A Quaint Comfortable Bay View Home Between Sf & Wine Country
- Minimum stay:3 nights
- Internet:Yes
- Pets allowed:No
- Wheel chair accessible:No
This comfortable turn-of-the-century home has year round breathtaking views. Located an easy 33 mile drive to downtown San Francisco, and 20 minutes from Berkeley, Port Costa is where SF Bay meets the Carquinez Straits. Guests may relax in the expansive sun room with wrap around windows and watch a parade of water traffic below and California rolling hills surrounding. Port Costa locals kayak and fish. Benecia Yacht Club across the Bay attracts weekly Thursday sailboat regattas in season. Small fishing boats & pleasure craft meander and pairs of tugboats, guide large sea going vessels arriving from across the Pacific entering SF Bay on their way up to the Delta and the Sacramento River.
House decor is quaint and comfy. World War II family memorabilia, pioneer photos, an antique radio collection, eclectic library and folk art momentos from around the world are yours to enjoy. The large view deck with lots of seating and a gazebo is where guests spend warmd days, when not sightseeing in SF or the Wine country. BBQ and ambient night lighting extend hourss of enjoyment. Weekend evenings, guests may dine in town at one of two Port Costa restaurants and find gourmet coffee and southern style breakfast treats at the Honeyhouse from early morning to afternoon.
The hilltop home is at the end of a narrow single lane country drive with easy guest parking.House borders East Bay Regional Park with many trails and is situated next to open space. Port Costa is a tiny village on the bay, just off Carquinez Scenic Drive, a long time & legendary Bay Area “get away”. Weekends you may notice visiting water colorists, bird watchers and cycle clubs.
Population is only 180 last census, but Port Costa boasts two unique bars and restaurants, circa 1890, a post office and Barbary Coast style buildings, a famous antique emporium, our historic restored school, used for area art exhibits, social and sporting events, particularly bicycle clubs.
A short bike ride or 2 minute car drive or 1/2 hour hike away at Eckley’s Pier, you can fish (with no license required), picnic & hike from this small secluded Coastline Park. Port Costa is 30 minutes from Downtown Napa for an easy drive on a day trip to the Wine Country. Drive averages 25 minutes to Oakland International Airport. Best of all it is only 3e miles to downtown San Francisco tho drive time dependis on day of week and time of day. (Height of commute time can make the drive an hour or more . Pac Bell park events can make it longer.) Take a wonderful 90 minute ferry boat ride across the bay to SF from Vallejo, right across the scenic Zampa bridge( which delivers you to the ball park sans traffic suffering). Ferry is a fine way to see the SF bay and get to the city from Port Costa. Don't want to park in SF? Who would! Take Bart to central points in SF from quiter safer Port Chicago 18 miles or Del Norte Bart station @15 miles, both about 20 minutes from Port Costa.
Enjoy a well equipped full kitchen with a sunny expandable table, perfect for breakfast. Plenty of nice china, glasses & flatware . Large sunny laundry room with washer, laundry soap, dryer,iron & ironing board.
Advise stopping at Trader Joe's on your way to Port Costa from either San Francisco or Oakland Airport Take the Pinole Valley Road exit and go right. Other local grocery shopping is 12 minutes away, either through Crockett to blue collar town of Rodeo,off Hwy 80, or 15 minutes, past Port Costa's lake, up McEwen Road to Hwy 4 and shop in Martinez, Concord. A few miles beyond is upper crust Walnut Creek for Whole Foods & mall shopping.
During the 50 years our parents lived here this house was often filled with appreciative and happy guests. Continuing a gracious tradition we hope you come and then come back again.
Keywords: House
Property Type
- 1 story
- House
- 1400 sq. ft.
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Meals
- Guests Provide Their Own Meals
Suitability
- Pets Not Allowed
- Long-Term Renters Welcome
Bedrooms
- 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6, Beds for 4-6
- Bedroom 1
- Bedroom 2
- Convertible bed(s)
Bathrooms
- 1.0 Bathrooms
- Bathroom 1
Kitchen & Dining
- Toaster
Amenities
- Hair Dryer
- Iron & Board
Other Amenities
Entertainment
- VCR
- CD Player
- DVD Player
Communications
Outdoor Features
- Outdoor Grill
Location & View
Activities
- Theme Parks
- Golf
- Sailing
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
- Basketball Court
- Tennis
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Sight Seeing
- Boating
- Shopping
- Horseback Riding
- Antiquing
- Restaurants
- Zoo
- Museums
- Jet Skiing
- Wind-Surfing
Other Activities
Reviews
Write a review-
Better than a home away from home!
