Welcome to the Sobre Vista Estate...a park, a spa, a place to play, and relax.
Location: Sonoma, Sonoma County, Wine Country, California, USA (Near Sonoma Town Square: Wine Tasting, Golf, Hiking, Biking)
Accommodations: House, 7 Bedrooms + Other (See Description), 5.5 Baths (Sleeps 14-18)
More Pictures on our website.
Location: Vacation Rentals Sonoma, Vacation Rentals, Vacation Homes Sonoma, Sobre Vista
Accommodations: Sonoma Estate Rental with grand home, 7 Bedrooms, 5.5 Baths, Pool, Tennis, Volleyball (Sleeps 14-18)
SONOMA & THE VALLEY OF THE MOON
Sonoma Vacation Rental estate like a country park resting on 2 1/4 acres in the exclusive and historic Spreckels Estate enclave of Sobre Vista. One of the finest Sonoma Vacation Rentals and Sonoma Luxury Rentals and Vacation Homes
Sonoma Vacation Rental in the Valley of the Moon including a grand 6,500 square foot mid-century contemporary home that was built along side the historic 1898 Spreckels Estate tennis court. There is a classic Thomas Church designed swimming pool, a raised grass volleyball court, basketball, horseshoes, croquet, picnic areas, hammocks and an outdoor Jacuzzi. We always hear, in view of the limited photographs, that the property is so much more than our guests expected. We love it, and hope that you will too.
Vacation Rentals Sonoma is your HOME AWAY FROM HOME... COMMON AREAS
The home features a 40 foot entrance gallery leading to the great room with its 17 foot ceilings and massive stone fireplace. On either side of the great room is the formal dining room and the den with stone fireplace. A large chef's kitchen compliments the morning breakfast room with stone fireplace and overlooks the pool, tennis court and valley views to the east. Through the adjacent billiard room you enter the family room with baby grand piano and 50" flat screen television. The artwork is historic and thought-provoking...cupids and kings, horses and cavaliers, Chinese figurines, allegories, myth and legend.
Sonoma Vacation Rentals enjoy THE SPA FEELING...THE 7 BEDROOMS AND BATHROOMS
While the home's interior common areas resemble a country manor or lodge the bedrooms and bathrooms are very modern and feel like a spa. Each of the 7 bedrooms are color coordinated in soft light and dark taupes and have resort quality organic linens, waffles-robes, towels and duvets from Coyuchi. All bedrooms come with custom walnut shelving, flatscreen televisions with built-in DVD players, and Ipod compatible clock amplifiers. Each of the bathrooms are encased in seagreen limestone and installed with European Lacava counter-top sinks, custom teak shelving and hardware from the Purist Collection. And though our other bathrooms have porcelain soaking tubs, the master bathroom suite is a special and private spa experience with a "Tea For Two" jetted tub, double headed stall shower, and separate his and her unpacking and dressing areas. Very romantic.
Sonoma Luxury Rentals plus FIGS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS
The home is big, and at the same time inviting and cozy. The many wood burning stone fireplaces, easy chairs and sofas provide ample opportunity for social settings and peaceful areas to find some time alone. Sobre Vista has many personalities just as the outdoors call for laying out on the lawns, picking figs, plums, apples, blood-oranges, white grapefruit, lemons and peaches or reading around the pool, playing tennis or volleyball and later a family game of croquet or horseshoes. You won't be bored. You and your family, friends and guests will truly enjoy the seamless pleasures of our Sobre Vista Estate. From relaxation and recreation to dining, reading, thinking and just being...your time here will be memorable...a peaceful and entertaining home away from home.
Vacation Rentals Sonoma read A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SPRECKELS ESTATE AND SOBRE VISTA
Alma Spreckels is considered by many local historians to be the "great grandmother of San Francisco," the heiress to the fortune of sugar baron Adolph Spreckels. She was born Alma le Normand de Bretteville on a sandy farm in the city's Sunset District in 1881 as Alma's parents, both Danish immigrants, struggled with near poverty during much of her early childhood.
