Vacation Rentals by Owner

Girl's Weekend Part II

Guest: Rosy (Clayton, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/29/12 Review Submitted: 03/07/12

We are a group of ladies who have been scrap booking in Bodega Bay and Discovery Bay for years. We have been to many houses over the years and By the Sea is definitely our favorite! We came to "By the Sea" in November 2011 for the first time and enjoyed our stay so much, we have decided to continue coming back to this house. We were pleasantly surprised upon our arrival to find a "Welcome Back" treat, wine and flowers. What a great way to kick off the weekend! The beds are super comfy, the kitchen well stocked and there are plenty of towels and paper products. There's plenty of parking for the eight cars, which is a definite plus, as each lady brings her scrap booking paraphernalia. The weekend was glorious and the decks got lots of use. The short walk to the beach always a delight as is dealing with Susy. She always checks in to make sure we are comfortable and that everything is in order. Can't wait for our next trip!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

By The Sea

Guest: none (SF Bay Area)
Date of Stay: 02/24/12 Review Submitted: 03/03/12

Thanks Susie & Kevin for such a great place to stay and your hospitality. We had a wonderful week-end and will definitely be back. The house was immaculate, cozy and met our needs perfectly. You were so thoughtful to have a birthday cake there for Ben as well - we both enjoyed it! You and Kevin are terrific and even though we have never met, we feel as if we know you, so thanks again for "By The Sea"

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfect way to welcome in 2012!

Guest: Deb (Santa Rosa, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/30/11 Review Submitted: 01/03/12

Hi Susie! I would rate our stay as Very Good. First of all I must applaud you on the amazing transformation of the cabin! The beds were SO comfortable and the upgrades throughout much appreciated. I must say the addition of and expansion to the decks were awesome. We had glorious sunny weather all weekend and the deck got a lot of use! We walked Salmon Creek beach multiple times each day and saw the most spectacular sunsets, especially the one on the last day of the year. Your special welcoming touches of champagne and snacks upon arrival was the talk of the day when we got there. Very nice of you!! Thanks again, from all 10 of us!

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

Thanksgiving tradition

Guest: YwNightmare (Diamond Springs CA)
Date of Stay: 11/23/11 Review Submitted: 12/02/11

Our Thanksgiving tradition has become a stay at the beach. This year we chose "By the Sea". What a beautiful house. The owners have done a "great" job on the remodel. Don’t let your first view from the outside scare you. The "rustic" look fits in the area without being the eye sore that some houses are. The inside is totally remodeled. This house is designed so that you can isolate yourself if needed, yet wherever you are you have a fantastic view of the ocean. When you decide to walk on the beach, it's a short easy walk. Susie is great to work with, very friendly and guest oriented. Our stay was FANTASTIC, I'm sure your will be too. You won’t be disappointed.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beach Lover Gal

Guest: Beach Lover Gal (Elk Grove CA)
Date of Stay: 11/10/11 Review Submitted: 12/13/11

In November I took my family for what will be the beginning of an annual holiday tradition -- a family vacation at the beach house "By the Sea". It was our first time staying at this house and it turned out to be one of the best experiences ever. The home is so clean, comfortable, and provides all the necessities of home. The layout of the home is amazing -- the ocean views from the living room/kitchen are breathtaking. Everything from the beds (which are the most comfortable) to the big fluffly bath towels, made our stay really special. Susie even welcomed us by leaving a bottle of Chardonnay and a pumpkin cheesecake in the refrigerator -- what wonderful finishing touches to a great stay. The house is located in a wonderful location, only a really short walk to the beach. Not only is the inside of the home great, but the two semi-enclosed patios provides extra space for people to spread out and enjoy the outdoors. Susie and her husband were so friendly and accommodating to our needs. We will definitely be returning to the house. I'm already thinking of a girl's getaway weekend -- the big dining room table is great for playing games, eating great meals and possibly some scrapbooking!

