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Historic Inverness Retreat with Tennis Court near Point Reyes

Bayside vacation home with kitchen and patio

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The beautiful and comfortable great room is the heart of our home in Inverness.
Enjoy relaxing on the large deck, which overlooks the expansive, private garden.
The garden is a fully-fenced, private, wooded paradise.
Relax and enjoy magnificent garden views from the deck.
The great room's original redwood paneling and beamed ceiling are stunning.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 91750 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Outdoor Space
  • Breakfast available

Explore the area

View in a map
Inverness, CA
  • Place, Tomales Bay State Park
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Golden Gate Bridge
    ‪50 min drive‬
  • Place, Golden Gate Park
    ‪59 min drive‬
  • Airport, Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County)
    ‪62 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

Bedroom 1

1 Twin Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Twin Beds

Bedroom 5

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Full bathroom, upstairs

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Half-bath, downstairs

Toilet

Main bathroom, downstairs

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Historic Inverness Retreat with Tennis Court near Point Reyes

Tucked into the Inverness Mesa above Tomales Bay, this property blends historic character with the kind of space and privacy that makes Point Reyes trips memorable. Mornings often start with fog in the trees, afternoons on trails or beaches, and evenings around the fireplace playing games or planning the next day’s hike. It has been hosting families and small groups for decades because it’s comfortable, unpretentious, and close to everything that makes this part of the coast special.

Property Overview
• Main house + detached upper-level suite
• Private full-size tennis court
• One-acre fenced grounds with mature trees
• Walkable to Tomales Bay; 10 minutes to Point Reyes Station
• Reliable WiFi for work and streaming (no TV)

The House & Layout
Originally built in the 1890s as the Inverness Tennis Club and expanded in the 1930s, the property feels like a classic coastal lodge rather than a modern rental. The redwood-paneled great room—once the tennis clubhouse—anchors the main house with high ceilings, tall windows, and a large wood-burning fireplace. It’s an easy space for cooking, reading, long meals, puzzles, piano, and quiet downtime after full days outdoors.

Main House Includes:
• Redwood great room (former clubhouse)
• Full kitchen and dining area
• 4 bedrooms
• 1.5 baths
• Fireplace, piano, board games
• Deck with Adirondack seating and BBQ

Detached Upper-Level Suite
Above the garage sits a private suite with a king bed, full bath, and its own entrance. Families often use it for grandparents, a second couple, or anyone who wants morning quiet. It gives groups more flexibility without making the property feel disconnected.

Outdoor Setting
The private tennis court is unusual for Inverness and tends to get steady use from both casual and regular players. The fenced acre includes mature oak trees, open space, and seasonal blackberries in summer. Deer often pass through when the gates are open. The deck is a comfortable spot for coffee, grilling, or stargazing on clear nights.

Location & Surroundings
The house sits in the historic Inverness neighborhood—peaceful, residential, and close to the water.

Nearby:
• Tomales Bay shoreline & small market area (walkable)
• Point Reyes Station (10-minute drive)
• Beaches, lighthouse & national seashore trailheads (short drives)

The Point Reyes peninsula offers hiking, birding, kayaking, beaches, whale watching, and quiet backroads. Guests who come for a long weekend often wish they’d stayed a few more days.

Guest Experience
Groups tend to spread out naturally between the great room, suite, deck, and tennis court. The absence of a TV is intentional and often appreciated—people read, talk, and play games instead. WiFi supports streaming on personal devices for those who want it.

Best For:
• Families and multi-generational groups
• Friends planning outdoor-focused trips
• Guests who appreciate older houses with character
• Remote workers who need quiet and reliable WiFi

House Rules
• Maximum occupancy as listed
• No pets
• No parties, events, or large gatherings
• Registered guests only
• Respect neighbors and quiet hours
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor Space
Breakfast available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
Great for extended family and children!
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed, service animals permitted
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number 077637

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

About the neighborhood

Inverness

Located in Inverness, this vacation home is in a rural area and near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Tomales Bay State Park and Point Reyes National Seashore, while Tomales Regional History Center and Tomales Town Hall are cultural highlights. Kayaking and motor boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and hiking nearby.
Map
Inverness, CA

What's nearby

  • Tomales Bay State Park - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Golden Gate Bridge - 50 min drive - 65.6 km
  • Presidio of San Francisco - 52 min drive - 69.5 km
  • Sonoma Plaza - 59 min drive - 74.6 km
  • Golden Gate Park - 59 min drive - 75.9 km

Getting around

  • Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County) - 68 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Hog Island Oyster Farm - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪Toby's - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Inverness Park Market - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Bovine Bakery - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Tony's Seafood Restaurant - ‬22 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Rustic family vacation retreat with private tennis court! pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Rustic family vacation retreat with private tennis court!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Rustic family vacation retreat with private tennis court!?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Rustic family vacation retreat with private tennis court! located?

This family-friendly Inverness vacation home is located near the bay, within 3 mi (5 km) of Tomales Bay State Park and Shell Beach. Heart's Desire Beach and Point Reyes National Seashore are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 87 out of 104 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 104 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 104 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 104 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 104 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jeronimo C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazinf rustic stay!

We had an amzing time
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nils K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful and storied place, great for a trip with friendskids. Kitchen is well-stocked, living room great for dinners and games, the yard and tennis court are stellar.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Adrienne V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
WE love this place! Gorgeous location and old construction. Fireplace is magnificent. Great enclosed yard for our small dog. Great deck with deck chairs in the sun. We've stayed here twice and hope to stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leo G., Oakland

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Place!

Wonderful place.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Isaac S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful property

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this beautiful property with lots of room for the kids and dogs to run around.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kat & Rey

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unplug from the busy life

We loved the Colby House! It's really such a special hidden retreat. The location is amazing and very close to Point Reyes and the Cypress Tree Tunnel which is a must see..We'd be delighted to stay there again!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stuart W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay in Inverness

A group of friends and I stayed here for a quite weekend away. Great old house feel and nice location.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Simon W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxed get away

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Inverness. This is a quirky house which is perfect to escape the heat of the bay and unwind and a beautiful part of northern California’s coastline.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melodie Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

90th birthday family celebration

Perfect place to have the family fly in from out of state to celebrate the head of the family 90th birthday
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nicole T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Inverness Gem

This place is magical. Cozy, beautiful, charming….everything we needed to have an amazing family gathering!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elisa C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Thank you!

This was the absolute perfect spot for us to sit around and play games by the fire, play the piano, and be together. Loved it!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kara C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family get.away

We had a great time away with our teen boys. Lots of board games and yard games to entertain everyone! Great close to home get away!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrea S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Love Colby every time we stay! Even in the rain, we loved our time.!

Great family spot. Real, authentic, rich history. We feel a part of Colby having stayed here many times! ❤️
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rachel C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Would recommend this place

What a dream! We felt like we were at adult summer camp. Perfect space for a small gathering or friends and family and secure for animals. We hope to be back! Highly recommend
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steven B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful property

Everything went smoothly. Very comfortable. Classic Inverness.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

4/10 Poor

annie K.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy
This is a tough review to write as there were multiple issues with our stay that resulted from an old VRBO booking that wasn't updated. This lead to massive miscommunication about the check-in, no wifi info, and no heat. So for the first 24 hours we were disconnected and freezing but also not supposed to build a fire based on instructions. The manager was responsive but mostly about the fact that it was VRBOs fault and not the current managements' when all we wanted was immediate resolution to the issues. SO frustrating and made our stay really crummy overall. There was also lots of dog and other animal feces all over the property which we stepped in several times and that was also really frustrating--it's the country yes but the dog poop was unacceptable and not fun to be picking up on vacation. Lastly I would say that the house is more than "rustic" it is truly like summer camp--all of the rooms open to the outside and also to each other so you have VERY little privacy and can only access the one main bathroom that four of the bedrooms share from the OUTSIDE deck or you have to walk through everyone else's rooms. It was clean and has a lot of charm in keeping with the area but I would call it more of a glamping-like experience with a big lounge room for a group. Sinks only had cold running water too, and it's just really really old/funky. Might be more charming in the summer when things can be open for sure but in the winter it's literally freezing and not much fun at all!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Arvel H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great for an extended family

My dad, aunts and several cousins from Mexico made this their home base during my wedding weekend. It was exactly what they needed
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kim K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magical Home

The rustic setting and old California Coastal style was exactly what we wanted and Colby House delivered it perfectly! The area is a favorite of ours and there was plenty to do and see. Our family group was three generations wide and each of us was continually charmed by the ambiance. We hope to come again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Patricia B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Iconic Place

We had plenty of room for 6. Unfortunately the water heater for the main bedroom and bath went down and we never had hot water in that bathroom. The place was a very comfortable and authentic throwback in time. We had a great time. If you are going for the tennis, ask the host to clean the court prior. We received a discount from the host to compensate for the lack of hot water....great genture!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Romina A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful

This is a very special and historically interesting property in a lovely neighborhood in a wonderful area. We had so much fun with the tennis court and yard and exploring everything there is to do, and the house was very relaxing and cozy. It was a lovely stay and we will definitely be back!!!
Stayed 18 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

David W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magical Holiday House!

Colby House is an old-fashioned charmer of a property that reminds the visitor of Inverness' summer-house history, a tender place for children, trail-seekers, and those given to the imagination. Sprawling, comfortable, and welcoming—Colby House was a treat for our family's holiday gathering. We loved how welcoming and relaxing it was, how splendid the fireplace, how functional the kitchen.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

luella n.

Inverness at it's Best!

Great old school "cottage." Wonderfully quiet and serene! Even though it rained and tennis was out, we and our two dogs thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Looking forward to better weather on a future stay and lots of tennis!

10/10 Excellent

Hannah L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Inverness Classic

A beautiful rainy winter stay here at the Colby House. This is true classic Inverness experience where you get to go back in time and live a magical life with family or friends. We are definitely coming back! Thank you.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

6/10 Okay

Elizabeth A.

Liked: Location

Quaint, rustic

Would be a great place for a family with kids; birding was wonderful; easy access to Point Reyes Seashore, birds, whales, elk, coyotes, and other creatures. For a group with couples there was a lack of privacy, and it was more rustic than we had expected from the online profile.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elinor D., San Francisco, CA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Long weekend in Inverness

Beautiful weather, charming cabin, excellent location. We adored Colby house. The camp-like atmosphere was perfect for our family. We played loads of tennis, beach and yard football, shucked too many oysters, and would absolutely go back. Great for families and friends who get along well and love the outdoors. Dogs love it too! Zoomies of happiness everyday! Thank you Kerry for sharing this gem with us!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

About the host

Hosted by Meg Cadiz

Host profile image
The Colby House is owned by the descendants of Henry and Ruth Colby. Mike Brown grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Andy McKey lives in Brooklyn, and Emily McKey lives in Montana. Colby House was purchased by the Colby family in 1933.

Why they chose this property

Henry and Ruth Colby's children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren have some of their favorite memories and activities associated with the Colby House. It was the dream of Ruth Colby that the Colby House would remain in the family and that new people would have the chance to experience the magic of this special place.

Special memories include summer and winter holiday weekends and extended visits; special activities include playing cards and games in the living room; short drives to the Tamales Bay beaches, particularly Shell Beach where Ruth Colby used to drive each day in the summer to swim after 4:30pm; longer drives out to the beautiful ocean beaches, particularly McClures, but also to enjoy the wildflowers and to look for the Tule Elk who live in their own preserve. But you could be forgiven for losing all ambition to explore the area because the property itself is incredible and offers a diverse array of activities (including just sitting on the deck and taking it in).

What makes this property unique

The property is very private, with almost a full acre and the entire side of the block of Park Avenue, up from Forres Way where our green gates face the Inverness School. Within the property is the newly resurfaced and restriped tennis court, and an oak tree next to the deck which is suitable for climbing (and with a rope swing as well)! Everyone enjoys sitting on the deck in the summer to enjoy every meal!

Languages:

English, Spanish
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