Better than a home away from home!
- Guest Restored 2
- Date of stay 09/24/09
- Review Submitted 11/08/09
What can I say about this place! It was just as peaceful & charming as described. Victoria & Sonny (the owners) could not have been nicer, more genuine people. I did not want for anything. Although my purpose for being in the area was work-related my 4-week stay in Port Costa left me more relaxed & rested than I've been in a long time. The view from the sunroom (day & night) was incredible and with the aid of binoculars provided by the hosts I had fun watching the various ways people have fun on the water. I could've stayed here forever... I recommend this "home away from home" to anyone looking for a clean, well-maintained, perfectly located, beautiful spot to fall. By the way, the bed was the most comfortable bed I have EVER slept on!!Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children, girls getaway.
Owner response: This guest really took advantage of the restorative energy of both house and all the views which we were so happy to hear about.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5
-
Secluded Historic Town
Secluded Historic Town
- Guest Astrid J.
- Date of stay 04/08/13
- Review Submitted 04/26/13
We thoroughly enjoyed it, - spent many times on the porch watching over Carquinez Strait. The house has a view of the waters from both sides, front and back. Post Costa is a secluded, private community and at night has just enough porch lights to see the light sparkles around on the remote shores, very peaceful. In April, gardens were carrying the many scents of a California spring. We did guessing games about the cows, on which areas of the hills they would retreat for tonight and about the load of the ships leaving the harbor on the remote shore or waiting for clearance. This hilltop house is the perfect retreat after a busy day in the Bay Area. You will want to change your plans and stay right there for the rest of your vacation. The house itself has lots of interesting things to explore about times past, - books and photos about Port Costa and Californian history. Not to mention it has been a pleasure to know Victoria, the owner, who has been straightforward and punctual in all dealings, from reservation to supplying us with plenty of directions for road, travel and shopping. We hope to come again.Owner response: Thanks so much, not only for writing a great review, but for really observing and getting the most from the dear old place. I do hope you find your way back again in the not too distant future. I enjoyed meeting the entire family and having you as our guests.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
-
Relaxation and Peace!
Relaxation and Peace!
- Guest Marcia
- Date of stay 04/04/13
- Review Submitted 04/14/13
Our stay was delightful. Victoria was wonderful to work with all through the rental and arrival process. We visited the area in light of our oldest daughter's high school graduation in South Dakota. We desired to take a trip before she headed off to college. The home was bright, well stocked for cooking, and the views are breathtaking. It was so great to return to peace after being in the city. Our favorite place in the house was overlooking the water and seeing all of the green pastures. Thank you for everything! We were able to rest and relax during our stay in Port Costa and make memories that will last a lifetime!Recommended for: Sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children, girls getaway.
Owner response: I enjoyed meeting you and your family. I was really impressed by your kids who were not at all formal but I could tell had really good manners. So happy "The Last Resort" worked for you. Please come again one day! Victoria
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
-
What a way to start your vacation!
What a way to start your vacation!
- Guest Hannah T.
- Date of stay 09/16/12
- Review Submitted 11/05/12
What a great place. When you read such good reviews, you sometimes wonder whether a rental may be too good to be true. This house was fantastic. We stayed here for the first week of our vacation and what a relaxing week it was. The house is close enough to all amenities but enables you to really get away if that is your wish. The owners were so hospitable and the area is so beautiful it would be hard not to have an amazing time. Even though we had no reason to bother Victoria, it was lovely to know we only had to ask if we needed anything. Having lived in and visited California so many times before, I was excited to discover this new area. It provided a superb base for visiting friends in the area and trips back to Napa and San Francisco were so easy, as was heading east. Everything was as described but even still the place was such a nice surprise, I cannot speak highly enough about it. The highlight certainly had to be lazy afternoons in the garden over looking the gorgeous view! And there is even a real American porch! I really hope to visit again soon. Thank you Victoria for such a brilliant stay (and apologies for the delay in reviewing)!Owner response: We count ourselves lucky in the near 5 years of renting Port Costa house to have had nothing but the greatest guests. I really appreciate the time and thoughtfulness it took to write us such a glowing review. We pledge to keep our place just as it is, hoping you will return again one day
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2
-
Everything we needed and more!!
Everything we needed and more!!
- Guest Catherine S.
- Date of stay 10/05/12
- Review Submitted 10/14/12
Where to start... From the moment we arrived we knew we had picked a great property and a great location to enjoy our final few days in America. Victoria was so welcoming upon our arrival and immediately put us at ease by telling us to relax and enjoy ourselves and to treat her home as if it was our own. And it really did feel like our own home for the few days we were there...it had everything!! And I do mean everything! The cupboards were stocked with all the cooking essentials including herbs, spices and olive oil and all the pots and pans and cooking utensils you would need. Victoria told us there were some fresh herbs growing in the garden and so we picked some of the basil to put in our pasta dish on the first night - the basil was tastier and more fragrant than any basil I've bought in the supermarket before. The house is so cosy and comfortable. The bed was more comfortable than mine at home!! The sun room was a lovely place to eat breakfast each morning with that gorgeous view! We used the fire at night too which gave the whole place an even cosier feel. On our last night we bought a nice bottle of wine and took it outside to the patio to enjoy while the sun went down. It was so beautiful and peaceful out there. The views all around are magnificent and Port Costa is so lovely and quiet. We could have stayed there for weeks! After 5 weeks of travelling round America we were looking for somewhere to relax and chill out for our last few days before heading home...well Victoria and her lovely home certainly allowed us to do just that. We didn't want to leave! And to top things off - on the morning of our departure Victoria popped in to say that we could stay for as long as we wanted as the housekeeper wasn't due until 3pm. Our flight wasn't until 7:30pm so we really appreciated the extra time she gave us to relax and pack and prepare for the long journey ahead. All in all, I would say this truly is a home away from home! It has everything you need for a wonderful stay and more! We loved our time here and were very sad to leave. Lovely owners, great property, beautiful views and amazing location! What more could you ask for?Owner response: Cant than you enough for your splendid review. We feel fortunate to have such extra fine people like you both finding their way here year after year. Hope you return one day soon!
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2
-
LOVED IT!!
LOVED IT!!
- Guest Nancy
- Date of stay 09/07/12
- Review Submitted 10/13/12
Victoria and Sonny are great hosts and the house was wonderful. The view from the sun room is priceless and we didn't want to leave. The house has everything you need from a BBQ to wii fi. We had the best sleep ever in the most comfortable beds ever. Port Costa is a great little village with character. But the house is also easy access to SF and the whole bay area. We will be back for sure!Recommended for: Sightseeing, age 55+, romantic getaway, families with young children, girls getaway.
Owner response: Most of our guests are from far away, either Europe, Scandanavia, or eastern or middle USA. It was very nice to host Northern Californians! So pleased you enjoyed yourselves & got a good rest. Ya'll come back soon!
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2
-
My family of 6 felt right at home!
My family of 6 felt right at home!
- Guest Tiffany M.
- Date of stay 06/12/12
- Review Submitted 07/09/12
Amazing! I am so glad my family and I found this charming vacation home for our 7 day trip to visit family in San Francisco! From the minute we walked in to the minute we left, we had a wonderful stay! VIctoria and Sonny are wonderful hosts! My favorite things: *The wonderful breeze that flows through the house! So refreshing! *The views from the sunroom and deck are breathtaking! *The music that is provided for your listening pleasure just made the environment all the more relaxing. *Having all of the "extras" made my job as mom/wife/cook on vacation a little easier; pots, pans, can openers, beach towels, band-aids, etc. *The bed was so comfortable, just like home! We would recommend staying at "The Last Resort" to anybody! I wish it were closer to Atlanta so that my girlfriends and I could have a weekend retreat here. It was so peaceful and beautiful! Victoria, thank you so much for opening up your home to us! We will never forget our little time in Port Costa! The Hall FamilyOwner response: Thanks so much for the great review and sending your friends our way. I hope it wont be too long before you return again for another stay.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3
-
If we could retire here, we'd be very, very happy
If we could retire here, we'd be very, very happy
- Guest Alan and Jenny W.
- Date of stay 05/10/12
- Review Submitted 06/22/12
Everything to do with this accomodation is first class. Victoria and Sonny are two very genuine people. They are very helpful, when help is needed, but do not intrude in any way. The view from the sunroom is fantastic, taking in the surrounding hills, the bay, the railroad and the rest of the town from on high. The deck offers a chill out space, to enjoy the fabulous weather we enjoyed. The bed is the only one we've experienced on holiday to compare with our own - very comfortable. Port Costa is the ideal base for visiting the east and north of the bay area - a little investigation on the web will throw up lots of destinations for most interests. For Seniors, it's only four dollars return to S.F. on the Bart - great value with no parking hassles. A couple of tips, good idea to stop off at Trader Joes in Pinole for groceries on your way from SFO (J22 on US80) and for Brits, a cheap cellphone $20 with 60 mins airtime can be had from BestBuy (J21 on US80). We had a great holiday here and if we ever get back to Nth California, we would certainly want to come back here. P.S. If you're feeling adventurous, ther's an 18K tandem jump at Davis, nr Sacramento - not to be missed.Owner response: Lovely guests who we would be so happy to have back again at any time!
