Vacation Rentals by Owner

Warm and Welcoming

Guest: Dori (Monte Rio)
Date of Stay: 11/17/11 Review Submitted: 11/21/11

We just had a family gathering for my son's wedding (11/19/11). I needed a place to accommodate my large family. Some of us stayed at the Papa Bear house, it was so warm and welcoming, we loved it. The rest of the family stayed at the Baby Bear and the Mama Bear cabins, which made it so convenient. Everyone is talking of going back for another stay. The owners were very helpful and welcoming.

Owner response:Thanks Dori, it was our pleasure to serve you.

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

A Great Place to stay

Guest: Brian (Washington, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/14/11 Review Submitted: 07/17/11

My wife and I were privileged to stay at Mama Bear's Cabin for a few nights. It was a great place for us to relax and spend time together. The cabin is private and the place is simple and neat. Rene and Drue have made the property feel like an extension of home. My wife and I had never booked through VRBO before, and were a little nervous about it. Rene and Drue were amazingly helpful and were quick to answer all the questions we had about it. We would definitely recommend this to anyone traveling in the Nevada City area.

Owner response:The privacy and natural setting of Mama Bear's Cabin is what attracts many of our visiting couples. Our goal is to make your stay as comfortable and relaxing as possible, and we never mind answereing the varied questions we receive from our guests, or those just inquiring. Your happy stay makes us stay happy!

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

As Goldilocks said...

Guest: Matt & Shelley (San Rafael)
Date of Stay: 04/10/11 Review Submitted: 05/11/11

"Mama Bear's is just right." Our Stay at Mama Bear's cabin could not have been nicer. The cabin is as cute as a button, perfectly furnished for 'a cabin in the woods.' Mama Bear is one of three cabins located on a 5-acre parcel. Mama Bear is located up a hill, away from the other two cabins. Mama Bear has its own private deck and private, inviting, jacuzzi/spa, perfect to sit under the stars, soak away any stress and relax. Much to my surprise, the bed was even perfectly comfortable. (I incorrectly anticipated the beds would be low-end and uncomfortable. Surprise?! The bed my husband & I slept in, was very nice!). The cabin was clean and neat. (Note, I make the following comment only because reviews of other cabins have had a negative comment or two on this) -- there were a few 'staple' items in the refrigerator, (like butter, margarine, and a couple of condiments), probably left by preceding guests. We intentionally left a bag of (uncooked) rice, sealed, in the freezer. I was not offended by finding a few staple items in a refrigerator, and, hope you were not offended by rice we left. My sister and her SO joined us for a few of the days @ Mama Bear. The cabin was perfectly adequate for four adults, ( be mindful - there is only one bathroom in the cabin). My sister used to make a lot of stoneware/ceramics. She was delighted by the beautiful pieces of hand-made stoneware that stocked the kitchen cabinets. We discerned that the potter had the initials R.S., and realized they were probably made by owner/operator Rene. So, from one potter to another, thank you Rene, my sister enjoyed and appreciated your work. Mama Bear is pet-friendly. We brought our 2 dogs. Not wanting to incur an additional cleaning fee, should a naughty dog sneak up upon a piece of the furniture, we did bring extra sheets and blankets to cover the cabin's furniture -- (just in case). It is off the main road, far enough, to be safe for visiting dogs. We felt we 'lucked-out' by choosing Mama Bear. The setting is lovely, the cabin is cute and clean and comfortable. With the spa, it can even be a lovely setting for a romantic getaway. It snowed one day. Should you choose to stay at Mama Bear, i hope you will enjoy your stay as much as we did.

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

Cal Girls Reunion

Guest: Ari (Mendocino, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/06/10 Review Submitted: 10/24/10

We found Mama Bear cabin to be roomy as well as cozy at the same time and it was what we expected. It was clean and thoughtfully decorated. All the basic needs were met- towels, linens, kitchen equipment, gas fire place. A couple of suggestions. Couldn't find instructions for operating the TV-entertainment equipment- we couldn't even get the TV turned on. Also, there are a couple of utensils in need of replacing. The spatula was too small and broken and it would be nice to have a small omelette-egg pan. There's only one bathroom. Would be nice to have a 1/2 bathroom especially if there were 2-3 or more guests. I would recommend staying here. We loved it. We walked the town, shopped, hiked some of the trails, found the restaurants to be fabulous (New Moon, Ike's, Pine Street Cafe) and took in a live musical show- local musicians, very well done! Nevada City Retreats was only about 7 minutes out of town. The city is wonderful and Nevada City Retreats a real find.

Owner response: We are attending to the kitchen items mentioned, and Rene is even adding some more of her hand made pottery pieces for table ware, baking and egg whisking. As to the TV, it seems it was plugged into the outlet that is operated by the wall switch, which was in the off position. Thanks for the heads up on these matters. We rely on feedback from our guests and appreciate the comments. Maybe down the road we could add an outdoor shower! Rene and Drue

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

Just what we were looking for!

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/06/10 Review Submitted: 09/14/10

First of all Rene and Drue couldn't have made us feel more at home, they are so warm and gracious. Second..........the cabin exceeded all our expectations for beauty, quiet and that hard to define "sense of place". After a day in the S. Yuba River, it was epic to be able to cook a dinner made from food from the local farmer's market, and then relax in the hot tub. We were so enchanted by the cabin and site that we didn't turn the TV on all week, and just let all of our senses open up. Rene and Drue have created something very special here, and we feel grateful to have spent a week reveling in the ambience, reading and decompressing. Thank you Rene and Drue!!!

Owner response:Thanks Ed. We enjoyed meeting you both, and look forward to your return trip! maybe the wild turkeys will be here then.

