Once in a Blue Moon (Cottage on the Bay)

• "Over the Moon"!

  "Over the Moon"!

  • Guest Jim
  • Date of stay 10/05/12
  • Review Submitted 10/16/12
  Everything about this wonderful home surpassed the beauty of the pictures that drew us to it in the first place. The tranquil setting along the bay--Sandy Beach-- features a row of individually unique houses built upon private piers placing these gems literally 'on the water'! The instant we opened the gate to this gem we delighted in knowing we'd come home to the pearl among them all! Greeted by the lush garden was like opening the door to another era--"Somewhere in Time"--transcending the ordinary of everyday to the somewhere sublime that can only bring joy and refreshing to the hungry heart and thirsting soul. All that pleased the eye at first gaze was all the more enriched by stepping inside this beautifully and lovingly restored seaside cottage. The attention to every detail, the eye for colorful and pleasing contrasts, the whimsical and even eclectic gathering of furnishings, together with the massive collection of books--but especially the obvious commitment to retain the charm of a bygone era--became mounting evidence of owners that truly loved this place! If you imagine a glimpse of paradise this side of heaven containing blue skies, warm breezes along with cool, light evening wind, porch swings, starry nights, comfortable lamp-lit spaces to converse with those you love, and perhaps an early misty morning stirred to wakefulness by a passing ship's fog horn...then you've imagined a place you can find even though they only come along "once in a blue moon."

  Recommended for: Girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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• just do it.

  just do it.

  • Guest JR
  • Date of stay 05/15/12
  • Review Submitted 05/30/12
  Great cottage in a unique, beautiful location. Better than the pictures. Open and airy with gorgeous, therapeutic views and wonderful neighbors. A little north of Berkeley, where I wanted to spend most of my time - but glad to be out in a more rural setting directly on the water while still being close. I also liked that it was so close to Napa as well. I really can't recommend it enough, and it makes me happy just knowing places like this exist - even happier that I got to live in it for a week! Will be back when possible. Owners are very responsive and eager to give you an outstanding stay in their home. A truly remarkable property and experience.

  Recommended for: Girls getaway, pet owners, age 55+, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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• A World Apart: A Magical Experience

  A World Apart: A Magical Experience

  • Guest Kathleen H.
  • Date of stay 10/01/11
  • Review Submitted 02/17/12
  What a charming beach community and magical place! The photos don't begin to capture the experience of being inside this cottage. When I entered the first time, I couldn't help but say WOW! The interior is absolutely beautiful and filled with light. Surrounded by water, I could hear and sense the movement of waves and felt as if I was on a houseboat. Each room is decorated with charming vintage furniture and happy colors. We took our meals in the lovely front garden filled with exotic flowering plants or on the back deck picnic table over the water, soothed by sea sounds, watching sailboats pass by. In the early morning, we drank coffee in the very comfortable bed - water and light - we listened to the cooing of birds in the morning. At night, we basked in the light of an October moon setting behind Mare Island. The effect of the place lingers. After returning to our landlocked home, we still imagine ourselves in that idyllic cottage bedroom -- gazing out at restful blue water, experiencing the ebb and flow of light, water and our connection to the balance, order and harmony of life. We felt renewed and look forward to our next 'retreat' at the Cottage on the Bay!

  Recommended for: Girls getaway, pet owners, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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• Super Fine

  Super Fine

  • Guest Rooooster
  • Date of stay 12/21/11
  • Review Submitted 12/26/11
  Renting Once in a Blue Moon was like biting into an Oreo Cookie. Everything seemed great in the photos and description and actually being there was even tastier than we thought, an all around delightful experience. Thank You K and C!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.

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• You won't believe how wonderful it is until you actually get to stay here...

  You won't believe how wonderful it is until you actually get to stay here...

