Vacation Rentals by Owner

Another excellent trip

Guest: Mr Pool (Huntington Beach, Ca)
Date of Stay: 09/22/11 Review Submitted: 09/27/11

Once again we had a great time; the house is perfectly appointed and is in a great location. Even if you forget something, or need something sewed, the owner comes right down and takes care of it. There is plenty of charcoal and oak for the Santa Maria style Tri-tip BBQ’s we do, as well as nice Wine Glasses to drink your latest find. “B” bringing us down a cluster of her Merlot grapes right off the vine was a tasty treat! Sitting out on the back or front patio in the early morning or dusk hours is just beautiful and can’t be more relaxing. Nothing feels better than soaking in the oversize tub after bicycle riding in the area, heavenly. The rides from the house are excellent, whether you head up Las Pilitas to go around Santa Margarita Lake, or turn left and head towards Creston the riding is great and you don’t have to drive anywhere. The oversize garage fits our SUV with the trailer hitch bike carrier and load warrior roof rack installed, so you don’t have to remove them to park in the garage. Plus your bikes have plenty of room to be safe when not riding. On our Friday morning ride we saw 2 dozen deer, including two young Bucks, too many wild turkeys to count, and had two red tail hawks flying low over our heads. Of course cows, steers and horses are abundant too. The lightening storm Friday night over the mountains was a real treat. The property, both houses, are just places that shouldn’t be missed!

Owner response:Michael & Friends: It's always a pleasure to have your group back for your spring and fall rides. The weather this time seemed perfect for cycling...not too hot, not too cold and not too windy! Sharing the Merlot was a special treat for me too and the fruit found a good home with a vintner friend of mine in SLO. Even with the birds picking at the fruit, we managed to pick over 300 pounds of berries. Let me know when you are planning your next trip to Sculptura Winery and I'll meet you all there for a picnic. Or we can all take a ride on the new zip line three miles away at Santa Margarita Ranch! Safe riding to all, Ms. B.

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

Labor day weekend

Guest: Kannan (San Jose)
Date of Stay: 09/02/11 Review Submitted: 09/07/11

Our family of four had a marvelous time at the Windmill house. Berenice is a caring host and took great interest in educating us about growing grapes. The house is comfortable, the location idyllic and peaceful. We heard so many kinds of birds in the morning. The night sky is rich in detail and we saw the milky way so clearly. We hope to return very soon.

Owner response:Kannan & Family: I was happy you and your family could join me for our morning vineyard walk. I could tell from the questions you all asked that you really wanted to learn about the other face of wine-making...the farming of the vineyards to produce the seven to nine cluster of grapes you enjoy as the final product in your glass. It was an added bonus to be able to taste some of the early ripening Merlot fruit and test the brix level with the refractometer. Sharing my grower's knowledge and the beautiful country environment with families such as yours is such a rewarding experience for me. I look forward to seeing you back again soon.

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

40846

Guest: Jill (Traverse City, MI)
Date of Stay: 08/03/11 Review Submitted: 09/12/11

We couldn't have asked for a better hostess. "Bea" was wonderful to us. The home was clean and offered a lot of ammentites. It was nice to unwind out in the country away from the hustle and bustle of the larger cities, yet we were cclose enough to go site seeing. We also had a great experience taking a hot air balloon ride and recommend it highly to anyone.

Owner response:Jill, Nancy & Family: I truly enjoyed meeting all of you and sharing stories in the patio while sampling Central Coast and Michigan wines. Thanks, too, for educating me on "pickled ring baloney" which was a delightful treat such as I have never tasted before. I enjoyed your story about taking a beautiful early morning hot air balloon ride over the vineyards of Paso Robles and being able to hear the dogs barking at your balloon from sooooo far below you. What a wonderful way to experience the vistas of Central Coast Wine Country! I hope to see you all back again for your next family reunion. Ms. B.

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

MARVELOUS

Guest: Henry and Edna (Maui,HAWAII)
Date of Stay: 06/10/11 Review Submitted: 06/16/11

We had a wonderful 2 days weekend celebration for my son's graduation. It was a lot more than we expected. The room were roomy and clean. As well as the kitchen and living room. It was very peaceful and quiet,we enjoyed barbequing for to nights. It was good experienced feeding bell and watching the rest of the animals roam the field.Bernice, the owner was very nice and friendly. we highly recommend this place for a family getaway or any celebrations.Thank you so much.It was much better than staying in a hotel.It was reasonable . ALOHA AND MAHALO The Parilla Family

Owner response:Henry & Edna: Thanks so much for choosing The Windmill House at Rock Basin Vineyards for your home base for Cal Poly University graduation. I was happy to hear that the house worked well for your extended family and friends and for your celebration BBQ's. You must be very proud to have a son who not only graduated from Cal Poly but dis so at the top of his class! Next time I'm in Maui I'll let you know so we can get together for a visit. Berenice

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers.

