Vacation Rentals by Owner

Girls' Weekend Group

Guest: Linda (Calabasas)
Date of Stay: 03/16/12 Review Submitted: 04/08/12

I was at the girls' weekend as well! I've never been in a rental that feels so much like a home. The furniture, decor, linens, everything are top-notch. The kitchen has more appliances than mine. We got snowed in and had so much to do (loved watching movies in the big family room downstairs) we didn't even have a chance to play pool. Can't wait to go back and bring my family.

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

Girls Weekend Group

Guest: Suz (Hermosa Beach)
Date of Stay: 03/16/12 Review Submitted: 03/22/12

We planned a girls weekend and couldn't have picked a better place to stay. The cabin was beautiful! Views out the floor to ceiling living room windows absolutely stunning. So spacious! As there was a significant amount of snow that weekend, we spent a lot of time inside and made full use of everything from the beautiful fireplaces, to the kitchen that had absolutely everything we needed, to the great DVD player and wireless access. Would highly recommend

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

Perfect Vaction Home for Large Families

Guest: Chandra (Costa Mesa, Ca)
Date of Stay: 02/17/12 Review Submitted: 03/12/12

We recently stayed at this home, and had an absolutely great time. Our family has been taking an annual trip to Lake Arrowhead for the past 8 years, and we all agreed that this home was our favorite by far. The layout is perfect, and the view is beautiful. The main living area is spacious, yet cozy, and we loved having the pool table in the loft area above, enabling everyone to hang out together. The homeowner was also very accomodating and pleasant to work with. Again, we do a lot of research to decide on the right home for our family vacation, and this one was definitely a winner. We hope to be back next year!

Recommended for:Families with young children

Great house, Great lake view!

Guest: Lyn (Hollywood CA)
Date of Stay: 12/27/11 Review Submitted: 01/03/12

Firstly, let me say that the home owner is an excellent communicator. The web site for the house has any and all info you would ever need and when the few unanswered questions come up, the owner emails back with in hours, each and every time! Next, the house.....It's large and multi floored, which makes a big group able to split up and not be glued at the hip. The modern kitchen is well stocked and we spent a lot of time out on the brand new Trex deck- no splinters with those decks. One of the things that sold me on the house was the size of the dining room table, as I had a party of 13 and we all want to eat all 3 meals and snacks a day together! It seats 10 and there is a kitchen bar with a few stools right next to it and a darling kids table for 4 that was really useful. The outdoor table on the deck also is quite large and the kids table is so light you can move it outside in a moment. The technology is modern and great: internet, i pod hook up and huge flat screen TV. Last but not least, if there is no snow you can park on the frontage road right in front of the house and there are no steps. If there is snow, it is a little bit of a hike down some steps but it is a wide stair case with railing, so it felt safe. Long story short- I compared several homes and this one came out the winner and I feel we made the right choice. Perfect spot for a family reunion! Bravo!

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

Wonderful Family Christmas

Guest: Gena (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/23/11 Review Submitted: 01/03/12

Our extended family of 13 (10 adults & 3 young children - ranging in age from 2 to 79 years old) enjoyed a very Merry Christmas at this cabin! We really appreciated the fact that there was an amenity for everyone: toys/books/toddler bed for the youngest, 3 full bathrooms (any less would have been inconvenient), large TV/comfy couches for the movie watchers and video-gamers, iPod to sound system hookup which our senior family members used to listen to their golden oldie tunes while the younger folks went out; a new, clean, well-stocked kitchen that we had fun taking turns cooking in, etc., etc. This was by far the nicest cabin/vacation rental our family has stayed in. Some of us have stayed in depressing/musty rentals in the past, so this was a wonderful experience for a change! That view, of course, was the highlight of our stay; we spent most of our time hanging out at the huge dining table by the window or on the deck looking out at the view every chance we had. We really recommend looking at the website for the cabin to see all the details, including the floor plans. We had seniors with some mobility considerations, an active 2-year old, and a need to fix sleeping arrangements for 13 people, so we liked having all that information immediately on hand. The owner was terrific to work with, provided detailed information for our stay, and was readily available for any questions. We recommend a stay here!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

Our Special 2011 Thanksgiving Holiday week away.

