Rockridge Area Craftsman Bungalowwalk to College Av

• Comfortable and convenient

  Comfortable and convenient

  • Guest Jenny
  • Date of stay 03/23/13
  • Review Submitted 04/01/13
  Our family of four adults and one infant spent almost a week in this very comfortable house. It worked extremely well for us all. The house is spacious, the fittings and furniture comfortable and the location is convenient for shops and public transport. The back yard is a pleasant spot in which to sit and wile away a sunny afternoon. The property is well-managed and well-located. We didn't have a car but found plenty of cafes and stores within walking distance and reasonably good public transport close by. We would definitely recommend this to all our family and friends planning to visit the Bay Area.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, tourists without a car, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Perfect

  Perfect

  • Guest Faye
  • Date of stay 01/15/13
  • Review Submitted 01/23/13
  This lovely bungalow worked out perfectly for my family (myself, husband, adult son, and sister) for a week's stay while visiting my new grand baby. Conveniently located to everything stated in the listing. Only a 5 min drive to my son. I would definitely recommend to someone else and would definitely stay again. The owner was very sweet and accommodating.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Lovely

  Lovely

  • Guest Hope
  • Date of stay 01/01/13
  • Review Submitted 01/10/13
  Perfect

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Rockridge Craftsman Bungalow

  Rockridge Craftsman Bungalow

  • Guest Granny
  • Date of stay 12/18/12
  • Review Submitted 12/30/12
  My daughter and her sons were very pleased with this spacious, comfortable home. The owner had put fresh flowers on the dining room table, treats in the fridge and had even left the heat on, on this very cold day. It was nice living in a quiet neighborhood, yet being within walking distance of the grocery store and Starbucks! We were very happy with the arrangement.

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

  Owner response: Thank you Valerie, I am sorry I didn't get to meet you!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Great location, loaded with charm

  Great location, loaded with charm

  • Guest Joe
  • Date of stay 11/17/12
  • Review Submitted 11/23/12
  We stayed here during Thanksgiving week 2012. The house is very clean and well-appointed. Many VRBO owners or management companies skimp on the supplies, but we found this house to be fully stocked with spices for cooking, cookware, dishes, plenty of bathroom supplies, dishwashing soap, etc. The house is loaded with character, more than the photos here show. Plenty of light streams through the south-facing windows in the living areas to light up the gorgeous interior. Smoothly functioning pocket-doors separate living room from dining room, and another set of doors can close off the back third of the house. This made it perfect for creating a sound barrier for the kids sleeping in the back of the house. There is laundry in the back overlooking the tranquil garden. Stores are just 2 short blocks away making for an easy walk to get groceries. I could go on, but I don't want to spoil this secret. Too late? Oh well, it is well-deserved. The owner, Judy, was extremely kind and generous. She stopped by the day after we got in to make sure everything was OK. We arrived to fresh flowers on the dining room table, and the newspaper delivered on the weekends. Our flight left late in the day, and since there wasn't an incoming renter, she allowed us to check out late. It is an awesome house and a great value. I will definitely try to stay there again.

  Recommended for: Tourists without a car, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children.

  Owner response: Thanks Joe, it was great to meet you and your wife

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Nice house, not fully stocked, VERY rude owner.

  Nice house, not fully stocked, VERY rude owner.

  • Guest Underwhelmed
  • Date of stay 10/05/12
  • Review Submitted 11/15/12
  I would have given this place 4 stars, because the house itself is very nice, except for the fact that the owner, Judy, was very rude both on the phone and in emails. There was a 4 night minimum, but we were only able to stay 2 nights; when we arrived the place was larger than we expected and very charming. However when I called Judy the next morning she was very rude. I called to let her know there was one roll of toilet paper in the whole house for 5 people, for 4 nights, just so she could let her cleaning staff know for next time. Not a big deal. She sighed heavily and said, "Well I GUESS someone could drop off some more." And I said, no, don't worry, Safeway is down the street. She gave a reluctant apology. Then I asked her where more bags for the kitchen garbage can were: She said, "Why would you need more than one? Are you having a 'gathering'" 5 people...4 nights (that's what we're paying for) cooking meals, having drinks, etc: One garbage bag is not enough. Also, all of her emails to me were one word, which I simply find rude. No greeting, or Thanks, or "hope you're having a nice stay." Finally, I was charged $17 for using my credit card for partial payment of the place, I guess there is a 2.5% charge; so use a debit card if you want avoid that. Once I was charged that, I told her she should send me a check for the pack of toilet paper I bought and left for the next tenant; she said she would send a check, and it never came, despite a 2nd request. Overall, great house, terrible, rude owner. Also, something that is not in the ad: there is a unit that she also rents directly below. This isn't great because I felt like we had to be on tip-toes the 2 nights we were there so as not to disturb them. The tenants below us were also there just for the weekend, and very nice, but if I'm renting a house I don't want to feel like I can't have a conversation or play a game with my friends in the living room. We did not have kids with us, but I could see that being a problem. This should have been in the ad. If you are renting out your place, a certain level of hospitality is required, and I think Judy should not rent this house until she is prepared to 1) stock it for basic use and 2) respond to tenants in a nicer way.

  Recommended for: Age 55+.

  Owner response: I am truly sorry that the guest felt I was being disrespectful and have sent him an apology. I was out of town during my phone calls with him and was a little confused as to why there were missing supplies, as the housekeeping service leaves extra tissue and extra trash bags in all the bins. The credit card fee is clearly stated in the contract and there is the option of an electronic or personal check with no fee. There is a small studio at the back of the home but not near the living room.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/4

• Pleased guest

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Pleased guest

  • Guest Betty
  • Date of stay 09/21/12
  • Review Submitted 10/14/12
  Dear Judy, We have not met, but have stayed in your rental house on Mather Street in Oakland. We, being MaryBeth S-E and her sister Amy, my husband and myself, MaryBeth's daughter and son-in-law , did truly enjoy our stay in your home. The character of the house is outstanding as well as the furnishings. Having laundry on-site was more than convenient. Also convenience to shopping and transportation were fantastic. We could not have asked for more. If you need a recommendation for future rental of this home, please do not hesitate to contact us. MaryBeth is out of state, again, and requested that I respond our experience to you.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/3

• Quiet, comfortable and convenient

  Quiet, comfortable and convenient

  • Guest Christine
  • Date of stay 09/16/12
  • Review Submitted 09/23/12
  Location is perfect for international travellers without a vehicle. We were very happy with 51A bus route and BART. Thanks Judy for giving us the details. It was a relaxing haven, good for recovery after several weeks on the road. Local shopping and restaurants a bonus. We enjoyed the "step back in time" architect ans would recommend a stay in this lovely home to friends.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, tourists without a car, families with young children.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Lots of Space, Comfortable, Good Location

  Lots of Space, Comfortable, Good Location

  • Guest Jennifer
  • Date of stay 08/18/12
  • Review Submitted 08/31/12
  This is a spacious 3-bedroom (with a nice sized couch if you need a spillover sleeping spot) that worked well for my family. Two of the bedrooms are full-sized and one is a fun kids-size room. There's also a crib in one of the bedrooms in case that's needed and plenty of closet space. It's clean, quiet, comfortable. Reliable wi-fi and easy access to the BART (about 10 to 15-minute walk) and freeways. It was the perfect location for us to base ourselves and explore the Bay area. The owner was responsive before and during our stay (e.g., I left the notes with the house keycode at home but was able to reach her while at the airport and get the information we needed). The laundry room set-up is a little funky but still functional and sufficient for a stay. The kitchen is large, has sufficient dishes and cookware, and some spices (although we found ourselves needing to buy things like cooking spray). I'd definitely recommend this as a nice place to stay.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, tourists without a car, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Charming Vacation Home

  Charming Vacation Home

  • Guest fit lady
  • Date of stay 06/01/12
  • Review Submitted 06/25/12
  This home is very charming and well kept. It is a great away from home destination. It is close to shopping and dining in the Peidmont neighborhood and the area is great for outdoor walking, jogging etc. I recommend this home and area for a great place to explore Oakland and the bay area.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

Additional information about rental rates

Renter agrees to notify owner of any special events with more than 5 invited guests. Special event fees may apply

this is a prepaid rental, We accept electronic and personal checks with no fee. Credit card payments have a 2.5% Fee

Additional Fees and Taxes:

City of Oakland Occupancy Tax (14%) on stays of less than 30 days

Cleaning Fee $85.00-$115.00

Monthly rate does not include utilities