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Mountain Cottage near Russian River, hiking & downtown, family and pet friendly

Photo gallery for Mountain Cottage near Russian River, hiking & downtown, family and pet friendly

A cozy outdoor seating area with a sofa and ottoman, surrounded by lush greenery and a wooden structure.
A bedroom with a large bed, a window with a view of greenery, and a small table by the window.
A stone patio with a wooden fence and a colorful rug.
A living room with a brown leather sofa, a wooden chest, and a colorful rug. There is a painting on the wall and a cabinet with a mirror.
A cozy living room with a patterned rug, a fireplace, and a large window with a view of greenery.

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
Nestled along the river, this 3-bedroom cottage accommodates 6 guests and features 2 bathrooms. It offers a patio for outdoor relaxation and provides access to a nearby golf course. Adventure activities include game walks, birdwatching, and swimming, with attractions like the Russian River and Tayman Park Golf Course nearby. This property is pet-friendly.

Highlights

  • Made for relaxation
    Top-rated for comfort — guests feel right at home here.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Russian River
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning
  • Onsite parking available
  • Pet-friendly

Explore the area

View in a map
Healdsburg, CA
  • Place, Russian River
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Healdsburg Plaza
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, Dry Creek Vineyard
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Airport, Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County)
    ‪23 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Mountain Cottage near Russian River, hiking & downtown, family and pet friendly

This cozy, rustic, cottage has 3 bedrooms, two queen beds and one double bed, sleeps 6, has 2 bathrooms. It is a 5-minute walk to the Russian River and a 10-minute car ride to downtown Healdsburg. The cottage has easy access to hiking trails behind the house, up Fitch mountain, and to the nearby dog park, at the Villa Chanticleer. There is an outside eating area, a deck, BBQ, and a fenced-in yard, excellent for pets and small children. Inside there is a washer and dryer, two flat screen tvs, and wifi availablity, gas fireplace, fenced-in yard. It is a relaxing place with few neighbors and many redwood trees. Once you arrive you feel like you are miles away, yet it is only a 10-minute car ride to downtown Healdsburg, with its elegant dining. boutique shopping, and wine tasting.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
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
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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 and store extra beds
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights, lock the doors, and return the keys
Please leave the sheets and duvets on the beds after using. We change the sheets for every visit but do not want the items on the floor in transition. Thank you
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Quiet times 10pm - 10am
No candles or smoking
Reserved parking in front of garage doors for owner.

Important information

You need to know

Property Registration Number 687031
Property # 687031
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
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, 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

About the neighborhood

Healdsburg

Located in Healdsburg, this cottage is in the mountains and on a river. Healdsburg Golf Club and Pezzi King Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Raven Performing Arts Theater and Healdsburg Center for the Arts. SingleThread Farm at Dry Creek and Powell's Sweet Shoppe - Windsor are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and water tubing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and mountain biking.
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Map
Healdsburg, CA

What's nearby

  • Russian River - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Healdsburg Plaza - 7 min drive - 3.9 km
  • Dry Creek Vineyard - 14 min drive - 11.3 km
  • Graton Resort and Casino - 38 min drive - 42.1 km
  • Calistoga Hot Springs - 50 min drive - 48.6 km

Getting around

  • Santa Rosa Station - 21 min drive
  • Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County) - 19 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Villa Chanticleer - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Costeaux French Bakery - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Black Oak Coffee Roasters - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Duke's - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Mountain Cottage near Russian River, hiking & downtown, family and pet friendly pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Mountain Cottage near Russian River, hiking & downtown, family and pet friendly?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Mountain Cottage near Russian River, hiking & downtown, family and pet friendly?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Mountain Cottage near Russian River, hiking & downtown, family and pet friendly located?

Situated on a river, this cottage is 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Russian River and within 3 mi (5 km) of Healdsburg District Hospital and Healdsburg Golf Club. Badger Dog Park and Healdsburg Museum are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

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. 45 out of 71 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 17 out of 71 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 71 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 71 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 71 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.2/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Very cute and cozy place. A little out of the way of town so plan accordingly if you're going to be relying on services like Uber, but perfect if you have your own car. Although this place is pet friendly, you would not be able to tell that pets have stayed here as it was very clean. Everything worked as described, we would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Property was ideally located, comfortable and well equipped. The house could have been cleaner. We did not use the patio furniture, it was dirty and had holes. We enjoyed the BBQ grill! I would return. Nature filled. Slept great!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 28, 2026
Because it was raining we did not hve the cushions assembled and the cover on the outside furniture.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great little weekend getaway spot! Very cozy!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very comfortable and clean. We had a great time.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Great spot! Easand comfortable.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house is listed as rustic not the dilapidated place we found. The bedroom that I tried to sleep in has a slope, the head of the bed was lower than the foot. There was mold on the nightstand, mold on the windows that were painted shut. There was no emergency exit except out a small bathroom window with a second story drop. The floor in the shower was soft to stepping on it and mold on the shower mat. The other bathroom had mold and was stained and the tap didn't work very well. The place smelled of cat pee, there were windows with no screens and we were told not to use the air too much as we would be charged extra. There were dirty dishes in the washer and on the shelf and no frying pan. The areas outside are not safe for children or anybody else where is an old chicken coop with wire and rusty nails. There is a area of deck that is stated to be unsafe. The front door could be pushed, as women we felt unsafe.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 28, 2026
These Ladies complained to the county. A mold inspector came over in the next 5 days. NO VIOLATION was issued. The inspector actually apologized for having to come see the house.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was great! It's a quiet neighborhood, the Russian River is a short walk away and downtown Healdsburg is a short drive. It's a nice place to rest after being out and about all day--would stay here again. Thanks!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Nice getaway by the Russian River

