The Rockpile is aptly named for the way it sits atop a mountain of boulders.
Location: Brockway, Lake Tahoe North Shore CA, Lake Tahoe California, California, USA (Half Way Between Incline Village and Kings Beach.)
Accommodations: House, 3 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 4 Baths (Sleeps 6-8)
**********PLEASE NOTE: WE HAVE BOOKED A WINTER LEASE ON THIS PROPERTY SO IT IS BOOKED THROUGH MARCH , 2010. PLEASE CHECK OUR AVAILABILITY CALENDAR FOR DATES AFTER MARCH 31ST. MANY THANKS!!**********
Perched on top of a pile of huge boulders, The Rockpile feels a bit like being in a tree house. Hardly a stone’s throw from the lake, the view is phenomenal and the house, built in 1935, is loaded with Old Tahoe rustic charm and comfort, privacy, and quiet serenity
The Rockpile spreads out over several unconnected levels. You approach the house to the left of this photo, up a stone path and stairs that wind through the garden and past large boulders coming first to a small cabin, the Dog House, which has a Queen bed with a foam topper, a small bathroom (along with it's own coffee maker and microwave oven), an electric “wood stove” with a simulated but quite realistic flame, and its own separate deck with table and chairs. (**THE DOG HOUSE CAN BE RENTED SEPARATELY - minimum 4 nights. Prices below. More photos of the Dog House are available upon request.)
Going farther up the lodgepole pine stairs you come to the Squirrel's Nest which has 2 twin beds (which can be converted to a California King upon request) and its own small bathroom.
Walking up another few stairs brings you to the lakeside deck with a view to the West and North, and the front door of The Rockpile. This is where you will want to be for lunch and at dusk as the sunsets over the lake are amazing. It is furnished with a lodgepole pine swing, 2 rocking chairs and a glass table & chairs.
This top level has a six-sided living room with huge windows affording a 180 degree view of the lake. You will feel like you are a bird gliding along the edge of the lake. The living room has a large fireplace, large comfy sofas (one of which is a queen sofa bed and the other is about the size of a twin bed) on either side of an amazing table with a carved fish-scene under the glass top , a large pine desk, and a rustic dining table which looks out at the spectacular view.
The kitchen, while small, is well designed & has just about every piece of equipment you could want as well as brand new appliances and a fabulous view of the lake. A well-known chef and cookbook writer outfitted and used this kitchen for many years of testing recipes for his 30+ books.
The master bedroom (The Eagle's Nest) has a queen bed and a lodge pole pine dresser as well as a 52" flat screen TV with cable & DVD. The master bathroom has a sauna which has been (at least temporarily) converted to a dual-level bed for very small children. If the sauna is very important to you, it can be converted back to a sauna for a stay of a week or more and a charge of $30. An additional bathroom located between the master bedroom and kitchen, has another toilet & sink, and a newly refinished wood shower that looks out at the mountains and lake.
The back deck, nestled between the giant boulders, is the perfect place to eat breakfast with the early morning sun, to escape the afternoon wind, to relax in the sun and read, or to look at the stars from the warmth of the hot tub. The round dining table here is glass-topped with a lodgepole pine base and lodgepole pine chairs. There are two extremely comfortable outdoor recliners and 4 additional deck chairs.
Outside the kitchen door, on the other side of The Rockpile is another small deck with an amazing view East, a propane BBQ & another set of stairs which leads down to the office which has a huge, built-in pine desk, and a washer & dryer. This room is built around the boulders which create a part of one wall.
The Rockpile is in Brockway, considered by many real estate agents to be the very best area in Tahoe. It is at the end of a private road and radiates quiet and serenity.
A small neighborhood beach is just a 3 minute walk away; larger King’s Beach with water-sport equipment rentals, is just a 3 minute drive. Ski resorts, hiking & biking trails, fine restaurants and all that Tahoe has to offer (including the small nearby casinos) are within minutes.
Because The Rockpile is part of a family compound and we live full-time right next door (at the bottom of the pile of boulders), it is imperative to us that renters be respectful and relatively quiet. Absolutely no loud music or partying will be tolerated; also no smoking, please. However, dogs are most welcome and love it here.
Because the master bedroom is on the top floor & both of the other bedrooms are accessed only by going outside, this house is not ideal for children too young to not have easy access to their parents, UNLESS they are going to sleep on the sofabed & other sofa in the livingroom or in the dual-level beds we have created in the sauna (we are calling the upper level of this sauna- bed "The Fort" & the lower level "The Cave"; our 2 & 4 year old grandsons adore this space!) The Rockpile is ideal for up to 3 couples who don’t mind the stairs and who will appreciate its Old Tahoe charm and one of the most spectacular views on the lake.
Please note that there are 3 options for renting The Rockpile (all with a 4 night minimum):
(1) the whole house (Fall prices: $300/wkend nights, $275/midwk nights ,$1900/wk; cleaning fee is $150).
(2) the main house: everything except the Dog House & Dog House deck (Fall: $250/wkend nights, $225/midwk nights, $1500/wk; cleaning fee is $100)
(3) The Dog House & its deck, only. ($135/wkend nights, $110 midwk nights, $800/wk.Cleaning fee is $50.)
[These prices do not include 10% tax.]
Access to washing equipment is available for all of these rentals. If you would like the office to be included (beyond the washing equipment), please let us know.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer: Washer and dryer are in office. LArge counter for sorting laundry.
- Dryer
- Linens Provided: Luxury sheets & down comforters & pillows.
- Off Street Parking: This home is at the end of a dead end, private road, in a family compound. There is room for 3 cars.
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer: Possibly---please ask about this.
- Gas Fireplace: Atmospheric oil heater in living room, with window to see flame. Electric "fireplace" with realistic flame in Dog House (separate cottage).
- Wood Fireplace: Large stone fireplace in livingroom.
- Beds
- King Bed: Twin beds in The Squirrel's Nest can be put together, on request, to make an Eastern King Bed.
- Queen Bed: One Queen Bed in the Eagle's Nest (master bedroom) & one in the Dog House (DOg House bed has foam topper).
- Twin/Single Bed: The Squirrel's Nest has 2 twin beds that can, on request, be pushed together to make an Eastern King.
- Child Bed: We have created a dual-level bed in the sauna that our 2 & 4 year old grandchildren are crazy about. This is right next to the master bedroom on the main level of the house. [Needless to say, we have disconnected the power at the power box; we have also covered the windows & mirror with plexiglass.]
- Convertible Bed: One of the sofas in the living room is a Queen sofa bed. The other sofa is just about the same size as a twin bed.
- Crib: See comment about "child bed". Pak N Play portable crib is usually available. The closet in the master bedroom is large enough for clothes plus a PakNPlay - our 15 month old grandchild, with a baby moniter, happily resided there for a week this summer.
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV: 52" flat screen TV, with DVD, in master bedroom. "Expanded basic" cable service.
- DVD
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library: Stereo & Large collection of old LP records --- great for nostalgia!
- Private Hot Tub: New in 2009, Hot Springs spa nestled into the rocks.
- Sauna: Wood sauna off the master bathroom with window looking out to the lake. [Currently --Aug '09--we have converted this to a dual-level bed for children; if you are interested in having a sauna, please let us know. It can be converted back to a sauna for a group staying a week or more for a $30 charge.]
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: Extremely well equipped. A best selling cookbook author did much of his writing and cooking at the Rockpile. Great view of lake.
- Cooking Utensils Provided: Kitchen Aid mixer, Cuisinart, blender, coffee maker and many more small appliances. New, high quality pots & pans.
- Refrigerator: Stainless, new in 2009.
- Dishwasher: New in 2009.
- Microwave: One in kitchen & one in "Dog House" cabin.
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill: Propane grill right outside kitchen door with incredible view.
- Deck/Patio: 4 decks - On the main (upper) level of the house there is one by the front entrance with views to the North and West, one off the kitchen with views to the South and West (from Kings Beach,& around the South side all the way to Crystal Bay), and one which looks out to the East and is tucked into the boulders allowing you to get out of the afternoon wind. The hot tub is on this deck. There is an additional deck just below the Dog House.
- View/Location
- Lake View: Just over a stone's throw from the lake with extraordinary view of the lake in almost all directions, encompassing more than 200 degrees.
