Vacation Rentals by Owner

Wonderful getaway!

Guest: Stephanie (Los Altos, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/31/11 Review Submitted: 01/06/12

My boyfriend and I had a wonderfully romantic stay over New Year's at DragonMist. The property itself is secluded on a beautiful hill with spectacular views of the ocean. The guest house is separated from the main house (where Gary & Toni live) by a very fun entertainment/game room. I was extremely impressed with the level of personal touches that made our stay so special. Gary and Toni left a basket of treats and a refrigerator full of food! We even got a complimentary bottle of champagne and some horns and hats for new years. There were also fuzzy blankets, extra towels to use with the jacuzzi, and lots of games/movies to entertain you if you just wanted a retreat and to "stay in". If you want to go to "town", Mendocino is less than 5 minutes away, and Fort Bragg is less than 15 minutes away. The bed was luxurious, the floors were heated (!), the amenities were all up-to-date. The kitchenette has everything you need to prepare meals. The estate is also situated on a large property with lots of places to walk and hike. I highly recommend staying here if you have the opportunity to visit Mendocino!

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

Phenomenal Place, Great Hosts!

Guest: Laura (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/23/11 Review Submitted: 12/17/11

DragonMist was exactly the kind of secluded retreat my husband and I were looking for to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We been VRBO'ing for several years now and rarely have we found a place this clean and with so many amenities. Especially loved the ocean view hot tub. Small kitchen, but very functional and well equipped. Ideal Mendo location near restaurants and state parks. The owners were exceptionally thoughtful and made us feel right at home.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Cross Country Reunion

Guest: RanMan (Columbia, Maryland)
Date of Stay: 10/21/11 Review Submitted: 11/05/11

My wife and I chose DragonMistEstate as a reunion site to meet our daughter/her husband after they had bicycled across the country from Wash,DC--When we drove up to the place, it was AWESOME. Our OCT 21-22 weather was mid 60s/sunny. The view from this 23 acre property is STUNNING/under advertised. The entire house is like new w/ heated floors and very nice baths. Main level has Master BR w/Full Bath. Loft Area has TWO Queen Beds(maybe doubles) but only a Half Bath so we had to share the downstairs shower. The loft is also "open" to the Living Room below. Outdoor Spa was great and we loved the comfy robes which were provided ! The adjacent Rec Room was huge with a pool table, ping pong, foos ball, fireplace and much more.This is IDEAL for a family w/kids and certainly worked out for us(2 couples). The owners were extremely helpful and have provided almost EVERYTHING you might want or need(they even had a beachcombers bag,table games,movies,a separate frig/bar area in Rec Room) One small warning/there is No Washing Machine and the nearest place to wash clothes is in Fort Bragg. Bummer.

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

Superb place! Great owners too.

Guest: Cavaliers from Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)
Date of Stay: 08/09/11 Review Submitted: 05/18/12

We (wife, me and 20 year old daughter) stayed here a few years ago. Sorry it took so long to add the review. We loved the guest house and the property. There was a lot of fog, so we had great views only one out of three days, but we were traveling in the Giant Forest one of those days. The town is fun and has a few good restaurants. Really good ones. It was close to other places to visit as well, which was good due to the fog in Mendocino. The owners were gracious hosts. Only the wife was there, but she was very helpful. The guest house is very comfortable and beats a hotel by a mile. It was more private than most B & Bs as well. It was well equipped. We ate in for breakfast and out for lunch and dinner, so the small efficiency kitchen was fine for our needs. Mendocino is great and this is the place to stay! (We put August 2011 in the space above, but we stayed there at least a year earlier than that.)

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

beautiful views and peaceful and fun guesthouse

Guest: D (Davis California)
Date of Stay: 08/08/11 Review Submitted: 08/29/11

Our family of 4 stayed here in August for 5 days. The property and guest house are very pretty with magnificent ocean views. The owner was attentive to making us feel comfortable and enjoying ourselves with special robes for our children and buckets for the ocean and suggestions of places to go including a beach near by which was great. Our children enjoyed the tree swing and rec room with it's pool table as well as walking down to a bench overlooking the ocean. It is a very pretty and peaceful property, beautiful views all around including from the hot tub watching the sunset.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

What we saw is what we got, PLUS MORE!