Guest: Michael (Monrovia, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/19/11 Review Submitted: 01/22/12

For as long as I can remember, my wife and I have entertained our extended family at our home for Thanksgiving. This year we decided to break tradition and celebrate at a resort location. We decided on Lake Arrowhead. Breaking tradition to do something ordinary would be a waste so we wanted something very special. First we searched VRBO and found 5 listings that seemed perfect. We took some time off, went up to the lake and visited each only to come away very disappointed. Each great sounding description contrasted reality. Next we took another day at the lake with a local real estate agent who sent us all around the lake but each property defied its description. Back to VRBO where we found John’s (owner) Yellowstone listing. Another drive to the lake but this time with such a stark difference. We got out of the car walked onto the deck and were in love. We were like a young couple finding their first home – peering into each window seeing what we believed to be perfection. The views from the upper deck were stunning, then the lower deck, ditto. We had to have it. Contractually John was great to work with – never felt so comfortable with a perfect stranger. When our week began, it was just Susan and me for a few days. Cozy fireplaces, breathtaking views, great sunsets, comfortable master suite and every inch of the home was so well organized, it felt like home only with lake views. John left us a complete write up on what to do and where to go. We had passes to the beach club and for hiking trail access. His recommendations were right on target. Never felt so comfortable and relaxed. Then the storm hit – that would be our daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren; now we were a dozen instead of two. The accommodations were perfect. Each family had its own space yet when it came time for our Thanksgiving dinner the kitchen was easy to cook in and we all fit comfortably at the dining room table – and did I mention dinner with a lake view. Our normally bored grandchildren had plenty to do and even enjoyed “staying in” taking advantage of the great entertainment room with its own fireplace. We can’t wait to find an excuse to get back to our second home on Yellowstone.

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

Great weekend away

Guest: PC (Downey, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/12/11 Review Submitted: 08/16/11

Had a wonderful time with our extended family. Even though there were ten of us, the house was so roomy it didn't feel crowded at all. Everything one needs is provided. In fact, one person in our party said that there was no need to leave the house, especially with a gorgeous view of the lake during the day and of the moon at night. But, if you wanted to leave the house, the village and beach is close by.

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

You'll be planning your next visit before the first is over

Guest: ~kevin (Bakersfield, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/04/11 Review Submitted: 02/16/11

We loved this house. We had eight adults and five kids and plenty of room for everyone. The home is well taken care of, and has all the amenities you need for a nice stay. Just a few minutes from the shops and restaurants in the Village and in Blue Jay, it has a secluded feeling, without being too far from anything you need or want to do. AND the views are amazing from "the sunny side" of the lake. We highly recommend booking this house for your stay. Unless of course it is on a day we want it. :-) Thanks so much!

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

Retreat at Lake Arrowhead

Guest: Josh (Rowland Heights, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/28/11 Review Submitted: 02/05/11

We stayed this wonderful house for young adult retreat over the weekend. We enjoyed everything this housed offered. Media room was awesome for small group like us. Views from this house is so beautilful in the monrning and sunset. We recommend this house for everyone.

Recommended for:Families with young children

Peaceful and spectacular lake views

Guest: kim (ojai, ca)
Date of Stay: 12/14/10 Review Submitted: 01/05/11

My husband and I had a wonderful two weeks here over the winter holidays. The views from all levels are spectacular and the tri-level house is roomy for a crowd. It just feels good. The owner is delightful to work with and I would not hesitate to re-book in the future.

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

Great Fall Escape

Guest: jschatt (san diego)
Date of Stay: 10/15/10 Review Submitted: 10/18/10

Just came back from a wonderful weekend up in Lake Arrowhead. We were fortunate enough to stumble on this great family retreat rental. The house was very comfortable and plenty of room for the 8 adults in our party. With plenty to do in the surrounding area, we were very tempted to stay put and enjoy the great view from the terrace. All rooms were clean and comfortable. The kitchen was better then mine at home and was awesome to cook in. I will definitely come back.

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

Great time at the lake

Guest: Russian (Los Angeles CA)
Date of Stay: 09/03/10 Review Submitted: 09/13/10

We were very fortunate to spend Labor Day weekend in this wonderful house. The lake view was breathtaking. Sunrises and sunsets were gorgeous. House was very spaceous, and had all accomodations you may want. It even had a fondu! Our children enjoyed large TV, darts, lots of games and toys - not to mention a pool table with the view. We made a good use of the music and stereo system with our iPod. The dinner table was so-o-o huge, 12 people could comfortable sit there. It is not your typical rental house, very cosy and personalized, everything new and works. We felt at home there.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

Summer at the Lake - July/August 2010

Guest: Lorraine (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/30/10 Review Submitted: 08/04/10

My husband and I have been to Lake Arrowhead a number of times over the years. We live 2 hours away, so sometimes we go up just for the day. We recently stayed at a friend's cabin a few nights, and the Lake Arrowhead Resort for one night; we've also rented a lakefront house & dock for a family vacation which was great but quite pricey. I want to say, though, that our vacation at this house was wonderful! It had all the room and amenities we wanted, and the view and peace that we needed. We had perfect weather. In fact, it was so sunny that we appreciated the 2nd (lower) deck for reading, as it was shaded. If you rent, be sure you use the owners' beach pass and go to the Tavern Bay Beach Club which is great for families especially. (renting elsewhere may not provide these passes as they cost the homeowner $) The club has a sandy beach, food concession, picnic tables, grassy areas, and play equipment. From this beach club (or elsewhere) you can stroll the edge of the lake on the easy path, looking at all the fabulous homes and boat docks along the way. Again, this is only permitted if you have the member passes. Lake Arrowhead Village has many things to do from the little train that takes kids for rides to the outdoor concerts on Friday & Saturday nights in the summer to the outlet shops to the narrated tour on the Arrowhead Queen paddlewheeler. Feed the ducks, learn to waterski, or just take in the natural beauty of the area. This house will be a great home base for whatever brings you to "the mountain." Be warned that some houses that are closer to the main roads are noisy. This home is peaceful, but still convenient.

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

Weekend Getaway in Arrowhead

Guest: Arastu (Lorton, VA)
Date of Stay: 07/16/10 Review Submitted: 08/01/10

We had a small weekend getaway with my family, my parents and my sister's family during the 7/16 weekend. I was a little apprehensive at first, finding this place on the internet and making all of the arrangements from Virginia. However, John was very responsive with answers and information. The house was exactly as described, and was very clean and well maintained. The view from the deck is breathtaking!

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

View is even better than the pictures show!

Guest: Mick (Northern California)
Date of Stay: 07/03/10 Review Submitted: 07/24/10

Wow....that was the first words out of our mouths. What a great view. We had an incredible time in the home and it had everything we needed to make our family reunion a success! I HIGHLY encourage anyone who has the opportunity to stay here to do so. The Owner, John, was also great. He had the inside scoop on where to go, what to do and we really appreciated all he did for us.

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

Wonderful, relaxing family retreat

Guest: SherpaTat (Encinitas, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/02/10 Review Submitted: 07/02/10

This cabin is wonderful! the views of the lake are stunning, and you can see it from most of the house. It is an amazing place for a family with children. Our kids played and slept in the huge downstairs area most of the time. Then we all enjoyed meals together on the enormous dining room table. The kitchen is brand new with everything you need to cook. We had a great time there and hope to return again!

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

Beautiful View with Lots of Room

Guest: Sara B. (Lake Forest, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/25/10 Review Submitted: 07/31/10

We had a fun family vacation at your home. The view was incredible! The house had a very nice lay out with a big family room for late night movies and a large living room for spreading out. We very much enjoyed the beach club and close proximity to stores and restaurants. The kitchen was beautiful and we were able to enjoy big family dinners at the huge dining table. Having rented so many houses on vrbo, your extensive list of area attractions, restaurants, etc. really set you apart. Thanks very much and we hope to be able to rent your home this winter or next summer!

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View! View! View! Location! Location! Location! Amazing Cabin

Guest: Heno (Glendale, Ca)
Date of Stay: 06/18/10 Review Submitted: 06/21/10

Great location, Amazing view of the lake and mountains. Had a great time, 5 min to the beach area to take the kids, less then 10min to the shops. Very clean cabin, family and kids had a great time. Well are planning to come return in the near future. June/2010

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

Guest: Santos Aviles (Los Angeles, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/11/10 Review Submitted: 02/10/10

All the reviews here are right on! John is definitely a pleasure to deal with and he inspires confidence in the process, with great communication along the way. After driving a couple of hours through rain, fog and snow, we finally made it to the cabin and what a pleasant surprise! The house is huge and was already warm when we arrived. Immediately we turned on the gas fireplace (how convenient and romantic), it has two by the way! The storm continued outside but we could not be warmer and happier inside. The new kitchen with a huge table was a major plus, with an additional kids table (cute!). We played the Wii Beatles Rock Band on the big flat screen TV until one or two in the morning. After every one went to bed, I stayed up a little longer to enjoy the fireplace while the pines full of snow were swaying back and forth and you could hear the wind howl from time to time. I could not have imagined a more romantic experience. Begrudgingly, we left at the end of our stay but the memories will stay with us plus we are sure to come back!! Live a little. :)

