Still Light Pond Mini Country Estate

• Charming Cottage

  Charming Cottage

  • Guest Sheila
  • Date of stay 03/29/13
  • Review Submitted 04/10/13
  My family spent a long weekend at this charming cottage recently and had such a nice time. The vintage furnishings are nice and compliment this old farmhouse so well, but it's always nice to have all the modern conveniences such as a gourmet kitchen and hot tub! The property itself is a sanctuary, with its own redwood grove and a wide assortment of trees and shrubs. We were serenaded nightly by the pond wildlife and I enjoyed several candlelit baths in the free-standing tub. Great location close to the river, the beach and Armstrong Redwoods, the largest stand of old-growth trees in the the state. The little town of Occidental down the street has a good market and small gift shops. Howard's opens bright and early and serves the best breakfast I've had in years - don't miss it!

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

  Owner response: Thank you, Shelia. I am so touched when my guests have such a wonderful experience at Still Light Pond. I am thrilled to steward and share the property with so many delighted people. Thank you for your nice unsolicited review! Joan Barnes

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• What a find!

  What a find!

  • Guest Brad
  • Date of stay 02/01/13
  • Review Submitted 02/07/13
  This property exceeded our expectations. The pictures don't really do it justice. We had a wonderful carefree weekend enjoying the house and grounds as well as the nearby town of Occidental and the surrounding area. The caretaker Nancy was very helpful and steered us to some great dining experiences. We felt we were staying at the beautiful home of a friend who has exquisite taste.

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

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• Fantastic Sonoma Get-Away!

  Fantastic Sonoma Get-Away!

  • Guest Dawn L.
  • Date of stay 10/18/12
  • Review Submitted 10/30/12
  Four girlfriends from varied cities gathered to celebrate a big birthday at Still Light Pond for a weekend of wine drinking, eating and relaxing. Our choice couldn't have been better! The home is perfectly decorated and outfitted with a Wolf stove, Sub Zero fridge and even a baby grand piano. The master suite is luxurious and the guest suite is cozy and comfortable. Each has it's own bath. Our last day included a tour of the grounds since we were off wine tasting most of our visit. We all wanted more time to just hang out and relax there....Secondly, but not to be forgotten, is the charming town of Occidental where the locals are friendly and the food is great. Thanks for everything Joan. We all hope to be back!!!

  Recommended for: Age 55+, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Quintessential Sonoma County Experience

  Quintessential Sonoma County Experience

  • Guest AB
  • Date of stay 09/30/12
  • Review Submitted 10/08/12
  If you’re someone who appreciates stunning natural settings, beautiful landscaping, gorgeous interior color schemes, distinctive architectural details and charming furnishings, then this is the spot. You can look at hundreds of other rental properties in this price range and find virtually nothing to compare with Still Light Pond. The location is restful and secluded but also within easy driving distance to the coast and some of the best pinot noir vineyards in North America. But then again, you may not want to venture out because the house and land are so unusual and wonderful. The photos don’t convey the sense of spaciousness and the incredible setting that you’ll discover in the backyard, looking out across the 4-acre property with gardens, wooded hillsides, a pond and a grassy pasture with oaks. As others have mentioned, the kitchen is beautifully designed and well equipped, complete with a Sub Zero refrigerator and Wolf range. This home is labor of love, not a typical vacation rental, and you’ll fully appreciate the difference the minute you walk in the front door. The owner and caretaker are great and easy to work with.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, romantic getaway, adventure seekers.

  Owner response: Amy, I am touched by your review and saddened that I have put Still Light Pond on the market. "She" is all that you say, thank you, and has been indeed, a labor of love. Perhaps, the market will decide I need to steward the property a bit longer:-) Many thanks again and so glad you enjoyed your stay! Joan Barnes

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Wonderfully comfortable, gorgeously set, much to do in the area but hard to leave the comfy property

  Wonderfully comfortable, gorgeously set, much to do in the area but hard to leave the comfy property

  • Guest Kat
  • Date of stay 06/30/12
  • Review Submitted 08/24/12
  Jim and I have repaired twice to Still Light Pond in the last 9 months and are scheduled for another week-long respite in January. Which, brings to mind a brilliant aspect of this rental: it doesn't seem to matter when you go -- the weather is gentle and the property is set to highlight the best of each season. Situated on the mesa above the southern Sonoma village of Occidental, every care has been taken to ensure guests are able relax with no cares of their own. The beautifully but lightly gardened surroundings include the eponymous pond and, on its far shore, a ridiculously romatic tented cabin (furnished no less) with rocking chairs on the porch (yes! a tent with a porch). It's a large property of several acres with fruit trees, towering redwoods, old oaks, a spectacular golden pagoda tree, acers, eucalypts and more. You might hear lowing in the night -- there's a pasture on the eastern border with lovely visiting cows (but no odor or flies). Other "wildlife" include a great variety of birds and a cat we thought was feral until we spotted its collar but it was leary of the house. I am especially enamored of the kitchen which is kitted out with all the tools, pots, pans and accouterment one could wish for. There's most everything a good cook needs for good cooking. The beds and linens are luxious and the master bath is an indulgence; the smaller bath off the second bedroom makes it easy for the house to host two couples with a maximum of privacy. The generous deck (with hot tub) makes a fine outdoor lolling and dining area; it overlooks the pond, redwoods and fruit trees. My favorite room is the bright, window-surrounded sitting room with wood-burning fireplace, leather reading chairs with ottomans and softly comfortable couch. Also, a baby grand piano. Which brings me to the one thing I'd change if asked: exchange the piano for additional comfy reading or lolling upholstered furniture. I wish I could live here.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, romantic getaway.

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• serenity and comfort

  serenity and comfort

  • Guest Flora
  • Date of stay 02/26/12
  • Review Submitted 03/07/12
  Great furnishings and all modern conveniences made this a wonderfully relaxing stay. Hot tub and beautiful private grounds were top- notch. Great utensils and such for those who wish to cook in, and a spectacular drive to the ocean. Master guest suite with gas fireplace and wonderful views. Like living in nature, but with a roof over one's head.

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

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• Idyllic farm charm designer cottage!

  Idyllic farm charm designer cottage!

  • Guest Kirsten
  • Date of stay 07/27/11
  • Review Submitted 08/07/11
  My family stayed here for four days while on a retreat. The house was clean, beautifully designed and lovingly decorated. The grounds were so idyllic each angle looked like a page out of a magazine. It is a very tranquil setting. The property is located 1.8 miles away from Occidental-a quaint North Cal town with a robust organic farmers market and several great restaurants. The only small improvement I would have made would be to make the A/V equipment easier to use- we tried once and gave up. Since we were on a retreat anyway, no TV was probably a good thing, and we had our own iPods. The boat was not on the pond and the wood burner in the tent cabin were not working, but fishing in the pond swinging on the swing and picking blackberries were delightful pursuits for our children. We would stay here again in a heartbeat!

  Recommended for: Tourists without a car, age 55+, girls getaway, people with disabilities, sightseeing, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Additional information about rental rates

Weddings or Special events are welcome, please contact us for quotes.

Fees:

• Cleaning Fee: $125
• Pet Fee: $0
• Refundable Damage Deposit: $400
• Taxes Included

Cancellation policy:

100% refund if canceled at least 30 days before arrival date.