Vacation Rentals by Owner

Great house & pool, with awesome veiws and beautiful landscaped front and back yards

Guest: Linda & Family (Castro Valley, Ca USA)
Date of Stay: 08/26/11 Review Submitted: 08/29/11

My family and I attended a memorial service in the area and were extremely pleased to discover this place on this site, and had the opportunity to reserve it for our weekend stay. The home is large and spacious and gave us a chance to spread out. The views are awesome overlooking the Santa Rosa area where we could watch the fog roll in and out but also got to watch a great sunset. The pool and hot tub got a lot of use and was very relaxing surrounded by lovely flowers and vegegation. The 5 bedrooms were nicely decorated, were comfortable and had quality linens. The kitchen is a dream kitchen and is fully equipped with everything you would need to cook and hang out and enjoy each others company. We opted to hire a chef for an evening dinner and it made it more relaxing to hang out in the pool area and take in all the beauty this home has to offer. The ping pong table and putting green got used and good times were had by all. Thank you Sheila for allowing us the opportunity and I hope we can stay in the area again. I would not hesitate to reserve this home again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sightseeing.

A Wonderful Week Spent at Alta Vista

Guest: Mark W.
Date of Stay: 06/11/11 Review Submitted: 06/30/11

I celebrated a big birthday with my family in June at Alta Vista. There were twelve of us, and the beautiful location provided a scenic and comfortable retreat for all. Our party ranged in age from my six year old to his grandparents and all found aspects of the property to enjoy. We selected Santa Rosa for its central location, allowing for short trips throughout Sonoma, over to Napa, the beautiful ride to the Pacific coast and even back down to the Bay area to visit with friends. Each day provided something special and fun, whether kayaking on the Russian river, wine tasting at Castello di Amorosa (my son likes castles), sightseeing, yummy food (We liked Zazu in Santa Rosa and Farmstead in St. Helena.) and of course relaxing by the pool, or in the hot tub at the end of the day. A really nice place to stay.

Owner response:So glad we were able to facilitate a wonderful, big birthday week! Thanks for the review!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

perfect get-away weekend for our party of 8

Guest: calimom (East Bay, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/20/11 Review Submitted: 06/12/11

We feel so lucky that we were able find this rental for our get-away weekend! The common spaces were perfect for dining and socializing but at the end of the day, everyone had a comfortable and peaceful bedroom to retreat to (we had a combo of couples and singles). We loved how each bedroom opened out to the balcony with access to the outdoors. Very close to spas, wineries, restaurants, downtown area but the accommodations on-site and the scenery made it felt like a peaceful retreat area too. Highlights: eating breakfast outside, afternoon wine in the living room with the view, hot tub at night

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

great place for the family reunion

Guest: susi (Kurtistown, HI)
Date of Stay: 11/23/10 Review Submitted: 12/14/10

Our experience was perfect at this location! The house is large with enough space to have 18 people dine together or have cozy nooks to catch up with just a few. It is not decorated with finery, just homey and comfortable. The spa was a complete hit with the kids (even in the cold weather) and the ping pong a hit with the adults, young and old. We were completely pleased with the home!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

Great house with good friends

Guest: Laurent (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 10/29/10 Review Submitted: 11/24/10

Ten of us wanted to spend a long weekend together and we were lucky enough to found this house. Everything from the bedrooms to the hot tub was perfect. The house is in excellent condition and well maintained. The BBQ was definitely our best friend and all the commodities are included like towels and sheets. The manager is very responsive and will make sure everything is in order. I really recommend this property.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Long Weekend @Alta Vista

Guest: Canadian Visitors (Toronto/Montreal Canada)
Date of Stay: 10/08/10 Review Submitted: 10/17/10

Nine of us spent a long weekend at Alta Vista for a birthday celebration. We had a terrific time! The house was very welcoming, easy to to relax and enjoy! We enjoyed the pool and hot tub, as well as the BBQ and huge outdoor picnic table - great for lathe groups to enjoy a nice dinner outside on a warm evening. The owner was very helpful and accommodating. The bedroom layouts allowed avaryone to be very comfortable during our stay. I definitely recommend this property!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Long Weekend @Alta Vista

