Vacation Rentals by Owner

Family Vacation 2012

Guest: Family Vacation 2012 (Rocklin, Ca)
Date of Stay: 04/04/12 Review Submitted: 04/09/12

We have stayed at several places on the California coast, but this was by far the best one. The home was wonderful, very cozy and welcoming. The owners were very friendly and helpful. Ed and Kathe are the greatest. They accomadated us on short notice and the house was sparkling clean. Thank you again, FV2012

Owner response:We were glad to have this wonderful family as our guests! We appreciate the great review, but mostly knowing that our place housed such nice people! Thank you so much . . .

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

Beautiful Property, Amazing views, great updated interior, 3-5 minute walk to beaches!!

Guest: Chris and Suzanne T. (Danville, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/23/11 Review Submitted: 11/28/11

Dear Ed and Kathe, Thank you SO much for the most relaxing Thanksgiving weekend possible!! We LOVED your beautiful coastal home, perched right above several beaches and with 180 degree views from most of the house. We even watched the waves from the shower and from the large jetted tub! You cannot beat that! The weather was perfect. Cool and foggy in the morning, giving way to blue skies and warmth (upper 60's during the day). Our daughter LOVED to play for hours on the beach and we all enjoyed neighborhood walks and the views they offered from just about anywhere you went. The house interior looks better in person than it does on the pictures on this site. The house was filled with natural light and again the views are just spectacular. I could feel my blood pressure lower the moment we opened the glass sliding doors and smelled the fresh Ocean air and heard the waves on the beach below. I must say you are the most gracious and welcoming VRBO owners we have EVER dealt with (and we have rented literally DOZENS of places on VRBO). Not that we have had any really bad experiences, but you made us feel more welcome that anyone else. Communication with you before and during our trip were A++. Thanks again, we definitely plan to return :) Sincerely, Chris, Suzanne, and Bella

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

So Welcoming and Comfortable!

Guest: Tracy (Edmonton, Alberta)
Date of Stay: 08/03/11 Review Submitted: 08/18/11

My new husband and I enjoyed the first part of our California honeymoon at this amazing property. Ed and Kathe were amazing to work with in all aspects of planning and their care and attention to detail in their home is above and beyond. The Beach House is so well cared for, clean, and has all (and more than) the comforts of home. We could go on and on about this place and all of the wonderful things about it and the surrounding area! Thank you so much Ed and Kathe!!!! ~ Tracy & Michael

Owner response:We were so happy to have Tracy and Michael honeymooning at our place!! We DO like to have our guests feel as comfortable as possible, and it is so good to hear that we were successful. We are honored that they chose our place to begin their new life together, and hope they return again!!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful Home, Special Owners and a Great View

Guest: Marilyn and Kari (Lodi, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/24/11 Review Submitted: 07/11/11

Having rented a number of lovely homes in recent years, this experience was by far the best. While the view was incredible and the home comfortable as well as beautiful, the owners, Ed and Kathe, made our stay so memorable. From the beautiful flowers and gift bag to checking on us to see if there was anything we needed, they were the ultimate hosts. The home is even more beautiful than the pictures depict. Our favorite place was on the window seat in the kitchen area where the large window serves as a picture frame for the beautiful coastal water and rocks. The kitchen is so beautifully stocked - right down to a bread maker - and definitely a delight in which to cook. The library contains hundreds of books - something for everyone. The beds are comfortable and the linens lovely. The home was "squeaky clean" and beautifully decorated. My friend, visiting from Tennessee, needed some R&R from a demanding job and this home provided everything she needed to rejuvenate. The weather was nearly perfect except for one day but even the rain brought its own charm. We enjoyed the daily visit from a family of deer and once caught a glimpse of the resident bobcat. We enjoyed the surrounding area too. The beaches north of Bodega Bay are definitely beautiful. Duncan's Mills, just a few miles northeast, is a quaint area and we always enjoy visiting Pig Alley with it's unique gift items. Thank you again, Ed and Kathe, for providing us with a week-long memorable experience. We will be back. You are the best! Marilyn and Kari

Owner response:Wow !!! . . . just the experiences we had hoped for you to enjoy ~ Marilyn and Kari, we're glad you want to be part of our Beach House family, and we welcome you back anytime!! Thanks for sharing . . . and for all the TLC you gave our place. Also, thanks for the plaque that greets future guests describing our place as "paradise" ~ it is perfect!! We concur . . . ~ Ed and Kathe

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

Spectacular Views & Wonderful Home and Owners

Guest: Cate R. (-)
Date of Stay: 06/07/11 Review Submitted: 06/17/11

Better than advertised! Our family of five just spent 6 nights at the Foster's Beach House. The Pacific ocean and rugged coast line views are unobstructed and mesmerizing. We spent hours just sitting on the window seat and deck enjoying the ocean views. The home is so comfortable, we instantly felt like we were at the perfect home-away-from-home. We spent many evenings cooking in the spacious and well-equipped kitchen. Our best dinner was the fresh crab we picked up at Spud Point and cooked at home. The accompaniment to each meal was the beautiful view. Loved the location as we walked to Portuguese beach on lazy days. Plus it was a short drive to Salmon Creek beach, hiking to Shell Beach and canoeing down the Russian River from Healdsburg. Natural beauty and wildlife envelope the area and home. We saw a flock of 50 pelicans, deer and heron while at the house. The owners from the beginning to the end of our stay were the most helpful and hospitable you could ever find. Their home is as special as they are. We can't wait to return to the Beach House, only next time we would like to stay longer! A great big thank you for sharing your home with our family. We made some great memories!