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

Guest: Laura and Ben (Hunter Army Airfield (Georgia))
Date of Stay: 03/04/10 Review Submitted: 03/03/10

Mama Bear was perfect as a romantic hideaway for the two of us to reconnect on a R and R. As a military family bound by duty and separated by a very long deployment to Afghanistan, we enjoyed the serenity of the surrounding woods, the occasional surprise as deer wandered onto the property and soaking tired muscles in the hot tub. Thanks Rene and Drue for your flexibility and willingness to let us stay there!!! We cannot wait to stay in the cabin again! Ben and Laura Raschke

Owner response:Thank you Laura and Ben. You are welcome back any time. Blessings to you both. Rene and Drue

Recommended for:

Guest: Joanne
Date of Stay: 09/22/07 Review Submitted: 09/21/07

Beyond words. Beyond expectations...a "piece of heaven" surrounded by chaos A place to just be yourself. Thank you so much. You always come back home. Till then, great expectations with "heaven".

Recommended for:

Guest: Myki and Bruce
Date of Stay: 09/13/07 Review Submitted: 09/12/07

A perfect place to feel at home while getting away from it all. Thank you for sharing your little piece of heaven with us. There is so much to do nearby, but doing nothing is just fine too! You have followed your dreams in creating this fine getaway, and by doing so have given others a place to dream! Thank you! (We'll be back.)

Recommended for:

Guest: Gloria and Oliver
Date of Stay: 09/03/07 Review Submitted: 09/02/07

We're so glad to have found your place. It's not easy to feel at home when traveling with 2 kids and a dog, but Mama Bear's Cabin had everything we needed. We'll definitely be back next sumer.

Recommended for:

Guest: Jerry and Kay Farris, Kent Brent
Date of Stay: 08/31/07 Review Submitted: 08/30/07

Thank you so much for your great vacation home. Also for all the extras and help you provided. I may be a city gal but sure do love it here. We all did. My husband did find a small amount of gold so that means we'll be back. All the other prospectors were very impressed with the Mama Bear's Cabin and I am sure you will be hearing from them. Thanks again.

Recommended for:

Guest: Jay and Lisa
Date of Stay: 08/24/07 Review Submitted: 08/23/07

Rene and Drue, We have missed Nevada City and the Yuba [River] so much since we moved back to Wisconsin in 2000. We knew we would be back to visit but wanted our children to be able to remember/enjoy all the area has to offer. So.. seven years later here we are and our children could not believe this area is where they came from. Needless to say, they were overwhelmingly pleased with it and especially the Mama Bear's Cabin. Everything was absolutely perfect. You have an amazing property and we are already talking about a return trip. We will tell all our friends and family about your paradise. We were searching and hoping for the perfect place to stay while we were in the perfect area...and we found it. Thank you so very much for helping make our trip so very special.

Recommended for:

Guest: Jeff and Carla Betz
Date of Stay: 08/12/07 Review Submitted: 08/11/07

Thank you so much for sharing this lovely home in the woods with us. The accommodations and charm of Mama Bear's Cabin even exceeded our expectations. What a treasure! We slept peacefully and enjoyed listening to the wind. This morning we spotted a buck tip-toeing nearby while we sipped coffee out on the deck. It was great to get a chance to meet you, Rene, at Mostly Clay. Maybe next time we can introduce ourselves to Drue. We intend to be back__thank you again! It was the perfect weekend away!

Recommended for:

Guest: The Ansberrys
Date of Stay: 08/05/07 Review Submitted: 08/04/07

What a gift from God your cabin is!....The cabin was so nicely equipped and I loved your pottery cups, soap dishes etc. You are truly an artist Rene! The Yuba Rive swimming hole was amazing. My husband and sons had a great time there. May God bless you both!

Recommended for:

Guest: Kathryn Ann
Date of Stay: 07/22/07 Review Submitted: 07/21/07

This was a perfect home for us while we were here for the Sierra Storytelling Festival. Thank you for creating and offering such a well equipped and artistic home.

Recommended for:

Guest: Bruce and Debi Smith
Date of Stay: 06/17/07 Review Submitted: 06/16/07

A great place to stay and explore the amazing Yuba River. A most enjoyable experience. Thanks I had a great time in your cabin. It was tons of fun! Thanks a lot!....Riley Smith P.S. i hope we come stay again! I had a great time!...Taylor Smith

Recommended for:

Guest: Paul and Brooke
Date of Stay: 02/21/07 Review Submitted: 02/20/07

Thank you Drue and Rene for experiencing a piece of heaven as Brooke and I launch our married life. Your place here is quiet romantic, inspiring and just plain warm. We felt secure in the cain and at the same time sensed we were being observed by many animals. We wish you both a long and healthy retirement in the future. May God guide and inspire both of you.

Recommended for:

Guest: Emily, Kristen, Vanessa
Date of Stay: 02/04/07 Review Submitted: 02/03/07

Than you both so much for your warm, generous hospitality. We came up here to have our small group meeting and to be close to nature and God. This whole weekend was definitely a gift from God. The cabin is so warm and cozy. We ventured out and took a refreshing hike up Gypsy Falls. Our dog, Kita, even loved it! We will definitely be back. In fact, we have already made plans for the summer. Thanks again for everything!

Recommended for:

Guest: Megan, Anthony, Ryan,Patti,Chris
Date of Stay: 01/01/07 Review Submitted: 12/31/06

New Years was a blast! Had a wonderful relaxing weekend here in Nevada City. I will always remember this wonderful time.... Killer cabin by the way!

Recommended for: