informative literature on places to visit. We highly recommend this place for your next visit to the Bay Area.
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Rating
5 out of 5

Best Rental Ever

new england tourist Suffield, CT
Review Submitted: September 3, 2009 Date of Stay: August 2009
My family of three rented this cottage for a week in late August. Although the cottage has only 1 bedroom, the pullout couch in the living room allowed a separate sleeping area for my daughter, which worked perfectly for us. The online pictures looked good -- the cottage itself is even better. When we arrived, we found everything to be spotless and well planned. There were clean linens ready for the pullout couch, clean towels in the bathroom. The bamboo floors, stainless appliances, marble tiles in the bathroom, copper fixtures -- everything about the cottage is done with great taste, so you feel at home, not as if you're staying in a rental. The owner very kindly even made sure we had shampoo and coffee. The deck overlooks a wooded back yard and was perfect for morning coffee. We spotted deer more than once, too!

Coming from the east coast, we were totally unfamiliar with Marin County, but wanted to be close to San Francisco without being in the city itself. We picked a house in San Rafael, hoping to be within day-trip distance of a few things: San Fran, the redwood trees, and wine country. As it turns out, the location could not have been better! Getting to the city was an easy 15 minute ride, getting to Muir Woods was about the same. Napa is within an hour or so... Monterey was within 2 hours. We even spent some time in San Jose - all were within a reasonable distance. San Rafael itself is also a very nice little town -- not a lot of restaurants downtown, but we enjoyed breakfast in town more than once before heading out for the day. The grocery store near the house is pricey (if you're from the east), but has great selections and could not be more convenient.

All in all, a great house to rent for vacation. Location was ideal and the house itself was charming. I was happy to find the owner's main house on the same property (though, not really visible from the rental). As a tourist, it was great to be able to knock on the door and ask 'a local' questions. I'd recommend this rental to anyone wanting to visit the area!
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Rating
5 out of 5

Absolutely beautiful

mariposa59 Brussels, Belgium
Review Submitted: August 27, 2009 Date of Stay: July 2009
We stayed in this marvelous place for one week this last August, and just loved it! It was sparkling clean, totally equipped with all the amenities one can think of (and more). The place is so quiet and peaceful. A excellent value for the money. The owner is very thoughtful too. This place is a gem. Highly recommended, an hoping to be back there in the near future.
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Rating
5 out of 5

Best tree-house ever

Lene n Gordon Edinburgh
Review Submitted: August 18, 2009 Date of Stay: August 2009
my partner and I stayed in this property in the beginning of August. The house feels like a real tree-house as its built on a platform which reaches half-way into the crowns of the oak trees to the back of the cottage. The cottage is set well away from the owners' property and is very secluded and quiet. There's a wooden veranda all the way round the cottage - we enjoyed breakfast on the deck every morning. The inside of the cottage is very clean, stylish and completely unique. Its comfortable and well laid-out and we found there was everything we needed in the kitchen. The garden had loads of wild life: birds of prey, bats, deer, birds, squirrels but no wasps and other beasties. The cottage is situated a few miles out of San Rafael so you probably need a car (or motorcycle) - there's completely secure parking at the cottage - but there is a food shop just down the hill (7-10 mins walk) where you can buy a wide range of food and drinks. We shopped in the local super markets in San Rafael - the Wholefods place had great quality stuff. As we were touring on motorcycle we tended to eat at home in the evenings and there was a great range of easily prepared meals available - also try the Safeways a few miles away. The owner, Joe, is a top-guy. He was incredibly friendly and helpful, and if you ask him really nicely he may let you use his washing machine :-) Thanks for that, Joe :-) One wee useful addition to the cottage could be a table for the terrace although it's just one of these little 'would-likes'. The 'tree-house' for us was simply perfect - we cannot fault our stay in any way. We would love to go back and stay again - maybe next year. Heartily recommended. PS. Joe, we popped new batteries in the smoke detector as it was beeping :-)
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Rating
5 out of 5

Weekend Escape ...

rallen_austin Austin, TX
Review Submitted: July 14, 2009 Date of Stay: July 2009
My son and I had a great weekend at the cottage and were treated more like friends than "renters." The property is immaculately maintained and nestled on the back of a large wooded lot where nature abounds. The location was perfect for day trips to SF in less than 30 minutes yet the beautiful drive back to the cottage helped us unwind and feel removed from the hustle in bustle. This Texas family loved the escape from the heat and will definitely be back!
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Rating
5 out of 5

Tree house exceeds all expectations

Pahti Mlwaukee, Wisconsin
Review Submitted: July 2, 2009 Date of Stay: June 2009
My stay of 9 days at the round house couldn't have been better. The home is perfectly outfitted for comfort, the patio being so nice for reading the morning paper, and the privacy & secluded nature of the property is unparalleled. The breezes off San Rafael Bay surround the living space, and China Camp State Park is within 3 miles drive if you are a hiking or bicycling enthusiast. Nature is right at your doorstep as I encountered a friendly doe and it's fawn 10 feet from the front door one evening. What an unexpected thrill!

Joe is the perfect host which made being his guest a pleasure.
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Rating
5 out of 5

unique property, great location!

Pat from Oz Australia
Review Submitted: April 25, 2009 Date of Stay: April 2009
This is a charming cottage, with excellent fittings, so close to the city and Point Reyes yet quiet!
It is attraxctively furnished, beautifully maintained, and very comfortable. Gardens are full of wizened trees and there are views.
We would definately recommend it, and intend to stay agian.

Everythiong done to make the guest feel welcome.

Excellent food store just down the road.
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Rating
5 out of 5

Great stay at a wonderful cottage!

Robert and Connie Madison, WI
Review Submitted: April 13, 2009 Date of Stay: April 2009
My husband and I stayed with our 9 year old son. It was a GREAT place, much better than a hotel!!! More room, very relaxing and quite, and the kitchen allowed us to eat in some to save some money. The owner was very helpful with giving guidance. Suggested my son's favorite spot of the whole vacation, a wonderful skateboard park. We would definitely stay here again if in the area. I highly recommend it!
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Rating
5 out of 5

A Serene Little Hideaway

Cass_F Wyoming
Review Submitted: April 8, 2009 Date of Stay: March 2009
This place must be experienced to be believed. Seriously!

We stayed at this lovely and unique cottage, using it as our "home base" while we explored Marin, the Wine Country, and of course, San Francisco. The location worked out great for us and was very convenient.

What is so great about this place is how absolutely relaxing it is. Turn off your cell and "disappear" here in the woods. When you're ready to face the world again, there are unending area activities and attractions.

If you need a place to relax, unwind, recharge, and enjoy each other, this is the place. We were very pleased with every detail, and would certainly stay again, no question about it.
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Rating
5 out of 5

Perfect Retreat

sanmateolulu san mateo
Review Submitted: January 26, 2009 Date of Stay: January 2009
I chose this cottage for when I wanted to "run away from home" - and it was the perfect solution! The owner is very nice and accomodating, the birds are beautiful (cranes, ruby-throated hummingbirds) and the trees covered in moss. I took the ferry to avoid the hassle of driving. This is the perfect spot for yoga-lovers, with lots of Yoga Journals and even a pristine, brand-new yoga mat. (Still new - I was too shy to break it in.)

Everything is just beautiful, and the proximity to China Camp can't be beat.
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