Owner response:Thank you so much for the wonderful words about our place!! Our whole thought in sharing our Beach House with others is to have people enjoy it as you have described. Your family has become part of the 'Beach House Family' and we will look forward to your return!! The Fosters

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

Everything and More

Guest: Cindy lou (Bells, TX)
Date of Stay: 03/20/11 Review Submitted: 04/04/11

Our recent stay was more than their pictures and anyone's review can tell you. The weather forecast was supposed to be stormy though to our surprise the sun came out that afternoon and only then did it begin to rain on our day leaving. This wonderful beach house has a gourmet kitchen if you like to cook and Kathy has made sure she has everything you could imagine to cook with. The view is outstanding and we were very content just hanging out and sitting on the deck watching the waves roll in. We did venture out some and see the coast from the hills behind and Ed and Kathy are very lucky to have a place such as this to come and relax and we are thankful they are sharing their home with others. I don't think anyone would be disappointed unless you need entertainment nearby as this is out from the mainstream but a great place to relax and enjoy a few drinks out on the deck. This home is at the end of the street and very quiet. We saw deer just cruising around the street and a bobcat right out the back deck. Ed and Kathy were a very gracious host and they have provided everything imaginable you might need.

Owner response:Thank you SO MUCH for your kind words!! We achieved our goal . . . to give you the best vacation possible at the Beach House! You are more than welcome back anytime ~ we love having guests like you !!

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

Great for a break, spring or otherwise, with friends or alone

Guest: Gramps (Alabama)
Date of Stay: 03/13/11 Review Submitted: 03/23/11

Our second visit in a year's time yet in a different season. We brought friends this time. They loved it also. We had rainy days alternating with sunny days. This actually worked just fine. Jenner and the Russian River are easy drives. Korbel is a great stop for bubbly and a snack or picnic. Armstrong Redwoods are also close by and awe inspiring. The beach views and access are great from this vantage point. A near full moon lite the night and Pacific magically, quite an experience. The house is wonderfully furnished and very comfortable. The "welcome" wine is a great touch a day of traveling. The beds and baths are well appointed. The kitchen is better than at home, plus you can watch wildlife out one window or the breakers out the other as you prepare a meal. The library has a wide slection of books and games besides being very comfortable. The master bedroom and bath are worth fighting over. The second bedroom is more snug while still comfortable. You probably won't spend a lot of time in bed anyway. We find more things to do each visit to the area. We will definitely be back again. The owners provide a well laid out guidebook to the house, neighborhood, beach and Bodega Bay. It has maps and other tourist info and suggestions. The restaurants close early in winter. It is advisable to call ahead to make sure they are open. Being an off the beaten path beach community, prices at the few markets can be surprising on some items. Gas in California is not cheap anywhere. It was inline with inland areas .

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

Guest: Charlie and Kathy
Date of Stay: 10/23/10 Review Submitted: 10/31/10

Our weekend was everything we had hoped for. Your home is beautiful, comfortable, and cozy; and the setting is beyond amazing. Your attention to detail would make anyone feel at home there. If you have to stay inside because of the rain, that's the place to be. Our anniversary was perfect. We elected to go out for a nice lunch so that we could be home for the sunset. We looked on the GPS and found Alexander's, and decided to try there. We were surprised and delighted to find that it was the restaurant at the Timber Cove. It was a rather serendipitous turn, because we spent our first anniversary there in 1976! The restaurant was called something else then, so we didn't know from the GPS that we were heading there. It was a beautiful evening, so we were able to sit on the deck with our wine and watch the sun go down. I had been thinking all weekend that the color scheme in the house was so soothing. I understood why, when the sun fell over the horizon and I saw every color in the palette right there in the surf. Later, we were out front and there was an opening in the clouds that the moon rose up into, and it was a stunning sight. Tuesday was another sunny day. We went to Duncans Mills on the way home and had a great lunch at Cape Fear . All in all, a fantastic long weekend. We are looking forward to another stay at your beach house. Charlie and Kathy

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Wonderful Romantic Weekend

Guest: Charlie and Kathy (Folsom, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/23/10 Review Submitted: 10/30/10

While the photos are beautiful, they don't quite do justice to this beach house. Everything was perfect. Tastefully decorated, immaculately clean, fully-equipped, amazing views, and very cozy. It rained 2 of our 3 nights, and we didn't care. One of the things that is hard to tell from the Internet is that many of the beachfront homes in this area are right on the highway, The Fosters' house is in a secluded neighborhood back from the road enough to be quiet, but still only a few minutes walk to the ocean. They made the rental process very easy, and checked in on us to make sure we were heppy with the place. We look forward to staying here again, and have already recommended it to friends. Definitely try the Spud Point clam chowder.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Martha and Dan ~ Texas
Date of Stay: 08/06/10 Review Submitted: 08/10/10