- Mountain View
- Communications
- Telephone
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Walking distance (8 min. walk) to North Tahoe's small casino area. 3 minute walk to lovely local beach. In winter, a very short distance to ski area free shuttle buses. Central to over 7 ski resorts.
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly: Dogs are welcome including large breeds. Please no cats as we have family members with cat allergies.
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters: Mid-twenties. Mainly, we absolutely will not tolerate any loud partying!!
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Parasailing
- Jet Skiing
- Swimming
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Snowmobiling
- Sledding/Tubing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Rock Climbing
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Miniature golf
- Horseback Riding
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
SUMMER (wk min): June 1-14: $2300/wk; June 15-29: $2400; July & Aug: $2700/wk.
2 Nite minimum; per nite prices decrease with increased number of nights
$250-$450/night depends on wkend/midwk,#nites booked,season.
Thanksgiving: 4 nite min. $1600 ($200 ea/add'l nite);
Xmas(wk min) $3500; New Yrs (wk min) $3800
**Main house & Dog House available individually. Pls ask about prices.
Prices do not include 10% tax and $175 cleaning (less if whole house not rented.).
PLEASE CHECK AVAILABILITY CALENDAR before calling or emailing--THANKS!
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Property Photos
- The Rockpile is aptly named for the way it sits atop a mountain of boulders. - Brockway Vacation House with a Hot Tub, Fireplace and a View of the Lake.
- Old Tahoe atmosphere includes large fireplace and Native American decor. - Brockway Vacation House with a Hot Tub, Fireplace and a View of the Lake.
- Approaching the separate cabin, The Dog House, with it's own deck. - Brockway Vacation House with a Hot Tub, Fireplace and a View of the Lake.
- The Dog House has a microwave oven & coffee maker, bathroom & its own deck.
- The "Squirrel's Nest" is up a few stairs from The Dog House. .
- The front deck of the top floor has this furniture + a dining table & chairs.
- AND there is a spectacular view of the lake from the front deck.
- The livingroom has a 180+ degree view of the lake..
- The rustic, hand-hewn diningtable is situated to make the most of the view.
- The kitchen has new appliances & just about all you could want in a kitchen.
- And this is the view from the kitchen window.
- The Eagle's Nest has views to the lake & the back deck as well as a 52" TV.
- The back deck, with hot tub, is very wind protected yet still has a lake view.
- The Office (with laundry equipment) is ideal for mixing work and play.
- This is the view to the East, only one of the many views from every room & deck.
- This lovely beach is only a 3 minute walk from The Rockpile.
Guest Comments (9)
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #224528
There have been 5669 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2009.
This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - November 17, 2009
Positive Rating
Rebecca Watts , Topanga, CA
Positive Rating
Positive Rating
Guy Millar , Petersfield/Hampshire/UK
Positive Rating
Absolutely wonderful! Our diverse, international, 19-61 year old family & friends loved the location, hospitality of owners, great views! No TV in the main room---great decision. We played Scrabble, hunted down and released 40 crawdads. Our wee dogs ran out of gas with the altitude and we adults had more than one early night but we leave very contented and invigorated.
Positive Rating
I doubt that our family could have spent any more time marvelling at the Rockpile's beautiful view. It was a wonderful place to play games and enjoy each other's company. Thank you for opening your fantastically unique home to us. Plus, "Gilbert" and "Sullivan" were big hits with the four & under crowd! Thanks again! [Homeowners note: Gilbert and Sullivan are the 2 mountain goat heads that date from around 1900.]
Positive Rating
Mark and Maile Forbert , Vallejo, Ca
Positive Rating
Andrew and James , Napa, CA
Positive Rating
Thank you for letting us stay in your beautiful cabin. We enjoyed the setting, the views, and comfortable living areas. Thank you for all your hospitality and all your tips. I'm sure we'll be back!
Positive Rating
Since we have not quite started our rental program with this house, there are not yet any guest comments! But to get an idea of our management style and how important it is to us that our guests are happy, please check out the guestbook of our other rental property, Rocky Retreat, where we have over 70 positive comments and no negative ones. This site will not allow an email link but you can find that guestbook by googling "homeawayconnect guestbook 38895" & then selecting the title "Gorgeous Large Home with Hottub & Fireplace, Walk to Beach..."