Location: Cotati, Sonoma County, Wine Country, California, USA (7 miles south of Santa Rosa)
Accommodations: House, 2 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 1.5+ Baths (Sleeps 2-5)
THE SAGE HEN - Treat yourself to a quiet stay in a Tahoe-like setting for less than the price of a hotel room. Just an hour from San Francisco, this is the home of traditional jazz musician Lu Watters (1912-1989).
The immaculate brick home is fully furnished with old world Tuscan elegance, sumptuous leather furniture, Italian artwork, and tile floors throughout. Enjoy the 44-inch plasma TV with Bose sound system or listen to Lu Watters recordings from the days of his nightclub, Hambone Kelly's. Utilities, large capacity washer/dryer, natural fiber linens, local phone service included.
Easy access to highway 101, the Sonoma/Napa wine country hot spots in the Alexander, Dry Creek and Napa Valleys, Sonoma State University, coastal beaches, Valley of the Moon, Russian River resort area, and the giant redwood forests.
Lu built his home in what he called "the wilds of Cotati" when he retired from performing in his famous Yerba Buena Jazz Band. Located in a park-like setting with trees Lu himself planted decades ago. An amateur geologist, it is not by chance he chose to build his house on bedrock, unlike the fancy architects of San Francisco who built mansions on landfill along the marina.
THE SAGE HEN takes its name from "The Sage Hen Strut," a popular song Lu wrote on September 11, 1944, on his way to Hawaii on the SS Antigua, three days prior to composing Hambone Kelly. Lu had had his fill of celebrity by the time he settled in Cotati, preferring to open his home to the wild bird population rather than his two-legged fans. The coastal gulls were on a first-name basis with him, as he took regular trips to feed them hot dogs while he combed their beaches for stones and driftwood. His grounds are still a sanctuary for wild turkeys, mockingbirds, hummingbirds, and raucous bands of blue jays, which Lu distinguished as "the west jays and the east jays."
While not exactly wild, Cotati is still small enough to overlook, making it a peaceful retreat for anyone who wants to explore the beautiful surrounding countryside.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Covered Parking
- Off Street Parking
- Gas Fireplace
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Convertible Bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- VCR
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Lanai
- Communications
- Telephone
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Bose Sound System
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Handicapped Accessible (may have limitations)
- Wheelchair Accessible (may have limitations)
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Parasailing
- Jet Skiing
- Shelling
- Swimming
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Surfing
- Windsurfing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Rock Climbing
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Racquetball
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Miniature golf
- Horseback Riding
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Other Activities
- Hot-air Ballooning, Gliding
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
$100/night (30-day minimum).
$165/night (one-week minimum).
$285/night (2 night minimum).
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Property Photos
- Entry - Cotati, Sonoma County Home
- Kitchen - Living Area - Cotati, Sonoma County Home
- Kitchen - Cotati, Sonoma County Home
- Bedroom -
- BBQ Area
Guest Comments (7)
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #70421
There have been 20748 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2005.
This listing was first published here in 2005.
Date last modified - October 20, 2009
Positive Rating
Great place, nice and clean, best since San Diego, and we're all the way from New Zealand!
Positive Rating
The Sage Hen was the perfect setting for a relaxing Christmas week. Thanks, Ron, for teaming up with Lu Watters to provide this tranquil retreat in the lovely rock gardens Lu built. The view, the grounds, the decor and your hospitality combined with Lu's history and positive legacy made for a wonderful backdrop for our family memory.
Positive Rating
My husband and I and his parents stayed through the Thanksgiving holiday. We all had a wonderful visit. Thank you for sharing this wonderful home. We enjoyed learning more about Lu Watters' life and music and enjoyed the CD's. Every morning we enjoyed watching the little yellow finches and the red birds come down to feed on the rosemary bauds. So cute! Lots of little frogs, hummingbirds, too. The home is so tastefully decorated and was very comfortable. All the conveniences of home were provided. Thank you again. This TV/CD/DVD system was much easier than the cottage. Ha!
Positive Rating
An excellent base to visit the Sonoma Valley and Bodega Bay area. For all Snoopy fun, the museum at Santa Rosa is worth a visit. Thanks to Ron for renting us this super house and for the wonderful strawberries!
Positive Rating
Alison & Joel , Williamsville, NY
Positive Rating
Thanks, Ron! The house and its history are lovely and unique. You have taken care to provide all the comforts of home. The studio looks good for our future stays and we will be back.
Positive Rating
Carlos Moller , Pepeekeo, Hawaii