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

Girls Weekend

Guest: Rosy (Clayton, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/02/11 Review Submitted: 03/04/12

This house worked out wonderfully for our group of scrapbookers. First, we were pleasantly surprised to be welcomed with flowers, wine and pastries. Thank you so much! We enjoyed the wine on the beautiful, wind protected deck. The house, although older than most rentals we've been to, was beautifully kept. The decor and furnishings were nice, as though some thought was put into them and were not just discarded furnishings from a main house. The sleeping areas (rooms) are on the small side but the beds the most comfortable we've seen in a rental in a long time. Who needs a large room anyway when you have the ocean beckoning from the large picture windows -- and with just a 5 minute walk away! We also appreciated the good number of towels and paper products that were provided. Loved the beach access, views, parking, deck. All in all, we enjoyed our visit! The icing on the cake was our contact, who was very accommodating and an absolute pleasure to deal with! We are definitely coming back!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

An amazing house!

Guest: Allie (Colorado)
Date of Stay: 10/26/11 Review Submitted: 12/09/11

All my friends and I loved this house so much, that I don,t want to let this secret gold mine out of the hat! We are definitely planning to go again, and enjoy even more glorious days. We have never found such amazing views of Salmon Creek beach, as most of the rentals look out at the dunes. But this house was stunning in every way. The amenities, the rooms, but the view-well it was the best part for sure! The owners were so considerate and inviting-they even bought us a bottle of wine to enjoy! I loved "By the Sea"!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Ocean lover from Colorado

Guest: Deb (Boulder Colorado)
Date of Stay: 10/26/11 Review Submitted: 11/06/11

I stayed at this beautiful property found by my friend to celebrate her 50th birthday. The house was wonderful in every way. The living rooms were both cozy and elegant. The kitchen was up to date and fully stocked with all the appliances that we needed to enyoy meals and to entertain (the birthday dinner). The beds were very comfortable with nice sheets and comforters. The view was gorgeous to wake up to each morning. I found the house to be even nicer than the photos indicated. The property was extremely clean and well maintained. I would absolutely recommend this property to friends and I have already talked about returning. Extra special in getting ready for our trip was how incredibly helpful the owner was to us in providing information and answers to our questions many separate times. She also brought a cake mixer out to leave at the house for us so we could bake a birthday cake for this special occasion. In terms of location, this house was wonderful. It was a short walk out to a magnificent beach; either over the dunes or by the creek. The house is located in a very picturesque beachy neighborhood; I enjoyed my walks every morning. It is about a ten minute drive into the village of Bodega Bay where we bought groceries and went out to dinner one night at Lucas Wharf for great seafood. It would be hard to go wrong with this house; it was a joy to stay in for the days we were there.

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

Excellent North Bay Getaway

Guest: Family Travelers (Santa Rosa, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/30/11 Review Submitted: 10/11/11

We live less than an hour away from "By the Sea" and picked it because it is by our favorite beach in this area. It was a great choice. The owners were awesome to work with and the house was perfectly presented with nice touches. The layout was great with an excellent view out the front. We had a blast climbing the sand dunes and spending time on the beach. I recommend this as a great family getaway.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children.

By The Sea

Guest: jt (IL)
Date of Stay: 06/21/11 Review Submitted: 06/30/11

Its a paradise! It was our first stay at Bodega Bay house By The Sea and we loved it.The views are breathtaking out the window - its peaseful and quiet, my two kids enjoyed sand and the ocean, me and my husband enjoyed the sunsets,every morning we went for walk on the beach looking for shells and sand dollars.The house was clean and perfect for our family - we had everything we need and more.My husband and kids definetly enjoyed comcast and all the chanels on TV, cookies and vine made us feel very welcome at the house By The Sea and a nice little treat after a long travel day.We went to see Armstrong Red Woods - amazing place, only about 40 min drive, also San Francisko about 1 hour 20 min. We went to Santa Rosa - stopped at Bolletto vinery, but it was great to come back the the house( instead of a hotel ) and enjoy the deck and the sound of the ocean. Thanks to Susan for our great stay and all the info.We have memories that will last a lifetime. Family from Chicago

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

Wonderful family get away together

Guest: iol (Sacramento)
Date of Stay: 05/26/11 Review Submitted: 06/18/11

This home is an ideal place for an ocean loving group to spend time together. The views are stunning and the furnishings are very comfortable. The owner is very hospitable. My family intends to return. High marks!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

"By The Sea" with my family

Guest: Jim (Glen Ellen, CA, Sonoma)
Date of Stay: 05/07/11 Review Submitted: 05/15/11

Five of us stayed at "By The Sea" for 3 days during May, 2011. There were 4 beds that would sleep 2 each and 2 single beds in 4 separate bedrooms. The entire home was clean and comfortable with recent remodeling, including the kitchen area. There were two inviting areas to sit and talk, read, watch TV, listen to your IPOD, or warm up by a fire. The deck with the wind screens was very comfortable, especially in the late afternoons. The beach is a pleasant 5 minute walk from the house. We had a small child with us and he greatly enjoyed having the river access right there as well as the ocean. He could safely play at the river's edge. The sand dunes were a definate plus as well. During times when it was too windy next to the ocean, I was able to take my grandson to protected areas in the dunes and feel quite comfortable. The neighborhood was very quiet and the homes far enough apart that you feel you have your privacy. We all had a very enjoyable time and would definately recommend the home to anyone seeking a relaxing stay along the coast with access to long walks on the beach, sand dunes, and a gentle, meandering river.

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

Delightful Home & Great Location

Guest: Peggy in Paradise, California (Paradise, California)
Date of Stay: 04/18/11 Review Submitted: 04/24/11

Six of us (4 adults 2 children) stayed at this comfortable home for 3 nights (in April 2011) and wished we could have stayed longer. We had family visiting us (from Wisconsin) who wanted to stay at the ocean. We couldn't have made a better choice. Plenty of space, well maintained, and everyone used the WiFi !! The location was PERFECT for our short stay. Kite flying & shelling with the kids on the beach, horseback riding, wine tasting, exploring nearby small towns, and getting a massage were some of the things we did. Susie Souza, thanks for sharing this home with us. You were wonderful to work with in making the arrangements for us to stay and play ;-)

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

Wonderful Getaway

Guest: Terri (Sacramento, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/11/11 Review Submitted: 03/23/11

We really enjoyed our stay at "By the Sea". The house is wonderfully situated near the beach, with a beautiful view of the ocean and beach access a quick stroll away. The house is lovely with beautiful light, and plenty of room with 2 living areas and a charming remodeled kitchen. The deck is nice as well, large with a view of the ocean but protected from winds. We arrived to a welcoming fire burning in the wood stove, and a plate of freshly baked cookies. We couldn't have enjoyed our stay more, and will definitely return if we get the opportunity.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, sightseeing.

By the Sea

Guest: Sarah (Santa Rosa, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/24/10 Review Submitted: 01/04/11

The beach house "By the Sea" is a wonderful, comfortable yet spacious home. We spent Christmas there with our family and it was so lovely. The view from the front window and the proximity to the beach are my favorite things about it. Everything was described perfectly, it was clean and very well-maintained, just extremely livable. Susie Souza was fantastic to work with, very organized, timely and pleasurable to communicate with. I am telling everyone I know about this house and we hope to come back and visit soon!

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

Family Gathering at "By the Sea"

Guest: Family Getaway (Sunnyvale, Ca)
Date of Stay: 11/05/10 Review Submitted: 11/19/10

Our family trip to Bodega Bay and staying at "By the Sea" was exactly what we needed. The online site was easy to navigate and the information there was accurate. The owners were very easy to work with and provided detailed directions which helped as we arrived at night and we were not familiar with the area. It was great to find something close to the beach and large enough to accommodate our large family. Beautiful views during the day, cozy fire at night, lots of fun, laughter, and time together. Great location for day trips up the coast or inland for a little wine tasting adventure. We would highly recommend this location.

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

"A home away from home!"

Guest: Char (Nebraska)
Date of Stay: 09/11/10 Review Submitted: 10/27/10

In September we did a family vacation with our three adult children and grandson. We rented "By the Sea" for a week and used it as our home base when we did our sight seeing in San Francisco and toured the Sonoma and Napa wineries. The house was perfect because everyone had their "own space" but we also had the tv room and living room-kitchen area to share. This was our first VRBO experience so we were a little nervous. We are from Nebraska so we were "travel weary" when we arrived at "By the Sea". Suzy provided us with our initial food needs which took some of the pressure off us, and also made us feel very welcome. She called to check on us throughout our stay to see if we needed anything, and I'm sure if we had she would have promptly met those needs. I'm sorry to say we didn't have the opportunity to meet her, but she was wonderful to work with via the phone and email. She was also prompt in refunding our deposit (a concern for new renters). We would definitely recommend this property, and if we have another opportunity would definitely stay there again.

