Located in Bret Harte, a neighborhood in San Rafael, this guesthouse is in the mountains. Golden Gate Bridge and Muir Woods National Monument are notable landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz Island. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at Golden Gate Fields, or consider a night out at Pier 27. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and sailing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and ecotours.
Escape to your own private hillside wellness retreat in Marin. Recharge with sweeping views, a heated saltwater pool, fitness studio, air conditioning, and a peaceful standalone guesthouse all to yourselves. Perfect for couples, solo travelers, remote workers, and small families seeking relaxation, outdoor adventure, or a refreshing getaway. Minutes drive from San Francisco, Napa, Sonoma, hiking, yoga, spas, and farm-to-table dining.
Designed for Relaxation & Wellness
Private Hillside Retreat • Standalone guesthouse with its own entrance • Dedicated off-street parking inside the gated property • Peaceful setting overlooking the hills and city lights • Quiet mornings, spectacular sunsets, and star-filled evenings • Pet & family friendly
Poolside Living • Large heated saltwater pool (May–September) • Lounge chairs, pool towels, and toys provided • Shared only with our family, so it stays quiet and uncrowded
Fitness & Movement • Dedicated workout studio • Premium rowing machine • Free weights • Yoga mats and stretching space
Comfort Year-Round • Air conditioning (rare in Marin) • Central heating • Comfortable queen bed & sofa bed • Blackout curtains for restful sleep
Easy living • Streaming TV • In-unit washer and dryer • Iron & ironing board
Work From Anywhere • Dedicated workspace • Fast Wi-Fi • Quiet environment for focused work and video meetings
Explore Like a Local • Personalized recommendations • Curated guidebook • Easy access to hiking, beaches, wineries, and San Francisco
Thoughtful Hosting • Top 1% Superhost • Self check-in • Just ask for early checkin • EV charging available • Marin's first Green Business Certified vacation rental
Perfect for: -Couples celebrating an anniversary, birthday, or relaxing weekend away -Solo travelers looking to recharge, write, work remotely, or enjoy quiet time -Small families wanting a peaceful home base with a heated pool, easy day trips, and room for up to 2 children -Remote workers seeking a productive workspace with restorative breaks by the pool or on Marin's hiking trails -Active travelers exploring hiking, cycling, kayaking, wine country, and the Bay Area -Guests visiting Marin Health Medical Center or recovering from outpatient procedures who appreciate a calm, comfortable environment
Location: Casita in the Trees is located in a quiet residential hillside neighborhood overlooking San Rafael - not in a downtown or walkable tourist district. A car is recommended for exploring. Most guests enjoy having a peaceful retreat to return to after days spent hiking, visiting San Francisco, exploring wine country, or discovering Marin's charming towns.
Ideal home base for exploring Marin, San Francisco, Napa & Sonoma: San Francisco (Golden Gate Bridge): 15 min Downtown San Rafael: 8 min Larkspur Ferry Terminal: 7 min Marin Health Medical Center: 9 min Greenbrae Surgery Center: 7 min San Anselmo: 10 min Sausalito: 20 min Mill Valley: 25 min Muir Woods: 35 min Stinson Beach: 40 min Sonoma: 35 min Napa: 45 min San Francisco (downtown) / Moscone Center: 40 min (or ferry!)
Accessibility: Great for guests with a walker or limited mobility. Single story, zero-step entry. 36-inch doors. Bathroom is not wheelchair accessible because of narrow turns. Stairs to pool.
Special Note: Gender-Affirming & Abortion Care Support – If you’re coming to California for gender-affirming care or abortion care, ask about a discounted stay and post-op care package. We’re happy to help.
Travel Insurance Recommended. Protect your trip with travel insurance
House Rules: Only registered guests allowed on the property – No parties or events.
Licensed Short-Term Rental, City of San Rafael
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children
Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events
No events allowed
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Pets
Pets allowed: limit 1 total
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Property Registration Number STR24-000044
Property # 3496045
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
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Frequently asked questions
Does Private Wellness Retreat • Heated Saltwater Pool • Gym • A/C • Views have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.
How much does it cost to stay at Private Wellness Retreat • Heated Saltwater Pool • Gym • A/C • Views?
As of Aug 12, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Private Wellness Retreat • Heated Saltwater Pool • Gym • A/C • Views on Nov 2, 2026 start from $372, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Private Wellness Retreat • Heated Saltwater Pool • Gym • A/C • Views pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows pets (limit 1 total).