Guest: Julie (Los Angeles, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/26/11 Review Submitted: 08/02/11

It was such a delight to wake up each morning of our 5-night stay to peace and serenity. The Dragon Mist property exceeded our expectations with the cleanliness, amenities, comfort and the "home-away-from- home" feeling. We enjoyed gorgeous views of the Pacific ocean from ALL West-facing windows of the main house and guest house. The weather was perfect, low-70's during the day and at night mid-50's perfect for the fire-pit and the hot tub on the property! We loved the walk down to the benches on the property for a closer look at the ocean, cliffs and islands. The game room was fantastic entertainment inside the house along with the GREAT speaker system throughout the interior and exterior of the house (we blasted some great tunes!). Not only was the property pleasant but the amount of activities to do around the town and in Mendocino were more than enough for our stay. We explored the town of Mendocino and their unique boutiques; Kayaking on Van Damme beach in Little River; and last but not least the indescribable hike through the Van Damme park Pygmy forest and Giant Redwoods. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Dragon Mist and would definitely recommend this property to those who enjoy peace and quiet or even those who enjoy outdoor adventure. We will be back again next year!

Owner response:As owners, we couldn't have written a better description of all that DragonMist Estate has to offer, including all the nearby attractions and activities. All of you seemed to have maximized your time spent here on the beautiful Mendocino Coast. Kudos for enjoying your stay to the fullest! We look forward to your return visit.

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

Great time with teenagers!

Guest: Pete and Denise (Kansas)
Date of Stay: 07/06/11 Review Submitted: 07/14/11

Our family (including three teenagers) stayed at your lovely property for three nights and had a marvelous time! There was enough to do for the teens to keep them occupied and relaxed as well. They did not appreciate the wonderful amenities as much as we did - thank you so much for the basket of treats! However, they had a great time with the pool table, table tennis and basketball hoop. We have rented other homes before, but this was by far the most well kept, luxurious, and gracious of our stays! The views were astounding. I loved seeing the deer in the clearing every morning. Thank you so much for such a memorable stay for all of us!

Owner response:It was a great pleasure meeting our first guests from Kansas! You have incredibly well-behaved teens, and they (and their parents) are welcome at DragonMist anytime! There is so much for families to do here at DragonMist and points beyond on our beautiful Mendocino Coast. Our Mendocino Music Festival every July is only six minutes from DragonMist, our Winesong! (every September), and our whale migrations (in November thru April) are but a few of many attractions. Or you can just relax in your cushioned rocking chair, or on the double hammock on the deck and listen to the ocean lull you into serenity. The choice is up to you. We look forward to your return!

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

What a great house...we will be back!

Guest: Brian (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/30/11 Review Submitted: 08/01/11

I don't know where to start on the wonderful stay we had at Dragonmist. We were in love at once with the breathtaking views of the ocean and the rolling landscape leading down from the house. The views were spectacular from both the main house and the guest house (our family was renting both). The interior of the main house was clean, inviting, and had several comfortable seating areas. The guest house was warm and cozy. Once we got settled we took a stroll around the grounds and were surprised on how private, quiet, and well maintained it was. We stopped at the benches and enjoyed our first sunset there. Perfect. We took advantage of the recreation room, with several rousing games of table tennis, foosball, and 8-Ball on the pool table, which made for some fun nighttime activities before and after dinner. All of the rooms were nice, with comfy beds and luxury bedding. My wife and I loved the mini-master suite with the jacuzzi tub inside and the sun deck with chairs and ottomans outside. The kids loved the loft in the guest house (they called it their treehouse) and were quite content there. We didn't stay at the house ALL the time (although we could have!). We did do some exploring of the surrounding beaches, restaurants, and visited a beautiful botanical garden. We shopped at the local grocery store and made most of our meals in the house. The kitchen in the main house is a cook's dream, with plenty of counter space and top-notch appliances. We had so many great experiences during our stay. Thank you Toni and Gary, we had such a wonderful time. We can't wait for the next opportunity to go back!

Owner response:What a pleasure to have had such appreciative guests and such well-behave children! It sounds like your vacation was everything you hoped it would be, and more, which is what we strive for. We are very happy that you enjoyed our property as much as we do, and we welcome your return.

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

Great Views, BUT

Guest: Sirous (El Paso, Texas)
Date of Stay: 06/13/11 Review Submitted: 07/27/11

First of all I would like to echo everything that has been said about this property. It is located on a magnificent location with all the amenities anyone would hope to have in a luxury rental. Our first issue with this rental was regarding the way it was advertised on the website. Although they prominently featured the master suite as a part of the main house rental, when we received our contract the master suite was excluded. While we had no issue with them excluding a room – it was misleading to feature it on the website and when this was brought to their attention it was ignored. Our party consisted of 5 couples staying at the MAIN HOUSE as well as the guest house. We are all professionals – most physicians, 2 with cancer and one with HIV and ALL non-smokers. Until we arrived at the house we had no idea that this property was the primary residence of the owners. We were greeted by Toni who was apologetic about the house not having been cleaned by the cleaners - they had not shown up - and that she had to do the cleaning herself. We found the house with dirty floors and dog hair/dust bunnies in the corners of the rooms. However we felt that under the circumstances that was understandable. We were there to celebrate a dear friend’s 70th birthday and we were not going to let this ruin the week. On the first day of our stay, with windows open to allow in a breeze, the wind knocked over a Shoji screen that Toni had put up against a window and broke the glass of a small painting/picture and made some scratch marks on the wall. There was no damage to the screen that we identified. When it came time to get our sizable deposit back, we were disappointed to see that they had retained close to 25%. In their letter supporting their action, they accused us of smoking cigars in their house, “extra cleaning required due to several plates, glasses, cooking utensils not being thoroughly clean”, “BBQ grill not scraped/cleaned”, charges for 2 new Shoji screens, and other petty deductions. As I mentioned before, we are all non-smokers. We did however, enjoyed their FIREPLACE with a vigorous fire the last night we were there and that could explain the smoke odor. We were charged a hefty cleaning fee as part of our contract. And since the house was not professionally cleaned to begin with, I find their petty reasons to keep 25% of our deposit abusive of power on their part. I would not rent from them again.

Owner response:It saddens us that you chose not to share the letter you left the day of your departure: "Thank you for a wonderful week! Perfect weather, wonderful food and wine and our best friends made for a fantastic vacation! One small mishap-the screens were blown over by a gust of wind and fell, taking the print on the wall with them. Unfortunately, the glass in the print was broken. Thank you again for sharing your little piece of heaven!" Again, how sad that you chose not to post either of the two follow-up emails: June 21: "Thank you again for sharing your beautiful home! fondly" and the June 22: "Hi Gary, I just wanted to thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us last week. I just wanted to make sure you found the house in order. We enjoyed meeting Tony and I hope if our future plans take us to Northern California, that we could call on you again. I also attached a few pictures taken while in Mendocino. Have a nice day." We wish that you had also posted about the extras that we provided you: champagnes, wines, chocolates, gourmet cheese spreads and crackers - for your special welcome basket; the unsolicited birthday decorations at both houses for your special guest; the "concierge-type" services including multiple phone calls to find yoga venues, etc. It was apparent that your negative review is the result of having to pay for items damaged during your stay. Our July 5 certified letter noted a list of issues, including smoke smell and excessive cleaning, none of which you were charged for. You were charged only for damage to: a glass wine duck, Shogi screens, glass picture frame, linens and a U-Line Ice Maker. Regarding use of owner private areas including the master bedroom suite, you were notified of this with our response to your initial inquiry, with the original submission of the reservation contract, and twice again in emails to you and another member of your party prior to your arrival. Regarding the main house being our primary residence, that is clearly mentioned in our VRBO listing, which we referred you to, as well as in emails prior to your arrival. We hope that potential future guests will refer to the numerous POSITIVE reviews that we have received, familiarize themselves with our VRBO website # 213704, and contact us with any questions they may have.

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Perfect!

Guest: Neil S1 (Redwood City, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/10/11 Review Submitted: 06/25/11

I would give 6 stars if I could! We had an absolutely perfect getaway as a family (with 2 young kids) at Toni & Gary's guesthouse. The house and property are beautiful. To sit in the hottub and look out to the ocean was about as good as it gets. Absolutely everything was provided by our incredibly gracious and generous hosts. It was like staying with family, only better. We will definately be back!

