Vacation Rentals by Owner

Relaxing Retreat!!

Guest: Robin (Lakeside)
Date of Stay: 02/11/12 Review Submitted: 02/14/12

We truly enjoyed our visit to Borrego Springs.Our family had a wonderful time together in this lovely home. The beautiful views and high ceilings in the Great Room added to the comfort of our stay. The views of the stars and listening to my grandson,sons and husband playing music around the campfire while enjoying the jacuzzi will always be a treasured memory. We are so glad and thankful we stayed at "The Ranch". Sincerely, Tom and Robin and Family Feb.2012

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

Very fine visit to Borrego Springs

Guest: Carla (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/31/11 Review Submitted: 01/15/12

This is a lovely home, and we really enjoyed our stay. The kitchen is fully equipped, the bedrooms comfortable, the main room spacious and with lovely views from all windows. The hot tub is a nice luxury. In the instructions, perhaps the owner could indicate that the wireless router is in the 3rd bedroom; it had been unplugged and it took us until the last day to find it and plug it back in again!

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

Wonderful for a family X-mas

Guest: Sarah (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/22/11 Review Submitted: 01/09/12

We enjoyed spending X-mas at the Ranch with 5 adults and two children. The house is nicer than depicted in the pictures. The design is open and light. We had lovely views from the great room. It was clean and well equipped and location close enough to town for the convenience of dinner out but far enough away so it felt very quiet and "away from it all". We enjoyed roasting marshmallows outside and watching the stars from the hot tub. We also liked the large family table. Richard was very helpful and responsive when we had questions. It was a wonderful place & great experience.

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

A good choice for Anza Borrego

Guest: Mary (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 04/21/11 Review Submitted: 05/03/11

We would recommend WindGodBird as a place to stay while visiting Anza Borrego. The location a bit outside of town allows for sweeping views, and the house is well situated and laid out to take advantage of them. It's also convenient as a starting point to explore the park in all directions. Rooms are spacious and everything is nice and clean. Interior design is very pleasing. For birders, the visitor center was an excellent spot for migrant warblers and orioles in late April. Popular as Palm Canyon is, it was the one place we saw desert bighorn sheep (it helped to have very good binoculars). We failed to find a restaurant that we really liked, but we didn't really care. It's the desert: Pack a windbreaker and a hat that will stay on your head.

Owner response:Thanks for staying with us.

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

Comfortable home in the desert

Guest: Sam (rural N. California)
Date of Stay: 04/07/11 Review Submitted: 04/20/11

Spacious, with high ceilings and a natural, desert-dwelling feel. The hot tub at sun-up made it like an oasis, with birds calling and native landscaping in bloom when we visited in April. Well maintained, clean and well equipped, comfortably furnished in a style appropriate for the western desert. Ready access to town as well as a rural bike ride or just a walk across the landscape.

Owner response:So glad you enjoyed our desert house.

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

Great house in the desert

Guest: Chuck (Thetford, Vermont)
Date of Stay: 04/04/11 Review Submitted: 04/08/11

I've stayed in many VRBO houses and this one is certainly near the top of the list. It was clean, comfortable, very well equipped, well located, and quiet. The VRBO listing was very accurate. An initial problem with the internet were rapidly solved when the owner called a neighbor and asked that the wireless router be rebooted. We had a great time at Anza Borrego and will definitely try to stay here next time we go to Anza Borrego.

Owner response:Chuck, thanks for staying at our desert house.

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

A Star in a Dark Sky City

Guest: Tek's Human (Burr Ridge, Illinois)
Date of Stay: 02/13/11 Review Submitted: 02/28/11

We stayed at Richard's property for the last two weeks of February. The house is comfortable, clean, and accurately reflects the photos. Beds and bathrooms are spacious and tastefully decorated. The kitchen is very well equipped and the appliances are high quality. Richard was helpful and answered all my questions. There are many reasons to visit Borrego Springs, but the number one reason is the desert. Most of the windows face east and west--desert light radiates into the home. Desert landscaping helps make the home one with its surroundings. Antelope squirrels, desert bunnies, and small lizards made regular appearances. White crowned sparrows, verdin, house finch, common raven and cactus wrens made daily visits. Costa's hummingbirds zipped in and out around the patio. One morning a great egret sat atop the garage! The house is a perfect base for exploring the park.

Owner response:I couldn't have said it any better. Thank you for this kind review.