We really enjoyed staying in your lovely house in Bodega Bay—actually, I would call it your home since there were so many personal touches there. My sister and brother-in-law were with us, and they have rental property listed on VRBO, and they were very impressed with your personal messages and welcoming items and the way everything worked. The view is magnificent. There are so many windows we felt like we were outside. You had included everything anyone might need, so we didn’t need to buy a thing. Your guestbook was full of very helpful information. And we loved the library! We would certainly return if we ever make this trip again, and we would definitely recommend your cottage to our friends.

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A great experience!

Guest: Kier (Bay Area)
Date of Stay: 06/10/10 Review Submitted: 06/14/10

The location is fantastic. Breathtaking views, nice surrounding area. The house is really nice and clean. The owners clearly take pride in their vacation home. We had everything we needed at the house and the owners are very welcoming. We would definitely recommend this rental to friends and family and can’t wait to go back ourselves. We enjoyed looking for sea glass on Schoolhouse Beach, spent a few mornings at Salmon Creek and fished Portuguese Beach. We even jogged in the neighborhood. In the afternoons, we enjoyed sitting on the back deck watching the cars go by and all the people gathering at the beach. A really awesome vacation!

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

Guest: Ralph and Lucy Hamm
Date of Stay: 07/14/09 Review Submitted: 07/13/09

FROM RECENT VISITORS: "We had a wonderful time at the Beach House. Friday was our daughter's birthday, and we had two couple friends up to help her celebrate. The spacious deck, kitchen, and living/dining room; the spectacular ocean view; and the easy access to the beach made for a very special day which we all will remember for a long time. The library made an excellent playroom for the two young boys. We love your place, and you can expect us to contact you about renting it again. It's also been a pleasure to deal with you. We travel quite a bit, and we usually rent a house or condo at our destination. You handle it better than about anyone I've dealt with. Thanks for your hospitality and the nice welcome gift."

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Guest: Mary Brett
Date of Stay: 05/27/09 Review Submitted: 05/26/09

Guest Comments:Mary & Nate , VirginiaThe magical ocean views will enchant you, the power of the surf will enthrall you, and the accoutrements inside this frontline beach house will astound you! Just steps or a quick drive to several broad beaches exuding natural splendor, you’ll enjoy exploring the sand or sitting on a large log along the shore soaking in the Pacific. If the winds ar e blowing, retire to the plexiglassed deck to sunbathe, with an unimpeded view of the ocean as you bask in the sun's warmth. The large king master suite boasts a relaxing two person jetted tub, overlooking both the rustic hillside and ocean, as well as an open rainforest shower. A very private, cozy queen bedroom, buffered by a lovely traditional bath and the foyer is on the other end of the home. The expansive great room, deck, and kitchen of this extremely functional home feel perched on top of the ocean, and the music system throughout enhances any mood you wish to create. Games and video options abound, and a huge library would afford any bibliophile a peaceful respite. Nearby fine dining at Bodega Bay ’s Duck Club or Terrapin Creek restaurants can be interspersed with cooking in the spectacular gourmet-equipped kitchen. We found The Sandpiper, a local favorite, to be a great breakfast and lunch spot. The extensive winery options in the Russian River Valley would take years to explore, but you’ll yearn to return to this wonderful launching point, so that should solve the dilemma! Korbel offers a most informative, free historic tour and tasting; Dutton Estate inc orporates food pairings in its $20 couples flight tasting, and Iron Horse offers $10 flights of sparklings, whites or reds, all with discounts and club options to purchasers. After viewing Hitchcock's "The Birds," we realized that quaint St.Theresa's Church in Bodega is right next door to the school house filmed in the movie. So, there is much nearby to do and see, and plenty of reason to just laze around this fantastic gem on the Pacific!

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Guest: Kathie3 (Dacula, GA)
Date of Stay: 05/02/09 Review Submitted: 05/02/09

Wow! What a joy it was for my husband, and two friends from Miami to rent this home! The experience could not have been more positive. The home sparkles and smells divine.The kitchen is truly fully stocked so cooking is a breeze. The weather was cool ans so no barbeque to review! The stars at night were lvoely when the night was clear. The sunset over the water was a sight to see. The views from the home are outstanding. Not far from town center and lots of good restaurants. Day trips were easy from here. andd the owners? Well, I now consider them friends. They bent over backwards to make us feel welcome and maximize our Vacation! 5***** The second bedroom is a bit small so work it out if you have another couple joing you!

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Guest: Terri Chesbrough (Napa, Ca)
Date of Stay: 12/02/08 Review Submitted: 12/02/08

We had the best weekend playing golf, catching crabs and then cooking them in the lovely kitchen. The large whirlpool tub and rain shower were delightful! The views and saounds from the ocean are fabulous! I will go again!

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