Location: Glen Ellen, Sonoma County, Wine Country, California, USA (Central to Napa (Oakville/Yountville), Glen Ellen, Sonoma)
Accommodations: Lodge House, 5 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 4.5 Baths (Sleeps 10-12)
At a location close to the top of Mt. Veeder, a design that evokes the warmth of a forest lodge, and a colorful – even roguish – history, Top O’ the World is one of the most unique properties in all of Sonoma County.
Top O’ the World has been many things since the land around it was first cleared for a pear orchard in the late 1880s. Shortly after the turn of the 20th century, the main lodge, using massive Douglas fir trees from the property, was built for a dude ranch.
In the Roaring 20’s, with Prohibition in full flower, Top O’ the World became a speakeasy. After the repeal of Prohibition, the house became an inn, restaurant and bar. In the mid-60’s, Top O’ the World became an upscale hippie commune and later a macrobiotic cooking school and bed and breakfast. Following a methodical restoration, the property has been privately owned for the past fifteen years, and reopened to the public in 2008.
The 5BR/4.5BA house rises from a meadow 2,100 feet up the side of Mt. Veeder – a peak whose appellation has appeared on bottles of some of the world’s finest cabernet sauvignons. Surrounded by grasses and dense woods of fir, cedar, oak, maple and manzanita, the 5,000-square foot house sits at the confluence of two seasonal creeks and is steps away from a private, two acre year-round spring-fed lake, where you can enjoy your own row boat rides and fishing.
Top O’ the World’s interior was (and remains) a “great room” (2,400 square feet) long before that concept and terminology came into general use. While the house’s massive Douglas fir support columns and beams serve to divide the first floor into several discrete areas – kitchen, dining area, living room, office and family area – everybody remains within sight of everybody else. The space is totally congenial to socializing, yet affords places where guests or family members can stay in view but away from the social whirl for awhile if they choose.
The kitchen area has a huge wraparound counter that encloses a spacious cooking area that looks out upon every corner of the great room. Everyone can share in the excitement of a meal being cooked on the kitchen’s six-burner professional Thermador range. The range is backed by a big window that looks out to a large deck and beyond to the meadow. The kitchen features numerous professional features geared towards serious chefs. When meals are ready, family and guests sit at a 10-seat dining table made of 3-inch-thick redwood planks, custom built for the space, or at one of a number of outdoor eating areas.
Top O’ the World has five bedrooms featuring a total of two king sized beds, one queen bed, and four twin beds. The master has built-in bookshelves, French doors to the house’s almost wraparound upper balcony/deck, a picture window with views to the great meadow, pond and forested ridges, a fireplace and a walk-in closet. The bath has two vanities, a water closet, bath tub, shower, two skylights and direct access to the upper gardens.
The smaller bedrooms share a Jack-and-Jill bathroom. The knotty pine-lined fourth bedroom features a kitchenette, a balcony, views to the meadow, bath, sitting area and four-person dining table. It has a second exit to a deck that overlooks a 36-foot-long, 12,000-gallon koi pond and waterfall, surrounded by delicate-leafed Japanese maples.
Across the hall, the Cherry Room has cherry-themed decorations, huge built-in armoire-style storage, a bath, a fireplace and a door that exits directly to a large garden and sitting area. The view out the bedroom windows is a serene one: Japanese maples and fruit trees.
Outside, Lichen-mottled chairs face the lake at regular intervals, which is flanked by trees on one side, and lined with reeds and bulrushes on the other. In fact, the property is dotted with teak benches and chairs at seemingly every bend. Top O’ the World is a place that encourages the casual, conversational stroll. But if your mood demands less contemplation and more effort, the property has challenging paths that range all over its sometimes steep terrain.
At the western edge of Top O’ the World’s 45-acre holding is a striking view of Oakmont and Santa Rosa and beyond, taking in successive ridges of the Valley of the Moon’s northern end. The panorama offers an easy tutorial on Sonoma County’s flora and geology, and a wooden observation deck allows guests to sit comfortably while contemplating one of the county’s best vistas.
If bird watching is your passion, at last count 84 avian species have been spotted at Top O’ the World. Among them: finches, eagles, grackles and hawks; flycatchers, woodpeckers, owls and pigeons; falcons, osprey, gulls and geese; thrushes, wrens, waxwings and kinglets; warblers, sparrows, mockingbirds and quail. And 64 more.
Top O’ The World is a short drive to some of the world’s best restaurants in Napa’s Yountville, as well as the charming village of Glen Ellen and the town of Sonoma. There are numerous easy day trips to beautiful parks, wineries, organic farms, shopping and cultural events. Or you can stay in the lodge and enjoy the extensive in house entertainment, including three top of the line HDTV’s with full satellite service, Wii and PS3 video game systems, and high speed wireless internet. Personalized service including grocery delivery is offered to guests for the ultimate retreat.
Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway for two, or for a perfect space for a large group, you will find that Top O’ The World is simply a magical place to be.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Garage
- Off Street Parking
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
- Gas Fireplace
- Wood Stove
- Beds
- King Bed
- Queen Bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Library
- Video Game Console
- Video Games
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Private Hot Tub
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Catering Available
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Balcony
- View/Location
- Mountain View
- Communications
- Telephone
- Free Long Distance
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Two acre private pond on property. 20 acres of private forest with great trails for running or walking & private gazebo view.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Kid Friendly
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Boating
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Horseback Riding
- Hot Air Ballooning
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Weekend .... $1200/night.
Weeknight .. $1000/night.
15% discount during Off Season Nov-Apr.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 2008
This property is a pleasure to manage.This has such an amzing historey from The mayacamus and Miwok Indian Tribe,to a bourdello and Saloon..You can feel the history.Its up to date Rustic at its best with trails and a small lake...Its remote and private yet central for all of you wine tasters who would like to visit both Napa and Sonoma vineyards.
Why the Owner Chose Glen Ellen
This is a place that seems very far away yet easy access to Glen ellyn or Sonoma.Its a beutiful piece of history known by any locals you may come across.
The Unique Benefits of this Lodge House
Privacy,rustic but newly renovated,row in the lake or hike the trails,or Relax in the hot-tub..either way you WILL unwind!
Property Photos
- The Lodge - Glen Ellen Lodge House
- Dining Room and Living Room Area - Glen Ellen Lodge House
- Open Kitchen (Professional 48" Thermador Range and Sub Zero Not Pictured) - Glen Ellen Lodge House
- Your private pond!
- One of the five bedrooms!
Guest Comments (0)
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #187152
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This listing was first published here in 2008.
Date last modified - October 07, 2009
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