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New Ensuite, study- 2303 sf by river in YNP- hottub, sat, WiFi, 1025 sf deck
| Sleeps | 14 |
| Bedrooms | 3 |
| Bathrooms | 3 |
| Space | 2,303 sq. ft. |
| Property type | house |
| Minimum Stay | 2 - 3 nights |
Overview
Home: 3+ Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 3 Baths, (Sleeps 14) NEW:STUDY/3RD BATH
SPECIALS: (Discounts cannot be combined)
1) AAA or AARP rates with membership
2) 7 nights for price of 6
PLEASE NOTE, NEW ADDITION: We have just added third bathroom and a Study with a convertible full-size futon. More pictures will be posted in the near future.
Our family-friendly home close to the Merced River's South Fork (Actually IN Yosemite) is beautiful in every season. Chilnualna Falls Creek runs a few feet beyond our back yard. Comfortable and welcoming - pets OK - with every amenity: Satellite TV in living room (55" TV) and all three bedrooms, Game room (foosball), Hot tub, Full laundry and Full kitchen, Wireless Internet (DSL), Generator, Linen service, Central heat and Central air conditioning. Spend evenings on the huge deck (suitable for large groups) BBQing on a gas grill & relaxing under the stars in the hot tub. Let the river lull you to sleep. Enjoy a hike to nearby Chilnualna Falls, the Swinging Bridge, the Meadow Loop Trail, or follow the many trails which lead throughout Yosemite's 1000+ square miles. Snowshoe, snowboard and ski at Badger Pass, see Yosemite Valley & the Giant Redwoods, enjoy fine dining & play golf at the historic Wawona Hotel, go horseback riding, enjoy Ranger walks and talks, and visit the Living History Center or the town's well-stocked library, buy whatever you need at either of the two general stores, and stop and talk with the locals - including Park and Concessionaire personnel and retirees- friendly and seldom in a hurry. Swim in the river or the beautiful, quiet and secluded swimming spots cut out of the rock by Chilnualna Falls Creek. Relax in the simple and welcoming atmosphere of our small and unique town which is a true community, not just a collection of homes for rent.
Keywords: Friends Lodge, Friends' Lodge, Friends Lodge in Yosemite, Rental Home, Yosemite Rental Home, Yosemite Rental Cabin, Inside Yosemite, Wawona, Wawona Rental, Pets OK, Vacation home rental, rental Chalet, rental Retreat, Rental lodge, Big Trees Rental, Redwoods in Yosemite
I would be happy to help you reserve our home over the phone if you like or answer any other questions that you might have. Call 866-638-8669. You may also check out our personal site which has more details and a link to rent our home. Please see the links and video section of this listing.
Jim and Donna Freund (owners)
About Jim Freund
Maybe forty years ago I felt that I should live in Yosemite National Park. At the time, I didn't know if that was even possible, short of being a ranger. I consulted with a real estate agent and found out about Wawona, which is an inholding - that is, it is completely surrounded by Yosemite National Park.
Since that time, every other aspect of my life has revolved around Wawona in some way. It is like a solid center which remains, while everything else changes.
Apart from buying property and buildling on it there, I have had a pretty normal life, or kind of, anyway. I grew up in Highland Park, IL, a suburb of Chicago. I went to school there and later continued at the University of Chicago. Along the way, I met and married my wife, we have three children who are grown up. Throughout all the changes, we have returned to our Wawona home time and again and will do so until we live there once more. That is our goal, no matter how long it takes.
It would be a pleasure to share our home with you, along with the attraction of Wawona and the rest of the Park. I would love to hear what you find meaningful in that experience and if it is a place that you might want to explore further.
Jim Freund purchased this house in 1987
Why Jim Freund chose Yosemite Area
Quite a few rental homes in our community are a bit crowded in- but not ours. Our nearest neighbor is about 50 feet away. They are rarely in house, and we have also installed a privacy fence on our deck. On the other side of the home is a little used Park Service garage, and to the rear, Chilnualna Falls Creek.
What makes this house unique
Our home offers accommodations for large parties (beds for 16, although county regulations permit only 14); all amenities (full kitchen, full laundry, deck, hot tub, gas barbeque, satellite TV in the living room (55" TV) and all three bedrooms, free national and many international locations telephone service, free unlimited wood for wood burning stove in season, game room with Foosball, etc.) and pets allowed. Downstairs is accessible without steps.
Guestbook comments from the manager
Thank you so much for letting us stay! We loved Yosemite so much, and hiking was very fun! Thank you again for letting us stay!
