Your funnest summer ever with your own private pool near Yosemite Valley!
Location: Ahwahnee, Yosemite Area, Gold Country & High Sierra, California, USA (Yosemite 20 mi~Bass Lake 10 mi~San Francisco 3.5 hr~LA 4 hr) View Map
Accommodations: House, 2 Bedrooms + Detached Unit, 2 Baths (Sleeps 4-6)
Nestled at the end of a quiet, winding drive is an inviting 2 bedroom ranch-style home that beckons you to come inside. Finally, you have arrived at MORNING STAR RANCH, where you cannot help but feel relaxed & rejuvenated the minute you step through the front door. Now, where to start and what to do...
Spend your vacation contentedly napping by your PRIVATE POOL as you refresh yourself from the everyday hustle & bustle of city life. Then, as evening approaches, come indoors & snuggle up to a romantic fire in the cozy living room.
MORNING STAR RANCH is comfortably furnished for a couples get-away or family fun. There is a King bed in the master bedroom & a Queen bed in the guest bedroom. Each are topped with memory foam pads & cotton sheets. In the living room is a full-sized sleeper sofa. There is also a very comfortable Queen-sized, self-inflatable, raised Aero-bed that can be used in the living room or game room for extra sleeping space. The master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with dual sinks, tub & separate shower stall. The second bathroom has a shower/tub combination.
Besides the 30" high definition surround sound TV in the living room, there are TV's in each bedroom, all connected to satellite & cable. All the electronics you might miss while being away from home are provided in our living room: DVD player with surround sound & iPOD dock, VCR player & laptop with wireless DSL internet & printer. There is a phone for all your local calls.
In our kitchen you will have access to every necessary appliance needed to prepare your meals & snacks. The large Weber propane or charcoal BBQs are conveniently located just outside the back door. Enjoy your summertime meals al fresco on the comfy teak furniture on the pool lanai or inside at the oak dining table overlooking the pool. And when you're not in the mood to cook, dine out at any number of excellent area restaurants (from sushi, American, Chinese, Mexican, Italian & BBQ, to 5 star European-style dining & more) all located within 5 to 10 minutes from home.
The immediate backyard & PRIVATE POOL AREA (with outdoor shower) is completely enclosed so you & the kids can have full run of the grassy backyard, wooden deck & patio. There is a horseshoe pit, badminton & croquet sets and a basketball hoop for you to use when you are done enjoying the pool.
The detached game-room (converted garage) has a full-sized & mini POOL TABLE & PING PONG TABLE where you can listen to music while you enjoy a game of pool, ping pong, chess, darts or backgammon. Of course, you could just sit & relax and enjoy a DVD, CD, video, book or board game & unwind from your days' adventures. Some of our guests have even cancelled an additional day-trip back to Yosemite just so they could spend their extra time enjoying all the fun-time activities available at our property!
Take leisurely walks around the expansive 2-acre property that is scattered about with large granite boulder outcroppings & listen to the whispering cedar, pine & oak trees. Meander down to the seasonal creek November thru July; be on the alert for a covey of quail or the occasional grazing deer. Spend sun-kissed days & star-lit nights in a quiet locale that is destined to become your home-away-from home.
This private property bordering the towns of Ahwahnee/Oakhurst is your own peaceful sanctuary, away from the many tourists that you will meet while visiting Yosemite Valley (about an hour away). To begin your Yosemite adventure, start at the Mariposa Grove of giant redwoods located at the southern entrance to Yosemite Valley 20 miles away. Or take the 55 mile drive up HWY 49 to the all-weather Scenic HWY 140 which winds along the beautiful Merced River & into the western Arch Rock entrance to Yosemite.
On your way to Yosemite, visit the historic Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railway with its' old-fashioned narrow-gauge steam engines. Take a ride on "The Logger", pan for gold, stay for lunch or dinner & enjoy their entertainment. Horseback riding stables are also close by.