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

An Excellent Vacation Home

Guest: Myra N. (Hillsboro, OR)
Date of Stay: 08/28/10 Review Submitted: 09/05/10

Our family of 7, rented this house, for a week. Some places, when looking at the photos, never quite look like them, when you get there. This one does. It was perfect. The house is a very short walk to the beach and conveniently located, to just about everywhere. It was also very clean, well taken care of and the furniture and beds are very comfy. The owners are fantastic. They are very helpful, friendly and take care of all your needs. If you have a question, you will get an answer, asap. If you love a good breakfast, we highly recommend Omellette Express, in Santa Rosa. Also, good sandwiches are found at Traverso's, in Santa Rosa. For kids, Fort Ross is a nice drive, North on Hwy 1. Santa Rosa boasts several parks and Luther Burbank's home and garden. Sonoma and Santa Rosa have quite a bit of historical value, as well as Petaluma. There is also Train Town, in Sonoma. The beaches are an adventure in themselves and plenty of them. Boats can be rented at Lake Sonoma, and canoes at the Russian River. For wine enthusiasts, there is no disappointment. There are plenty of beautiful wineries, in scenic countrysides and settings, to appease even the choosiest of wine connoisseurs. We did not get a chance to check out a lot of places, but everywhere you go, there is an adventure to be found. There really is something, for everyone. We highly recommend staying at this home and we hope to do so, again, in the future. Like I said - it's perfect!

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

What a retreat

Guest: Aletha (Davis, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/20/10 Review Submitted: 06/29/10

We have been renting beach houses at Bodega Bay's Salmon Creek area for over 25 years, and the retreat of a beach house is by far my favorite. Newly remodeled with great views and protected decks, the furniture very comfortable my husband enjoyed all his naps. What is so great is the since of privacy and wonderful stroll to the beach, where you can watch surfers up close, many kites and sandcastles to view as well. This beach house will be visited again and again by our family. The feel of the Salmon Creek area is that of a small village, love the casual vibe and no McMansions to block your view.

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

By the Sea Beach House

Guest: Last minute travelers (Reno, NV)
Date of Stay: 06/13/10 Review Submitted: 06/28/10

What a great experience! We had a very last minute request to stay at the beach house for a week and Susie the property owner was very accommodating. My son and just graduated high school and would be joining the army soon as we wanted a place to stay to have great memories for our son to reflect on during his journey in the army. Susie responded within hours of our initial request, which just amazed me. It was our first time there and we would definitely come back. Susie makes you feel so at home with great welcoming touches -warm chocolate chip cookies for the boys and wine for me =) and checks in with you to ensure everything is ok. The house was fully stocked, even with extra blankets if needed. The kitchen had all the things you would need to cook and serve meals. Lots of sleeping space. A great TV room and an extra living room with huge windows to enjoy the ocean and scenery. It is VERY quiet and relaxing. I was loving not having cell phone service there. We saw a lot of wildlife- deer, raccoons, bunnies, skunk, birds. It was really windy while we were there and a tad cold for us. But the mornings were amazing for looking for shells on the beach just a very short walk from the house and the enclosed deck was awesome to watch the ocean from, blocking us from the wind. It was amazing how much the temperature changes just going inland 15 miles. Up to 15*. We spent time on the Russian River- highly recommend Johnson's beach there. Santa Rosa is a great place for shopping and movies. Petaluma has great antique shopping downtown. Sebastopol is the closest Safeway for any major shopping you may need to do and Bodega Bay I would recommend Dieckman's for any last minute things you need. You couldn't ask for better accommodations there. Susie is an amazing host!

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

We LOVED our stay at "By the Sea"

Guest: child at heart (El Dorado Hills, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/28/10 Review Submitted: 05/31/10

The house was the perfect size for our family gathering (6 adults & 5 kids). The location could not have been better! The sand dunes, river, ocean, tide pools and the various decks off the house were the kids' paradises! The owners were very hospitable and answered my numerous e-mail questions promptly! Next time~ we'll bring snow saucers for the sand dunes :-)

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: bubba2 (Santa Clara)
Date of Stay: 02/13/10 Review Submitted: 02/13/10

Normally I don't take time to review my stays, however I felt compelled to acknowledge my terrific experience that I had at "By The Sea". The home was fantastic and it exceeded all of my expectations. I highly recommend it!

