Vacation Rentals by Owner

Girls Wine Weekend

Guest: Roberta (Torrance, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/27/12 Review Submitted: 04/30/12

We love this cottage -- this is our second girls wine weekend here, and it was just perfect. Four of us stayed and had a wonderful time in this very clean, comfortable and charming cottage. Jeanne is a wonderful hostess and made everthing very easy, from reservations to payment. She's readily available if you have any questions. The house is darling -- well equipped with comfy beds, plenty of cozy towels and a fully stocked kitchen, including fresh coffee beans! It's also well located, just a short drive to Santa Ynez, Solvang or Los Olivos -- riding bikes would also be an easy way to get around. The place is quiet and surrounded by beautiful views -- a real gem. We will definitely return!

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

YOU WON'T WANT TO LEAVE!

Guest: Maryanne S.
Date of Stay: 03/20/12 Review Submitted: 04/03/12

This home exceeded our expectations. Jeanne and Leo are the most gracious hosts making sure everything is perfect for your visit.. The road biking in this area is excellent. You can stroll to town for supper easily or enjoy dinner on your own patio. There are no surprises at this rental house.Everything is exactly as it is pictured on this site. Thanks again for a wonderful spring break holiday. The Schroeders fromGolden BC

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A Charming guesthouse in Santa Ynez

Guest: carly (Bend, OR)
Date of Stay: 02/14/12 Review Submitted: 03/31/12

My husband and I spent a wonderful month in this charming guesthouse in Santa Ynez. Loved the Saltillo floor tiles! The owners of the property, Jeanne and Leo were fantastic hosts and were always available to answer questions about the area. The property is very clean and well maintained. We stayed in February/March so the trees and shrubs were not all in bloom but it must be beautiful when spring hits. We were so happy to have a grill on the patio and used it often. There's a great Farmers Market nearby in Solvang with a fabulous array of fresh veggies, fruits, flowers and organic meats to grill. The kitchen is small but very functional with and oven and stovetop. Also plenty of cookware and dishes. We also really appreciated that there was a washer/dryer for our use. No schlepping to the local laundro mat! This location is just outside of town and we loved that. It was peaceful and quiet but fun to watch the nearby horses and cows a fence away. We had a great time golfing with Leo at the River course, which was so beautiful. We also practiced on his driving range on property. It was great! We did quite a bit of biking and hiking. The local bike shop was helpful in supplying bike routes which were challenging but fun. The hiking on Figueroa mountain is spectacular as is the trek up Refugio Road to the top to see the blue Pacific. As far as eating out, we loved Dos Carlitos for yummy margaritas and fresh Mexican or Grappolo for fab Italian food and wine. Panino is wonderful for an after- bike sandwich. We tried so many wines at the local tasting rooms it's hard to pinpoint a true favorite however the grounds at Sunstone are really beautiful and right out of Italy. Good wines too! We also liked Tensley in Los Olivos and the Sangiovese at Scott was really nice. Los Olivos is a great place for a stroll and wine taste. There's a nice coffee shop there too that we visited ALOT when we'd ride our bikes over from Santa Ynez. I'd highly recommend this property and this area. We loved it here and will come back again and again...

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

Lovely home awy from home!

Guest: Beth (Dixon, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/22/11 Review Submitted: 09/30/11

My friend Laurie and I had a wonderful gals weekend in this lovely guest home. The fireplace was enchanting and the decor welcoming. The kitchen was fully stocked and included fresh coffee beans for morning coffee! The location is perfect- just a 20 minute walk in to town. We also took advantage of the bicycles that were available for our use. There is so much to see and do in this beautiful valley! Our hosts had a list and description of the restaurants in the area, but we decided to spend our evenings by the fire listening to music, talking and laughing ( a lot!) while enjoying local wine- so we did take-out! Our hosts were delightful and made sure we had everything we needed. We are already planning our next get away and can't wait to return!

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

TWO COUPLES REUNION

Guest: none (utah)
Date of Stay: 09/09/11 Review Submitted: 09/23/11

Fabulous Santa Ynez Retreat for two couples. One from Utah and one from Oregon who have known each for over thirty years in Ventura County. You could NOT have needed or wanted more. We totally relaxed, barbequed steaks one night and ate on the patio in the sweet clean, cool air of Santa Ynez. On Sunday,Kathy attended Mass at the Santa Ynez Mission, Jon and Bill went to breakfast in Solvang and I walked seeing Santa Ynez with a much more personal experience. Leo and Jeanne are a lovely welcoming couple who are accessible if needed. See you next year!