Bring your fishing pole or boat (or rent one at the local marina) and spend a glorious spring or summer day on pristine Bass Lake 10 miles away, picnicking, swimming, fishing & enjoying water sports--or venture out to any number of nearby lakes.
For golfers, River Creek Golf Course is a public, 9-hole course where you can rent a golf cart & hit the links for $20/day. Sierra Meadows Ranch Country Club is a semi-private 18-hole course that has recently undergone a $2 million renovation. Both courses are just minutes away.
Take a day-trip up Highway 49 to explore dozens of old gold rush-era towns. Visit the charming & historic town of Mariposa 30 minutes northwest: see a working stamp mill with old mining equipment, historic museums, buildings, carriages & wagons. And remember, Chukchansi Gold Casino is only 20 minutes south of us in Coarsegold if you're feeling lucky or want to enjoy a concert!
Shop Raley's Supermarket in Oakhurst (5 minutes)--the best stocked food store, deli & bakery in town. You will also find other nearby conveniences such as Vons Grocery Store, CVS & Rite-Aid Drug Stores, Jamba Juice, Subway, various fast food & fine-dining restaurants, 6-screen movie theatre, bowling alley, Starbucks & more.
Remember, EVERY season of the year offers something new & exciting to see or do in Yosemite--and SEPTEMBER through MAY is especially nice--beat the crowds & the heat. Ask about our off-season SPECIAL & make your vacation dollars count. So please make yourself at home at Morning Star Ranch & enjoy your stay. NONE of our guests have ever been disappointed! (For more PHOTOS of our home click on our owner's website link below).
Fresno 1 hr~Merced 1.25 hr~Modesto 2 hr~Monterey 3 hr~Oakland/San Jose 3 hr~Sacramento 3 hr~San Luis Obispo 3 hr~San Francisco 3.5 hr~Napa Valley 4 hr~LA/Orange County 4.5 hr~San Diego~ 6 hr~Las Vegas 7 hrs
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning: Central air/heat
- Washer: Maytag Neptune
- Dryer: Maytag Neptune
- Linens Provided: All bed sheets, blankets, pillows, bath towels, pool towels & kitchen towels
- Garage: Converted to game room with pool table, ping pong, darts, chess, backgammon, DVD/CD player, TV, stereo, bar with mini frig
- Off Street Parking: Ample parking for 4 cars& motorcycles
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer: Parking for boat or RV; RV hookup available
- Wood Fireplace: Firewood provided
- Beds
- King Bed: In master bedroom
- Queen Bed: In guest bedroom; plus extra Queen raised aerobed can be set up in living room or game room
- Convertible Bed: Sofa sleeper in living room makes into full bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV (4) : Free HBO
- DVD (3)
- VCR
- Video Library: Wide assortment of 70+ movie & concert DVDs as well as childrens' video cassettes
- CD Player (3)
- Stereo System (2)
- Music Library: 50+ CDs
- Private Pool: Because of direct access to pool, do not leave children unattended in backyard. No pool alarms on doors or child-proof pool cover. Door chain locks + lock on sliding door available. Please use when necessary for the safety of young children!
- Pool Table
- Ping Pong/Table Tennis
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: Margaritaville margarita blender, espresso/cappuccino maker, coffee grinder/maker, food processor, bread maker, rice cooker, toaster, hand mixer, waffle iron, George Foreman grill, panini grill, spice rack, tea kettle, PUR filtered water pitchers, cook books, ice chest
- Cooking Utensils Provided: All plates, glass & stemware, coffee mugs, cutlery & utensils are provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Catering Available: Check with owner
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill: Weber propane BBQ with single side burner. Propane provided
- Charcoal BBQ Grill: Small Weber charcoal grill available; bring your charcoal & lighter fluid
- Deck/Patio: Wood deck with teak furniture and outdoor shower overlooking seasonal creek & waterfalls; it's kind of like being in a tree house!
- Lanai
- View/Location
- Waterfront, not Lake/Oceanfront. Ask for details: Seasonal creek & waterfalls on property; flows from October/November through smmer
- Mountain View: Home is at 2500 ft elevation with occasional snow flurries in winter
- Communications
- Telephone (2) : For your local calls only; bring your calling card or cell phone for long distance calls
- Computer: Laptop with printer/scanner/copier on premises
- Broadband Internet: Free DSL so bring your own laptop if you like
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Iron, ironing board, hair dryer, curling iron, beach towels, clock radios, flashlights, numerous maps & books on Yosemite & Gold Country, restaurant & visitors guide, games, puzzles & books, paper products & all soaps
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly: One small, well-behaved dog on approval with additional fee of $15/night
- Handicapped Accessible (may have limitations): Easy access, no stairs
- Wheelchair Accessible (may have limitations): Single story home
- Kid Friendly: Large, enclosed grassy backyard with private, unheated, in-ground POOL which, in the HOT summer months, is a welcome respite!! You do NOT want to visit Yosemite in the summer and not have access to a POOL...
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters: Under 23 years of age must be accompanied by parent or adult guardian
- Smoking Not Allowed: Smoking not allowed inside or outside. Fire danger is SEVERE!!!
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Jet Skiing
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Snowmobiling
- Sledding/Tubing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Rock Climbing
- Basketball Court
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Horseshoes
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- Why stay in an expensive hotel room & eat all your meals out? MORNING STAR RANCH offers our guests more privacy, value & recreational activities on-site for their vacation dollar than any other rental home near Yosemite. Compare all the activities we provide with any other rental property & you will see that we have the most fun here for your vacation dollar--you will save money! Our guests are always happily OVERWHELMED with all our home has to offer them and you too will enjoy any number of the following fun-time activities: your own private pool, ping pong, pool table, horseshoes, badminton, basketball hoop, croquet, chess, darts, books, games, DVDs, CDs, TV with satellite & premium channels, personal laptop with DSL internet connection. We provide you with all your bedding, towels, spices, soap & paper products so you do not have to bring them with you on your vacation. What more could you want? Relax & walk the property & enjoy all the country "noise"...
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
MAXIMUM OF 6 GUESTS ONLY. THIS INCLUDES CHILDREN 5 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER
10/1 to 3/31: $195/nite~~$1250/week for up to 4 guests plus 9% bed tax
4/1 to 9/30 & Holidays: $225/nite~~$1500/week for up to 4 guests plus 9% bed tax
Each additional guest (up to 2 max): $15/night/guest Pet fee: $15/night
Cleaning fee: $90-$135 (depends on number of guests/length of stay)
Security deposit~~$500 (provide credit card #; we will not run unless there is
damage or loss at check-out or if additional cleaning is required)
ASK ABOUT FREE NITE OCTOBER THRU MARCH~~stay 3 nites min, 4th free (NO HOLIDAYS)
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Map & Owner's Profile
Free Nite~Private Pool/Game Room~Ping Pong/Pool Table/D S L
Year Purchased: 2007
Why the Owner Chose Ahwahnee
We love exploring beautiful Yosemite Valley and its' surroundings, but we wanted to be away from the crowds after a busy day visiting there. We chose our home near Ahwahnee/Oakhurst because it is only an hours' drive from the valley floor (and a beautiful drive at that). Amenities in Yosemite Valley are sparse, but the town of Oakhurst (which is only 5 minutes from our home) has everything you could possibly want--from grocery stores, restaurants, movie theaters and more! One could not find a more peace-full, rest-full place to stay...
The Unique Benefits at this House
Come here to RELAX and UNWIND from your hectic lifestyle. Enjoy the stress-free surroundings: no traffic, no people, no noise--except the country-kind--mooing cows, clucking chickens, honking geese!