Recommended for:

Guest: Lindsu (Napa)
Date of Stay: 02/10/10 Review Submitted: 02/10/10

This was one of our truly most pleasant vacations we've had in years. "By the Sea" offers everything and more than we anticipated. It was clean, updated and had all the extra amenities one would need. This is a fabulous location with lots to do for everyone. We highly recommend this slice of heaven for everyone to enjoy. We will be back!

Recommended for:

Guest: The Murrays2 (Petaluma, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/09/10 Review Submitted: 02/09/10

Our family had a wonderful stay at this home. This is the essence of a beach house-- terrific views and plenty of room for a large family. While we enjoyed the updated furniture, carpets, and tiled floor, and the new beds, we were glad it didn't feel like you were in a boring subdivision. The home is nestled in a big lot with a wrap around deck and large area for outdoor dining. The walk to the beach is 5 minutes, as promised, with the added bonus of a creek right there. We enjoyed Salmon Creek's neighborhood and the sense of being in a real beach community, not just another house on another golf course. In addition to the outdoor charm, the kids really liked the big flat screen TV, ready to play video games (we brought our own PlayStation). We highly recommend staying here. The owners are very hospitable and make you feel right at home. If you do, read my post in their guest book on all the great things to do!

Recommended for:

Love It, Love It, Love It!!!!!!!!!

Guest: Lindsu (Napa)
Date of Stay: 01/29/10 Review Submitted: 02/01/10

What a fabulous find! This house is warm, cozy and very "beachy". The ocean, truly five minutes away by walking, but always in your view whether you are sitting by the wood stove inside or enjoying the salt air outside. We loved seeing the shore as far as our eyes could see. The beds were super comfy and with this house layout there is a lot of privacy too. We will remember this gathering for years to come and can't wait to come again next year....or before. We highly recommend "By the Sea"!

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

Fabulous

Guest: bubba2 (Santa Clara)
Date of Stay: 01/26/10 Review Submitted: 02/07/10

This was our 2nd visit to this house and it was so fun to see all the remodeling that the owners have done. It is so perfect for our family with the 3 split levels allowing our family to divide as needed. Everyone got their own bed this time which was sorely needed after our many walks down to the beach. The wood stove kept us all so warm and toasty. The decks outside offer fantastic views with one deck providing shelter and protection from the wind. The owners were so gracious and helpful-almost feeling like family! We will go back again as soon as we get the opportunity.

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

Great family fun "by the sea"

Guest: The Wong Family (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/27/09 Review Submitted: 02/09/10

My wife and I wanted a comfortable Christmas-break getaway rental for our four kids (ages 14, 12, 10 and 8) at a picturesque locale close to our home in San Francisco. Along with another married couple, the ten of us ended up at the "By the Sea" house in Bodega Bay. The house was perfect...clean, comfortable, well-furnished. We are big game players, both board and video variety. We sometimes had three games going simultaneously with one at the large dining table, another in the large living room coffee table, and the Wii action going on in the smaller, adjoining entertainment room. The house was just the right size...roomy enough to comfortably house 10 folks, but cozy enough to keep the family together. The four sleeping rooms (including a loft) worked perfectly for kids and two couples, and the kitchen was well equipped. At night, we put the kids down and watched DVD movies late into the night. By day, we took the family on walks to the beach (just a short walk away), the coastal views breath-taking. Can't say enough about the kindness and hospitality of the property managers. Upon arrival, they included nice touches that made us feel very welcome. We had a minor problem with one of the appliances, and they responded very quickly and solved the problem. Whenever we had questions, they were very friendly and helpful. We will definitely rent this property again if, and when, we travel back to the Bodega Bay area. We recommend it highly, especially for families.

Recommended for:Families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

We loved this place!

Guest: April May (Vallejo, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/24/09 Review Submitted: 01/14/10

By The Sea was a wonderful place to stay while in Bodega Bay. My husband and I stayed here over the Christmas holidays, and it was just delightful. The home was clean and tidy and had been decorated for Christmas. It had all the amenities one could hope for. I told the owner I was making prime rib for Christmas dinner, and she went out and bought a new roasting pan! There are 3 separate decks, two of which have sweeping views of the beach and ocean. I found this home to be charming, comfortable and am most definitely planning on going back again. The owner, Susie, is very personable and pleasant to deal with, and she made sure we felt very welcome in her beautiful beach home.

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