Amenities
Yosemite National Park House Accommodation and Amenities
- house
- Catering available
- 2303 sq. ft.
- Check-in: 4:00 PM / Check-out: 11:00 AM
- Max. occupancy: 14
- pets considered ...
- Events Allowed
- children welcome ...
- non smoking only
- Golf Course Front ...
- Mountain ...
- Mountain View ...
- River
- Ski-In ...
- Village ...
- Water View ...
- Waterfront ...
- Family
- Tourist Attractions
- Activities Guide
- Air Conditioning ...
- Alarm Clock
- Basic Soaps
- Broadband Access ...
- Ceiling Fans
- Clothes Dryer ...
- Firewood
- Free Long Distance ...
- Hair Dryer
- Heating ...
- Internet
- Linens Provided ...
- Living Room ...
- Local Activities Guide
- Local Maps
- Parking ...
- Parking Off Street ...
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer ...
- Telephone ...
- Toilet Paper
- Towels Provided ...
- Washing Machine ...
- Wireless Internet ...
- Wood Stove ...
- 4 Ring Stove
- Blender
- Coffee Grinder
- Coffee Maker
- Cooking Utensils ...
- Dishes & Utensils ...
- Dishwasher
- Freezer ...
- Kitchen ...
- Microwave
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Stove
- Stove
- Toaster
- Child's Highchair
- Dining ...
- Dining Room
- seating for 10 people
- 3 Bathrooms
-
Bathroom 2 -
Bathroom 3 - toilet , shower , Double sink marble top vanity; separate toilet chamber
First Floor Bathroom - toilet , combination tub/shower , River Room leads into 1st floor bathroom, also from hallway
- 2 Complete bathrooms with shower / bath, toilet, sink, heat lamp, Master Bedroom Ensuite bathroom has shower, double sink vanity
- 3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 14
-
Convertible bed(s) -
4 queen
,
4 twin/ single
,
1 baby crib
,
2 sleep sofa /futon
,
2 twin roll-a-ways; 1 full-size futon; 1 hide-a-bed/couch
Master Bedroom, ensuite - Yosemite Room-2nd floor, front - 1 queen
Wawona Room- 2nd floor river side - 1 queen , 2 double , 2 cots in closet of this bedroom
2nd Floor study - 1 sleep sofa /futon , Convertible futon is full-size
River Room - 1st floor, river side - 2 queen , 1 baby crib , baby crib is in closet
- Queen size Beds (4) Wawona Room (2nd floor, riverside, master) : 2 queens Yosemite Room (2nd floor, front): 1 queen River Room (1st floor, riverside): 1 queen, Double Beds (2) Yosemite Room: 2 Double beds, Twin or Single Beds (1) Two roll-aways in Wawona Room closet, (1) Portable crib (no charge), (1) Queen size hide-a-bed in Living Room
- Books ...
- Books for Adults
- CD Player
- DVD Player
- Foosball
- Game Room ...
- Games ...
- Games for Kids
- Radio
- Satellite / Cable ...
- Television ...
- VCR
- Video Library ...
- Balcony ...
- Barbecue
- Beach Chairs
- Deck / Patio ...
- Golf ...
- Outdoor Grill ...
- Outdoor Grill Gas
- Unscreened Porch / Veranda
- Wood Deck
- wheelchair accessible ...
- Hot Tub ...
- Outdoor Hot Tub
- autumn foliage
- churches
- coin laundry
- forests
- library
- museums
- playground
- pond
- restaurants
- waterfalls
- bird watching
- horseback riding
- horseshoes
- scenic drives
- shopping
- sight seeing
- sledding
- walking
- wildlife viewing
- ATM/bank
- Babysitter
- groceries
- massage therapist
- medical services
- cross country skiing
- cycling
- equestrian events
- fishing
- fly fishing
- freshwater fishing
- golf
- hiking
- ice skating
- mountain biking
- mountain climbing
- mountaineering
- rafting
- rock climbing
- ski lift privileges
- ski privileges optional
- skiing
- snowboarding
- swimming
Reviews
Wonderful!
4.9/5 -
(22 traveler reviews)
Simply perfect!
Friends Lodge in Yosemite was the ideal place for our trip to Yosemite! We look for a couple of things when we travel - is it as advertised, is it the right location to be a base, and is it easy to do. We've done VRBO several times now, and this scored top marks on everything!
We fell in love with the lodge from the photos, and the pictures represent exactly the comfort, set-up, and wonderful atmosphere of the lodge. From the deck overlooking the creek to the large kitchen table/sitting area (both favorites of ours), it was exactly what we had hoped to find. It fit our large group with ease. And the location...