Owner response:Thank you so much for your very kind and generous comments! We enjoyed meeting all of you, and we hope the children have had the opportunity to use their kites. If work and school schedules permit, we would love for you to come back to DragonMist during the whale migration. Many times we see the mom's and their babies from our decks as they swim along "hugging the shoreline". One season, Gary and I were fortunate to see a baby breach the waters while we were enjoying our lunch at the table on the west deck! Of course, DragonMist is always a wonderful respite for couples, too! As guests, we give you 10 stars, and we look forward to your return to DragonMist!

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

Beautiful views...comfortable beds...fun with family!

Guest: Doug and Claudia (Ripon, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/13/11 Review Submitted: 08/07/11

We stayed at the Dragon Mist guest house in April. Our thanks to Gary and Toni for a wonderful experience. I've seen other reviews where people have thanked Gary and Toni for making them feel at home, and that's exactly how we felt! The guest house is amazing! Comfortable rooms, beautiful views, and the recretation room was so much fun! If you're looking for a comfortable, quiet place to rest, or to leave for day trips from, this is the one!

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

What an escape.

Guest: Jen (Sacramento, Ca)
Date of Stay: 02/25/11 Review Submitted: 08/02/11

We loved staying at Dragon Mist. The owners catered to any of our needs, and guest house was comfortable and the views were something special. We had the luck to be there when it snowed, apparently a rare event. I would recommend this retreat to anyone who wants a little peace and relaxation. We will definitely be back. In fact I miss it already.

Owner response:Thank you for sharing your thoughtful comments. Yes, it truly was a rarity to experience a "real" coastal snow that actually blanketed the trees! We are so happy that you were here at DragonMist to share it with us! We look forward to seeing you again.

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

Luxurious and Warm Place To Stay

Guest: Rik (San Rafael, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/17/10 Review Submitted: 08/09/11

This is a wonderful place. My wife and I have been coming to Mendocino for 20 years, often renting beautiful homes, and this is now at the top of our list. Very spacious, very luxurious, high-end, but very reasonably priced. It is very close to Mendocino village, yet secluded on a hillside with beautiful ocean views. We loved staying here and will be back often. You cant go wrong staying here.

Owner response:We count ourselves fortunate to be able to share our property with guests such as yourselves, especially those who visited the area over a period of years, and who truly appreciate this special environment where DragonMist is located. We're sure you'll enjoy the even more spectacular views from the homes, decks and benches. Also, we want to thank you for persevering with the review process! Toni and I are looking forward to seeing you soon!

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Gorgeous "home away from home"

Guest: Erin P. (Homewood IL)
Date of Stay: 11/11/10 Review Submitted: 11/23/10

Four retired educators stayed at DragonMist in mid-November and thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful guesthouse with scenic views of the ocean. Every amenity one could possibly ask for was provided by the friendly, hospitable owners, including a surprise: a picnic "backpack" with insulated portion for carrying cheeses and wine. We used it twice during our 3-night stay. Luxuriant linens on comfortable beds, access to a game room and a jacuzzi, complete privacy in a quiet spot -- all contributed to a memorable stay in the Mendocino area. We enjoyed delicious meals at the Little River Country Inn (great fish tacos and wonderful hamburgers) and at Cafe Beaujolis (buy one of their wines -- no corkage fee for the bottle you bring), We saw the Mendocino Botanical Gardens (lovely!) and hiked to the Cabrillo Lighthouse where we ate one of our picnic lunches. Good hiking opportunities abound; we just didn't have enough time to take all the suggested hikes by our owner! This is a "don't miss" place to stay in the scenic Mendocino area.

Owner response:It was a real treat to have such wonderful guests. We're so glad you enjoyed and appreciated our home so much. We look forward to your next visit.

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

Exactly As Promised

Guest: Linda (Toronto, ON, Canada)
Date of Stay: 11/01/10 Review Submitted: 01/10/11

My husband and I spent four relaxing days here in the beginning of November 2010. The guest house was very comfortable and spotlessly clean with a fully equipped kitchenette, comfortable bed and very nice bathroom. The extremely private and peaceful setting with a spectacular view of the meadow and ocean made this a very special place to stay. We enjoyed reading by the fire, walking along the Mendocino headlands and, especially, hiking among the old growth redwoods in this area. Toni was a perfect host, providing everything a guest might need (she even stocked vegan items for my husband) and made us feel as if we were at home in her guesthouse. We hope the future presents an opportunity to come back with our grandchildren for whale watching.

Owner response:It was OUR pleasure having you as our guests, and we look forward to you and your family joining us in the future.

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

Awesome Property!!!

Guest: Ed (Buena Park, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/16/10 Review Submitted: 11/02/10

Spent a weekend at this estate. It is very private estate hidden on a hill surrounded by trees just across the ocean. The property is on several acres of private land overlooking the ocean. The house is very very clean, with luxiouriously desinged interior equivalent to a five star hotel. Comfortable beds, nice amenities, game room, spa... etc on a great property with an awsome view.. what more could you ask for?

Owner response:Well, Ed, we certainly couldn't have asked for a nicer family to be our guests at DragonMist. It was a pleasure meeting all of you, and your courtesy was beyond measure. We are so glad that you enjoyed everything that DragonMist has to offer, and that you had a positive experience at our close proximity local beaches! We look forward to having you as guests in the future, and just let us know when you would like to reserve the Main home at DragonMist Estate. We'll leave a light on for your late arrival! Our best to your parents, and Aunt.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Northern California Coast Getaway

Guest: Larry and Debbie (Missouri)
Date of Stay: 09/19/10 Review Submitted: 10/05/10

We are certain that our DragonMist 3 night stay were the best accomodations we could have found in the Mendocino CA area. Our hosts provided more than expected. We enjoyed the private ocean panorama, beautiful fully-equipped accomodations, the thoughtful welcome basket, quiet evenings in the hot tub, and use of the recreation and barbeque facilities. Hats off to our hosts for making us feel welcome and the tips for enjoying local restaurants and attractions.

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

Luxusious and Beautiful

Guest: Rik (San Rafael, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/17/10 Review Submitted: 08/06/11

The home is amazing; beautiful setting, outstanding view, and luxurious, spacious home. We've been coming to Mendo for over 25 years staying in different homes and this is now one of our very favorites. It is very close to the village, maybe a five minute drive, yet secluded. We will be back many times.

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

Guest House is nice, but no ocean view without a walk

Guest: Meg (Northern California)
Date of Stay: 08/02/10 Review Submitted: 04/21/11

The 2BR guest house is lovely and on gorgeous property but, from the photos and description, I expected an ocean view and there is none unless you walk a little ways. The bedrooms are very comfortable (one is an open loft). The bathrooms are quite nice. The living room is also very comfortable. The galley type kitchen is small for preparing a real meal. We had problems with the television (the instructions were inadequate), but the owner was responsive in coming over to fix it. We did not use the recreation room, but the photos look wonderful. If you want to gaze at the ocean while sitting inside, this isn't the property for you. But if that isn't a top priority, this is a very attractive rental.

Owner response:We have reviewed your guest comments, and frankly, we are surprised that you were not able to appreciate our spectacular ocean views from the downstairs and upstairs floors of the guest house, as well as from the recreation suite, the hot tub/spa, and the adjacent decks surrounding the guest house, recreation suite, and spa areas. Many previous guests have commented on our great ocean views which can be seen directly from inside the guest house, as well as out. In fact, it is usually the number one comment we receive from guests. Since your visit nine months ago, we have expanded our beautiful ocean views by culling additional trees and limbs. We have also simplified the satellite television/dvd/stereo instructions to make them more user friendly. Also, since your visit last August, our guest house kitchen, while small, afforded a family of six the opportunity to prepare full meals for four nights, including a complete Thanksgiving dinner. All of our guests are given access to two additional refrigerators, a full size freezer, an additional microwave, an ice-maker and wet bar, as well as additional cookware and small appliances which are available in the Recreation Suite. We invite you to return to the Guest House at DragonMist Estate to enjoy the even more spectacular ocean views, the first-class amenities, and the privacy afforded our guests on our 23-acre estate. Best wishes, Toni and Gary

