Location: Mariposa, Yosemite Area, Gold Country & High Sierra, California, USA
Accommodations: Chalet, 2 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 2 Baths (Sleeps 4-6)
Keywords: "Yosemite National Park", "Yosemite Vacation Home", "Yosemite Hideaway", 'Yosemite Rental", "Yosemite Rentals", Pool, Spa, Views, Hiking, Birding, Rotary Club
DISCOVER THE SECRET...Yosemite Hideaway...exceeding expectations since 1995...
Congratulations...You found us! As a recent guest said...We felt like how the '49ers must have felt when they discovered gold!
The area's best-kept secret, this gorgeous hideaway with million-dollar 100-mile views, is perched atop a mountain on 122 private acres. This spectacular piece of paradise is perfect for a discreet ROMANTIC GETAWAY or HONEYMOON. We book to only one party at a time--ideally 1 to 2 couples--you have the whole 1,400 sf hideaway to yourselves including the expansive decks, barbecue, private pool & hot tub, fireplace, and full kitchen. For those that are looking for a more active getaway, this property offers lots of acreage for off-trail hiking and exploring, birding and nature photography. You might also stumble upon one of the two historic gold mines on the property! For ADDITIONAL PHOTOS, please visit our web site, by clicking on the link below.
Inquire about our pet policy - some restrictions apply.
To book a reservation, please CALL US. Phone call requests have first priority as availability is constantly changing. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT IT CAN TAKE 24 TO 72 HOURS FOR VRBO TO UPDATE THE CALENDAR. ADDITIONALLY, TENTATIVE RESERVATIONS DO NOT SHOW ON THE CALENDAR. PLEASE CALL TO CHECK ON AVAILABILITY.
FEATURES:
* LOCATION...
Centrally located between the Arch Rock Entrance and Southern Entrance to Yosemite National Park, and especially suited to those wanting to go to Yosemite National Park during the day, but desire to get away from the crowds in the evening. This facility has the distinction of being the only facility of its’ kind in Mariposa County – Home to Yosemite National Park. It is the only vacation home on agricultural-zoned land, thus surrounded by miles of wide-open space - mountains, rolling hills, creeks, valleys and unbelievable views in every direction.
* LIVING AREA INCLUDES...
• wood paneled walls
• high open beam and pine ceiling
• massive fieldstone fireplace (for use November - April)
• ample supply of firewood provided
• sofa with queen hide-a-bed
• FM stereo receiver & ipod connection
• CD player
• stereo speakers inside and outside
• Satellite TV and DVD player
• easy access to outside decks and those incredible views.
* KITCHEN / DINING AREA INCLUDES...
• dishwasher / disposal
• electric stove top and oven
• refrigerator w/ ice-maker
• microwave oven
• toaster, blender, coffee maker & grinder
• pots and pans, dishes and utensils
• fresh linens
• seating in dining area for 6 comfortably
• easy access to BBQ and outside eating area
* BEDROOMS / BATHS INCLUDE...
• wood paneled walls and pine ceilings
• large master bedroom w/ a plush-top king bed, sofa w/ full hide-a-bed, fireplace, stereo w/ ipod connection, small TV
• cozy second bedroom w/ a plush-top queen bed
• two twin roll-away beds
• all beds with fresh linens
• one large bath w/ combination tub / shower
• one smaller bath w/ small shower
• bathroom amenities and bath towels provided
* OUTSIDE AREA INCLUDES...
• 1,900 sf redwood deck wrapping around the house with 100 miles of uninterrupted views
• all day sun and spectacular sunsets
• built-in BBQ (charcoal briquettes provided)
• outside eating area under a wisteria covered arbor
• 4 feet deep pool, perfect for cooling off during hot summer months
• hot tub, under a canopy of stars, for year-round use
• beach towels provided
• chaises and plenty of outdoor furniture.
* COMMUNICATIONS...
• Free WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS for your laptop computer
• Cell phone reception atop the mountain for Verizon and T-mobile. And we now hear from our guests that several AT&T smart phones will work at the hideaway.
• Land-line phone available upon request (for use with your calling card)
* OTHER...
• Central air-conditioning and heat
• Use of Washer / Dryer (for stays of 7 nights or more),
• Non Smoking
• Not Handicap Accessible & not recommended for those with mobility issues, nor for those with a fear of heights (after all - it is a mountaintop! :-)
• Paved half-mile driveway to the top of the mountain
• Maximum Occupancy is 4 (from May - September) and 6 (from October - April)
• And for those that do not have time to shop for groceries prior to their arrival, we offer an optional breakfast for the day after arrival - ask for details.
For more information about our accommodations, availability, rates, policies, guest comments, Frequently Asked Questions and additional photos please visit our website--just click on the link below.
Regarding Guest Reviews...We do not solicit reviews. While many facilities solicit and/or offer incentives for posting positive reviews or even ask friends and/or family to post reviews, we do not believe in this practice. You will not be asked to post reviews. We respect your privacy and your time. Most guests that fall in love with the ranch want to keep it a secret and refuse to tell others about it as they want to make certain they will be able to get a reservation again and again. For those of you that like guest reviews please visit our website and click on guest comments as guests have no problem leaving a comment to be read by other guests during their stay. And please note that we welcome guest reviews on VRBO, but fully understand why guests prefer to keep this hideaway a secret.
Vacation Rental Features
- Other Amenities
- Please visit our website for all features this property offers - click on the link below
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly : Inquire about our pet policy - some restrictions apply.
Rate Details (In US Dollars -)
From $225/night for two guests (mid-November to mid-March & excludes holidays)...
FOR COMPLETE RATE INFO PLEASE VISIT OUR WEB SITE...click on link below.
Rates vary based on time of year, length of your stay & the number of people
in your party, plus tax, cleaning fee & security deposit.
Credit card payment may be made via PayPal if within 30 days prior to arrival or
45 days prior to arrival, for holidays and stays of 7 nights or more.
2-nt min. Oct-April, 3-nt min. May-Sept, 3-nt to 4-nt min. for holiday timeframes
Maximum Occupancy is 4 (from May - September) and 6 (from October - April)
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Professionally, Duane and Barbara are both in the field of architecture. Barbara is also a birder and had been trapping and banding hawks for the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory in the Marin Headlands for over 13 years before moving to the Yosemite area. She is now a USGS Master Hummingbird Bander. Duane, a transplant from southern Oregon by way of the bay area, grew up on a farm and had a desire to get back to working with the land as well as woodworking, which has become his passion. They now love sharing this special piece of paradise with guests worldwide.
Duane and Barbara have been volunteer fire lookouts for the US Forest Service for 15 years. They know the lay of the land and are more than willing to share their knowledge of the local topography. Duane is also an active member and past president of the Mariposa Rotary Club. He would be pleased to have you join him for an early morning breakfast meeting, if you need a make-up session.
Why the Owner Chose Mariposa
The owners, Duane and Barbara, bought the ranch in 1995, after vacationing there for more than 7 years. They fell in love with the ranch from day one and had written a little note in the guestbook –“ if you are ever interested in selling, call us”. As Duane likes to say – “it was really meant as a compliment”. But low and behold, the previous owner did call on Valentines Day in 1994 and asked if they would be interested in purchasing the ranch. After giving it some thought, they decided that they could indeed “give it all up” and move to the country. Thus they took ownership in March of 1995, and as they say, the rest is history.
Duane and Barbara have traveled extensively, but feel lucky to call the Sierra Foothills home. They continue to find Yosemite magical no matter what time of year. Recently they were hiking in Yosemite on a remote and less-traveled trail and were lucky to find themselves sharing the forest with a Great Gray Owl, the largest owl found in North America. This rare sighting was a moment to treasure.
The Unique Benefits of this Chalet
The guesthouse at the ranch, known as the Yosemite Hideaway, is the original home on the property. Built in 1979, this jewel has a long and colorful history. Once you have stayed at the ranch, you will never forget it. As a recent Australian guest said – “it is a place that will stay with you forever”. It is truly that special and that magical. It is hard to describe what makes this place so special. Perhaps it is the incredible views or the solitude that words cannot describe. Honeymoon couples invariably arrive atop the mountain and quickly shed tears of joy for having found this place. This mountaintop hideaway is lodging like no other. Whether you think of it as a luxury hideaway or personal resort, it is truly unique.
Of special note...this property is an official USGS scientific hummingbird research site. The owner is a Master Hummingbird Bander and is currently working on a population genetics study with the University of California at Davis. If you are lucky you just might book a time when we will be banding hummingbirds. It is quite a treat to see these birds up close and personal. Banding sessions take place down the hill and adjacent to the owner's home and occur every other week from March - October. But don't worry; you will also see hummers at the mountaintop hideaway.
Property Photos
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- ...take a dip in the pool w/ the mountains beyond... - Yosemite Lodging
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- ...the "perch"... - Yosemite Lodging
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- ...enjoy the large master bedroom... - Yosemite Lodging
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- ...cozy second bedroom with queen bed...Yosemite Lodging
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- ...relax in the living area with the massive fireplace..Yosemite Lodging
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- ...use your culinary skills in the kitchen...Yosemite Lodging
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- ...it's all about the views...Yosemite Lodging
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- ...alfresco dining under the wisteria-covered arbor...Yosemite Lodging
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- ...relax in the hammock or soak in the spa...Yosemite Lodging
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- ...our amazing Hummingbirds...Yosemite Hideaway
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- ...a Costa's Hummingbird - one of the birds banded at the ranch...
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- ...enjoy the fabulous sunsets...Yosemite Lodging
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- ...welcome to the ranch...
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- ...the same famous 2010 Double Rainbow featured on YouTube...taken at the ranch
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- Hideaway guest...enjoying the view
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- ...floor plan of 1,400 sq. ft. luxury hideaway & 1,900 sq. ft. redwood deck
Traveler Reviews (3)
One-of-a-kind vacation getaway
Guest: Dean
(Paso Robles, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/12/12
Review Submitted: 01/25/12
This was our 5th time to the ranch. We started coming to the ranch in 2001. We love this place and find that it is such a beautiful place to restore the soul. I have an uncle that we visit in Montana from time to time and this place surely reminds me of "Big Sky Country". There are very few houses in the area so it is extremely quiet - almost too quiet :-) Through the years, I don't think that there has been even one new home built as far as the eye can see. The adjacent ranches are very large (maybe thousands of acres) which adds to the privacy. The only road noise that we might occasionally hear is a tractor on one of the adjacent ranches. This is definitely big-ranch country. Duane and Barbara, the owners, who live just down the hill, and who we have become friends with through the years, take such noticeable pride in the place. Thus we know what we will find, and have come to expect the same quality and attention to detail we found in 2001. No photo or description can fully describe what you see or experience when you visit the ranch. Not much has changed through the years. It is wonderful that they continue to share this one-of-a-kind vacation getaway. If it was all mine, I probably would not want to share it with the world.
Owner response:Dean, thank you for the positive comments. Having over 120 acres does provide a unique experience and unlike many other vacation rentals found in the area on the more typical less than 10-acre parcel. But as you can well imagine, it is a lot of work and we do all the work ourselves to assure that guests will experience the highest attention to detail, like trying to wash the windows between each and every guest. We have rented several vacation homes through the years and find that if you have spectacular views, you need the windows to sparkle. Looking forward to your next visit to the ranch. Thanks again, you guys are much too kind...Duane and Barbara...BTW if you are ever interested in buying the ranch, let us know. As they say, everything is for sale for the right price :)
Recommended for:Romantic getaway.
Fabulous place to stay - incredible views!
Guest: Jennifer
(Medford, OR)
Date of Stay: 07/23/11
Review Submitted: 11/03/11
So glad we found this fabulous place to celebrate our anniversary. The house was clean and well appointed with all the comforts of home including really comfy beds. It is very private and quiet, with just the sounds of nature. We don't recall ever having slept that well. The sunsets were gorgeous, but we loved our mornings on the deck watching the hummingbirds as we sat under the wisteria. And stargazing while in the hot tub was an extra special treat. We enjoyed Yosemite in all of its glory, but looked forward to returning to the ranch each day. The owners were very willing to share their knowledge of the area and the wildlife and helped us plan our days in Yosemite. We have used VRBO many times but this place is by far the most unique and the best yet. It was well worth being off the beaten path. If we could give this place a 10-star rating, we would. We hope to return.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway.
beyond all expectations
Guest: Peggy
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Date of Stay: 10/02/11
Review Submitted: 10/12/11
We know you do not ask your guests to post online reviews, so we will write in your guestbook and share with those that are lucky enough to stay here. We just want to thank you so much for sharing this special piece of paradise. Our stay really has been beyond all expectations - the incredible views, the wildlife, the hot tub under the stars, the decor and warmth of the house. We have stayed at many vacation homes through the years and nothing compares to this. This is more than a vacation home - it is a destination. What an amazing place! It is obvious that you take great pride in making this place feel like home. We feel so fortunate that we were here to observe you band hummingbirds - really the highlight of our trip. We still find it hard to believe that hummingbirds remain so calm when being handled. We loved Yosemite and your recommendation to hike Sentinel Dome was great advice - what a view! We hope to return next year so you can expect a call from us when we return home. All our best, Peggy and Jeff... Owners response: While it is true that we do not solicit reviews, we welcome reviews. However, we continually hear that most people want to keep this place a secret so that they will be able to get a reservation again and again.
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #84347
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Date last modified - Sunday, January 22, 2012
