Vacation Rentals by Owner

Wonderful Getaway

Guest: Elizabeth (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/20/11 Review Submitted: 11/30/11

My husband and I were looking for a place to bring our 4 kids (age 10-13) for the Thanksgiving holiday that was within reasonable driving distance of San Francisco. We finally decided on this property because of the glowing reviews and the very prompt and responsive communciation from the owner. The reviews do not exaggerate how amazing this place is! The kids loved it - a significant highlight for them was the well-stocked board games. We played several rousing games of Monopoly near the wood-burning stove. My favorite aspect of the property was the gorgeous master bedroom and bathroom. The bed was so comfortable and luxurious - haven't slept that well in months. I have to recommend Raymond's Bakery for anyone staying in the area. We went there for breakfast several days and the Friday pizza night. The food was top-notch and the owners, a young couple, were so kind and accommodating. It was a fabulous stay/week and I eagerly anticipate our next visit.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway.

Exceptional!

Guest: Jodi (Los Angeles)
Date of Stay: 08/28/11 Review Submitted: 09/02/11

I've been trying to think of the best words to describe our stay here, but I can't. It was too beautiful a place for words. What these overworked city folks - with dog and 7 year old daughter in tow - really needed was peace, quiet, good food, great wine, amazing scenery and everything that goes with it. We got all of that and more. The house is amazing. Clean, well equipped, spacious and extremely well lit thanks to ample skylights. I loved the huge tub in the master bathroom. From either of the 3 bedrooms you can look up and see the stars. We felt very safe here, we feel very blissed out and we want to go back, now! The location is perfect for those people who want to explore Sonoma and the Sonoma Coast. We got to drive to some great towns. Don't be fooled by how small Duncans Mills is - we had amazing fish 'n chips at The Blue Heron. So much to do and our dog loved Blind Beach. Thank you to The Shaws for sharing their beautiful property with us.

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

A perfect getaway!

Guest: Karisa D. (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/12/11 Review Submitted: 08/20/11

Secluded and deep in the redwoods? Check! Rustic, homey, cozy, well-stocked, and meticulously clean cabin? Check! Welcomes my dog? Check! Wireless internet? Check! Dishwasher? Check! Reasonable rates? Check! Low-impact/kid-friendly outdoorsy activities nearby? Check! Kindly, helpful owner who is also a responsive communicator? Check! What more could one ask? We had a wonderful time and the kids are already begging to come back next summer. They had a blast romping around the spacious and tree-covered yard, and the cabin tent made for a perfect "fort." As for family activities, we highly recommend the beach in Monte Rio (shallow river, kayak/canoe rentals, dog-friendly) and the easy 1-mile hike through the Armstrong Redwood forest preserve. Also, Boon Restaurant is a must, as is the Flavors Unlimited ice cream shop where you can make your own flavor, and be sure to check out Taqueria La Tapatia -- all in Guerneville! Thanks for everything and we WILL be back!

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

Cabin is Fantastic

Guest: Phil
Date of Stay: 07/23/11 Review Submitted: 08/05/11

Your cabin is utterly fantastic! The setting is so tranquil and quiet. Being from Los Angeles, I forget that there are so many colors of green in the trees! I feel like I am in a world where nature rules and all of my cares and stresses have disappeared. The huge deck is a great place to spend all day because it is surrounded by the most beautiful redwoods. The bathrooms are great...updated, clean, clean and clean! The beds and linens are really comfortable, and your cabin is not just another vacation rental...the furniture is really nice and comfortable. The skylights and huge windows bring nature inside so one gets the feeling that one is part of the natural world. I have been to the Sonoma Coast and to the Russian River area several times and now that I have found your cabin, I will not stay anywhere else. With grateful thanks,

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Perfect Family Retreat

Guest: Molly (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/10/11 Review Submitted: 07/13/11

Our family enjoyed relaxing on the huge deck, dining among the redwoods, and the quiet, secluded location. The home is beautiful, tastefully furnished and equipped with everything needed for a few days or, if you are lucky, a few weeks of fun and sun near the river. It is probably equally lovely in Fall and Winter, watching cable TV in the sprawling living room next to the woodburning stove, with cups of hot chocolate, as the rain refreshes the forest outside. The owners were attentive and helpful from the start, and obviously take great pride in maintaining the house in perfect order. This is not your average vacation rental; pride of place is evident in every detail (the master suite reminded us of a five star spa) . We can't wait to return.

