Our family of three stayed at Mole’s Cottage and then at The Cottage at Muir Beach a few weeks later. Both cottages are absolutely magical, the quintessential cottage-by-the-sea that transport you far away, even if you are just driving locally like we did.

Muir Beach is everything you want in an idyllic beach hideaway; it is easily seen and walked to from the Cottages. The view from Mole’s is slightly better due to angle, height and location of the windows and the deck. The picture window in Mole’s living room frames the beach and cliffs perfectly - and on a clear day, you can see all the way to San Francisco.

Both cottages are impeccably clean and very comfortable. Each has a fully furnished kitchen with everything you could possibly need to cook, reheat, grill and serve. It’s a good idea to bring groceries with you as the winding road back out for errands takes a while and can spoil the retreat relaxation of being out there. Each has an easy-to-light grill.

Sleep-wise, the Cottage sleeps 4 but two are up in the loft area which has a lower ceiling and more suitable for kids. My tall (5’7”) teen found Mole’s Cottage second bedroom more comfortable; it has a stunning ocean view from its bedside picture window. Both master bedrooms have comfortable queen beds. Both cottages have a great selection of DVDs, guides and games.

Victoria was the perfect hostess - hands off but promptly attentive if needed. She provides clear, detailed instructions by email with a printed folder of that information at each cottage: local sites, groceries, WiFi, beach access, emergency information (especially for earthquakes, which the cottages are fully stocked for).

Both bathrooms are very clean and well-stocked, with hair dryers, towels, bathrobes. Mole’s Cottage is a shower only while the Cottage has a tub/shower combo. Both units also have full size washer/dryer - handy after a day at the beach.

Each cottage has its own well-coordinated sea theme - they are both exactly what the pictures show, charming and beautiful. Mole’s Cottage has a more romantic, sea cottage feel while the Cottage has a more modern, clean line feel. They are adjacent but still both very private. We had “neighbors” both times and didn’t notice their presence. A gorgeous succulent garden envelopes both cottages with thriving and flowering succulents, sea glass, driftwood and seashells. With the sound of the waves, rest and relaxation just naturally follow.