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

SWEET HOUSE, CARING OWNERS

Guest: DEBBIE (SIMI VALLEY, CA.)
Date of Stay: 08/07/11 Review Submitted: 10/18/11

WE STAYED IN THIS PEACEFUL HOUSE AND DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE. JEANNE AND LEO WERE SO WELCOMING AND THEY MADE US FEEL RIGHT AT HOME IMMEDIATELY, ANSWERING ANY QUESTIONS WE HAD. THEY WERE NEVER INTRUSIVE BUT THERE IF WE NEEDED THEM. THE DESCRIPTION AND PICTURES OF THIS CUTE GUEST HOUSE ARE VERY ACCURATE. IT IS VERY CLEAN AND WELL-MAINTAINED. WE WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO GET AWAY AND HAVE A HOME AWAY FROM HOME. THE AREA IS ALSO BEAUTIFUL AND HAS ALOT TO OFFER. THE QUAINT TOWN OF SOLVANG AND CHUMASH CASINO ARE ONLY A FEW MINUTES AWAY. THANK YOU JEANNE AND LEO FOR SHARING THIS HOUSE WITH US. WE HOPE WE CAN RETURN SOON.

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

Great home away from home

Guest: ken E. (Ocala, FL)
Date of Stay: 07/14/11 Review Submitted: 08/11/11

We rented this home for a wine vacation and it was an excellent option. It was centrally located for reaching all the wineries in the area along with great place to eat. The bed was very comfortable and we enjoyed the patio each night. It was great having laundry facilities right there also. We would highly recommend this home.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful and Comfortable

Guest: dujacks (Fountain Valley, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/13/11 Review Submitted: 06/18/11

This is exactly what we were looking for this trip. We have been enjoying the valley for 8 years but never rented. It was the best way to truely experience it! When we arrived our two children came to get us at the car stating, " Wait to you see the cute 'welcome' note on the door". Jeanne is an absolute sweet heart. The guest house is very comfortable, clean, stocked with everything needed and the beds were very comfy. It is conveniently located near all our favorite restaurants and wineries. It was so fun to be able to walk into town (Santa Ynez) for dinner. The surrounding area was beautiful! We will definitly stay here again in the near future.

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

OMG....what a find !!!

Guest: Mel (Aliso Viejo, California)
Date of Stay: 06/03/11 Review Submitted: 06/05/11

This guest house far exceeded our expectations. By far the cleanest home I have ever rented. It is in a perfect location. Lots of open space with a very safe feeling. Well stocked and truly feels like home. Leo and Jeanne have paid close attention to detail. The outdoor sitting area was most enjoyable. I don't think we were there for half an hour before we were already planning our next trip. Can't thank you enough for sharing this little piece of heaven with us.

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

FABULOUS GETAWAY!!

Guest: Viki (La Habra Heights, CA, Southern California)
Date of Stay: 05/20/11 Review Submitted: 05/30/11

This beautiful, quiet, well-appointed home is located in a serene location in the middle of wine country with gorgeous drives in every direction. Go to a winery, visit the "Danish" tourist town of Solving, drive out to the beach, or down to Santa Barbara. Or stay local and visit the many quaint towns in the area. It is a relaxing, comfortable, clean house and the owners are cordial and helpful if, by chance, you have a question. This is a great romantic get-away, or a nice place for a family vacation. It has a well-stocked kitchen, fireplace, and is very attractively decorated. We have stayed here time and again and would highly recommend it.

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

What a Find!

Guest: kb from socali (Rancho Santa Margarita CA)
Date of Stay: 11/24/10 Review Submitted: 12/22/10

What an unexpected pleasure this charming guest house was for us. Its situation is ideal; central to all that Santa Ynez has to offer, yet private and utterly quiet. Best of all, this property is located amidst the elegant horse ranches of Santa Ynez. A simple stroll along the street will acquaint you with throngs of lovely horses who will watch your progress with intelligent faces and inquiring eyes. The guest house itself is beautiful, well-appointed and full of light. Linens are first quality, towels are expensive and abundant. Every possible need has been anticipated and provided for, and the owners are like lifelong friends you hadn’t met yet. We spent the Thanksgiving holiday here, and the small kitchen had everything I needed for our Thanksgiving dinner. When you make your plans keep in mind there is no dishwasher, but there is every gourmet appliance I could think of and a few I didn't recognize...We enjoyed our visit immensely, and among the highlights was a visit to Andre Lavender, a farm which specializes in growing lavender and selling various products incorporating its intense oil. We also like to hike, and our hosts directed us to the beautiful trails along Figueroa Mountain Road - which goes straight up so quickly it seems to be on top of the world...Not only would we recommend this property to friends and relatives, but we fully intend to return as often as possible ourselves. What a find!

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

The PERFECT hosts in the best possible location - we won't stay anywhere else!!

Guest: Amanda (Los Angeles)
Date of Stay: 08/14/10 Review Submitted: 09/08/10

From the personalized note on the front door welcoming us (and our little girls!!) to Santa Ynez to the printed directions waiting inside for activities our hosts thought might be fun for us, Jeanne and Leo have truly thought of EVERYTHING. The linens are top-notch (unexpected, but lovely), the small kitchen has every item a gourmet cook might need (and certainly more than we needed to make a few simple meals for our family!) plus a barbecue, complete with charcoals, lighter fluid and even the lighter; there is a new large flat-screen tv, dvd, games, puzzles, placemats and cloth napkins, thick, plush towels in the bathroom, dish soap, paper towels and toilet paper and shampoo and conditioner and body wash, a hair dryer, a laundry basket, an iron and ironing board -- oh, and an air card for wireless internet, too. The clear goal is to make you feel comfortable, and to provide everything (laundry detergent!) for the guests. Most rentals (and I've stayed in LOTS), provide the "basics." Not true for Jeanne and Leo; the provisions are well-thought out and go above and beyond what most rental owners provide. The feeling that these people actually care about their guests permeates the entire trip - Jeanne and Leo left printed directions and ideas on our doorstep for other activities after we spoke with them about our plans. Leo "fixed" my daughter's bike for her while working on his own - much to her delight. We collected golf balls on the property, fed the neighboring horses, and played with the adorable dogs. And the location of this house is ideal. We were less than a mile from Santa Ynez and only a few short minutes from Los Olivos. The best farmstand is just down the street - as are probably half the horses in the area. Wine tasting is easily reachable. We went to the park in Solvang, the Y for swimming, visited the miniature horses and miniature donkeys, the lavender farm -- all within an easy five to ten minute drive. Lake Cachuma is about a 10-15 minute drive. Although our children bonded with Jeanne and Leo - we warned them that just the adults may be back next time - the house is as well suited to a romantic getaway as it is for a family trip. The kids may just have to stay home next time.... In any event, we cannot wait to return and we would not stay anywhere else!!!

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

Wonderful guesthouse on beautiful property

Guest: BCM (Austin, TX)
Date of Stay: 07/23/10 Review Submitted: 08/10/10

My husband and I stayed here for 3 nights and had an amazing time! The guesthouse is a perfect getaway with everything you could possibly need with a fully stocked kitchen, washer and dryer, and grill. The location is perfect for visiting the wineries and Solvang. We would definitely stay again when we visit the Santa Ynez valley. Thanks Leo and Jeanne for a wonderful stay!

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

Peaceful cottage

Guest: Maria (Voorhees, NJ)
Date of Stay: 06/11/10 Review Submitted: 06/24/10

This was our first time staying in Santa Ynez and we are sure we made the perfect choice for our stay. The house was charming and clean. The beds were soooooo comfortable. At night it was very quiet and you could see so many stars. The location was perfect for exploring all the wineries along rt 246 and Santa Rosa Road. You won't want to leave! The owner Jeanne was very sweet as well!

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

Charming Retreat

Guest: Fabette (Ventura County)
Date of Stay: 05/24/10 Review Submitted: 06/08/10

Beautiful cozy home right in the heart of Santa Ynez. The home had everything we needed for a very relaxing time in the wine country. Close to shops, restaurants, golf and wineries!! The photos of the home and surrounding area were an exact match. Very clean and charming! We'll be back!!

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

Charming Guesthouse & Perfect Location

Guest: The Fab Four! (Newbury Park, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/01/10 Review Submitted: 04/04/10

My family & I just returned from a 3 night stay at this location. We can honestly say that our expectations were met above & beyond what we had hoped for. The accommodations were clean well maintained & extremely comfortable for a family of four. The proximity to Santa Ynez & Los Olivos is perfect. You truly feel that you are somewhere special. The owners Jeanne & Leo were warm & engaging and definitely make your stay very comfortable. We look forward to returning to this property & will tell our friends who love the Central Coast as much as we do, that this is the way to enjoy the area!

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

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/10 Review Submitted: 03/01/10

We went mid-week and had a great time. We loved staying here. It is quiet, cozy and we appreciated the great accommodations. Having wireless internet is a real plus because of work. My wife had a good night's rest, which is rare for her. It was a good choice for us and I highly recommend this home.

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Guest: Doris Lynch (Coto de Caza, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/04/09 Review Submitted: 10/04/09

What a wonderful guest house; privacy, yet a great location for a home base to visit the valley. Has all of the amenities for a very comfortable stay, including a private driving range, clubs and balls provided! Highly recommended. Thank you Leo and Jeanne for sharing your wonderful property.

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

Jeanne and Leo have created a wonderful oasis in wine country, within walking distance of "downtown" Santa Ynez yet seemingly away from it all on their large acreage on the edge of town. Perfect alternative to the Inn...more room to spread out, a full kitchen, two bedrooms, plenty of parking, and lots of gathering space for a family or a couple seeking more privacy. A fine stay and highly recommended.

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