Location: Stinson Beach, San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA (20 Miles from San Francisco Across the Golden Gate Bridge)
Accommodations: Cottage, 1 Bedroom + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 1 Bath (Sleeps 2-3)
Keywords: Cottage, casita, beach cottage
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 this before as it is quite individual and architecturally different, both inside and out, as is its sister cottage, the Casita Azul. The property 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 attractive 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 and it is common to spot seals as well. 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 walking and hiking opportunities.
While this rental 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. The two are distant enough for a sense of privacy but have the option with the sliding gate for shared outdoor space and easy visiting.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Off Street Parking : For one car. Other cars may park on Arroyo. For holiday weekends it is especially not recommended to drive more than one car.
- Wood Fireplace : Very efficient wood burning insert
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Convertible Bed : Double pull out in living room
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV : Basic cable
- DVD
- Video Library
- 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
- Free Long Distance : Domestic
- 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)
- Wheelchair Accessible (may have limitations) : Standard size doors, gravel driveway.good for smaller size wheelchairs.
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Surfing
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Shelling
- Hiking
- 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 .. $490/weekend .. $1175/week (7 nights) local management provided
Two night minimum except peak dates June 15- Sept 15 And holidays booked weekly.
For peak weeks exceptions may be made 30 days or less of booking for shorter Stay
Winter special Jan 2- March 31, book two nights get the third free.
Holiday Week $1275 Holiday Weekend $510 each add'l day $172
Housekeeping cleaning charges are $100 linens and towels provided
$500 security deposit, refundable.
Pet friendly; a well behaved, trained dog is welcome to join the fun
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 2006
Sarah is a firefighter in San Francisco. 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
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- The Stinson Beach "Mouse Hole" Cottage - Stinson Beach Beach Cottage Rental - Steps to the Beach with Wood-Burning Fireplace and Deck
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- Interior View of Stinson Beach "Mouse Hole" - Stinson Beach Beach Cottage Rental - Steps to the Beach with Wood-Burning Fireplace and Deck
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- Rear yard of Mouse Hole Cottage at Stinson - Stinson Beach Beach Cottage Rental - Steps to the Beach with Wood-Burning Fireplace and Deck
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- Interior view
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- Mouse Hole queen bed in bedroom
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- Shower Mouse
Traveler Reviews (6)
I'd Give It 10 Stars If I Could.......
Guest: Sandra
(Marin County, California)
Date of Stay: 12/04/09
Review Submitted: 11/14/10
Can't believe it has almost been one year since we spent our anniversary here, at the jewel box they like to call Mouse Hole! Just me, the mister and our big, lucky dog. Beach is within steps of the front door or walk out the back door to your own private beach! Somebody has amazing taste here; the kitchen w/red silestone countertops? Cute cute cute! Dutch door? Sooo adorable. Fireplace? Charming. The cozy factor is off the chart. Thanks for the memories, Mouse Houseguests
Owner response:Gosh! Thanks for the super nice review, a year later. It's so great to be so memorable! The countertops are concrete with recycled glass. We sure hope you'll come back and visit again. Sarah, Kathleen and Itty Bitty
Recommended for:
Guest: Pat & Jay L.
(-)
Date of Stay: 06/28/09
Review Submitted: 05/26/10
What a super weekend we had! The Mouse Hole was perfect... I want one of my own just like it here in Stinson. Superb location, incredible weather, & what a great-long-beach to walk on. However, we think Chloe loved the place more than us. (Chloe has 4 feet!) We'll be back!!
Recommended for:
Guest: The R.. family
(-)
Date of Stay: 06/09/09
Review Submitted: 05/26/10
Thank you for a perfect 3 day weekend. We realized on this trip that we don't need very much space! It's about quality, not quantity. The Mouse Hole is a special space. We'll be back.
Recommended for:
Guest: Melissa and Steve
(-)
Date of Stay: 08/25/09
Review Submitted: 05/26/10
We arrived at "The Mouse Hole" not knowing what to expect and much to our surprise, it was more than we expected, but lovelier than we could have imagined. Thank you for making the home so comfortable, yet keeping the charm of the old. We definitely will return. Our spirits are recharged & that's exactly what we needed!
Recommended for:
Guest: Frank Sirre
(Walnut Creek)
Date of Stay: 07/07/09
Review Submitted: 07/07/09
We stayed at the Mouse House during the 4th of July weekend. It is a FANtastic place!! If you are looking for a "commercial" upper end vacation spot, Stinson Beach is NOT your place. BUT if you are looking for a great, clean place to stay with an UN-believeable backyard with a Webber Grille and 5 cottages to the beach, this is the place for you! I am giving my cell number just so you can call a VERY satisfied GUEST if you need more information.
Recommended for:
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/23/09
Review Submitted: 06/23/09
I celebrated my birthday at the Mouse Hole & it is a sweet property next to a beautiful beach. Both cottages are clean and comfortable. I would love to come again!
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #249442
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This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - Tuesday, November 22, 2011
