Vacation Rentals by Owner

Family Vacationing, "Home in the Woods"

Guest: Fam Fun (Roseville)
Date of Stay: 12/20/11 Review Submitted: 01/05/12

My family stayed in Diane's home a few days before Christmas and had a wonderful time! Location was close enough to town to not have to waste a whole day driving there and back, yet completely surrounded in beautiful pine trees! Sitting in the spa looking at the amazing stars was awesome! The house had all conveniences of home, well set up kitchen with equipment, as well as bbq on the deck. Diane is very kind, welcoming and helpful. Our family got to enjoy some much needed togetherness without distractions of home. ~Bountiful stock of fun games and great movies as well!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners.

4th Anniversary

Guest: u238 (Oakland)
Date of Stay: 10/06/11 Review Submitted: 10/15/11

My wife and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary at Diane's beautiful cabin. We enjoyed hiking the trails around the house, finding the old miner's cabin, and even hiking down to the river -- it was a blast! We'll definitely be back with some friends!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Quiet and peaceful getaway

Guest: weekenders (San Jose, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/19/11 Review Submitted: 09/01/11

We have been repeat visitors to this lovely place over the last couple of years! We love this place. It is quiet and peaceful and a perfect place to get away from the day-to-day stress. We have always enjoyed our stay and the kids love it. Our daughter called it 'heaven' on the first visit. We have a dog and he is very happy there because he is never on leash and there is a ton to explore. He has a pal there and gets along very well with Amy, who is the perfect companion for hikes. She is always waiting in the morning on the deck and is delighted to see us leave for a hike. We noticed that there is internet and dish network now, both good additions. We found that the wireless signal was weak in the bedrooms but was perfectly reliable in the living room, that's why we have laptops!! In fact, our daughter was able to complete some homework over the stay, which was great because she was otherwise expecting to do quite a bit on getting back home. We have always found everything that we need in the right places. We also found some books that we may have missed the last couple of times. Thank you Diane for being so very prompt about answering any questions and sharing your home! All in all a wonderful and greatly enjoyed trip. Already looking forward to the next one!

Owner response:It is always a pleasure to hear from my repeat guests. This family has been here 3 times and are discussing details to stay in my other vacation rental near Grass Valley. I strive to make my homes comfortable and enjoyable for my guests. I am pleased they enjoyed the new amenities of the Dish and Wifi. I look forward to their next stay.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Warning! Not clean and comfortable

Guest: Storm (sebastopol, ca)
Date of Stay: 08/07/11 Review Submitted: 08/16/11

Two of us and our dog spent August 7-13 at this house. The forest is lovely and the location is described accurately, but the house itself is neither clean nor comfortable. Stepping from the sweet forest smell in to the smell of dirty stained carpets and seeing greasy smears on the dining table was disconcerting. We appreciate that we were able to bring our dog, but the condition of the carpets is beyond reasonable. We literally wore our shoes inside because of the dirty feel. The kitchen cabinets are grimy and greasy; you know that feeling when you grab a drawer to open it and come away with grease on your fingers? The inside of the drawers and cabinets also emit an unpleasant smell when you open them. Addressing comfort, the couches are old and unsupportive (one is simply covered with a blanket), and one side of the king bed is so broken down that it is basically unsleepable. The only outdoor furniture that looked inviting to sit on had already been claimed by the big lab that lives there, and so was dirty and dog smelling. The other plastic outdoor seating was dirty and uncomfortable, though the spa was clean and functioned well. The owner, who we met once briefly, seems to be a nice person, but was not really helpful in answering our questions. When asked about a list of what satellite TV stations were available, her response was she doesn't watch TV and so didn't really know what was available and didn't know of a list of such. The internet is unreliable; we understand that the location of the house makes internet spotty, but that fact should be stated in the advertising. We had work and studying to do, and the slow and many times non-existent connection was a definite problem. The owners only suggestion was to sit in specific locations, but that did not actually mitigate the problem. The last thing that was challenging was the lack of updated information about local hikes, etc. The book kept for such information at the house was inaccurate and really sparse. It directed us to refer to websites, but then the internet wouldn't work! We ended up driving all the way to the Welcome Center in Auburn (highly recommended) to get good info on where to access swimming in the American River, etc. We left all the information there for next renters. Having rented several houses over the years, this house was not up to the standard it should be for the price we paid. We left the house cleaner than when we found it.

Owner response:It is my intention that my guests have a comfortable and enjoyable stay in my vacation homes. I take all the feed back I receive very seriously. I want my guests to know that I have the carpets cleaned professionally several times a year. I do use area rugs so we can actually launder those more often. I allow pets and children. I use an oil based cleaning product to clean the wooden dining table and was not aware that it left a smear. I have changed products. After receiving this guest comment, my housekeeper and I removed everthing from all the kitchen cabinets and thoroughly cleaned them inside and out. The wood under the kitchen sink is being replaced as there was a water spill under there that may have caused an odor. The couches are not old. The cloth couch is covered with a specially purchaced couch cover as I found that dry cleaning the cushion covers made them look worn. This cover is washable, so is able to be kept clean and fresh. The feedback on the king sized bed was very helpful to us as we were not aware there was a problem with it. We found that the bracket on the frame had come loose. It is now tightened and the bed is back to its comfortable state. I have replaced the pads on the deck lounge chairs. We provide the best internet service available in this area. I also realize that some people will find something to complain about - no matter what. Most of my guests are extremely happy with what I provide. For this, I am glad that there are many vacation rental options available to folks. Thank you Storm and Laurie for providing this useful feedback to me. I have been able to improve my property because of it.

Recommended for:Pet owners

Perfect For Multi Generations or Romantic Getaway!

Guest: huskerfan (aurora, ne)
Date of Stay: 07/15/11 Review Submitted: 07/23/11

We had a family of 9 - to include two teenagers and a 90 year old grandma - this was the perfect setting for everyone to enjoy! It is tucked deep into the woods so there are no people, no noise and no cars and pets can wander freely. We never turned on the tv as we were busy hiking, playing ping pong, enjoying the spa, relaxing in the hammocks or simply visiting on the wonderful, expansive deck among the trees. The house was in excellent condition, the photos acurately reflect the home and its amenities, however no pictures can reflect the peacefullness of the surroundings. Diane is a delightful, interesting and extremely helpful hostess. We only saw her once during our stay, but she had great information about the area and sight seeing - and thank goodness she referred us to the hiking sticks! One of the highlights of our stay was Amy - the black lab that lives on the property. She was an absolute joy to have around. She eagerly guided us on our hikes and lovingly sat by grandma's side for petting on the deck. We enjoyed her so much we had her spend the night with us every night! Grandma enjoyed the sun and shade on the deck and watching the kids play basketball and enjoy the spa. She was even able to take a long walk to the look out. The home is very accomodating for the elderly. The kitchen had everything you could ask for, and plenty of dishes for a large group. We had an early morning of fishing at Rollins Lake, while some enjoyed the hiking and others went to Dutch Flats for some sightseeing. There was plenty to do, or completely enjoy doing nothing at all. I highly recommend this for any family looking for some quality time together. We plan to make this a family tradition.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

An easy breezy getaway

Guest: jenny (san francisco)
Date of Stay: 07/01/11 Review Submitted: 07/13/11

The house was easy to find off the 80, but still secluded enough from any noise. Rustic and woodsy feel, GREAT deck! it was so hot my group slept outside and in the hammocks. We enjoyed the hot tub and the surroundings, found it hard to leave the place! The hike to the river was a bit more arduous than we expected, be ready to hike straight down (and of course straight back up) for about 30 mins. Some went bike riding, some rock climbing, we all hit up Rollins Lake and floated for hours. The friendly dogs accompanied us on the hikes and made themselves at home. And the stars are amazing!!! All in all a wonderful 4th of July weekend.

Owner response:So glad these renters enjoyed their July 4th weekend at my Gold Run Mountain House. A late check out of 4PM was requested and enjoyed by this group. Sleeping outside is an option but the house has central air conditioning. The bugs go to bed when the sun goes down and the stars come out! It is a peaceful, beautiful and quiet setting to enjoy a get-away from the city! There are numerous hikes in this area - some easy and some are a little more difficult. The most arduous one is the one that goes to the American River. I have done it and many of the guests have done it! You will know you have finished a hike when you are finished, but it is worth it, as the views are spectacular and the river is fantastic! It is my intention that my guests have a comfortable and enjoyable stay in my vacation rental homes.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Huntington Beach Couple

Guest: Weekend in the Country (Huntington Beach, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/09/10 Review Submitted: 07/16/10

My husband and I stayed here in July 2010 for a weekend getaway from the hussle and bussle of So Cal. What a magical place. This house is set in the woods, very peaceful. The house is equipped with everything. We enjoyed playing ping-pong, barbequing, relaxing in the hot tub, laying in the hammock watching the stars. We listened to some music and even watched a movie. We went to a pie baking contest just a few miles away in a cute quaint town called Dutch Flat. The owner of this property, Diane, is a very sweet and accommodating lady. We will definately book another trip there. Thank you so much Diane, this is just what we needed! Best Regards,Deanna & Jim.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great get away!

Guest: SEK46 (Orangevale, California)
Date of Stay: 04/14/10 Review Submitted: 04/21/10

I took my daughter (adult) to this home for her birthday. We are both hard working women who deal with hundreds of people all day at work and we just wanted to get away from it all for a few days. This house is just wonderful! We were very relaxed throughout our time there. We had some friends come up and meet us, we drank, we hiked, we sat in the hot tub, we listened to great music while we cooked and we even watched a movie. Everything was provided for us. We will be coming back soon with my nieces and sister. This will be one of our vacation get aways for years to come.We are very much "pet people" and we even had a dog (Amy) and a cat(Cat Stevens) that live on the property hang out with us.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Repeat Customers

Guest: Jennifer (Sacramento, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/01/10 Review Submitted: 04/22/11

My family is anxiously awaiting our next visit to this property! We had the best Easter Egg hunt there last year! Our dog ran freely though the forest! The owner is so friendly, polite, and gives privacy! The house is gorgeous! Our daughter who was one the first time we went, and two the second time we went had a blast by the pond throwing rocks, pine cones, and anything else she could get her hands on, into the pond. We had short walks, long walks, coffee on the deck, barbecues, and more. On our second visit we brought our niece and nephews who said it was the best vacation they had in years! I read books, played ping pong, watched movies, enjoyed the fire. I tried another rental property from a different owner last August. The man still has my deposit money and won't return my calls after his wife admitted they were having financial issues!!!!! I have never had an issue getting a full cleaning deposit refund from this owner, and she's prompt! I will be back, and I highly recommend doing business with this property owner! Again, we can't wait to go back! The photos do not do justice to the ambiance and welcoming feeling the home generates!

Owner response:Thanks for the wonderful review! It is always my intention that my guests have a comfortable and enjoyable stay in my homes. It is a pleasure to have folks come back again and again. I love it out here and I hope that my guests will too. I try to be available if my guests need anything or have questions, but it is very important to me that my guests enjoy the quiet, solitude and privacy of this gorgeous setting. The large deck overlooking the woods, the spa, the hiking trails, the hammocks, the horseshoe court, the basketball hoop, the rec room with games and ping pong table, the video library are all reasons to come back again and again. You can't do it all in one stay.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Getaway

Guest: Jackie (Farley, Iowa)
Date of Stay: 03/06/10 Review Submitted: 07/09/10

My husband and I were part of the Iowa crew that vacationed here back in March of 2010 (see nursethatlovestotravel). The house was awesome and the scenery was breath taking! We were just a few short hours from everything: Lake Tahoe, San Fransicao, Napa Valley (my favorite!), and Sacremento. There was plenty to do from road trips to the local trails. The house was cozy and inviting. With the cooler weather, the hot tub was a great way to end the night. The dogs were so friendly that I wanted to take them home with me!! What a great place for a nice getaway!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

The Iowan's week in Cali

Guest: Nursethatlovestotravel (New Vienna, IA)
Date of Stay: 03/04/10 Review Submitted: 03/28/10

This property is very private and set in a beautiful location. Our group of 7 was very comfortable in the roomy house with all amenties one could need. There are several hiking trails within walking distance with breathtaking views. The location of the house is perfect for many different activites like skiing, hiking, and is only a about 1.5 hours to S. lake Tahoe, Napa valley, or San Franciso. Diane was more than accomidating and will give reccomendations for things to do in the area. Our group enjoyed the week immensely. Hope to visit again! Thanks again Diane!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Shelley25 (Iowa)
Date of Stay: 10/27/09 Review Submitted: 10/27/09

I was a guest at this house with 3 other friends. We had a fantastic time. The accommodations were wonderful, we loved the dogs that tagged along, or should I say lead us on our walks and hikes. The hot tub was enjoyed on a daily basis and we were within a couple hours of San Francisco, Virginia City, Lake Tahoe and other wonderful sites. I would highly recommend this place for peace and quiet as well as adventures. I am looking at returning with my same friends. What a great opportunity. We had a great time with the owner, Diane and her cousin Jane.

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Guest: Andrea
Date of Stay: 05/11/09 Review Submitted: 05/11/09

My family stayed at this site for a 3 day weekend. I specified to Diane that there were 3 toddlers under the age of 3 years old. The house and surroundings are not safe for toddlers, making for a stressful vacation. Additionally, advertised as a 3+ bedroom, the house is a 2 bedroom plus loft. Not up to my families standard for cleanliness. The "pond" is really best described as a pit literally teeming with mosquito larvae. Diane, the owner, is a nice women but her advertising of the home leaves much to be desired.

Owner response:It is always my desire that my guests enjoy their time in these beautiful surroundings as much as I do. I pride myself in keeping a comfortable and clean home for myself and for my guests. I think it is stressful to travel with toddlers. (The person who wrote this comment was the grandparent, not the parents of the toddlers.) This family was enjoying their stay so much that they asked for and were given a greatly extended check out time. The Placer County vector mosquito control folks come out and place mosquito fish in the pond every year. With Kindest Regards to all of my guests, Diane Stevenson (530)613-7350

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Guest: Rachel41 (-)
Date of Stay: 03/04/09 Review Submitted: 03/04/09

My fiance and I recently stayed at "the Gold Run house" for the second time in less than four months. We absolutely love this place! It's cozy, comfortable and homey, yet big enough to bring along a few friends for a weekend getaway. We've stayed in several vacation rentals in California, and this is by far the best. It's hard to pick a favorite part of the house, but mine is probably the three big bookcases, stocked with something for every age and taste, from Dan Brown to Milan Kundera to Shakespeare. There are also games, puzzles and movies, a pristine hot tub (and an indoor Jacuzzi), a ping- pong table, a croquet set, a grill, a comfortable hammock, and a lovely porch for sitting and looking out at the beautiful forest. And although the house is only about a mile and a half from the freeway, it feels like it's deep in the woods. You can't hear a single car, yet you're not far from civilization should you need it. Staying in the Gold Run house is a magical, wonderful treat. You will fall in love with this beautiful place and want to go back again and again. Now, I have to say a few words about the owner of the house, Diane, who really saved us on this latest visit. We were arriving during one of the biggest snowstorms of the season. Diane offered to meet us in Auburn (about 30 miles away) and have us follow her a back way to the house to avoid the backup from chain control. It was already quite late when we met up, but if we were putting her out in any way, she didn't let on one bit. Thanks to Diane, we made it safely to the house. The following morning, we decided to go into town. Although the snow wasn't deep, our tire chains broke about a quarter of the way up the driveway. In desperation, I called Diane to ask for her advice. Within minutes she was outside with my fiance, cheerfully helping him shovel a path up the quarter-mile-long driveway. She worked for three hours straight, until we could get up to the plowed road, and even went into town later that day and bought us new tire chains. Diane truly went above and beyond to help us, and I am so grateful for her kindness, hospitality and good humor. We will be back soon!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/06/09 Review Submitted: 01/06/09

Stayed with another family around Christmas Time and it was the prefect place for kids & dogs. Dianne was a delight to deal with and the accommodations where exactly as we thought. Looking forward to booking another time or trying her other location.

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Guest: G.I. Wells (Palo Alto, Ca)
Date of Stay: 09/02/08 Review Submitted: 09/02/08

Our stay at the house at Gold Run was very very pleasant. The kids loved it, we LOVED IT. Loved Fluffy, Amy, Shady... I want to spend another week there just to read all the books! Thanks Diane, for your personal touch. Lovely meeting you, hope to see u again soon. All the best. GI

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Guest: Veronica Ponte (Vallejo, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/06/08 Review Submitted: 02/06/08

We recently come back for a wonderfull weekend in this cozy house in the middle of winter wonderland. Our experience in the property was like having your own home away up in a beautifull snowed hill. The awsome scenic views gave us a very peacefull enjoy. The owner, an enchanting woman who took care of us in a very nice way. We are already thinking in coming back to enjoy the trails for hiking in a warmer season. Definitely a place to visit!!.

Owner response:Thank you for this glowing comment. I do my best to provide my renters with not only a clean and comfortable place to stay, but also provide them with maps of all the local hiking as well as info on whatever their interests --skiing, snowshoeing, sledding... Most people come here and don't want to leave. It truly is a vacation experience in a beautiful setting. Thanks Veronica and I look forward to having you again. Diane Stevenson (530)613-7350

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/21/07 Review Submitted: 08/20/07

Hi...I'm the owner and have had the pleasure of having my first guests last weekend. (I just recently listed with vrbo. I have this property and another 140245 -- a log house near Grass Valley.) My guests came in from Richmond on Friday night for Alex's birthday. The entire family came. The departure note said, "Thanks for letting us rent this great place! We had a fun time!" I hope all my guests enjoy their stay as much as Jennifer and her family did. I look forward to a long list of satisfied guests. Sincerely, Diane Stevenson

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