Country Living Adventure

Guest: Bob & Helen (Issaquah, Washington)
Date of Stay: 10/29/10 Review Submitted: 04/18/11

For those that like a touch of country living adventure combined with a location convenient to many of the wonders of the central coast of California, this is the place to stay. The Windmill House is comfortable with lots of room for families and/or house guests of your own. There is a nice fenced yard and great country views out the large windows. The pond that is part of the owner's working vineyard and streams in the immediate area can attract many types of birds and other wildlife. We have seen deer, a fox, raccoons, egrets, cranes, and wild turkeys to name a few. "B", the owner, is not only a very gracious host but also knows the area both near and far. Start your day's adventure with a walk down the road in either direction. There is always something new to see so take your kids and camera! B can suggest other interesting walks or sights to see starting from the property or a short drive away. Try not to miss Santa Margarita Lake for hiking, fishing, and boat rentals. Ready for a little civilization? We especially liked the towns of San Luis Obispo, Cambria, Cayucos, and Avila Beach, all a short drive (30 to 60 minutes) away. Each has its own personality and again B can suggest things to see and great places to eat, both family friendly and gourmet. The town of Atascadero is not much for adventure but has super convenient shopping for your home away from home needs. We look forward to returning soon.

Owner response:Bob & Helen: I very much enjoyed your stay and visiting with both of you and all your family and friends who came to visit while you were here. Your gracious offer to leave your beautiful photographs until your return next winter was a warm and kind gesture appreciated by all my guests since your departure. Bob has quite the eye for capturing the wildlife and beauty of the Las Pilitas Valley. I look forward to your return in the fall and sharing more stories of all your summer adventures.

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

Beautiful Weekend in Wine Country

Guest: The Gomers (Evanston, Il. USA)
Date of Stay: 10/07/10 Review Submitted: 10/24/10

The Windmill House was a perfect place for me to celebrate a birthday with my husband, my daughter and her husband, and my 18 mon. old granddaughter. We loved the peace and quiet of the area, the beauty of the rolling hills and vineyards, the gorgeous stars at night, and the comfort and cleanliness of the house. We were able to use the extra room off the living room for the baby's bedroom, and the 2 bathrooms and 2 bedrooms were comfortable and spacious for the 4 adults. Berenice was gracious and helpful, and recommended the Range Restaurant in Santa Margarita for my birthday dinner, and it was a fabulous meal! We're from Chicago, and the Range would compare with some of the finest restaurants there. We also loved Tina's for breakfast--warm and friendly, with great country food. We enjoyed wine tastings in the area, and visited nearby Santa Margarita Lake, which is gorgeous. And Berenice's gift of super fresh eggs from the farm down the road made for a great breakfast Sunday morning. We all hated to leave the beauty and quiet of the Windmill House, and hope that we can return again someday.

Owner response:It always does my heart and spirit good to know guests so enjoy the peaceful beauty and the quiet countryside that is my neighborhood. I am blessed to be able to share this slice of California paradise with so many visitors from both near and far. From a world class restaurant such as The Range and the down home country friendliness and good food at Tina's Place to the lively Thursday and Friday night live music at The Porch, and complimentary wine tasting at Ancient Peak's Winery and Pozo Valley Vineyards and honey, vinegar and root beer tasting at Seven Sister Trading Post, the town of Santa Margarita has so much to offer visitors. Visit Rock Basin Vineyards and you can take home memories of this special place too.

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

Spacious Family Friendly Country Get-Away

Guest: EFB (Encino, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/27/10 Review Submitted: 09/03/10

I stayed Fri-Mon with my husband, our two young children, and my parents. The home was just perfect: clean, spacious, abounding with cabinets and drawers to hide away clutter, a well-stocked kitchen, and windows galore from which to view the beautiful surroundings and take in the fresh air. High recommend for families with children (B's dogs, the wonderful gated yard, clean patio area, and adjacent sheep farm are an added bonus!) and/or anyone needing a quiet getaway. Twenty minutes to SLO and not much further to anywhere else in the area, it's definitely country living, but much-welcomed seclusion for us city folk! B is a wonderful host, helpful in many regards, and welcoming. Would recommend without hesitation and would return again in the future.