Two major chain grocery stores~~ Two drug stores~~ Six-screen movie theater~~ Bowling alley~~ Art galleries~~ Fine dining & fast food restaurants~~ Historical museum~~ Gas stations~~Thrift shop
Mariposa Grove of Giant Redwoods~~ Tenaya Lodge~~ Snow play area~~about 20 miles from our home...
This is a great hike to see giant redwoods and it is free admission!
Ride the Logger at Sugar Pine Railroad, pan for gold~~try Narrow Gauge Restaurant for a great dinner...
About 55 miles from our home is the western entrance into Yosemite National Park, a beautiful drive along the Merced River...
Property Photos
- Your funnest summer ever with your own private pool near Yosemite Valley! - Ahwahnee Travel
- Enjoy a game of pool, ping pong, darts or chess in your incredible game room - Ahwahnee Travel
- Happily Overwhelmed~MorningStar Ranch~~once here, you'll never want to leave! - Ahwahnee Travel
- Entertain in the spacious livingroom w/ fireplace, overlooking your private pool
- Your kitchen is equipped with all applicances needed for all your cooking needs
- Sweet dreams in your comfortable master bedroom with king-sized bed & TV
- The guest room is equally nice with queen-sized bed & TV
- Refresh & unwind by your pool after an exciting day visiting Yosemite Valley
Guest Comments (40)
First (10) of (40). View all comments
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #142936
There have been 24750 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2007.
This listing was first published here in 2007.
Date last modified - October 10, 2009
Positive Rating
Positive Rating
Valerie Bakshi , Piedmont, CA
Homeowner Response:
Thank you Valerie. We'll look forward to your return visit next year! Maureen
Positive Rating
Wonderful relaxing time. We would have done more side trips--Bass Lake, Mono Lake, more Yosemite--but the house is so great & relaxing we didn't want to leave--especially our kids. We had a really wonderful time & look forward to returning!
Positive Rating
What we did: Visited Mariposa Grove, Glacier Point (beautiful!). Spent half-day on a patio boat on Bass Lake trying to fish (didn't catch any). Really enjoyed the pool, spent time relaxing, played in the gameroom, watched movies, BBQed. Favorite moments: Staying up until 1 AM to see the skunk, the 3 racoons (mom & 2 babies) and opossum come to eat the cat's food.
Positive Rating
Homeowner Response:
Thanks for taking the time to send your kind comments. I know future guests like to hear how much fun they will have at our home! Maureen
Positive Rating
Favorite moments: Discovering Margarita Machine! Seeing a bear at Yosemite. We had a fantastic time. Morning Star Ranch is a great place to be, it felt like home. We enjoyed the pool & gameroom. Apart from one take-away Chinese meal, we had a BBQ every night. We had a Vons card so good discounts-just ask for one. We did not see much of Katie (the cat) but did see opposum & racoon eating (her)food.
Positive Rating
Places I would recommend: El Cid Restaurant - Great food, friendly staff. Underground gardens of Forrestiere in Fresno - an amazing place. Sentinel Dome hike - what a view! Von's grocery store - finally, decent bread!! Favorite moments: Playing water polo in the pool, billiard table.
Positive Rating
What we did--First 2 days we bought food & swam. Monday: Mule-back riding. Tues: Hang out in the pool. Weds: Rafting. Thurs: Shopping & a hike. Fri: Zipline at Moaning Caverns.
Positive Rating
Special Highlights: The backyard was lovely, pool, gameroom, waterfalls; Yosemite was awesome, enjoyed horse-back (mule) ride on John Muir Trail-Yosemite. Thank you Maureen & Steve for sharing your comfortable home with us! It is private & very nicely decorated. You have a lot of "extras" that made the week even more enjoyable.
Positive Rating
Very relaxing place, either as a romantic get-away or family fun. We came with our 3 kids and they loved the pool. Very cozy & comfortable house. Everything clean and available. Thanks Maureen & Steve, we will recommend your place, worth 5 stars.