Well, it couldn't get any better. In Yosemite National Park, as close as you can get to the valley floor without staying in one of the lodges there (which would have split up our larger group), easy drive to Glacier Point, and not a bad trip at all to Tuolumne Meadows and the north side (it is on the other side of the valley floor, but what a beautiful drive it is!). With the local market, we could pick up anything we needed. And we loved just hiking down the creek to the river and exploring too!
And the owners were so prompt and personable in answering our questions. It could not have been a more seamless or enjoyable transaction. Customer service was excellent to let us get everything straightened away well in advance, including late arrival.
Not only would we most highly recommend it, we can't wait for an opportunity to come back! We loved it!
Fabulous house and location!
Just perfect for our family vacation and had all the amenities for the 12 of us to be comfortable! Football table and hot tub were a hit! The large kitchen made cooking family meals a breeze plus ample seating for eating and playing games!! The outside deck was amazing for lounging and the bedrooms were spacious and comfy! Thank you for providing the perfect house for our family vacation!
Fantastic location and accommodation.
Walked frequently to swinging bridge to swim in the many pools. Would definitely rent again if we returned to Yosemite.
Owners were very helpful in planning our stay.
The perfect place to have a family reunion in cthe heart of the Yosemite paradise
Our family used to camp in Yosemite every year in the 1970's when my children were small. Now they are grown 40 years later and have never been able to return after scattering across the US to start therir own families. For the occasion of my 75th birthday we decided we would hold a reunion in Yosemite to re-visit that experience for them and our grand children. Since tent camping in the valley floor has become over crowded and nearly impossible to arrange, we found the perfect solution in "Friends Lodge" It was more than big enough for out family of 11 and had all the features necessary for a fun stay. We could spend family time together on the spacious deck while enjoying our home cooked meals, relax in the wonderful hot tub and later and retreat to our spacious rooms to rest before the next days adventure. The cabin is located only about 25 miles from the valley floor so driving access is not difficult and there is even a regularly scheduled bus that will talke you there and back every hour or so to make it even easier. In days when we just wanted to relax at the cabin there were close by hiking trails along the river that flows less than 100 feet from the cabin lot. It was only a 15 minute hike to see a waterfall or the swinging bridge. There is even a small grocery store and a horseback riding stable within walking distance.
Throughout the rental process, the owner, Jim Freund, made sure to answer all our questions and advise/help to arrange any special needs we might have before our arrival. The rental office is also located within walking distance where we could obtain things like additional linens, soaps and toilet paper.
Staying at Friends Lodge was the best decision we could have ever made for our family reunion.
Great cozy home
My family and I really enjoyed our stay. The home is great we couldn't have asked for a better place. We will definitely come back and try to book this location. Jim and Donna are great they made sure to follow up and confirm that we had a great time. We will definitely be back.
Perfect!
This was the third cabin I had rented in Yosemite for a family vacation, and it was my favorite. I looked at several cabins before committing to this one and emailed a few owners. With the news reporting vacation rental scams on TV, my first concern was showing up at a cabin and finding it already rented to someone else. Some owners didn't bother to reply, but James emailed me right away and allayed that concern. My second concern was that the cabin would not be big enough for 11 people. It is huge and perfect for large groups. Everyone was happy with their sleeping accommodations and with the size of the cabin. The kids loved the foosball table and the adults loved the enormous deck and hot tub. My only complaint was that our stay was not long enough.
Map
Living History Center, Easy hikes: Waterfall: Chilnualna Falls, Swinging Bridge, Friendly community, Library, ungraded school (K-6), Ranger talks, two general stores
Nearby, in Fish Camp, fine dining, snow play area, additional horseback riding, old logging railroad dinner and rides, campfire songs
Oakhurst, about 35 minutes away, has many restaurants, melodramatic theatre, movie theatre, etc.
Photos
Rates & Availability
- Available
- Unavailable
Additional information about rental rates
| Cleaning Fee | $75 + Tax |
| Pet Fee | $50 + Tax |
| Damage Waiver-or deposit | $39 |
| Tax Rate | 11.0% |
Pets (up to 2): $25/pet/night + tax
Please call for an exact pet quote.
(Children under 6 aren't counted towards total number of guests.)
A seven nights for the price of six discount is available. This is figured
at the rate(s) for the first six nights; the seventh night (without regard
to rate class) is free.
A senior discount or AAA discount is available.
Manager's Cancellation Policy
- 50% refund if canceled at least 30 days before arrival date.
- 100% refund if canceled at least 60 days before arrival date.
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