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A Perfect Mountain Retreat

Guest: Jen (San Clemente, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/30/10 Review Submitted: 06/18/10

There is nothing like a steaming cup of morning coffee on the deck of this beautiful and welcoming cabin. The views of the lake are amazing, and the home is nicely decorated, cozy and inviting. A master suite, a pool table, an updated kitchen, a kids bunk room and a spacious tv/playroom downstairs all make for a perfect mountain retreat for families, as well as adults on a grownups-only getaway.

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

Guest: Maria Ramirez (Los Angeles CA)
Date of Stay: 01/21/10 Review Submitted: 01/21/10

We had the pleasure of staying at John's House this passed weekend. We had a full house of family and there was more than plenty of space fo all of us. The pictures on the website do not do the house justice. I especially loved the HUGE table. It gave us the opportunity to all sit down and enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner together. In the evening we used it to sit around and play cards. Great place for some genuine family time. Thank You John...this has added to our family memories!

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Guest: Jonathan Shoucair (North Hills, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/11/09 Review Submitted: 12/11/09

The cabin was lovely and we enjoyed our time tremendously. Every thing was available to us and John was an exceptional host. He sent us a lengthy E-Mail outlining all the different activities , shops, dinning establishments that were available to us. We will definetly rteturn for the time we spent at John's cabin was quality family time. Thanks John.

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Guest: Scott83 (Redondo Beach, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/03/09 Review Submitted: 12/03/09

We had a wonderful time. The owner was great to work with and very accommodating. Very clean and new kitchen was great for cooking. Young children / toddler friendly: with small table and plastic ware for them. Great room downstairs for them to play in.

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Guest: R (Los Angeles)
Date of Stay: 08/19/09 Review Submitted: 08/19/09

The house was clean and exactly as described. The views were beautiful and we had everything we needed, linens, dishes, cookware, etc. for a wonderful time. I highly recommend this property and the landlord was a pleasure to work with.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/18/09 Review Submitted: 08/18/09

This cabin exceeded our expectations. Great space, spectacular view, excellent furnishings, terrific kitchen and amenities. We wanted it to be our home! We had a wonderful, memorable weekend and look forward to renting it again.

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Guest: Steven17 (Budapest, Hungary)
Date of Stay: 07/24/09 Review Submitted: 07/24/09

Nice view, plenty of room, fair rate. I'll try to rent it again if I come to California.

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Guest: Diane 4 (Watsonville, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/23/09 Review Submitted: 07/23/09

Great home!! We needed a place to stay to attend a wedding in Twin Peaks. We had 2 families and there was plenty of room for all of us! We had fun at the lake on Friday afternoon, and the house was convenient to the wedding location for Saturday. Great view and amenities!!

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Guest: Evan Owens (santa monica, ca)
Date of Stay: 07/13/09 Review Submitted: 07/13/09

Just returned from a weekend reunion with my college mates and we couldn't have a better experience. The Darlington's house is outstanding and I'd say we spent the better part of each day relaxing on the giant balcony overlooking the lake. In 2 hours I can escape from LA and be up in this pristine wilderness. We swam in the lake, took hikes along the Pacific Crest Trail and enjoyed the festivities in Lake Arrowhead Village. Thanks again for a magical weekend. Best, Evan

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Fantastic family get-a-way...

Guest: heybakes (Carlsbad, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/02/09 Review Submitted: 06/20/10

Great location for a relaxing family retreat. Nestled in the hillside overlooking beautiful views of Lake Arrowhead, we have enjoyed this spacious cabin and plan to return again with friends and family

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

Guest: david54 (Fullerton, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/02/09 Review Submitted: 04/02/09

Amazing home. You will not be disappointed!! More comfortable than being at home! GREAT for young kids, furniture was clean, new kitchen and comfortable bedrooms far exceeded our expectations. Pictures don't do justice! And the view was gorgeous! And sometimes these experiences also depend on the owner - this owner was extremely kind and helpful. Definitely coming back!

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Guest: George22 (Los Angeles, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/24/09 Review Submitted: 03/24/09

We had a fantastic time at the cabin! Incredible views, great layout, and tons of extras. Pleasantly surprised with the entertainment room and huge wrap around porch. I am already planning my next trip back!

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