Vacation Rentals by Owner

Return Engagment

Guest: Don (Cape Cod)
Date of Stay: 01/15/12 Review Submitted: 05/22/12

For the second year running my wife and I rented Traci’s home, this time for a full three months. Please refer to my earlier review, as everything I wrote previously still holds true; however, Traci has made several notable improvements. She’s added a large round dining table and eight matching chairs, which transformed the dining area and enabled us to host larger dinner parties. In addition she has finished a rear verandah area, wonderfully situated in the middle of the magnificent, undeveloped canyon where the house nestles. You really feel like you’re in the most marvelous nature preserve. I have only stayed here in the winter but can’t help thinking how great it would be in the summer with its multitudinous outdoor areas and pool.

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

Pristine Surroundings

Guest: Elmer, Alaska
Date of Stay: 07/24/11 Review Submitted: 08/19/11

My wife, two sons and I stayed at this beautiful home for a week long vacation. Being from Alaska, we desired a location that permitted us to enjoy the local to attractions (dining, parks, shopping, and trails) during the day but that would allow us to escape the crowds during the evening. This custom home exceeded our expectations and was as memorable as our daily excursions. The home has a centrally located swimming pool, numerous outdoor terraces that offer both sunshine and shade throughout the day, and an unobstructed view of the valley below. We spent much time at the bungalow near the pool and walking the numerous footpaths around the property. One of the trails, leads to a circular, suspended bed near the bottom of the valley. We observed a surprisingly large amount of wildlife including a mother deer and her fawn. There are two bedrooms inside the home as well as four additional beds outside which were particularly popular with the boys. The house's open floor plan and beautiful furnishings provided a great vacation atmosphere. The shopping and entertainment district of Old Pasadena is a short five minute drive from the home and the Rose Bowl is within walking distance. Parking for two cars is available. Air flow through the house was great so we rarely required using the air conditioning. The kitchen is well equipped and the appliances appeared to be new. This home is great for small families and couples looking for a romantic hideaway. Thanks for everything, Traci. We had a great time.

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A Great Choice

Guest: cris (los angeles)
Date of Stay: 07/16/11 Review Submitted: 08/12/11

Traci's home was the highlight of our family vacation. It is open, gentle and peaceful. The solitude it provides while being so close of a drive to an array of places including your choice of grocery store: Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Ralphs... the near by shopping district in Old Towne Pasadena, The Aroboretum, the neighboring town of Eagle Rock and it's mom and pop Pizza and Pastry Shops....even if you plan on doing a main attraction, the beaches and Disney aren't too far a travel. All of the nearby's aside, my family and I agree that next time, we'll scrap the tourist and town ventures for more time at the house. We all caught ourselves mesmerized daily at numerous views of nature and hills, deer and lots of squirrels. The vast distance of undeveloped land alone with suck you into a pleasant trance...There are so many areas to congregate or escape, all throughout the house and the property. The pool was refreshing by day an atmospheric glowing sight by night. It was the best choice after searching many homes for the perfect place to host my East Coast Family's visit to my new home in California. Thank you Traci.

Owner response:Thank you, Chris. I am so pleased to share this special place with those who genuinely enjoy the serenity it provides. I look forward to seeing your family back again for another chapter of memories. Peace,Love & Light, Traci

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

An Amazing Location!

Guest: Don (Cape Cod)
Date of Stay: 01/27/11 Review Submitted: 05/09/11

“Location, location, location” – you know the mantra. Well, that’s the only place to start with this property. Traci’s house perches out over a wild, beautiful, wholly unspoiled canyon, possessing marvelously dense vegetation and an astonishing amount of wildlife. I saw a pack of five coyotes hunting; I saw dozens of deer, prancing through the outback; and there is enough birdlife for a full season of a PBS nature show. I’d find myself staring out into the canyon, mesmerized by the beauty of its flora and the vitality of its fauna, and indeed there are trails cut which allow you to wander through it yourself. From inside the house, you can see no other -- at least none nearby. Peaceful. Genuinely tranquil. All this is extraordinary enough, but here’s the kicker: you can be in the heart of Old Town Pasadena in five minutes. And I really do mean five! I lived in Pasadena for years and had no idea this kind of property existed in the Linda Vista neighborhood -- combining natural beauty, peace and quiet, and solitude with blissful convenience. Should you have to get downtown or to the West Side, both the 110 and the 134 Freeways are close at hand. The house also has brand-new bathrooms and a new kitchen, which is well-equipped for actual cooking (except for the puzzling absence of a microwave). The pictures on vrbo are reasonably accurate and the house was clean. The owner was responsive and went out of her way to accommodate our request to stay a few additional days. Like every vrbo property -- like every property, yours and mine included -- this one is not perfect. For instance, there’s no door on the master bedroom’s bathroom and the pool needs re-surfacing. However, it seems ungrateful to dwell on these imperfections. I have stayed in 15-20 vrbo properties in Europe and on both coasts of the U.S. and this is one of the nicest. For me, there is one acid test: would I go back? Indeed I would.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