How much is parking?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Private Wellness Retreat • Heated Saltwater Pool • Gym • A/C • Views?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Private Wellness Retreat • Heated Saltwater Pool • Gym • A/C • Views?
Check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Private Wellness Retreat • Heated Saltwater Pool • Gym • A/C • Views located?
Located in Bret Harte, this guesthouse is 2.1 mi (3.4 km) from Marin Country Mart and 2.5 mi (4 km) from San Francisco Bay. Larkspur Ferry Terminal and Gerstle Park are also within 3 mi (5 km).
Melodie was a great host and the property was wonderful, as described! Very clean, new construction and interiors, beautiful views, fully stocked kitchen, refrigerator and freezer, washing machine, lovely bathroom, comfortable bed and beautiful pool. Melodie provided posted instructions for all functional systems on the property to explain operations. In addition, Melodie put notable effort into providing sustainable products and practices on this property. I appreciate her attention to detail and ecofriendly priorities. I highly recommend staying at this property!
Melodie is SO SWWEEEETTTTT! She left simple instructions and the place is PERFECT! Intimate, at the end of the road, nature views and a small private deck. Beautiful experience!!!!!! Thank you!
Fantastic stay over the past weekend. Property is clean, quiet and offers great views on the drive up and from the pool area. Check in was communicated clearly and we had no issues accessing gate or front door. The Casita has a comfortable, roomy layout with lost of thoughtful touches. Our normally anxious pup loved the pet bed/toys and settled in quickly. Thanks for a great stay, Melodie!
Exactly what I was looking for! I was visiting family over the holidays and needed a place to stay nearby. The Casita exceeded my expectations. Quiet, clean, easy check in, comfy bed, treats, toiletries and a great layout. Melodie is the most responsive host I’ve ever interacted with. I will absolutely stay here again on my next visit.
A gem of a property in beautiful Marin county. Super quiet and peaceful. Impressive views of downtown San Rafael. A clean and updated mid-century modern property that is cozy and it's own private balcony. A wonderful heated pool that is large enough for lap swimming. Host provided all the necessities along with snacks, premium coffee, and a bottle of bubbly. Onsite EV charger was convenient, just paid the local utility rates.
This place was like a retreat. I loved it. No traffic noise. Open windows. Nice cool breeze. A place to relax. It was awesome!
I even saw a deer lurking about.
As a disabled veteran with a couple small dog rescues, we always leave our neighborhood during the 4th of July holiday. The similar war zone explosions are awful and our little ones tremble in terror. Because of that we leave every year in order to find peace and quiet. Normally my wife makes all the arrangements and leaves the review. In past years, I haven’t had any desire to review as I haven’t really enjoyed the stays. This year, though, we hit the jackpot. We have finally found a home away from home. As a neat freak, I found everything impeccable - military ready. And having done a lot of interior house painting, I couldn’t find any issues. It was perfect. But, not only that. It was so obvious that our host had put enormous thought into every detail in her Casita. All the drawers were labeled. She provided anything you could think of needing. Charging cables check, face wipes check, spices, nice plates, cups and cutlery. Where most places provide the bare minimum, Melodie created an oasis of generosity. Even the salt and pepper shakers were OXO. The hand soaps and shampoo/conditioners were excellent. She even provided a dog bed and a basket of dog needs like toys and a water bowl. Outside was equally neat and comfortable. The pool was warm. There were good lounge chairs and seating. The grounds were lovely. From inside it felt like being in a treehouse; from outside the views were amazing. My final thought is that we’d like to reserve for next year, please.
We needed an escape from fireworks in Oakland on the Fourth of July and this place more than delivered. It's quiet, the neighborhood is lovely and still accessible to day hikes, markets and food in the North Bay. The pool is, in a word, awesome. Warm and inviting, lots of fun stuff to play with like pool noodles and these toy water guns that 10-year-old me would've lost his mind over. Perfect summer activity.Melodie is a fantastic and attentive host. Check in was seamless. I also appreciate how accommodating she was for our dog. She offered a bunch of helpful supplies to make his stay with us more comfortable.Would gladly return to this property. Thanks again for a lovely summer stay.
One of those places that was so good you almost don’t want to review it, and just keep it a secret. But Melodie was such a good host, (she left really good cookies from a local bakery!), and our stay was so fun, I will leave a 5star review. Best pool ever! Perfect size and temperature with a great view, great chairs and loungers, pool toys, everything you could want. It’s also completely private -the pool is set down the slope from the main house, and just a very short walk to the casita, which also enjoys almost complete privacy as well. Will definitely try to book again!