Location: Gualala, North Coast, California, USA (2 and a half hours north of San Francisco)
Accommodations: House, 2 Bedrooms + Other (See Description), 2 Baths (Sleeps 4-8)
WELCOME TO SERENDIPITY!
This is an amazing new home, designed, by Michael Barron-Wike AIA, to maximize the views and still fit into the hillside. Serendipity has the Craftsman look, inside and out. The first impression when entering is of an wonderful combination of windows and wood; 34 Anderson windows, five skylights, Brazilian Cherry flooring, maple custom cabinets, high open beam ceilings, rich Cedar trim, and dark Oak Mission furniture. The great room provides breathtaking views. Looking through the huge picture window, one can see the Gualala River, the beach, the Gualala Point Cliffs, and the crashing waves.
The house is a feast for all the senses. The ocean sound is always present, birds of all types fly by, and seals play below. We have seen whales relax below us for hours. Mid-April to mid-May is the peak whale season. The mother and baby grey whales hug the coast on their way north from Baja. They love to stop and rinse the barnacles off in the fresh water of the river mouth below our house.
Although you cannot see the town, all of this is a short walk from many wonderful restaurants, shops, galleries, and stores. Most of our guests choose to eat at home, however. The view cannot be beat, and the kitchen is beautiful - Granite counters, top end appliances, and fully-equipped including ice cream and breadmakers.
The house was lovingly built by Gregg Warner and a many other local crafts-persons. It incorporates luxury with environmental concern. We used concrete shingle siding, composite decking, and sustainably grown hardwood flooring. We installed a two Kw solar panel below the house, as well as a tankless water heater, and other energy efficient appliances. Serendipty was featured on the Soroptimist's Coastal Home Architectural Tour.
Every step through the house produces another view, inside, or outside on either of the two decks. The two master bedrooms are on opposite ends of the house for maximum privacy for two couples, and the kids will love sleeping in the great room, either on the fold-out chair and sofa, or the 18 foot wide window seat. The entertainment center is stocked with a plasma HDTV,DVDs and the drawers in the window seat are filled with games and toys. The spa captures river and ocean views, stunning at sunset.
We now offer free wireless internet connection, as well as unlimited free U.S calls, so stay an extra day and work from the deck. Until you start yelling when you see one, nobody has to know you have been whale watching while working.
As you can tell, we love this house, and judging from the glowing comments in our guest book, you will too.
"The most beautiful environment we've been in for years..."
"My husband's a General Contractor, and he could find no flaws..."
"Congratulations to the owners, the architect and the builders in bringing this vision to reality..."
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking
- Gas Fireplace
- Beds
- Queen Bed (2)
- Convertible Bed (3) : Convertible Sofa and 2 Convertible chairs. Also, 18 foot window seat can sleep 3 people.
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV (3) : Plasma HDTV in Great Room, fold-out LCD TV in West Bedroom
- DVD (2)
- VCR (2)
- Video Library: A good selection of DVD's and tapes.
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library: Many CD's and DVD's onsite
- Private Hot Tub: River and Ocean view from the spa.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: Granite tops, custom cabinets, and all the utensils, cookware and spices you will want!
- Cooking Utensils Provided: Even has Ice Cream and Bread Makers!
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio: 2 decks with River and Ocean view
- View/Location
- Beach View
- Ocean View: River and ocean view!
- Communications
- Telephone
- Free Long Distance
- Broadband Internet: >400 kbs upload and download...free!
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- free wireless internet access, DVD/VCR, High Chair, Playpen
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Kid Friendly: Lot's of games, playpen and high chair. The kids love all of the wildlife!
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Boating
- Shelling
- Swimming
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Surfing
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- Numerous art galleries, restaurants, shops and grocery stores in walking distance
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Rental Rates .. $720.50/2 nights (2 night minimum) .. $1942/week.
Taxes, Linen, Cleaning Fees Included, $30.00 Booking Fee per stay
Off Season Specials Available.
Maximum is 4 Adults and 4 Children.
Sorry, no pets.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Property Photos
- View from the driveway...wecome to Serendipity. - Gualala, California Home Rental
- Sunrise from the kitchen, looking across the great room. - Gualala, California Home Rental
- Gray Whale from the west deck. - Gualala, California Home Rental
- East Deck...capture the best moments of the banana belt weather here.
- Great Room...18' window seat, 32" HDTV, our guests love the rain, too!
- East Bedroom...plenty of area for playpen- great view, too!
- West Bedroom... LCD TV, just fold it flat to improve the view
- West deck...you can see (and hear) the ocean and the river from the spa
- Kitchen/Great Room...everyone volunteers to do dishes in this house.
- Solar Power, Concrete Siding, Composite Decking...we believed in building green.
- Step out on the east deck for amazing sunsets and wildlife views
- Winter Sunset
- View from East Bedroom
- Up for Air
- Looking West
Guest Comments (18)
First (10) of (18). View all comments
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #54304
There have been 32801 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2005.
This listing was first published here in 2005.
Date last modified - November 10, 2009
Positive Rating
Kathy & Clay Howe , Barnegat Light, NJ
Homeowner Response:
Thanks so much, Clay and Kathy
Positive Rating
R. Nicholson , Sonoma, CA
Positive Rating
Review Rating: 5/5 Review Text: "We love Northern California. Mendocino has been our favorite for years - so we were hesitant when we decided to venture South to Gualala. But, we must admit this place is absolutely a gem. Spectacular Views, Lots of Sunshine, Abundant Wildlife and the quality of this home is tough to beat anywhere. Like others here, we stay in lots of homes when traveling and traditionally stay in the very best we can find. But, 'Serendipity' is a masterpiece of fine living. Secluded, yet easily accessible to all this area offers. Fine Shopping, Great Massages, Dining, Parks, Canoeing and Beautful Beaches. Wineries are all over the area and you'll love a glass in the relaxing hot-tub, that like the rest of the property is well positioned for privacy and views. In todays world it's kinda neat to spend some time in a home powered in part by solar energy - and realized you have sacrificed nothing in comfort, and leave feeling a bit smarter in the process. Ethan Allen furniture, hardwoods, granite and stone...this place is perfect for any length of time, any time of the year. Lastly...a vacation is hard to forget when you come home refreshed and feeling you had made a great choice. The owners are available, helpful and the perfect hosts - although you may never actually see them. Every detail is perfect and the beds are to die for. If you like the best - you'll love this place!"
Positive Rating
The Donnelly Family , Webster, NY
Positive Rating
(Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity) The Northern Califonia coast has always been a favorite spot for us and now we have found the best of the best. Anyone can creat a showhouse, but you have created a place of solitude and welcome. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Positive Rating
(Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity) Dear Rick and Teresa, Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home.We love visiting here. Tuesday evening we were relaxing in the hot tub, enjoying the view, when we saw a whale for the first time! Wednesday we went fishing on the beach. We saw at least 3 whales swimming up the shoreline - we ran along the beach to keep up with them as they were spouting and jumping out of the water. They played close to shore in the area where the river meets the ocean for at least an hour. Breathtaking! We also saw couple of seals playing in the waves. It was such a fun day!This morning we saw the whales again from the deck. We can't stop watching them! We had a delicious lunch at Cypress and the whales entertained us throughout our meal. What a show!
Positive Rating
(Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity) I had a really good time staying in this house! Everything about it was really cool. The beds were really comfy and the hot tub was really nice! We even made ice-cream in the ice-cream maker! At the beach, we found some cool shells and rocks, and had fun climbing the rocks. I also liked the nearby towns- the movie theater at Point Arena was really cute! Oh yeah! The bookstore here was really good! It was so small, but had such a great selection of books!Thanks again for the awesome house!
Positive Rating
(Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity) What a total sanctuary! We laughed, danced, played, hung out in our bathrobes all day, watched marathon movies, and just plain relaxed. I am so thankful for the refreshing- the beautiful views, the soothing sounds of the ocean, the deer sightings, the intimate meals shared, the insulation from a roller-coaster paced life, the new perspectives found. Serenity, tranquility... Thank You
Positive Rating
(Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity) "Stunning, spectacular, sensational!" How can you adequately describe the glee from when you first catch sight of this incredible home? It is the most perfect home we've ever been in. From the incredible view of Sonoma's breathtaking shoreline to the stragically placed skylights to the radio controlled weather station to the elevated queen beds overlooking the ocean to the thoughtful property owner who thinks of your every need (before you do)- we could go on & on but you get the picture. It's like a dream being here- one we'll remember all our lives. Thanks so much for letting us share your palace. May all who read these words ejoy Serendipity as much as we did.
Positive Rating
(Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity) Thank you for our preview of heaven. Anthony (age 87) and Eveline (age 86) Smith (Note from owner: This is both the shortest and most powerful of all of the wonderful comments in our guestbook)