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

A perfect birthday celebration getaway

Guest: Larry (San Rafael, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/04/10 Review Submitted: 07/09/10

We spent 3 nights at the Dragonmist Estate to celebrate my birthday (65 years). We found the guest house to be an ideal accomodation and location. We loved the expansive views of the ocean and the ability to walk down to the edge of the property to get much closer views of the ocean and the wonderful landscape. The house was very comfortable for us. The kingsize bed was one of the most comfortable that we ever slept in. The bathrooms were very attractive. We found it to be truly a home. We look foward to spending another holiday at Dragonmist as soon as we can. Toni was extremely friendly and helpful. We greatly enjoyed our conversations with each other.

Owner response:Thank you very much for your kind comments. It was a pleasure hosting you and look forward to having you as our guests again soon. Toni and Gary Taff

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

Guest: Elizabeth Hart (Willits, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/27/10 Review Submitted: 02/27/10

What a special way to celebrate our birthdays! The setting and home are gorgeous and your hospitality so warm and welcoming. Thank you!

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Guest: Robert and Debbie Plass (Penn Valley, CA.)
Date of Stay: 02/17/10 Review Submitted: 02/16/10

We agree that the DragonMist Estate, AKA your beautiful home, is a spectacular getaway! You've thought of everything to make it possible to relax and enjoy our time away. It did not go unnoticed and for all that you have provided, we are truly grateful.

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Guest: Scott, Charmaine, Austin, Sydney (Piedmont, CA.)
Date of Stay: 01/02/10 Review Submitted: 01/02/10

The DragonMist is intoxicating! It fueled an entire week of rest, fun, conversation and love for our clan. Thank you for sharing.

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Guest: connie and robert (Pleasant Hill, CA.)
Date of Stay: 11/10/09 Review Submitted: 11/10/09

We had a marvelous time. The great weather and big surf didn't hurt any! Thank you for everything. We loved the place.

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Guest: david and vicki1 (Pleasant Hill, CA.)
Date of Stay: 11/10/09 Review Submitted: 11/10/09

We had a marvelous time. The great weather and big surf didn't hurt any! Thank you for everything. We loved the place.

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Guest: Ian and Vivian Gilchrist (Bellevue, WA.)
Date of Stay: 11/10/09 Review Submitted: 11/10/09

Many thanks for making us so welcome in this wonderful place. The house, the location, the view, everything exceeded our expectations. But above all - your hospitality! We have enjoyed our stay immensely and only wish it could be longer.

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Guest: Judith and Phil (Concord, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/02/09 Review Submitted: 11/02/09

What a wonderful and luxurious place! Thank you for your welcoming hospitality. Everything was first rate - the recreation room - the views at sunset - Gorgeous!

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Guest: Kristie, Bill, Brock, Joshua, and Paige (Temecula, CA, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/19/09 Review Submitted: 10/19/09

We had a wonderful time exploring the area and thank Gary and Toni for being wonderful hosts and sharing their beautiful home with us.

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Guest: jennifer and janice (Denver, CO.)
Date of Stay: 10/13/09 Review Submitted: 10/13/09

Fabulous weekend getaway! You have been so thoughtful about creating a beautiful and refreshing home away from home. Great linens! Hope to come back again. Thank you!

Owner response:As soon as your schedule permits, we'd love to have you have back for some more R & R.

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Guest: michelle and michael (SF, CA & Minneapolis, MN)
Date of Stay: 10/05/09 Review Submitted: 10/05/09

Great accommodations! Wonderful amenities. We hope to come back soon. Toni and Gary were super hosts.

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Guest: Cheryl and Rick (Huntsville, AL.)
Date of Stay: 09/16/09 Review Submitted: 09/16/09

We had a great time. Cool photos of a deer and a bobcat in the same image! La Petite Rive is an awesome restaurant. Thanks Toni and Gary for all your suggestions and assistance. Hope to come back some time. Your estate is incredible!

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Guest: Janet, David, Andrew and Amie (Houston, Texas)
Date of Stay: 09/16/09 Review Submitted: 09/16/09

Gary and Toni, thank you so much for being such gracious hosts. You have a wonderful place which we will always remember. The bets to you and our new little doggie pals!

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Guest: Mary and Tim (Silverado Canyon, CA.)
Date of Stay: 09/16/09 Review Submitted: 09/16/09

Toni and Gary, from the moment we arrived at your peaceful home, we knew our visit was going to be too short. Thank you for sharing your home with us. It was a wonderful stay and we cannot wait to return. You ARE innkeepers of the year!

Owner response:Come on back to the North Coast soon!

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Guest: John and Isabel (Pleasanton, CA.)
Date of Stay: 09/16/09 Review Submitted: 09/16/09

We had a very relaxing stay at DragonMist. Gary and Toni thought of every last detail, down to the designated marshmellow roasting skewers. We loved the place. The views are amazing! We'd love to come back. Gracias por todo.

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Guest: Terry, Kim, Katie and Trevor (El Dorado Hills, CA.)
Date of Stay: 09/16/09 Review Submitted: 09/16/09

We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the love and hospitality you've shown us. We've definitely grown as a family since we've been there. With the beautiful views, suggested beaches, shops, rec room and general majesty of the area, we feel that we've gotten everything we could ever hope for and more. Thanks again for making this trip a memorable one for our family that we are sure to never forget!

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Guest: Paul, Kari and Family (Folsom, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/16/09 Review Submitted: 09/16/09

Thank you for letting us stay here. We loved having a large rec room where we could all hang out and play pool, piano, and find out about fun, new board games. It was definitely a memorable vacation that all of us will remember for a long time to come! Thank you again for opening your beautiful home to us!

Owner response:We'd love to host your family again soon.

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Guest: Fred and Patricia (Austin, Texas)
Date of Stay: 09/16/09 Review Submitted: 09/16/09

Thank you for your hospitality and kindness. It made for a beautiful stay in a beautiful location. Thanks for the hiking suggestions and for telling the otters to come out and play. Tell the doggies we will miss them. All the best!

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Guest: Judy50 (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 09/16/09 Review Submitted: 09/16/09

Spectacular! Quiet, gorgeous view and all the amenities. Couldn't have asked for more. The place was perfect. Very grateful for all the treats. The ocean air was great for sound sleeping. The dahlias at the Botanical Gardens were beautiful. Thanks for everything.

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Guest: Joshua and Robynn (Walnut Creek, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/09/09 Review Submitted: 09/09/09

This is an amazing place! We are so glad you have shared it with us. Thank you for your kindness. Your recommendations and knowledge of this area helped make our stay so memorable. It was a heavenly place to stay and an equally amazing place to visit. Until next time!

Owner response:We'd love to host you and your family in the near future.

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Guest: kelly and adrian (San Jose, CA.)
Date of Stay: 09/04/09 Review Submitted: 09/04/09

We loved staying at DragonMist. The beds were incredibly comfortable, the views spectacular and Gary and Toni's hospitality exceptional.

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Guest: Sharon 6 (Costa Mesa, Ca)
Date of Stay: 07/20/09 Review Submitted: 07/20/09

If you want to rediscover yourself amidst the Great Sequoias, savor the beauty of coastal Northern California or simply ooze into the leather recliners while watching the whale migration---DragonMist is for you. Our secured guest house served as home base allowing us to take day trips to an assortment of adventuresome activities. Returning to the genuine warm hospitality provided by Gary & Toni proved that this is one of the friendliest places with a relaxed West Coast mentality. Do not pass on this wonderful abode. DragonMist creates memories that will last a lifetime.

Owner response:Thanks so much for your gracious comments. Come on back asap - there's a recliner with your name on it. Gary and Toni

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Guest: The Baxter Family (La Mesa, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/11/09 Review Submitted: 06/11/09

My family of four had a fantastic stay at Dragonmist. Our kids loved the recreation room and the tire swing. The ocean view is spectacular. The guest house was very thoughtfully equipped with everything we needed. The bed we slept in was so comfortable we went out and bought a new bed when we got home. Gary and Toni (the owners) were very helpful in suggesting activities in the area. We visited several local beaches and wineries. Highly recommend visiting Glass Beach with kids, they loved finding sea glass. Everything about our vacation was wonderful and the accommodations were superb. I can't wait to go back!