pleasant surroundings

Guest: carol (Longmont, Co.)
Date of Stay: 12/30/10 Review Submitted: 02/20/11

We stayed at this house 12/30/2010 for 5 nights. Thoroughly enjoyed the house and surrounding landscape. We were in town for the Rose Bowl and couldn't have chosen a more convenient location to downtown Pasadena. The owner was a most gracious host. Much better than any hotel accomodations!

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

Stunning Home with Views to Match

Guest: Syd (So. Pasadena, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/26/10 Review Submitted: 03/25/11

Beautiful home, perfectly situated, stunning views... great value!!! Who could ask for more. We will be back.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, pet owners.

Stunning house!!!

Guest: Kate (South Pasadena, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/26/10 Review Submitted: 03/24/11

Stunning house!!! It's like you've suddenly dropped into a Bond movie or something. We were there in the winter, so we didn't get to enjoy the pool :-( But we are planning go back. Thanks Tracy for the AMAZING HOLIDAY!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Pasadena Zen Hideaway

Guest: Jani (Berkeley, California)
Date of Stay: 11/11/10 Review Submitted: 11/23/10

We very much enjoyed our 4 nights in the fall of 2010. Comfortable beds, luxurious bathrooms, gracious host. We loved the indoor/outdoor feeling of the space and kept finding ourselves on the outdoor futon, enjoying the light and the view, talking quietly, cuddled under the furry throw when the night cooled down but we still couldn't bear to go inside. I highly recommend this house.

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

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/27/10 Review Submitted: 01/27/10

Our family of 6 recently returned from a CA vacation, part of which was spent at this very comfortable and conveniently located property. In fact, the location couldn't have been better, offering privacy and a unique experience. It was not far to Old Town Pasadena, and allowed easy access to expressways. The view is fabulous and those of us that slept outside found it to be extremely enjoyable! The owner was most gracious and wonderful to work with, even leaving a bottle of wine to ring in the New Year while sitting in front of the cozy fireplace.

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Guest: Frederic & Tia Talgorn (Los Angeles, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/23/09 Review Submitted: 06/23/09

My wife and I stayed in this house for 10 days. If one is looking for a charming, comfortable, well furnished and decorated artist hide out with magnificent views, a pool and canyon wild life (to watch beautiful deers right under the terraces was one of the highlights of our stay …), this is it! And last but not least, the owner is very friendly. We’ll come again…Thank you very much for sharing your house

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Zen stay in a zen house

Guest: Julian Jack (Antwerp, Belgium)
Date of Stay: 03/31/09 Review Submitted: 04/28/10

This house in Pasadena is really great. The atmosphere is totally remote and it offers great hill views. A great escape from busy LA. The house has a very personal decoration, very zen. Bohémien chic as they say in French. Some details are very nice, as the ceramic coffee mugs! And I personally like the idea of being surrounded by books (on f.e. Georgia O'Keeffe, Greene & Greene, ...) and magazines. It gives the place a personal character. The lemon tree (full of beautiful blue birds) in front of the kitchen window is lovely. Swimming in april was very cold in the pool that is not heated but at least you're sure of fresh dip! A place I would recommend. Also for people with young children.

Recommended for:Families with young children, romantic getaway.

Guest: Michael Clark1 (New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 02/23/09 Review Submitted: 02/23/09

We rented this house for over two weeks and could not have been more pleased. The house is amazing, the views are stunning and the homeowner extremely gracious. We would definitely stay here again if we have the chance. Thanks, Traci!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/05/09 Review Submitted: 01/05/09

This house was amazing. We stayed for 3 nights including New Years Eve and for the Rose Bowl and it was nothing short of what we expected. The pictures describe the house perfectly and the house was in a great location. Very peaceful and quiet. Sleeping under the stars was an enjoyable pleasure. Great amenities. I would recommend this house to any and everyone. Enjoy the tree house, the houses nickname.

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