While still in her teens, six-foot-tall beauty Alma Spreckels had earned her way through art school posing nude for professional artists. And after President William McKinley dedicated the ground breaking for the Dewey memorial in San Francisco’s Union Square she became the model for the dramatic statue atop. The nude Statuette was dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902. Alma then caught the eye of sugar multi-millionaire Adolph Spreckels, and they married in 1908. She quickly became an enthusiastic patron of the arts and museums. When Adolph died in 1924, part of her inheritance was the 280 acres of Sobre Vista in the hills in the northwest valley, her vast country estate in Sonoma, California,
Alma spent considerable time and money redecorating Sobre Vista, which provided a stable paycheck to an army of local construction workers during the desperate years of the early 1930s. The estate known to many as the "San Simeon of the North" proved to be a splendid environment for entertaining such celebrities as boxing champ Gene Tunney, San Francisco banker A. P Gianinni, and film stars Billie Burke, Bing Crosby, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, and John Barrymore.
When the Great Depression plunged the Sonoma Golf Course into debt and potential foreclosure, Alma came to the rescue by purchasing the course and holding it until a buyer could be located ready to preserve the golf links for the future. Tireless on behalf of those in need she was honored by Presidents and heads of state from around the world receiving the Cross of the Legion of Honor from the French government in 1924. Today, the home she built and lived in for many years is still one of the grandest in San Francisco, now owned by novelist Danielle Steele.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer: There is a large separate washroom with exterior door, cabinets, sink and storage. All of the Jersey Towels for the pool are here.
- Dryer
- Linens Provided: Organic linens by Coyuchi, resort quality...towels, sheets, duvets. Each bedroom is stocked with two waffle robes, and two sets of three towels and wash cloths.
- Garage
- Covered Parking
- Off Street Parking: There is parking on the estate for 20 or more vehicles.
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer: The estate can accommodate RV's and trailers, let us know beforehand for coordination.
- Wood Fireplace (4) : There are four large stone fireplaces and all are wood burning. There is cut firewood onsite, we'll discuss this at check-in.
- Beds
- King Bed: The master suite has a California king.
- Queen Bed (5) : There are queen size beds in five of the bedrooms.
- Twin/Single Bed (2) : There are two twin beds in one of the bedrooms.
- Child Bed: The home is very large and can sleep more than fourteen within the bedrooms only. Let us know...
- Convertible Bed (4) : There are four futon bedrolls that are extra thick and very cozy. Bedding and pillows too.
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV (8) : We know...the last thing you want to think about is eight TV's blaring, especially with the great outdoors calling. The family room is the primary viewing area with the 50" flat screen, and each bedroom has its own 26" flat screen they are equipped with DVD players to play movies or special features of your own choosing.
- DVD (7)
- CD Player
- Music Library: We don't have a music library, so many of us travel with one in our Ipods. So, each bedroom is equipped with an Ipod clock stereo for your private listening pleasure.
- Jetted Tub in Bath: The master suite has a jetted tub...but in other bathrooms the extra deep porcelain "soak tubs" can be just as enjoyable.
- Private Hot Tub: In the midst of the property, beyond the pool and tennis court and overlooking the horseshoe pit, volleyball court and barn...a little on the dark side...is the perfect veranda to take in the stars for an evening soak in this state-of-the-art Jacuzzi...seats 8-10. Bring your CD's for the built in sound system.
- Private Pool: With diving board!
- Pool Table
- Ping Pong/Table Tennis
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: Fully stocked chef's kitchen: double dishwashers, sub-zero, pancake griddle, indoor commercial grade barbecue grill, and additional commercial cooktop, range, oven and microwave. There are toasters, blenders, two coffee makers, and an espresso maker.
- Cooking Utensils Provided: Fully stocked.
- Refrigerator: Sub-zero with ice maker. Back-up fridge in the laundry room.
- Dishwasher: Double Kitchen Aids.
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Catering Available: There are many fine caterers in the area...call to discuss.
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio: There are several private decks, patios and courtyards throughout the estate.