Guest: Canadian Visitors (Toronto/Montreal Canada)
Date of Stay: 10/08/10 Review Submitted: 10/15/10

Nine of us spent a long weekend at Alta Vista for a birthday celebration. We had a terrific time! The house was very welcoming, easy to to relax and enjoy! We enjoyed the pool and hot tub, as well as the BBQ and huge outdoor picnic table - great for lathe groups to enjoy a nice dinner outside on a warm evening. The owner was very helpful and accommodating. The bedroom layouts allowed avaryone to be very comfortable during our stay. I definitely recommend this property!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful Views; An Amazing Weekend

Guest: Lisa (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 10/01/10 Review Submitted: 10/15/10

We spent a long weekend at Alta Vista following our wedding in San Francisco. It was perfect for 11 guests, all of whom enjoyed the hot tub, pool, ping pong and putting green. The master bath and interior furnishings were impeccable, and I appreciate how each bedroom opens separately onto the balcony / outside. We also enjoyed the BBQ and well-equipped kitchen -- great for making big, family-style meals. Everything was a breeze (reservations, payment, directions) and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to be away from the city, close to wine country, and/or to just enjoy your own private pool and spa. It was a fantastic weekend getaway spot -- thanks!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wine Country Wedding Week

Guest: Lisa & Christian (Minneapolis, MN)
Date of Stay: 09/23/10 Review Submitted: 10/21/10

We (the bride and groom) and eight of our good friends shared the house over our wedding weekend and had a blast! Everyone loved their rooms (including the comfortable beds). It was amazing to have that many people in a house and still feeling like you have privacy and plenty of space. Early birds were hanging out in the kitchen or patio while others slept undisturbed. The kitchen was perfect for making big meals! We made a big cake and had a fun Sunday brunch. It was so nice and relaxing to end the day with a dip in the pool or hot tub (which became a nightly ritual). There was even a ping pong tournament of sorts! We all got some great sunset and cityscape pictures of Santa Rosa, the views are truly beautiful! It couldn't have been a better place to relax and play in between all the wedding hustle and bustle.

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

Even Better Than Expected

Guest: Chuck (Tucson, AZ)
Date of Stay: 09/02/10 Review Submitted: 09/15/10

We had a large group(14 people) and had trouble finding a property which could accomidate all of us. Luckily, we found the Alta Vista property on HomeAway. Each couple had their own bedroom, which was well appointed and the beds are soft, clean and comfortable. The large pool, with diving board, was a big hit with the group. There are plenty of gathering areas for large groups including the large redwood picnic-style table on the patio with room for 14+. Placed high up on the hill overlooking Santa Rosa, the views from the wrap-around deck are spectacular. The location was nice: good local resturaunts(Syrah) and close to the Russian River Wineries. The Manager, Sheila, was very friendly and easy to deal with. The cost was very affordable, considering we housed 14 people and were able to meet and eat all together. We would highly recommend this property to anyone planning a group event, a reunion, or similar event. Even better than we expected!!

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

Our daughter's 1st Birthday celebration.

Guest: Katya (SF)
Date of Stay: 06/26/10 Review Submitted: 07/08/10

Our Family gathered at Alta Vista to celebrate our daughter's 1st Birthday.Everybody had enjoyed the place a lot, especially the pool and the yard with well taken care of garden.The property was very clean and well maintained. All the rooms were very tastefully decorated and had very gorgeous views. We had a wonderful time and would definitely recommend Alta Vista to friends and relatives.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Would come back again

Guest: sfmike64 (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 06/25/10 Review Submitted: 09/01/10

In June, 2009 myself and about 10 other friends rented this house for a long weekend. It was utterly charming and relaxing. The house is enormous, so if you want quiet it's easy to find. The views from some of the west facing bedrooms are extraordinary and the salt water pool was fantastic. So nice to get out of the water and not feel overly chlorinated. Would totally come back.

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Memorable Family Reunion

Guest: Visitor from So Cal (San Clemente, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/29/10 Review Submitted: 06/16/10

My family (husband and two kids) stayed at Alta Vista for Memorial Day weekend with my parents, my three siblings and their respective spouses and children. Altogether we were ten adults, three teens, one nine-year-old and one baby. The house was spacious enough to accommodate all of us and there was something for everyone to do. We spent time lounging near the pool and hot tub enjoying the beautiful flowers and foliage. We had big family dinners in the formal dining room, enjoyed music in the main living room, watched family videos in the sitting area adjacent to the kitchen. The pool house offered additional sleeping space. One family slept comfortably in it. The teens swam, putted and chatted. The adults took wine tasting trips into Healdsburg, Sonoma and Napa. We enjoyed some local cuisine at the highly recommended "Girl and the Fig." We prepared most meals at home and found the kitchen well equipped for our grilling and cooking needs. The house was clean, well-maintained. There were plenty of towels for all. The property is located on a hill and enjoys sweeping vistas of Santa Rosa. There was always a pleasant breeze. We had a wonderful time and I know the house played a large part in our enjoyment of our trip.

Recommended for:Families with young children, girls getaway.

Great spot for a weekend getaway!

Guest: aja (Chicago)
Date of Stay: 05/13/10 Review Submitted: 06/21/10

I rented this home for a girls' trip in May with 12 other ladies. It was great! Such a great location to enjoy both Santa Rosa and wine country. The pool and house are both much bigger than the pictures. The grounds are beautiful. The pool was perfect for us - lots of sun, but some shade too if needed. We lounged by the pool for one whole day and really took advantage of the house (organized a local chef to come in and cook for us). On our 2nd day, we organized a wine tasting trip/day. Very easy to get to from SFO too. The manager/owner was very helpful and when we had questions/concerns upon arrival or over the weekend, she was very accessible. Rosso's pizzeria and wine bar was a great, low-key place to grab dinner. Cabs were very easy to get as well (just had to call). All in all, I'd highly recommend this house as a rental for a large family or friends weekend!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/02/09 Review Submitted: 10/02/09

We had 4 couples from our neighborhood stay here and we all enjoyed our stay immensely. The views are gorgeous - wonderful landscaping. The pool area and hot tub were very clean. We all enjoyed the spacious kitchen area for home cooked breakfast every morning and the grill for a fabulous steak dinner Saturday evening. We are currently recommending this to our friends and would love to stay at this property again upon our return.

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Guest: Lisa Murray (Danville, Ca)
Date of Stay: 09/10/09 Review Submitted: 09/10/09

I'm thrilled we found this house! We had our closest friends with us to celebrate my husband's 40th b-day weekend. The house was spacious, cozy and had everything we needed. I loved the kitchen; plenty of cooking tools. I even baked a cake! The pool and hot tub were fabulous. Such a great getaway...can't wait to go back. Thank you!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/04/09 Review Submitted: 09/04/09

We had 15 people aging from 3 to 75 years old. This house accomodated everyone beautifully. We enjoyed the pool, ping pong table and putting green. The owners are such welcoming hosts, we really appreciated the little things like pool towels, soap in the bathrooms etc. Though it seemed like a bit of a distance on the maps, some members of our party enjoyed walking into town for morning breakfast, or shopping. Although hilly, the area is great for walking and jogging. (and without the hills - there wouldn't be the beautiful views.) I would highly recommended this house for anyone's vacation needs.

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Guest: Ryan33 (-)
Date of Stay: 09/02/09 Review Submitted: 09/02/09

This house was outstanding. We had 15 people in town to support a triathlon and it could not have worked better. Lounging by the pool or having a putting tournament on the green, everyone had an exceptional time. Look forward to going back next year.