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

Just what we were looking for

Guest: B&E (Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 01/06/11 Review Submitted: 01/16/11

Visiting relatives in Borrego, we were looking for a place that would allow us to relax during the "non-visiting" hours. From the 3-bedrooms, to the nice living room, to the hot tub, to the somewhat remote location (a few miles out of "town") with amazing star-gazing, to Richard's helpful correspondence, this property was perfect for us. We give this property an excellent review, and would definitely return.

Owner response:Only a few minutes drive to most of the golf greens and to the center of our small town.

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

A gem of a discovery!

Guest: Desert Lover (Canada)
Date of Stay: 11/29/10 Review Submitted: 12/21/10

There are lots of things we’ll have to come back for. We need to explore the park and badlands and see more of the statues. This house was perfect for us and I loved the Wright influence! Thank you, Richard, for offering this to people. It was a great discovery for us and we will be back. Especially since we hear that they have 2 ½ feet of snow back home.

Owner response:For sure come back and let your Canadian friends know where we are. Our winter temp is in the 60 to 70's from Nov to April. Best time is March for the flower bloom.

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

Wonderful home

Guest: Manny1 (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/11/10 Review Submitted: 12/21/10

Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us. We feel relaxed and rejuvenated (and wish we could stay longer). This was a wonderful way for my Marine to spend Veterans Day! I plan on contacting you real soon to arrange another stay.

Owner response:Veterans Day is a special day for me too. U.S. Army Cobra Team, Ben Hoa, RVN 1968-69. All veterans and military will receive special guest treatment here. Member of the American Legion Post 853 Borrego Springs.

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

15th Annual Girls Trip

Guest: Kiko the organizer (Escondido, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/07/10 Review Submitted: 10/13/10

This is the 2nd year that we have stayed at this house. The Owner, Richard has got to be the most accomodating owner that I have come across. He makes sure that his renters are 100% satisfied. He goes above and beyond each time. We love the floor plan, the jacuzzi, the views, and how peaceful and quiet it is. It's definitely a MUST go to place AND you can't beat the price!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful home Borrego Springs

Guest: Elizabeth (Fremont Ca)
Date of Stay: 09/15/10 Review Submitted: 09/26/10

This is a wonderful home with fine architectural details. Located in a quiet neighborhood, perfect place to stay for a couple, or a family to enjoy a quiet vacation. Clean and comfortable. Beautiful views. We hope to return in the spring. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home. Ken and Elizabeth

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

WOW!

Guest: Larry and Shirley (San Diego, CA )
Date of Stay: 05/01/10 Review Submitted: 05/04/10

As we went through the house, we just kept saying WOW! all the doors and windows give it such a special effect. We enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere so much, we didn't leave the house. The jacuzzi was an extra special enjoyment. The stars and moon were amazing the two nights we were there. We will deifinetly be back. Thank you Richard for offering such an enjoyable rental property.

Owner response:It is a very special house, thanks for coming and comeback soon.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

A Great Escape (Dan V)

Guest: DanVan (Oceanside, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/29/10 Review Submitted: 05/07/10

What a great house. It is very spacious, comfortable and a fun atmosphere for a weekend away. The spa was well worth the $25! Richard was very easy to work with and even made a very last minute stay work out for the best. It was was a great weekend. This was my first time using VRBO and it was excellent. Thanks!

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

Guest: Joyce & Rod Howard (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/19/10 Review Submitted: 03/19/10

More happy travelers who just stayed at Richard's Rancho Borrego guest house. A lot of nice touches have gone into making this the perfect vacation rental. Hopefully we will get another chance to stay again in the future.

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Spring in Borrego Valley

Guest: Birdrr (Fairfax, VA, USA)
Date of Stay: 03/16/10 Review Submitted: 03/30/10

I had a comfortable & relaxing stay at this place: The design was inspired by a Frank Lloyd Wright home and is very interesting ... tall ceilings, lots of light from high up windows, ceiling fans. Wish I had spent more time in the kitchen. But good local restaurants (Assaggio's at the airport is my favorite) trumped any attempts at home cooking. I would be hard pressed to suggest anything that Richard could do to improve the experience. wes

Owner response:Thanks for the review.

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

Good Value

Guest: Sonoran Blue (Tucson, AZ, USA)
Date of Stay: 03/12/10 Review Submitted: 03/26/10

Our group of four (one couple and two singles) found the property to be comfortable and a good value for the Borrego Springs area. Our focus was the natural history of the area. Consequently we were gone during the day and did not spend a great deal of time in the house. The kitchen was well stocked. Also, the view of the stars from the hot tub was exceptional. We would definitely use this rental again. The owner was most helpful in all our dealings.

