Location: Stinson Beach, San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA (20 Miles from San Francisco Across the Golden Gate Bridge)
Accommodations: Cottage, 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath (Sleeps 2-3)
The historic 1937 cottage, affectionately known by locals as the "Mouse Hole" offers charm and a real local beach experience. This unique custom cottage is one bedroom and one bath. You will never get the feeling you have stayed in a place quite like either of them before or after as they are quite individual and architecturally different, both inside and out. It offers a bit of whimsy and lighthearted, warm touches that reinforce a vacation beach getaway. Steps to the beach (just five houses down the path) there is attractive private outdoor yard space as well.
The Mouse Hole has a complete kitchen, compact but fully stocked and functional. It has custom concrete counters with colorful glass chips as well as modern appliances. This cozy home has modern lighting, skylights and colorful tile shower, fir flooring and an efficient wood-burning brick fireplace. There is a queen-sized bed in the bedroom and an optional pull sofa in the main living area. There are shaded and sunny areas in the deck and yard at most hours of the day as well as seating in a sandy yard that also has a year around flower garden with many potted plants.
Stinson Beach itself is a pristine sandy white beach which is wonderful for collecting shells and sand dollars and enjoying the 3 miles or so of beautiful beach front. The nearby lagoon attracts a wide range of water birds. There is a wonderful microclimate in Stinson that affords more clear and warmer days than would be found only minutes away up or down the coast. Water temperatures in the Bay Area area are cool and except for hot days most people who surf or engage in water ocean sports wear a wetsuit. The Golden Gate National Recreational Area protects most of the surrounding parklands, including nearby Muir Woods, and affords many wonderful hiking opportunities.
While this site is specific to the Mouse Hole, for larger parties or two couples there is an option to rent it in conjunction with the Casita Azul, the guest house next to it which is separated by a sliding wooden fence.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Off Street Parking
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Convertible Bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Lanai
- View/Location
- Mountain View
- Communications
- Telephone
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- coffee maker, toaster, sun umbrella, boogie boards, outdoor seating and lounge chairs, scrabble game and cards, DVDs, tide table and bird books
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly
- Handicapped Accessible (may have limitations)
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Shelling
- Swimming
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Surfing
- Biking
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Other Activities
- Lounging in the yard or on the beach in the sun; walking the dog off leash along the water; browsing through the little shops in town; enjoying the life of a small town much unchanged in 35 years and getting away from the big City so close yet so far... Surrounded by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (protected park lands) and near Muir Woods National Monument
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Regular Rate .. $450/weekend .. $1100/week (7 nights) Minus 10% VRBO discount
Holidays and 3 day weekends have special pricing;
Two night minimum; off season and weekday specials apply
Please contact us for rates and details to rent our neighboring cottage.
Linen and towel rental package available or bring your own.
Housekeeping cleaning charges apply-approximately $75.
$500 security deposit, refundable.
Pet friendly; well behaved, trained dog are welcome to join the fun
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 2006
Sarah is a firefighter in San Francisco which is why we want to offer an extra firefighter and public safety discount. Kathleen is an HR specialist who also spent many years working in Bay Area municipal government including 12 years with the San Francisco Police Department. We enjoy the beach and working in the yard and doing little things to keep the cottage attractive. We feel happy about sharing our little cottage with people who also enjoy a Bay Area convenient beach getaway.
Why the Owner Chose Stinson Beach
We have been enjoying Stinson Beach for many years, going out for long weekends as a favorite getaway to relax. When the opportunity came to buy two sweet side by side cottages, we realized we could stay there now and again and also share them with other beach loving people who would appreciate them as we do. By renting it now and again we are able to help defray our expenses and it is a real win-win we believe. We both love to garden and every year plant annuals to add color to our ongoing garden beds in both the front and rear of the properties. We created a living fence in the rear of the yard to separate the two areas and to reinforce the custom sliding fence that was constructed across the deck area. We love it and have enjoyed coming out with family and friends, using both properties together when we can! Our renter feedback has been excellent and we are always proud when people who are driving by stop and compliment us on the cottages and yard and how cute they are!
The Unique Benefits of this Cottage
Getting out to the beach is a real escape. There are modern conveniences of phone and TV as well as wireless internet but those can be ignored entirely or used as desired to be as much or little in touch with the outside world. Once you turn onto the private drive and walk down the path to the beach it is just like letting everything else roll off the shoulders and within minutes of walking along the water there is a feeling of relaxation. Stinson Beach is such a pristine area, with white sandy beaches, and views of the mountains. On a clear day you can see out to San Francisco to the left and to Bolinas on the right. The surrounding hills are protected by the National Park Service and offer hiking and beautiful vistas. The town of Stinson hasn't changed much over the past 35 years. There are three restaurants, a couple fast food options near the beach in season, an ice cream store, a kayak rental, small library, a general market that is pretty good with organic options and even the Sunday NY Times, a health clinic and massage studio, an interesting book store, flower shop with curios, beach shop and just a few other establishments make up this small town that has a population of about 600 residents. For a small town it is really safe with two functional fire stations!
Property Photos
- The Stinson Beach "Mouse Hole" Cottage - Stinson Beach Beach Cottage Rental - Steps to the Beach with Wood-Burning Fireplace and Deck
- Interior View of Stinson Beach "Mouse Hole" - Stinson Beach Beach Cottage Rental - Steps to the Beach with Wood-Burning Fireplace and Deck
- Rear yard of Mouse Hole Cottage at Stinson - Stinson Beach Beach Cottage Rental - Steps to the Beach with Wood-Burning Fireplace and Deck
- Interior view
- Mouse Hole view of shower and bathroom
Guest Comments (2)
First (2) of (2). View all comments
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #249442
There have been 3842 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2009.
This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - October 22, 2009
Positive Rating
Frank Sirre , Walnut Creek
Positive Rating
, West Hollywood, CA