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

m Ready to Move!

Guest: Limey Girl (Houston)
Date of Stay: 07/03/11 Review Submitted: 07/13/11

"Cabin" is a misnomer. This is a wonderful house, spacious and charming. We wanted to move in and never leave! The whole place especially the master suite was super comfortable. Every morning we sat on the deck drinking our tea, listening to and watching birds. We spent our days driving to the coast, only ten miles away or driving to vineyards nearby. We cooked several meals using the bbq grill. This is a lovely property, super pleasant just to chill out in and escape from the pressures of life in the so called real world. We will be back as soon as we can.

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

A "Diamond in the Redwoods"

Guest: P's Mommy (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/03/10 Review Submitted: 10/14/10

My fellow poets & dreamers, the tired & stressed, the young.... the furry! .... Step outside onto the expansive wooden deck surrounding the perimeter of the cabin..... take it in.... see how the the sunlight filters through the redwood branches conjuring up images of a julian schnabel film or a poem by dylan thomas..... or maybe you're more of a homebody... have a seat on the big comfy couch prop up your feet, pop that cork, wrap up in a blanket and settle in for some surround sound & vino.... ah, and go ahead and have that brownie too! ... ....have you ever taken a bath while looking out into the redwoods? I recommend it. It does wonders for the frayed nerves....and don't be alarmed, that strange happy feeling you might start to feel?.. that's called "relaxation" .. nice, isn't it? Ah, I could go on and on.... but don't want to spoil all the fun -- in short -- this place has something for everybody..... and my family and I were the lucky recipients of its charm during our stay in October -- it was the best VRBO experience we've had thus far --

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.

Perfect!

Guest: Carrie (Los Angeles (Venice))
Date of Stay: 08/17/10 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

What an amazing cabin! We loved everything about this spacious redwood retreat. The property is beautifully placed in the middle of a redwood forest, close the the Austin Creek, and just minutes away from delicious wineries and little rustic Sonoma County towns. The owners of the property are absolutely fabulous! So friendly and welcoming,and have wonderful recommendations on things to do in the area. I would definitely come back here again and again!

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

Wonderful!

Guest: Mai (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/09/10 Review Submitted: 08/18/10

My family and I stayed at the cabin for a week in early August. Upon arrival, we were overcome with how beautiful the property was, inside and out. The pictures do not do it justice! Everything was well appointed and extremely clean, and there was more than enough space for the five of us and our puppy to enjoy. There were many great restaurants, shops, and wineries nearby and Safeway was just a short drive away. We also took advantage of the river which is a short walk from the cabin. The tent was enjoyed by our two older boys who said it made them feel like they had their own house. The cabin was extremely relaxing and we enjoyed being together as a family in such peaceful accommodations. It was hard convincing everyone to pack up, nobody wanted to leave! We will definitely be back!

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

Cazadero get-a-way

Guest: Fee (Napa, Ca.)
Date of Stay: 08/02/10 Review Submitted: 08/11/10

We loved it! The cabin is comfortable and cozy. My family and I enjoyed the beautiful views and peaceful setting.The amenities in the cabin were fantastic, from the entertainment system to the awesome master bath we thoroughly enjoyed our stay ,and hope to go back soon.

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

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/09/09 Review Submitted: 11/09/09

We were looking for a wonderful retreat spot that could "take us away" for a week, a vacation home close enough to San Francisco should we need to return home to care for our elderly parents but "far enough away" to give us refreshment and relaxation. We certainly found our "home away from home" at the Spacious Redwood Retreat in Cazadero. When we arrived at the Shaw's home, we received a phone call from Mr. Shaw. When asked, "Are you finding everything?", all I could say on the phone was "Your Internet pictures do NOT do this place justice!" This property is absolutely gorgeous with tasteful accomodations and ornamentations. The various decks of this property allowed our family and guests to have plenty of space for whole group gatherings as well as lovely "alone times". My daughter engaged in watercolor painting lessons with one of our friends on one of the decks while my son and husband lounged around reading their favorite novels under the redwood trees. I was able to pour myself a delicous cup of mocha and sit in a rattan armchair to just "veg" and watch the antics of the wildlife (i.e. squirrels, woodpeckers, and bluejays)around us. One of the things I enjoy while vacationing is preparing great food for my family and friends. I usually pack my sharpened knives, some specialty gadgets, and favorite pots/pans because I inevitably find that the cabin where I'm staying is without "my necessities". Not here! I could have left ALL of my pots and pans as well as my gadgets at home. (I brought extra paper towels, napkins, dish soaps, sponges, etc. just in case and found that all of those supplies came home with me.) We found a food processor and blender here that greatly assisted one of our guest in her preparation for many of the meals. A terrifically stocked and cared for residence that we plan to visit again in the near future.

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Guest: April26 (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/03/09 Review Submitted: 05/03/09

I spent a wonderful week at this amazingly tranquil and secluded cabin. I loved all the trees. They give the feeling of being nestled up in a spacious tree house. Whether I was outside on the expansive deck, walking around the property, or inside looking out through the skylights and windows, I constantly felt calm, relaxed, and renewed. The cabin is nicely decorated and clean. The large master bedroom and bathroom are beautiful. The living room is very comfortable. I loved having a fire going each night. The home theater system is incredible. The kitchen is well equipped. It was hard to leave this magical place and I am eager to return.

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Guest: Marcia Rey (Oakland, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/05/09 Review Submitted: 01/05/09

Wonderful, well kept, nicely appointed cabin in a peaceful and serene wooded setting. Our entire family loved it. Even with the rainy weather we were warm and comfy. The location is close to several cute towns and just 10 minutes drive to the coast or to a number of well known vineyards. Thank you for sharing your home with us!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 12/09/08 Review Submitted: 12/09/08

We just spent a week over Thanksgiving at this lovely home. It is very spacious, beautifully decorated, clean, and incredibly comfortable. We had an extended family here and enjoyed nights by the first, days on the deck and great hiking at the beach and Armstrong Redwoods. Our kids loved playing on the grounds and finding critters. I'd recommend it to anyone. We hope to return!

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Guest: M. Berry-Gilliand (Berkeley, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/13/08 Review Submitted: 08/13/08

Well, waking up in the morning in this cabin, everyone had smiles on their faces. The outdoors is naturally secluded but with plenty of light and space for our family breakfast for six. Convenient location for coastal and river tours. Spacious and warm, modern cabin had just what everyone needed. We recommend.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/26/08 Review Submitted: 07/26/08

Absolutely beautiful! Wonderful deck to enjoy the surroundings and listen to the birds. The home is spacious, lovely and clean. Lots to do in the area. Hope to re-visit sometime soon. Very highly recommended. Kathy Mohr Sheboygan, WI

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Guest: Alex50 (Oakland, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/17/08 Review Submitted: 06/17/08

I had the opportunity to stay here in May 08. Had a great time! Highly recommended.

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Guest: Juan Rojas (Petaluma CA)
Date of Stay: 06/09/08 Review Submitted: 06/09/08

stayed the weekend of 6/7...increadibly clean. beautiful wood cabin theme/feel but with many home-away-from-home conveniences. Creek is short walk away. Great for families or couples looking for a little romantic get-away. Golf nearby too!!! oh yeah!

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