Owner response:Thanks

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

Guest: Renee Auradou (Santee, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/24/10 Review Submitted: 02/24/10

Had a fantastic time in your house. It was even better then I expected. The pictures don't do it justice. We were simply looking for a place to sleep and eat and we ended up staying in a beautiful house and it added so much to the memories we made while enjoying a weekend in the desert. The kitchen was great with lots of cooking supplies, the beds were comfy, the jucuzzi was amazing. Couldn't have asked for anything more! I hope you'll allow us to stay in your home again!

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Guest: Jayne & Dave Moulton (Poway, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/20/10 Review Submitted: 02/20/10

We looked high & low for a quiet, serene vacation place in Borrego Springs; we found it at Helm's Ranch. This place welcomes small children & pet. Reasonably price. Awesome view of the mountains. The evening stars are amazingly beautiful. A++ from a PUSD teacher. Morning bird chirping. Great desert flowers ... ocotillo, brittle bush in bloom, barrel cactus from UCCE SD Master Gardener '05. Petrified wood for fossil buffs.

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Guest: Rachel and Family1 (Orange,CA)
Date of Stay: 02/04/10 Review Submitted: 02/04/10

Thank you Rich, for a wonderful time!! What a nice place this was to stay and feel at home. The pictures of the home didn't do it justice as we entered the beautiful doorway to a cozy and nicely furnished place. In the morning, you wake up to preparing breakfast in a beautiful kitchen with nice pantry doors. Also, in the evening, walking out the back door of the porch to the desert's infinite stars are breathtaking. We wish we would have used the hot tub after taking quite a trek on the trail. The fascinating sculptures close by the home are worth discovering. The next time we visit Borrego Springs we look forward with anticipation to rent this inexpensive and beautiful home again!! Thank you; we enjoyed our visit!!! Sincerely and best regards, Stingley and Nauss family members

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Guest: bacsiba (Cape Cod MA)
Date of Stay: 02/01/10 Review Submitted: 02/01/10

What a great find! The house and all it's amenities was just perfect! Richard Heim was easily available for any questions or help. We were eager to be in Borrego Springs area to hike and enjoy nature and staying at ranchoborego made it exceptional!

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Guest: Steve Coen (3414 Knollwood Road)
Date of Stay: 12/28/09 Review Submitted: 12/28/09

The property was wonderful - size, setting, amenities, location. A very comfortable stay, enjoyed tremendously. The hot tub was fantastic, and the stars amazing. There was more in the kitchen than anticipated, which was a plus. We didn't realize there were sculptures around there, so hadn't planned to spend time hiking in our "own" backyard! If you visit, be sure to check them out. We had a little trouble with the door code, but a call to Richard took immediate care of it. Also, the hot water heater wasn't turned up, but we were able to handle that ourselves, once we realized it. We will probably be back next time we head that way.

Owner response:When someone has a problem, we try to take care of it immediately. It is important to read our information sheet before coming out. That sheet has instructions on opening and locking the front door. Also, the hot tub must be turned up by the guest to the desired temperature. It should be in the low 90's upon arrival, if the hot tub option is purchased. Enjoy.

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Guest: Marls (San Diego, CA.)
Date of Stay: 10/30/09 Review Submitted: 10/30/09

Comment Text: The house was absolutely wonderful. Very comfortable and homey. The location is just far enough and close enough to all. Loved the walks out to the sculpture across the street. We had a wonderful time and would definitely come back again. I highly recommend a stay at this house. Thank you Richard for making our family reunion so pleasant.

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Girls Trip 14

Guest: Kiko the organizer (Escondido, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/08/09 Review Submitted: 10/12/09

We had a wonderful time at this home. The owner bent over backwards to provide us with everything that we needed to make our stay most comfortable. The house is a great layout. We would definitely come back and stay at this house again. Thank you!

Recommended for:Girls getaway

Guest: Tolga & Serpil Yazar (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/06/09 Review Submitted: 05/06/09

This was our first time renting a house. After staying at Heim's Rancho Borrego our standards are raised so much that we may not like any other house we rent in the future. Very clean, stylish, comfortable, in convenient location and not to forget affordable compared to other places you will find in the area. Highly recommended.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/10/09

We enjoyed a fantastic stay at Heim's Rancho Borrego! It's a wonderful property and was perfect for the three nights we spent in the area. Brilliant value for money when compared to hotel prices, especially when fully occupied. We wouldn't normally have been able to afford to stay in a property this size but the discount for just using one bedroom was a great advantage. We would definitely stay here again if our travels bring us back in that direction!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/06/09

What a perfect location for seeing everything in this area. The home is modern, clean and COMFY beds. Saw 9 species of birds from the back deck. I hope this home is available next time we visit. Thank you Richard!!