- Balcony
- Lanai
- View/Location
- Mountain View: Beautiful sunrises over the eastern hills rimming the Valley of the Moon can be seen from most of the property. At night, the skyscape explodes with stars and constellations.
- Communications
- WiFi (Wireless Internet): We have WIFI installed and facilitates both Windows and Macs.
- Other Amenities
- The property is "gated" at the entry to provide maximum privacy, security and safety at all times. Sonoma generally, and Sobre Vista especially, are very safe environments...still the gates are nice.
- Suitability
- Kid Friendly
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Basketball Court
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Horseshoes
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- Our estate is part of the 3000 acre 1898 Speckles Estate. The original main residence compound is just 14 acres and provides wonderful walks among mature trees along with some interesting history. Charley Chaplin and Ronald Reagan played on our tennis court...just as the Speckles Estate itself was once called "The San Simeon of the North."
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Weekend rates $1950/day during most of the year and holidays
Book additional days from %1,000-$1,350.00 per day
See more pictures at our website.
Family Reunions, Dinners and Barbecues, Holidays, Corporate Team Building
Couples, Children and Guests enjoy Tennis, Swimming Pool, Volleyball, and more
Historic Speckels Estate with a grand Mid Century Contemporary Home
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Property Photos
- Welcome to the Sobre Vista Estate...a park, a spa, a place to play, and relax. - Sonoma, California Vacation Estate With Mountain Views
- From the top: the home, tennis court, pool and barn--grass volleyball at bottom. - Sonoma, California Vacation Estate With Mountain Views
- The Great Room, 17 foot ceilings and massive stone fireplace 15 feet across. - Sonoma, California Vacation Estate With Mountain Views
- The great room opposite the fireplace, dining to the right, den to the left.
- The den shares a private deck with the master suite two steps up on the right.
- The chef's kitchen, dining room straight ahead, breakfast room off to the left.
- The breakfast room overlooks the pool and tennis court, great morning sun.
- The family room snuggles between a couple of bedrooms and the billard room.
- This is bedroom #5 and is similar to the 4 additional queen size bedrooms.
- This is bedroom #4, two twin beds with colors coordinated in themed taupes.
- The master suite, spa behind door, club chairs, decks and rose garden not shown.
- The master bath...too much to see in its entirety...great lighting, and romantic
- A traditional classically shaped pool, the tennis court is off to the left.
- We needed to show you this hammock, if only to impart the park like settings.
- Extra wide tennis court, service on this side highlights a 150 year old cedar.
- One of the largest mid-century contemporary homes in California.
Guest Comments (16)
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #196407
There have been 22910 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2008.
This listing was first published here in 2008.
Date last modified - November 06, 2009


Positive Rating
I cannot post another link here but if you type the following without spaces you can see many more wonderful pictures to help you decide on planning your next vacation or gathering at our estate: "sobre vista resort dot com"
Positive Rating
If only there were a way for me to help you view the surrounding 14 acres beyond the estate's front entry gates. A truly remarkable, in my view the finest, neighborhood in the Sonoma Valley. Just on the other side of our gates is a one acre former vineyard and fountain and just beyond the original Spreckles Estate main residence. Nearby is the original and very grand pool house and beautiful San Simeon style estate swimming pool. On your stroll you can also view the former formal gardens and elaborate centuries old fountains and grand staircases. At the turn of the last century over 60 full time gardeners assisted Alma Speckles create a heaven on earth. Much of it is still here. You should be too.
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Drew Passaglia , Chicago, Illinois
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Ann , San Francisco, CA
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, Berkeley, CA
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We appreciate all of your nice comments and thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings about your stay at the estate...you are all welcome back anytime. And as many of you have noted...make it an annual! It is our pleasure to make the Sobre Vista Resort available for celebration and vacation with friends and family. Please note also our updated website and pictures at...Sobre Vista Resort, dot com. See you soon, Scott
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Shirley , San Francisco, CA
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, Santa Rosa, CA
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, Santa Rosa, CA