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Guest: The Poggis (Grand Rapids, MI)
Date of Stay: 06/17/09 Review Submitted: 06/17/09

Wow! This home has everything! Our 11 family members were in wine country for a wedding and were so thankful we chose this home. Plenty of space for all - beautiful views and every convenience provided. A new Jenn-air stove top has been installed in the kitchen - not that we used it with the infra red gas BBQ grill calling to us right outside the kitchen doors. While we had planned to see some wineries in between wedding activities, we just couldn't seem to tear ourselves away from this home's crown jewel - the pool, spa and gardens. Everyone enjoyed every minute of our stay here and were sorry to see it end! Next time we visit wine country - we know where we'll be staying!

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Guest: Marie Reed (Nevada City, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/05/09 Review Submitted: 05/04/09

We recently stayed at the Alta Vista House for a weekend as a group of 10 while we did the Wine Country Century ride. We loved the house with all it's windows, it's beautiful views, and spacious interior. The grounds, pool and spa were wonderful as well. The beds were comfortable, the kitchen well equipped, and it's proximity to Santa Rosa was very convenient. We hope to return next year.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/09/09

My family and I took a nice vacation away from the world after the birth of our third...the Alta Vista retreat was absolutely what the doctor ordered! Way too much space to even describe, but suffice it to say it was perfect for a family of five, our dog, and another couple with their child (just popped in for a night). We rent 4-5 houses each year through VRBO, and remains among our favorites. As much as we ventured up to Santa Rosa for the Sonoma wine country, we ended up sitting poolside for nearly every minute of our stay. Hope to make it up some time in the future.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/01/09 Review Submitted: 02/01/09

We stayed at Alta Vista during Thanksgiving 2008 with three families and had a great time. The kitchen is perfect for large family meals and for those that like to cook and generally hang out in the kitchen. The pool house is perfect for the kids to get away from the adults, or vice-versa. The pool and spa were nice to have even on cold nights. We loved the view in the evenings and at sunset. We had a golf putting tournament on the putting green (thanks for providing many putters and balls). For anyone who like to mountain bike, Alta Vista is a mile away from a mountain bikers dream, Annadel State park. They also have a great park for the kids to play. We had kids ranging in age from 4-17 and all of them had a great time there. We'll be back next year.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/01/08 Review Submitted: 09/29/08

WOW! What a fantastic place to get away! The home is simply gorgeous, and the property so entertaining (specially for the kids). We stayed there with 5 other members of my family (9 total), and had my in-laws join us for a night, that stayed in the guest house. Alta vista accomodated us perfectly! The 3 young children (ages 3-8) never left the clean and well-maintained pool and hot tub. The estate had no problems whatsoever sleeping, bathing, cooking for, or feeding 11 guests. Let alone having 3 different areas to choose from where all of us could sit down together...it was just priceless! We were able to visit many wineries, and still spend the majority of our day enjoying Alta Vista, because of its great location. My entire family and I look so forward to staying there again, and certainly recommend Alta Vista to anyone who will respect her beauty.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/01/08 Review Submitted: 09/21/08

This was a beautiful and comfortable vacation home. The pool and grounds were great, the view was wonderful and we were still close enough to shopping and wine country. My family and I raved about our "find" on VRBO and will be back again. The manager was helpful and easy to work with. Thanks for the memories!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/01/08 Review Submitted: 09/04/08

We had a wonderful time at Alta Vista with our party of friends to celebrate my husband's birthday between August 22-24. The location of the house was very convenient to Sonoma (wine tasting) and San Francisco. The views were amazing and while you felt isolated on the hilltop it was easy to get groceries and dinner in Santa Rosa. The pool with diving board, hot tub and ping pong table were a lot of fun. The beds were comfortable and there was plenty of space inside and outside for our group to enjoy. The stove top was a little dated but worked fine and the BBQs were convenient. I would definitely recommend Alta Vista to anyone who is looking for a convenient and spacious vacation rental. The managers were easy to work with and friendly, too.

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