Recommended for:Families with young children

Wildflower weekend

Guest: Mr Pool (Huntington Beach)
Date of Stay: 04/23/10 Review Submitted: 04/28/10

What an excellent find this lovely house was. The home is really well equiped with every thing anyone could need, and it is very clean. "B" is an outstanding host! "B" offered to get anything we might need, which we didn't since the house is so well equiped. The location is beautiful, and well worth the 10 minute drive off of 101, a very pretty drive as well. Having a garage is a extra bonus, as is all the oak chips for the BBQ. We can't wait to come back, and recommend this rental.

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

Would go back in a heartbeat

Guest: Sabrina and Philippe (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/28/10 Review Submitted: 04/15/10

We have nothing but great things to say about our stay at the Windmill house. Berenice was friendly and informative from the beginning. She has the perfect balance of being approachable and accessible and also giving you your space and privacy. The house was very clean, and has a large fenced in yard which was perfect with our two young kids of 3.5 and 1.5 years old. The vines were right there, as well as sheep, tadpoles, horses. At night you can hear the toads by the stream. It is truly the perfect country getaway, easy drive to SLO, Morro Bay, Santa Margarita Lake. This was a wonderful VRBO experience, I really hope we get to go back very soon.

Owner response:Sabrina & Philippe: I so much enjoyed your visit and sharing my little slice of paradise with you and your kids. I know you really enjoyed interacting with the animals and I had a great time showing the kids all the aquatic life in the big irrigation pond. I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you all here again soon. Berenice aka: "B"

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

Guest: Rebecca Quintana (Bakersfield, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/15/10 Review Submitted: 02/14/10

B The weekend getaway was just what we needed and your house was just right! The clear skies and fresh air was a wonderful change for us. Thank you for showing us the pond and the toad eggs and for letting the kids pet the dog! The kids loved it! We will be back.

Owner response:Hi Rebecca & Family: Thank you so much for reminding me not to forget how lucky I am to be able to share the fresh air, blue skies and starry nights with such wonderful people like all of you. The kids were great and I truly enjoyed showing them the new life forming in the irrigation pond. I'm glad they had fun, too! Berenice, aka: "B"

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/13/10 Review Submitted: 02/13/10

The house was perfect for our family of 3 and my parents. Up to visit our son at Cal Poly for the weekend. Even with all the rain, we managed to bbq twice. Loved the setting and getting away from it all, yet still close to the important things. Thanks!

Owner response:Glad to hear the covered front porch worked so well for your BBQ in spite of all the rain. I look forward to having you all back again soon.

Recommended for:

Guest: Chip, Lorna & Ross (Kaneohe Hawaii)
Date of Stay: 12/22/09 Review Submitted: 12/22/09

Though we stayed for several days in August of 06 I am still enjoying the smells of the valley the generous hospitality of Bernice and the peace and beauty of Rock basin and the community. Must go to the SLO street market for Fun food and people watching!

Recommended for:

Guest: Chris & Blair, Ken & Christina (Upland, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/18/09 Review Submitted: 08/18/09

We needed a sanctuary to relax and unwind for a few days, and found one at Windmill House. The house fitted our needs perfectly, and the location was absolutely lovely. Our host was "B" was extremely helpful, even including charcoal for the BBQ and wine tasting coupons, as well as ideas for activities and local restaurants. We definitely plan to return!

Recommended for:

Guest: Jonathan10 (-)
Date of Stay: 07/11/09 Review Submitted: 07/11/09

My teammates and I (cyclists) came out to B's place for a weekend of racing in SLO, and were thrilled with the tranquility and simultaneous convenience of the Windmill House. We all enjoyed the great surroundings and appreciated the quiet and relaxed feel of the house. We will be back!

Owner response:Jonathan: I'm so happy that you and your mates with Team PossAbilities had such a good stay with me. I look forward to having you all back again soon.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/08 Review Submitted: 08/02/08

Perfect for artist/writer/bird watcher or anyone wanting peace and quiet,beautiful place.Bea is a combo of very nice and extremely knowledgeable. We have never had a more relaxing week. My family thanks you Bea and hope to see you again soon. Bond with your family and take the time to smell the roses when you travel to Rock Basin.

Owner response:Bob, Beth & Family: I am blessed to have the good fortune to share the pleasures and natural beauty of Rock Basin with good people such as yourselves. I look forward to seeing you back again soon.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/01/08 Review Submitted: 05/14/08

Thanks so much B for such a warm welcome and all the information you gave me and my two friends, Sandy and Rodger. There was plenty to do and we did get out and about and enjoyed the area and a couple of wineries. Mainly though we enjoyed just being able to visit with each other since we are friends that don't get to see each other that often. The Windmill house was so comfortable and well stocked with just about anything anyone would need. I fell in love with the linens in the Master bedroom, and the bed itself! Oh la la, so comfy. Thank you from all of us. Faith (Bay Area CA), Sandy (Southern CA), Rodger (Ontario, Canada).

Owner response:Faith: I am so happy to hear that you all enjoyed your visit to Rock Basin Vineyards & the Windmill House. It's always fun to reconnnect with our friends, especially those who we don't get to see that often.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/08 Review Submitted: 01/06/08

We Rang in the New Year for 2008 at Rock Basin and had a wonderful time. "B" - Thanks for all the hospitality; it was great to get to know you. The house is warm and comfortable, and situated in a beautiful country area. We had the chance to go to missions, visit San Simeon (elephant seals!) and Paso Robles, with a little bit of driving. We also visited the nearby Santa Margarita Lake and just kicked back around the house. Mollie loved seeing the sheep and meeting Nemo and Bo. Thanks again and we'll see you soon!

Owner response:Larry, Liz & Molly: I'm so glad you enjoyed visiting so much of our areas sights and vistas. I wish Molly could have been here to see the elephant seal cross the road! "Lucky" is still on the run with no plans in site for him to cross the highway again and join the herd on the beach. Hope to see you back again soon.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/07 Review Submitted: 11/17/07

My family was involved in a wedding in the area and having such a wonderful and convenient "second home" made it easy and comfortable for everyone. It helped to have enough bathrooms, a kitchen, and plenty of parking space. And to wake up and see the sheep and horses next door was really a nice touch. Thank you again, "B" best wishes for a nice holiday season. Laura

Owner response:Laura & Family: I'm so happy for the bride,groom and all your guests to have enjoyed a wonderful ranch wedding and reception inspite of the wet weather that day. I hope to see you all back this way again soon.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/07 Review Submitted: 08/16/07

We came to stay in August 2007 for a week while the 4 of us were attending a bead retreat in San Luis Obispo. We drove from Las Vegas so by the time we arrived we were pretty tired! The house and its surroundings were amazing! Coming from the city, it was so peaceful and relaxing to be 10 minutes from town, but in the most beautiful country surroundings you could imagine! It was well past dinnertime and there was a beautiful tray of sandwiches and a few bottles of wine waiting for us. We felt so welcomed. Bernice came down a few times to check on us and let us visit with her sweet dogs, Bobo and Nemo. It was the greatest experience we've had in our rental travels and you can bet we will be back whenever we can.

Owner response:Susan & Friends: So glad to hear The House suited your needs and that you enjoyed our country location. I'm looking forward to seeing your beautiful and intricatly beaded designs next year.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/07 Review Submitted: 07/09/07

B, Once again we enjoyed a wonderful stay at your guest house. Everything was just perfect including the wine you provided, a clean comfortable guest home and a great envrionment. We loved the addition of the sheep and it is always good to see you, Nemo and Bo! Pipestone was our favorite winery once again but Tablas Creek was excellent also.

Owner response:Thank you for returning to The Guest House at Rock Basin Vineyards for your annual reunion of the "triplets for life". I hope to see you all back again soon.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/06 Review Submitted: 11/23/06

Bea, The guest house was better than I imagined it could be, even after viewing the photos. We were so comfortable; there wasn't a thing all week that I thought of that was missing. Just like home. Your location is great too, alowing easy access to SLO, the wineries, the coast, and great hiking right up the street. (We enjoyed putting together that jigsaw puzzle too.)And you, Bea, are the perfect hostess, providing us with the thoughtful gift basket upon our arrival and insights on all manner of subjects about the farm and the area in general. Hope to see you again soon. Best, Sandra

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/06 Review Submitted: 08/23/06

If country life, a comforting respite from all that urban commotion, is on your agenda, then this is the place. If sampling wonderful wine in pastoral settings is something you wish to experience, then this is the place. If living a fantasy of friendly folk, plentiful wildlife, great food and daily excursions to all that the California Central Coast has to offer, then this is the place. We thank you B for a memorable week.

Owner response:8/25/06 I'm so happy to hear that everybody enjoyed the stay at The Guest House at Rock Basin Vineyards. Thanks for providing me with the lovely photo of Santa Margarita Lake...B.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/06 Review Submitted: 08/14/06

Fun, homey and clean. I loved this place. It was just perfect and our hostess "B" was so kind and generous. She took care of our every little need.

Owner response:8/17/06 So happy to hear that all the friends and families enjoyed their stay, short as it was. I'm looking forward to your return visit...B.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/06 Review Submitted: 07/10/06

"B", Had a great week at the house. It was more than expected. The kids loved experiencing the new born goat.Here are some fun things to do for all of you reading this review: Long Branch Cafe (ask B for directions) Horse back riding at the Lake Hi Mountain Rd to Lopes Lake(see map) Eberle Winery (#24 on map) Pozo Saloon Solomon's Porch in town Can't wait to drink more wine on the front porch.

Owner response:7/13/06 Thank you, Denis & family for your kind words. I was thrilled to share the newborn lamb with you and the girls. I look forward to your next visit and a chance to visit on the shady front porch with another great vintage in hand...B.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/01/06 Review Submitted: 06/14/06

We had a wonderful time at Rock Basin. Berniece is a wonderful hostess and so full of knowledge about the area and plants/flowers, grape horticulture, wines, history, and things in general, that our 6 week stay was full of adventure and enjoyment. Even when it rained!!!! The Palm movie theater in San Luis Obispo has good movies and cheap popcorn. And the Santa Marguarita library is a good place to check out and buy old books in case of rain. Thanks for such a great time B!

Owner response:I'm glad you both enjoyed your stay inspite of the wettest spring weather in 75 years! Your advise and support in buying the sheep was invaluable...B.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/05 Review Submitted: 07/14/05

We throughly enjoyed our four night visit to Rock Basin Vineyards. The Country House was very clean and comfortable. If you happened to forget something, just look around. 'B' will have it there already or get it for you, from a big pasta pot to oak chips for the BBQ. 'B' is very knowledgeable about the area One day we went up the coast, above Hearst Castle, to see the elephant seals. Another day we drove the back country roads around Lake Santa Margarita. On the day we stayed at home, 'B' took us on a walk through the vineyards. The four of us learned so much about the operations necessary to get great grapes. The welcome basket is brimming with local wine (using B's grapes), honey ('B's' bees), cheese, crackers and fruit. If you are looking for a quiet country place to use for a Central Coast base, this is the place. Rick and Maggie

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/01/05 Review Submitted: 05/27/05

We had a very enjoyable stay at the guest house and would highly reccommend it to anybody. Bee was very welcoming and hospitable and the house was spotless and we enjoyed all the little extras that are not available at impersonal hotels.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/01/05 Review Submitted: 05/06/05

My sister Posie and I had a wonderful time at Bea's house on her vineyard. We came for a training in San Luis Obispo, and it was great to be able to have a real home to go to in the evenings, cook our own dinner, and study as little as possible. Bea took Posie on a wine tasting tour and then we had a Santa Margarita barbecue!! You have to book at Bea's just for that.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/05 Review Submitted: 04/19/05

Our stay at Rock Basin Vineyards was the best possible experience. The hostess Bea met our needs from the tiniest detail like bedside flashlights to hosting a Santa Maria barbecue just for us. The guest house was immaculate with many antiques. Bea took us winetasting and her knowledge of wines was incredible. Anyone attending a Lindamood-Bell workshop would find Rock Basin Vineyards the ideal lodging. Bea was accurate that we were only 30 minutes away from the workshop. We had wonderful evenings bringing our colleagues to enjoy Rock Basin Vineyards. I'll never worry about staying in San Luis Obispo ever again.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/05 Review Submitted: 03/30/05

We rented this wonderful house for a family vacation. I've rented many homes from VRBO but never have I encountered anyone who had gone the distance Bernice had gone to make us feel welcome and pampered. She paid attention to every detail; from lovely soaps and bathsalts in each bathroom to flavorful wines and cheeses. The house is spacious, completely private and delightfully peaceful. Other members of our family stayed in a house in Pismo Beach that didn't have a fraction of the thoughtful accomidations we enjoyed. I would recommend this house to anyone wishing to vaction on the central coast of California.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/05 Review Submitted: 03/08/05

3-9-05 What a peaceful and relaxing time we had in the lovely guest house. B's hospitality is the best. Look forward to a return visit. Bob and Audrey Scrivener

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/01/05 Review Submitted: 02/10/05

The hospitality, the wine, the view, what can I say, I had the most wonderful time. Very relaxing, I felt right at home. Thank You Kim

Recommended for: