Julia Morgan House on Panoramic Hill Above the University

• family

  family

  • Guest marcy
  • Date of stay 09/17/12
  • Review Submitted 09/27/12
  * purpose: family (up to 6 lodging), gatherspace before/after week of son's wedding. * location: from Shattuck/Channing Way: 5" drive; @30" hike via super/curvy steep narrow road in Berkeley Hills; house at lower level of road. limited vistas of Bay/west, mature wooded, semi-private gardens/terraces; quiet, respectful 'compound', with infrequent/few considerate, and kind others and owners. Best! always available/ willing to answer questions, provide whatever. *exterior: must be physically fit & mobile to manage sloped driveway, and well lit 'hillside' entrance/path. parking for 3; handy to private, narrow gate/pathway to enter upper level. lovely plantings. *interior: upper level: grand spaces/foyer/bedrooms. sweet 2 twins room w/ adjacent spacious den/space/sofabed. separate bedroom/bath wing lovely & bright. master: enormous space w/ King. 3 full baths this level. not requested, but this family kept all food/drinks at lower level & outside. neat furnishings, artifacts down 17 wooden stairs: gracious beamed dining room, low light, gas fp, adj. cozy sitting nook, 'old' record player/diverse albums; grand/paned window to wooden dining table on adjacent vine laden terrace. kitchen: 'old time' but easy use, cook's type kitchen w/ adequate space for many. with time/search: will find almost any utensil and/or serving item needed! many cupboards! no bathroom on lower level. easy three doors to nature/terrace areas at this level. good flow. w/d outside on this level. communal area yet seldom others; quiet respect granted. yes, there are turkeys down back, well fed and well behaved. noise: quiet; occasional dog bark, very occasional distant jets. a paradise in the Hills. recommendation:"just what the doctor ordered!"....'la dulce vida' ! * hike uphill to major unobstructed vistas and parkland, trails. * hike (long hike) or drive over to adjacent Tilden Park, Brazilian room, Golf Club/course * visit /tour UCB campus * lunch/brunch on deck at Claremont Hotel for more vistas and outstanding menu * Original Diner..on Shattuck; fresh food/exc service; bf + * no visit complete without time at the Berkeley Bowl on Shattuck/Adeline: a classic food cooperative * one hour+ over bridges to Muir Woods. Pelican Pub. Stinson Beach worth curvy drive * few hours up to St Helena & on to Calistoga in Napa Valley. numerous hiking options/winery tours: overnight stay a brilliant consideration. * BART to San Francisco: to Pier 39, et al. Crissy Field a walker/hiker's dream on Bay

  Recommended for: Age 55+, adventure seekers, sightseeing, romantic getaway.

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• Berkeley wedding in the hills

  Berkeley wedding in the hills

  • Guest Gibbie
  • Date of stay 08/15/12
  • Review Submitted 08/25/12
  Our stay at the Julia Morgan home was everything we hoped it would be. The size of the home held our family of six adults and one toddler very well. Everyone had their own space when needed, togetherness when needed. We have taken the spirit of the home back with us. Nhu and Tom were always available if we needed them. There happy demeanor, and love of people shined as bright as a full moon. Our week will be treasured forever.

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

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• Beautiful house, beautiful views, beautiful stay!

  Beautiful house, beautiful views, beautiful stay!

  • Guest HapaDC
  • Date of stay 08/01/12
  • Review Submitted 08/15/12
  We stayed in the magnificent master bedroom overlooking the verdant green lawn with morning visits from a pod of turkeys, deer, and other small birds. Nhu and Tom were the perfect balance of ease and helpfulness, we had such a wonderful stay - highly recommended and we'll be back for sure!

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

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• I left my heart in San Francisco (well, actually in Berkeley!)

  I left my heart in San Francisco (well, actually in Berkeley!)

  • Guest MsW
  • Date of stay 06/13/12
  • Review Submitted 06/26/12
  What a great vacation house! It was quirky and full of art and books and light! Comfortable beds and everything you might need in the kitchen. There are many wonderful nooks and crannies and loads of comfortable chairs so when all 5 of us were around we had plenty of space to spread out. The owners Tom and Nhu were lovely and available. The hills in Berkeley are beautiful. You can walk out the front door for lovely morning or evening walks and treat yourself to some spectacular views. You will have no problem finding great local food to eat in Berkeley. We shopped at one of the best supermarkets, Berkeley Bowl and some of the best farmers markets and brought back to the house lots of fresh fruit and everything we would need for breakfast. There are also fabulous restaurants in Berkeley – sigh – I miss it already! We also went into San Francisco a few times and it was super easy to park at a local Bart Station and take the train in. If we find ourselves coming back to the West Coast I would rent this again in a second

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, girls getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• More than a vacation home

  More than a vacation home

  • Guest PDF
  • Date of stay 05/26/12
  • Review Submitted 06/09/12
  We stayed in this home with our young adult children for the memorial day vacation, and then stayed on for a conference in Berkeley. Our children called it "magical" and it really did seem to hold a powerful peaceful quality. The deer came to the yard right along with the birds, squirrels and turkeys. We all slept like babies. I loved waking early to sit at the dining room table by the fire (gas so very easy to light) for my coffee in the morning. It was an easy drive to Berkeley and Oakland and San Francisco for sight seeing and fun. But you may not want to leave. Be sure to walk to the top of the hill for amazing views of San Francisco. After a whole day of fun in the city, we all watched the Golden Gate Bridge, 75th anniversary fireworks from the big living room window. What a joy that was! When you think of this house, just think PEACE! Tom and Nhu are very gracious hosts right next door so always there to help. We'd go again in a minute!

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, age 55+, adventure seekers, sightseeing, pet owners, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Graduation family

  Graduation family

  • Guest Graduation family
  • Date of stay 05/13/12
  • Review Submitted 05/21/12
  Up to six rotating members of my family stayed in this beautiful home for a week so we could attend two Berkeley graduations five days apart. We had two barbeques for nine and low-key breakfasts watching the birds (including hummingbirds) and the squirrels and even a deer! The owners were friendly and helpful but we had lots of privacy. The house was just perfect for our needs. It even had a printer for our boarding passes! I can't recommend it highly enough!

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• One of a Kind

  One of a Kind

  • Guest gc
  • Date of stay 03/07/12
  • Review Submitted 03/18/12
  This is truly a one of a kind experience. We loved this house. The setting is spectacular - views of Bay Bridge and San Francisco. The art in the house was inspiring and unique. The large living room is breath taking. All the rooms are accommodating and pleasant. It has a rustic edge so if you're looking for a modern pristine situation, this is not it. If you like museum quality surroundings in a vintage setting with large oak trees,views and wild turkeys , this is for you. Our daughter loved the collection of 60's records that she could play on a real record player! Also, nearby hiking trails a big plus. Owners helpful and friendly...Highly recommended!

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• THE PERFECT ESCAPE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY

  THE PERFECT ESCAPE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY

  • Guest Dennis D.
  • Date of stay 02/24/12
  • Review Submitted 03/18/12
  Not far above Memorial Stadium on the UC Berkeley campus sits this architectural masterpiece on several acres. The grounds themselves offer plenty of opportunities for quiet reflection...in the garden or along the short trail leading to a spectacular view of San Francisco Bay. But the home is also filled with art, music, books, and other trappings of sophisticated city living. Here you are above it all...and yet somehow right in the middle of it. The living room views of San Francisco and the Bay Bridge are breathtaking;the kitchen and dining room are cool and fully stocked; all around the property are trees, fountains, and wild turkeys. My family congregated here for our mother's funeral and memorial services. There were six of us who stayed overnight in the home, but the owners were fantastic about allowing us to invite extended family and friends to the home throughout the entire weekend. The house was a perfect escape...and nobody had to drive more than 20 minutes.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• A very spacious and comfortable home close to campus

  A very spacious and comfortable home close to campus

  • Guest VRBO Fan
  • Date of stay 02/16/12
  • Review Submitted 02/21/12
  The home is part of a historic grouping of three homes and sits on a large piece of property on Panoramic Way in Berkeley. The property is very well kept yet offers a wilderness feel with squirrels, wild turkeys, deer, and a variety of birds. The home is VERY well furnished with plenty of sitting rooms, interesting art, pictures, books, and kitchen supplies. There are two levels: upstairs there are three bathrooms, three bedrooms, and a large living room with windows throughout that offer a very open feel. Downstairs is the kitchen, dining room, a breakfast nook, and access to the outside patio which is also furnished. One of the many highlights during our visit was a dinner by the light of the candelabra. It is a fantastic home with an atmosphere that makes it easy to relax and enjoy. other tidbits: A) The off street free parking was great. B) The trees are very nice, but some surgical trimming offers great views across the bay. C) The owners are extremely nice D) The rental went smoothly with no problems. ======VBRO FAQ======== Q: Was the listing description accurate regarding the location? Yes, close to the stadium and above the campus. Q: Did the listing photos accurately reflect the rental’s appearance and amenities? Yes Q: Was the property clean and well-maintained? Yes, this historic home is beautifully maintained. Q: Was the owner helpful in answering your questions or concerns? Yes, email and phone call questions where answered quickly. Q: Would you recommend this property to a friend or relative? Yes, most definitely. Q: What nearby activities, attractions and restaurants would you recommend? ->I am a swimmer so I swam with the local masters team(SCAM) which was very close. ->Hiking is always good in Tilden Park and also on trails close to the home. ->The UC Berkeley Art Museum

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Great Berkeley experience!

  Great Berkeley experience!

  • Guest Sarah
  • Date of stay 10/22/10
  • Review Submitted 10/25/10
  It was a wonderful and beautiful home. I enjoyed our stay very much!

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

$350/$500 night $2100/$2800 week. Discount w/3 month+ rental. Long term preferred.
Separate charge for parties,weddings, receptions.$150+cleaning fee.3 day minimum.
Higher rates for holiday rentals(May through October)and major holidays.
We prefer checks. 3.5% credit card charge.

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.