  • Guest vanessa b.
  • Date of stay 01/28/11
  • Review Submitted 02/01/11
  We only got to enjoy just under 48 foggy hours in this delightful little abode and I can not begin to share what a magical "find" this place truly is- and we are locals living less than 20 miles away! When you open the lock into the little garden entrance it's like a fairy tale come to life. Flowers spilling from pots with nooks and crannies that beckon exploration. Fog horns, mist and gently lapping waves under the antique wide board plank floors make it feel like a movie set, except it's all very real. A cozy bed surrounded by french paned windows looks out on to bay views. We had no desire to go much further than the porch swing, even though there is plenty to do nearby. Best of all, for us, it was a place to unwind, reconnect and take a moment to enjoy our lives. This property has been very thoughtfully designed to do just that. It's as if the owners are still present in the carefully created ambiance - ushering you in to just chill out, read a book, pour some wine and stay awhile. Once in a Blue Moon did not disappoint and we are already talking about our next weekend back and maybe even sharing this secret cottage with our very best friends...

  Recommended for: Girls getaway, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• A Unique and Relaxing Stay

  A Unique and Relaxing Stay

  • Guest Nevada City Weekenders without the Kids!
  • Date of stay 10/08/10
  • Review Submitted 10/13/10
  My husband and I were lucky to stay at this beautiful cottage (but unlucky that we could only stay for a weekend!) and we were astounded! The quaint cottage is cheerfully decorated with whimsical knick-knacks, but done so tastefully and artfully that you feel like you walked into a beach home-decorating book. The place is set up for relaxation; whether you sit out on the sunny deck sipping coffee, or inside on one of the many rocking chairs in front of the wood stove, or as you wake to a pink sunrise over the water (that you can see from the comfort of the bed!). Bliss. My husband and I were marveling at how things that might normally annoy someone (tub, no shower. long walk from parking to the cottage.) were more like things that added charm to this stay because of how comfortable and unique it was (the tub was a huge old-fashioned claw-foot with plenty of room for soaking. The walk from the car to the cottage is along a fancifully decorated pathway that fronts dozens of other unique and carefully decorated cottages that are fun to view). We normally like to eat out when we're visiting the bay area, but instead, we picked up tapas, an extraordinary bottle of wine and a heavenly gourmet chocolate bar and rushed back to the cottage so that we could enjoy the place as much as possible during our short stay. The one possible downside is that the cottage is technically located in Vallejo, not Berkeley. It is an extra 10-15 minute drive on the freeway, but access from the cottage onto the freeway is very easy. And believe me, once you're in the cottage, you'll won't even believe you're in the busy, urban Bay Area...not a sound except for sea gulls, distant ferryboats and the splashing water. We hope to return...

  Recommended for: Girls getaway, pet owners, age 55+, romantic getaway.

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• May on the Bay

  May on the Bay

  • Guest wlekle
  • Date of stay 05/01/10
  • Review Submitted 06/04/10
  We were charmed by the decorating in this vintage cottage -- an eclectic combination of nautical pieces, bits of Mexico, and a hefty dose of 1930s greens, yellows, and creams on the wicker rocking chairs, painted floors, and old cabinets. Even the vintage gas stove was green enamel -- and the claw foot bathtub with original brass fittings was to die for. The owners' pictures show views of the bay and sail boats that are amazing. We visited in May and were treated to a mother goose followed by four goslings with papa goose bringing up the rear as they made way along the shore's edge. (The neighbors told us the goose family nests every year in the jetty you can see from the living and bedroom windows.) And we were also stunned by a 2:00 a.m. view of a crystal clear moon casting its path of light on a smooth bay -- truly a National Geographic moment.

  Recommended for: Pet owners, age 55+, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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• Awesome cottage

  Awesome cottage

  • Guest twendy
  • Date of stay 06/15/09
  • Review Submitted 05/22/10
  My partner and I stayed at this awesome cottage last summer. It is so “on” the water; you walk inside and everywhere you look, you see water and fantastic views! The only room that doesn’t have a fabulous water view is the bathroom! The layout of the cottage is phenomenal: the living areas feel spacious because they are all open to each other. Also, there is an intimate connection to the outside because of all the windows and the French doors that open onto the waterside decks. The master bedroom is right over the water and has great windows with fabulous views from the bed. It is a very comfortable and restful place with a lot of privacy because the house is separated from the neighbors and the public boardwalk by a high fence and garden gate. The community is very warm and welcoming and they will greet you by name while, at the same time, respect your privacy. Last summer we stayed 3 months. This year we’re staying 4 months. We can’t wait to get back there! I think that says it all.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6

$1450/week .. $2950/month ..$500.00 REFUNDABLE SECURITY DEPOSIT
Longer-term rental preferred
Available from October 1st, 2012

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.