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Home away from home

Guest: Bob and Janet (Los Angeles)
Date of Stay: 03/08/09 Review Submitted: 03/21/09

We stayed there 5 nights in mid-March and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a lovely house and better than we anticipated. Very comfortable and quiet...unless the wind is blowing. It was windy the first night and that made it difficult to sleep, but once the wind died down, I slept like a baby. Looking back at the pictures of the house on the website, it's like looking at home. :-) It was a great deal and we'd love to have the opportunity to stay there again.

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

Guest: Owner - Richard Heim
Date of Stay: 03/02/09 Review Submitted: 03/01/09

Just wanted to thank all of you who have stayed here and those of you who have left your comments. I built this house in 2003/4. My wife and I always enjoy spending a few days here when we both have the time. We have no plans to sell this home, so it should be available for many more years as a great getaway place. Hope you enjoy it as much as we have had and come back soon. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years are special times out here. Don't for the wildflower season!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/24/09

An outstanding rental and price that can't be beat. It is the best vacation rental we've ever had and will be our number one choice for availability along with Richard's other home in Borrego Springs on our next trip back. I just hope there is an opening for future visits. A very smooth, easy, and timely transaction dealing with Richard with nothing left unanswered. It was great to get the chance to meet him too and get a tour of his other rental across the street, which also is a fantastic place. The Borrego Springs area speaks for itself but I hope anyone considering a trip here will consider either of his homes. You won't be disappointed. Thanks again, Richard!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/08/09

This is a wonderful house, luxury in the dessert. Even better than it looks in the photos. We came from canada for a week and anyone doing the same should consider this accommodation. Is fully equipped with all mod cons and so much better value than a hotel. The owners are really helpful and easy going. Step out of the front door into the park and out the back door to your own private hot tub. Can't say enough good things about it.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/04/09

We've been using VRBO for our vacationing needs for some time. This home was by far the best ever.The owner has paid attention to every detail for your needs and the home is very comfortable,besides being amazing.We completely enjoyed our stay and will be coming back soon!Thanks!

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A gem in the desert

Guest: Maimu (Bainbridge Island Wa)
Date of Stay: 02/10/09 Review Submitted: 03/02/09

We loved this house - the wrap around views from the living room (with French door windows on both sides) set the tone for our stay - one of relaxation and desert beauty. The kitchen was so well stocked, the master bedroom was extremely comfortable, as was the spacious bath, and we were able to sit in the sunset a few days on the front veranda. The owner was especially gracious and if we travel for a winter break again in Borrego this will be our destination.

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

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/01/09 Review Submitted: 02/27/09

We had a wonderful 4 nights at this comfy and beautiful home. The quiet was a refuge from the busy city life and the stars were amazing. At night the stars were as if you could touch them. This is a home away from home. A great place to stay. Don't forget to hike places like Slot Canyon and Plum Canyon. The wild flowers were blooming! Can't wait to visit again.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/01/09 Review Submitted: 02/23/09

My husband and I loved our weekend visit! The house was absolutely gorgeous and comfortable inside; the pictures don’t do it justice. The owners were a pleasure to work with – very friendly and helpful. And the town surpassed our expectations with great people, fun activities, and a relaxed atmosphere. We’ll definitely be back, maybe with a few friends next time. Thanks for a perfect weekend!!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/01/09 Review Submitted: 02/12/09

2 Families spent the weekend at the Ranch house. What a great house! We watched movies, played games, went on hikes. At night we would watch the sunset and go on walks. The perfect, fun, relaxing weekend. A great place to stay!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/01/09 Review Submitted: 02/10/09

Our family spent 3 nights in this home. The weather was very stormy and as advertised, snow on the mountain tops and rain downpours with brilliant rainbows. We were able to rest with games, movies, fire in the fireplace and jacuzzi time in the stormy weather. We enjoyed looking out the windows to see the bird sculpture. The home is much nicer than the photos can show with feather pillows and showers with white stone work to name a few of the special perks. The Palm Canyon hike was spectacular and we saw 6 bighorn sheep! We went golfing at Borrego Springs Resort and were one of the only people on the course. Our trip was peaceful and the only regret was not being able to explore more of the state park.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/09 Review Submitted: 01/30/09

We just spent 5 great nights at this wonderful property! We hadn't traveled to this area before, but would go back there just to stay at this lovely house! No kidding! It's even better than it looks in the photos. Very cozy, very relaxing, and the value is amazing.

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