Reviews for Bolinas Vacation Rental - VRBO 312053 - 1 BR San Francisco Bay Area Cottage in CA, Briarcombe ( Cottage )

Weekend Getaway

Guest jsw
Date of stay 03/29/13
Review Submitted 05/07/13

The Briarcombe Cottage was terrific. My wife and I left our kids with my parents and spent two relaxing nights at the Cottage. The location is perfect: barely over an hour from the East Bay, located about a quarter mile off Highway 1 on a quiet street, with the Cottage itself situated at the base of a hill, practically in the woods. Within a short drive of Pt. Reyes Station and great hikes (I recommend the 9.6 mile Tomales Point hike). The owner and property manager go out of their way to make your stay enjoyable (in our case, even going so far as to purchase a brand new basketball when I expressed an interest in shooting hopes on the property).

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

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wedding weekend BRIARCOMBE!

Guest jj
Date of stay 03/08/13
Review Submitted 03/17/13

When my wife (new wife) were looking for a location for our wedding we never thought finding a place as perfect as Briarcombe would be possible. But of course, Briarcombe DOES exist! It had everything we were looking for. The houses were all comfortable, well equipped, and above all absolutely beautiful! The houses are architectural masterpieces and there are so many little special features that set it apart from, really, any house I've ever been in. We used the meadow for the wedding and the stage came in handy, as did the folding tables and chairs. There are multiple kitchens which allowed us all to prepare dinner without stepping all over each other. The location is easy to find and immersed in the natural beauty of Bolinas. Deer were steady visitors and hawks flew overhead, not to mention the loads of flowers and trees. I would highly recommend this place, it's magical, beautiful, and just absolutely amazing!

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

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A beautiful retreat

Guest Ronbar
Date of stay 07/13/12
Review Submitted 08/05/12

My husband and I were out to visit my daughter who is on an internship and living in Dogtown so the Briarcombe cottage was a perfect location for us. We found it to be an amazing spot to relax the mind and spirit. Between the beautiful flowers and vegetable garden, the birds, and the house itself, there was always something to feast the eyes upon. The house was well equipped and comfortable with everything we needed. It did get cool in the morning and evening, but there is heat available in the house & plenty of warm blankets. (Beware of the small refrigerator & freezer if you have a lot to keep cool- we managed fine, but were told that there was additional space if needed in the garage.) Additionally, while not a problem for me, the shower was a bit short for my 6'2 husband, but manageable. Kevin & Meguni were very welcoming & accommodating without being obtrusive in any way. We were allowed to pick fresh vegetables right from the garden- which was wonderful to add to our salads. The property is a quick drive to Bolinas and close to other small towns for groceries or restaurants, if desired. The restaurant & smoothie place in town were both very good. We also took a yoga class in the community hall- the teacher had plenty of mats and props if you don't have your own. There are many nature hikes and nature areas in the Point Reyes area which were wonderful to visit- however, it's so beautiful right there, that you may not want to venture out. All of our communication with Kevin was positive. He promptly answered our questions and was a great resource for places to pick up supplies. The descriptions and photos clearly and accurately depict the property's appearance and amenities. We would highly recommend this property to friends and relatives. We hope to return in the future as there was not enough time to explore this beautiful area.

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

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Peeling Away The Layers of City

Guest City Dwellers
Date of stay 05/18/12
Review Submitted 05/22/12

We're a couple in need of respite from schedules, jobs and the general buzz of the city. Life gets pretty cranked up at times and, when that happens, taking a step away is what's needed to shake things off, gain some fresh perspective and recharge. Sensing we would need the ultimate slowdown, we booked a weekend here. Just in time. Three weeks later, riding the wake of some rough water, our quiet weekend getaway was upon us. The photos and the rest of the reviews here tell it all. This place is fantastic. We could have disappeared here for a week without a second thought. Kevin was very hospitable over email leading up to our stay and in person when we arrived. He was in the garden when we pulled up, he greeted us and made sure we were comfortable and accommodated and then we didn't see him again the whole time. There was a small family staying in the Bridge House that we waved to, otherwise there was no interaction with anyone. The Main House was empty during our stay, which probably helped the serenity of the property. The Cottage is nestled down at the bottom of the property for maximum privacy, but still on the hill enough for nice views. We packed in all our food and hunkered down for the whole stay (except for my bike ride to town for some more wine). We saw all kinds of birds, deer and a fox. The cottage is open and ventilated, bright with natural sunlight, and ripe with views all around. It's quiet, it's comfortable, it's beautiful.

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

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Best VRBO Stay EVER

Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 02/10/12
Review Submitted 04/25/12

I have rented a lot of homes through vrbo, but Briarcombe is hands down the BEST place I have stayed. The place is downright magical in its architecture, natural surroundings, feeling of the whole place, and amenities. Kevin is a dream to coordinate with and enormously accommodating. The history of Briarcombe is fascinating and wholesome. Everywhere your eye might come to rest has some detail that reveals the love and tender artistic attention every inch of this property enjoys. I will come to stay at Briarcombe again and again. Why would I stay anywhere else?

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

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Canadians

Guest Canadian
Date of stay 08/19/11
Review Submitted 08/29/11

This is Where You Want to Be Looking for the balance between nature and technology? This is where you want to be. When you are inside, the cottage seems like a giant tree house, Yet it is fully loaded. You will have all the things we creatures of comfort need: Wi-Fi, huge tv with satellite, music, kitchen (everything you need to cook with), Bbq, exceptionally comfy bed, books... But the best part is the flow and set up. It is open and cozy and surrounded by nature. The views from the private back deck are beautiful. We were thrilled to be living with foxes, birds, deer. The gardens are lovely. Laying in the sun with our two dogs and just listening was one our favorite things to do. We took day trips to SanFrancisco, walked on the beaches and were always happy to get back here. So, Kevin and Megumi have managed to hit all the senses. Even some we didn't know we had. Kevin was a pleasure to work with, very professional. We wish we could have stayed longer.

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

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you can stop looking -- this is it!

Guest Lena
Date of stay 04/16/11
Review Submitted 05/08/11

We decided to go away for a weekend on Thursday night, i emailed about 20 people on VRBO, this cottage was my first choice -- we were extremely lucky it worked out! My mother-in-law, my husband and our 2 kids (2 nad 6 yrs old) loved it: watched a hawk gliding super low over the deck for 30 min or so, saw a fox near the compost, explored the garden with hidden buddha, relaxed in front of the flat screen TV, visited an open art studio by Bolinas. The owner was extremely flexible and replied immediately via email. The property manager was hospitable and caring tastefully arranging fresh flower from the garden on the dining table. We are looking forward to going back asap!!!

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

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Peaceful Getaway

Guest wjbauer
Date of stay 12/06/10
Review Submitted 12/13/10

My wife and I stayed in the Cottage with our two yellow Labrador retrievers. We chose this location because it was near beaches, Point Reyes National Seashore, and was secluded yet near coastal towns and locations we wanted to visit during the day. It met our expectations perfectly. Our stay was quite rainy, but we didn't mind since the place was so relaxing and peaceful. We also enjoyed the surrounding green and lushness of the property. The kitchen is small but well-appointed and very functional. We enjoyed reading and playing games and, at times, even checked email or watched a bit of TV but mostly enjoyed being away and somewhat disconnected from the world. Our thanks to the owners for making our stay enjoyable and comfortable.

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

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Beautiful and Intimate

Guest Amelia
Date of stay 10/22/10
Review Submitted 10/31/10

This is the cottage I had for my wedding. Marrying in the meadow with acoustic music, fantastic food, and a mist hanging of the Tamalpais ridgeline. The whole property is amazingly beautiful and peaceful. The decor inside the houses on this property are a best kept secret. Well worth scouting out this location for events, photo shoots, and just retreating for a quiet vacation near the ocean. The owners are fabulous and welcoming. The deer are happy, the trees are happy, and if you come here you will be happy too. Can't say enough about this place, it is undescribably beautiful in the rain or sunshine. This cottage is very private and faces out towards the lagoon (which is visible from a deck at the top of the property where the deer like to hang out). Not only that but it has solar power so you can feel removed from the grid and in harmony with nature. I highly recommend this property and the Bridge House across the meadow. Thanks for making our wedding such a beautiful event.

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

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Nice Tranquil Weekend

Guest jlhkiss
Date of stay 09/17/10
Review Submitted 09/30/10

We spent the weekend of Sept. 17-20 here and had a fabulous time celebrating our birthdays with another couple. The place is very well-maintained, the architecture is beautiful, and best of all, the entire compound is quiet and off the beaten path. We've always loved Bolinas and now have a quiet place to get away too. This is a great, quick drive from the City - you don't have to drive down the coast or up to Tahoe to feel "off the grid." We'll definitely be back and highly recommend this place to anyone.

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

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Peaceful, beautiful get-away cottage

Guest Family with teens
Date of stay 09/10/10
Review Submitted 09/14/10

We had a delightful weekend at this darling cottage! We love the quiet, friendly atmosphere of Bolinas and this place offers such a feeling of "getting away from it all". The gardens are full of flowers and blossoms. Several deer wandered through the garden. We drove a few miles down the road to a bird sanctuary and hiking trail that was beautiful. And stopped by Agate beach which has gorgeous views of the coastline. I would highly recommend this place as a terrific get-away!!

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

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Charming Cottage for families and romance

Guest Colleen
Date of stay 08/12/10
Review Submitted 08/16/10

Beautiful location off of Bolinas lagoon, situated well for Stinson Beach, Bolinas Beach, Point Reyes and Tomales Bay. Very private and well made cottage, small but lives large. Well stocked kitchen, great bedding and lovely owners. We will definitely go again and recommend to all of our friends. Note: There is also a main house and bridge house that can be rented as well for bigger groups.

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

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This place could be the highlight of your vacation!

Guest Tina47
Date of stay 08/01/10
Review Submitted 08/12/10

I stayed in the cottage for a week with my boys who are 10 and 12. I had no idea when I reserved the cottage, that the place I decided to stay would be the best part of my trip to the area. My kids both commented on how kind the caretakers were when we checked in. This is really a special, beautiful place with beautiful views from the property, especially the large private deck off the back of the cottage. The road to the house and driveway have beautiful trees, making for a stunning entrance. There is a basketball court that was a nice bonus. The cottage itself was in perfect condition and was a very nice space that created a comfortable environment to spend time in. All the amenities worked perfectly and even the bedding and towels were top notch. The nights were so quiet, we all slept well. We were sad to leave and would love to come back.

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

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Another World

Guest Robert G.
Date of stay 07/25/10
Review Submitted 07/27/10

Is it possible to drive 30 minutes and be in another world? Apparently so, as that was our experience on our visit to this unique, very rare and special oasis that is truly a world of it's own. Four private acres that look and feel like a thousand acres as the surrounding views of pristine hillsides and valleys are all that your eye can see. Complementing the natural beauty is the one-of-kind design of the cottage and main house. These Japanese-influenced with an emphasis on unique and beautiful wood-workings and glass homes make you feel instantly comfortable and welcomed as did our more-that-gracious hosts. Although some of the best beaches in the world are only minutes away, you will catch yourself cutting that beach-time short because you can't wait to get back to this very special place.

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

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Escape to Bolinas

Guest Paul G.
Date of stay 07/22/10
Review Submitted 08/31/10

We wanted to stay at the beach one weekend and instead on aiming for Stinson (which always seems way overpriced), we instead opted for Bolinas and found this cottage at the last minute. Boy, did we luck out! While the fog was still hanging over Stinson, it was always sunny earlier where we were. The cottage was really cozy in the best sense of the word, we especially liked the sleeping "nooks." It has all the modern conveniences, including internet access and satellite TV (which did make my 11 year-old son and his friend happy ), but instead of going digital, we mostly opted to read, play cards and just relax. One of the best things was we could make easy runs to the local beach (5 minutes), Stinson (12 minutes), or short trips up to Iverness and into Point Reyes Station (killer bakeries in both places). Rather than eating out, we brought our own food (nice gas BBQ) and even had a salad and string beans right from the garden. It's hard to say who enjoyed the cottage the most, but I would vote for our Golden Retriever. She loved to chase balls in the meadow, was crazy happy to be off-leash at Stinson and Bolinas beaches, and the back deck of the cottage was the perfect place for her to be left alone and secure, in case we wanted to go out without her sometimes. But it was so much fun to have her with us! Between its energy and scenery, the whole property is like a work of art (the larger guest houses feature incredible craftsmanship) and the hosts went out of their way to make our stay an enjoyable experience. We'll definitely be back!

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

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Magical & Serene

Guest Justin-Maya
Date of stay 05/07/10
Review Submitted 08/04/11

My husband and I were looking for a romantic get-away for our anniversary. We live in a gorgeous home, so finding something spectacular was essential. Briarcombe Cottage met our expectations. We wanted all the amenities, privacy, and to be engulfed in natural beauty. The cottage offered us everything including a spectacular views of the gorgeous mountains and of the incredible main house. When we arrived, we were greeted by a deer that came right up to the car. The next day, we had a visit from a fox. On the third day, beautiful hawks hovered above our heads. During the afternoons, we hiked and biked in Mt. Tamalpais state park and felt relieved to return to the comforts and serenity of the cottage. We also had the pleasure of listening to the owner's own CDs. Kevin Bird is a fantastic musician and producer. So, if you're looking for serenity in nature, this is a place to experience.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

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Vacation Rentals by Owner

Briarcombe ( Cottage ) [#312053] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (16)

Weekend Getaway

Weekend Getaway

wedding weekend BRIARCOMBE!

wedding weekend BRIARCOMBE!

A beautiful retreat

A beautiful retreat

Peeling Away The Layers of City

Peeling Away The Layers of City

Best VRBO Stay EVER

Best VRBO Stay EVER

Canadians

Canadians

you can stop looking -- this is it!

you can stop looking -- this is it!

Peaceful Getaway

Peaceful Getaway

Beautiful and Intimate

Beautiful and Intimate

Nice Tranquil Weekend

Nice Tranquil Weekend

Peaceful, beautiful get-away cottage

Peaceful, beautiful get-away cottage

Charming Cottage for families and romance

Charming Cottage for families and romance

This place could be the highlight of your vacation!

This place could be the highlight of your vacation!

Another World

Another World

Escape to Bolinas

Escape to Bolinas

Magical & Serene

Magical & Serene