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2
-
Port Costa, charming as it can be, get away!
Port Costa, charming as it can be, get away!
- Guest Marilyn W.
- Date of stay 04/07/12
- Review Submitted 04/17/12
My husband and I and sixteen year old daughter spent a week in this comfortable home. It had all the amenities needed to complete our stay. Comfortable beds, fully equipped kitchen and fresh vases of flowers to greet us. Victoria and Sonny were very gracious hosts, making sure the visit was as comfortable as possible during our time there. Port Costa has the most beautiful countryside, which we were able to take in just by sitting in the sun room of the house. Views of the water, hills with cattle, and eagles souring overhead. Many walking trails near the home to connect with nature. The home is located centrally for trips to San Francisco. Our family used the ferry to take the trip to the city, which did avoid a hassle with parking. Good location to drive to the wine country and many state parks on the coast and forest areas to see the gigantic trees. Would recommend getting groceries at Trader Joes before the trip to the house. Found it refreshing to stay in a town that doesn't have any of the box stores in it. Again, we recommend this house for a refreshing time away in a nostalgic setting! Sincerely, The Weiss familyDid you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3
-
Home from Home
Home from Home
- Guest Phil S.
- Date of stay 08/17/11
- Review Submitted 10/05/11
We toured California with our family from England in August and stayed in a mix of hotels and holiday homes. We wanted a base where we could go into San Francisco, tour the wine valleys and dare I say it......visit Six Flags. This family home was in a superb location, a half hour drive to the wine valleys, 15 minutes to Six Flags and about 45 minutes to San Francisco. The bedrooms were cosy and the bedding was sumptious. The kitchen was well equipped and whilst we ate out every night there was a great little breakfast table in the kitchen which we used for breakfasts. The views from the summer room were great and you could easily watch the boats and trains go by with the binoculars provided. The lounge was cosy and there was plenty of channels to choose from on the TV. Overall a great location, great home and great hosts who did enough to ensure that we were comfortable and knew how everything worked and yet let us have our own privacy. Many Thanks for the warm welcome Victoria and Sonny!Owner response: Dear PS So happy your mid summer stay worked out for all members of your family. The kitchen really seems to work well even without fancy granite counter tops and designer back splashes. Most guests who stay less than two weeks end up doing as you did: in breakfast and then launching out daily to see all the sights. Since your stay we installed a great light fixture above the dining room table in the Sun room or summer room as you call it. Now guests will surely opt to dine there on occasion, since it has the great bay view, tho it is funny how families do enjoy gathering in the kitchen. Please think of Port Costa when you come our way again. Thanks for your stay and for your review Victoria and Sonny
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4
Rates
| Dates | Nightly | Wknd Night | Weekend | Weekly | Monthly * | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Rate 3 night min stay |
$150 | $840 | $2800 | |||
Additional information about rental rates
3 NIGHT MINIMUM
Single or Couple - 3 nights $150 per night
Four party- $70 per person per night
Six persons $50 per person per night
WEEKLY:
$780 / single ($111 per night),
$840 / couple ($60 per person/ per night),
$1400 / 4 people ($50 per person /per night) 6 max
MONTHLY:
$1980/ month for single person ($66 per night per person),
$2240 / month($40 per night each
Advance payment of 50% of the rental rate is required to reserve. If you cancel prior to 30 days before your reserved date the entire rent deposit is refundable. After that no refund promised. Deposit payments apply to the rent. Please make your payments with a personal check, (allow 30 days for a check on a non USA bank) Master or VISA credit card Dates guaranteed as deposit clears owners bank.
Additional Fees and Taxes:
Tax is included in these quoted rates if payment is made by personal check. The Security Deposit can also be taken care of by giving a personal check for $200 to the owner, who will keep it uncashed and return it by mail within 5 business days after a damage free check out
This owner accepts: Credit cards.
Call the owner directly to confirm reservation details and pay with an approved method (credit card, check, or bank transfer), to protect your payment up to $1,000.
Location
Owner info
Year Purchased: 1963
About the owner: Port Costa July 4 parade Sonny and I outfitted our old Mercedes with my late great aunt Mimi's monkey doll collection and won first place. Mimi Pauls Popouri was the 1st antique store in town in the early1960s I've been executive director for LITA of Contra Costa since 2002. Terrace gardening is my passion. Fortunate, as house is on top of a hill. My parents purchased the Port Costa house as their first home in 1963 after completing a lifetime of traveling to different countries with my Dad's outfit, Utah International Mining and Construction. In those days Port Costa was a thriving antique center, connected by Carquinez Scenic Drive to Martinez, the county seat. A storm washed out the road near Martinez in the 1970's keeping Port Costa at a very small population of 180 inhabitants, which is how most folks in town like it. My brother and I wanted to continue our folks favorite retirement occupation: having guests stay over to enjoy the home they both loved so much. My younger brother lives in Pacific Palasades but visits often. My partner Sonny and I live in an apartment below the main house which my Dad built for my grandmother and later served to accommodate any extra guests. There is a connecting interior spiral staircase which leades down our pantry and laundry room. A sturdy oak door at the foot of the stairs is for rental guests privacy. Since 2002 I have been Executive Director for LITA 'Love is The Answer' of CC which serves a growing number of convalescent and nursing hospitals around the county. We bring one on one volunteer visitors, pets, musicians, dancers, elementary and middle school groups of children to visit on a regular basis. The 80 volunteers and 30 skilled nursing facilities keep me busy. Gardening is my passion, which is a good thing since there are so many gardens on the property. Other hobby is sitting in the garden watching the sparkling water.
Why the Owner Chose Port Costa:
I inherited the 'Last Resort along with my brother from my parents. The decision to make the top level a vacation rental was natural one since every guests who ever visited was astonished by the views, loved the house and and couldn't get over how close it was to every point of interest in the Bay area. With a bit of planning, it is an easy ride into San Francisco, up to Bolinas or to Napa Valley and Sonoma for the Wine Country tours. We have another property on south shore of Lake Tahoe which is just 3 hours from Port Costa. Monterey and Carmel by the Sea are 2.5 hours away. Yet Port Costa really feels like it is 'out in the country'.
The Unique Benefits at this House:
At the Port Costa house, you are perched at the very top of an exclusive little hill. Prospect Hill folks look down on the view of bay, rolling oak dotted hills and roofs of rest of the houses along Canyon Lade Drive down in town. Hill neighbors are super relaxed and friendly. The climate is wonderful and hundreds of species of birds abound.I think it should be called 'Bird Valley' but early CA Indians named this 'Bull Valley', hence the name of the mroe upscale restaurant in town. The Warehouse Cafe across the street is quite the weekend attraction with 100s of beers, blues on Sunday, 2 story polar bear in a glass case by the pool table ( LImited menu Thursday evenings and 'cheap' Alaskan crab legs and prime rib Fridays and Saturdays). If you want to swim, fish or play tennis, everything is a short bike ride or drive toward Crockett We have 3 major parks within a few miles. Any time you are not off 'touristing', you will find yourself breathing easy and relaxing in a piece of paradise here! There is a public golf course in Martinez, off Cummings Skyway and others in El Cerrito and Concord. You can swim and play tennis at Crockett Recreation Center is 3 miles from the house. We are near by for helpful directions and it is our pleasure to make sure your stay is peaceful yet memorable.
Contact us
- Primary: (925) 212-4573
- Click Here to see All My Rental Listings
Photos
-
Front porch entrance, guest parking at foot of the stairs.Garden & park above
-
-
-
-
Sunroom with fireplace & comfy seating for chats & water viewing.
-
Master bed off garden, Englander Queen for heavenly sleeping
-
-
Gazebo under the liquid amber
-
-
-
-
-
Port Costa house upper left , as seen from a boat on the Carquinez Straits
-
-
-
Seagoing vessles pass under Golden Gate on the Straits up to Sacramento delta.
-
Dining room with water and hill views seats 6 ( can expand for 12)
-
Smaller double bedroom off bathrrom
-
View of deck from the garden
-
Entrance to sun rom from the deck
-
House (top left, open space above) from park trail hills across Bull Valley
-
-
-
St Patricks church with Port Costa house top the hills across the valley
There have been visitors to this page since
the counter was last reset in .
This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - Sunday, February 24, 2013