Owner response:Your family were fantastic guests! Can't wait for your next visit.

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Guest: The Christensens (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Date of Stay: 06/08/09 Review Submitted: 06/08/09

We loved our stay at Dragonmist! Thanks for everything you did to make our trip so special. We already miss the jacuzzi bathtub (need to get one of those...) We hope to come back again one day. p.s. thank you Gary for the great restaurant recommendation, we are still talking about "the best meal we've ever had"!!

Owner response:So glad you had such a good time here. Come back as soon as possible.

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Guest: Sanford & Megan (Alameda, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/26/09 Review Submitted: 05/26/09

We just want to say how beautiful this property is!! Gary and Toni are so gracious and made us feel right at home. The views and the walk to the bluff is gorgeous. The guest house is perfect for our family of 4 and still had plenty of room. Our children had a blast on the swing in the backyard. We enjoyed playing pool in the recreation room. We are blessed to have found such a wonderful secret, I hope others will find this property everything they hoped for and more. We will be back!! Thank you Gary and Toni!

Owner response:We look forward to your return visits. Thanks so much.

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Guest: Zelda Zuniga (Astoria)
Date of Stay: 05/25/09 Review Submitted: 05/25/09

I have been at Dragon's Mist several times now and absolutely love it! The oceans views and privacy are more than you could ask for and it makes you feel relaxed, special and at peace ( a real break from my hectic life.) For your Mendocino vacation, I highly recomend Dragon's Mist; very much worth it. The biggest challenge would be leaving daily to experience the area, be diigent if that's your plan; it beckons staying as long as possible :) . One early morning I happened to wake up before it got light and was greeted by the moon shimmering over the ocean, lighting up the dark blue of the night with a magical feel. This place is special. I highly recommend it....Thanks Toni and Gary!!! OH!....PS the hosts are great too!!

Owner response:Thanks so much Zelda. Look forward to seeing you soon.

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Guest: terri18 (santa rosa, ca)
Date of Stay: 05/18/09 Review Submitted: 05/18/09

I’m not sure I want to tell people about DragonMist Estate. As soon as it’s discovered it is going to be very popular, and getting a reservation may be a challenge. But the owners are so warm and friendly, and so enthusiastic about sharing their spectacular home that I am willing to take that chance.My husband and I stayed at DragonMist in April of 2009. As we walked up to the door, we were greeted by beautiful music coming from a speaker hidden among the flowers. What we like most about DragonMist Estate is...well...everything. It is as just as beautiful as the photos on the website, but pictures can't relay the atmosphere and amenities that are certain to send us back up there, time and time again. We stayed in the guest house, which is an extension of the main house, though with a separate entrance. The master bedroom and bathroom were large and beautifully appointed. The bed linens were silky-soft and the large bathtub with whirlpool jets was designed for leisurely soaking.The upstairs loft has two queen beds and a half bath, which make it private enough for two couples, or a family, to share the house. The entire guest house looks out over meandering meadows leading to the majestic coastline. We intend to come back up during whale watching season, and sit on the patio with a cup of morning coffee to enjoy our own private whale show.DragonMist is such a unique gem that it is difficult to do it justice in writing. There is so much right there: walking or hiking through the meadows and trees down to a bench on which to sit and watch the sunset; an amazing recreation room with more games than you could possibly play on a single weekend; 23 acres studded with chairs, a tree swing, a fire-pit, a large hot tub situated with a view of the ocean, and much more.Once we checked in and saw the beauty of DragonMist, we decided that we wanted to spend our entire weekend there...in the guest house, and exploring the grounds. So we stockpiled food for lunch and dinner, rented some old movies, and settled in for a cozy, lazy weekend in front of the fire. There is a stove and four-burner cook top, refrigerator and microwave, and a dining room table. Everything you need is right there and, trust me, you won’t want to leave!The gracious owners gave us a tour of the main house, which is available for rental. It would be a dramatic and thrilling place to have a wedding and reception—and the wedding party could stay on site, since the main ho

Owner response:We loved having Terri and her husband spend the weekend at the Guest House at DragonMist. Having such positive comments from a travel writer is very gratifying.

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