Very adequate lodging for 6 with 2 bathrooms. Nice directions for a short walk down to the river.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Spot! Cottage has lots of character! Could have been cleaner and outdoor spaces more kept.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Cozy Cottage

The cottage is a comfortable house.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great place for family with dogs

Great little cottage with everything we could need. Nice separation for multiple families if needed, and close to the river as well as not far from downtown Healdsburg. Great little getaway for our family and pups!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Adorable Mountain Cottage

Cute property! It’s a little rustic, but has everything you need. The location is beautiful and convenient to Healdsburg.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Adorable stay, great location!

Perfect place for enjoying the beautiful Northern California scenery. A quick drive to downtown with plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, and wine bar. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on May 15, 2023
Thank you for the 5 star rating!! We all put a lot of effort into making it a nice place to hang out! Thanks!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful stay with family

Maria’s home was perfect for our family’s weekend trip to Healdsburg. Comfortable, spacious and my 3-year old loved the outdoor space for playing. Short drive to downtown.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Charming River House

My friends and I loved staying here. It's a charming house with a lovely outdoor space and access to a great spot on the river. It feels quiet and remote, but town is so close that we were able to have a lovely night out. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great Place!

If you have a family of 5-6, this is a great place to stay. Soooo quite and relaxing! Parking was easy. And met expectations as described! Highly recommend for Passport Wewkenk!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on May 15, 2023
Thank you for your 5-star rating !! You left the place beautifully. Enjoy!
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location
Disliked: Communication, listing accuracy
The deck was nice and our mattress was comfortable. There were no paper towels and not enough toilet paper. I requested paper towels I was told to use the cleaning rags. After two days we got paper towels. There is not a coffee maker only krups. Whe we turned on oven the house filled with smoke.They have one portable AC for most of the house. When turned on, it blew a fuse, it was remedied later. I was not happywhen I was charged 200. We stayed 08/25 - 08/31. On 08/23 I messaged the host for a slightly early check in and whe wrote , "yes. No Problem." The same day the airline changed our departing flights to 7pm and I asked about a late check out. He reply, " yes you can have a late check out." The night before departure, I got a payment request for 200. I would not have agreed to pay 100 to arrive 45 early, but I have paid the 100 for late check out. I probably would've paid 200 if she was upfront with me. I reminded her that we did not check in early as documented by my arrival text. I change flights and advised her we would leave before check out. She did not respond for two days; not until I contacted VRBO. Basically we had entered into a verbal agreement, that is when to state charges. This is called "deceptive omission." I thought it was sneaky and she should but in her details that you may be charged for AC and using the fireplace. We had a good laugh seeing the Yahtzee game was missing three out of two dies. You lost 200 & dish towels I shopped for you.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 17, 2026
Dear reader, You must understand that this client was the mother of the bride. Her daughter was getting married the weekend they stayed. First she asked for early check in and then late check out. I agreed. Then the requests became more…and they immediately blew a fuse. After I fixed that she wanted paper towels and clothing detergent. So I brought those items over to her. The more I helped the more she wanted. Truly I was surprised that when they went to the store they could’ve bought paper towels and toilet paper themselves. Especially if they had guests over. Finally I believe that wedding parties are the most demanding clients and my little cottage is for people who love the outdoors and nature above all.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful Wine Country

We went to Healdsburg for a family wedding and included a trip to Davis Family Vinyards. The house was awesome! Everything you need is there. Easy directions and parking! I will definitely consider this as our go to home!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Excellent winter get away on Fitch Mountain

We escaped Minnesota for a 2 month stay at this cozy, and r rustic cottage. Everything was as expected based on past reviews. Maria was super accommodating and friendly!
Stayed 54 nights in Jan 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Fitch Mountain Cabin

We were glad to stay at Maria’s cabin on Fitch! We are very familiar with the mountain so we really appreciated the great parking spaces that come with the cabin. If your party includes anyone with mobility issues, make sure you are aware of bedroom-bathroom layouts and big step in for one of the showers.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Enjoyed the location and the fenced yard. The heat was not working the first night. The owner came and fixed the heating problem the next day and brought over a frying pan which we appreciated. The couch really needs to be replaced, besides being ripped, cushions and frame have deteriorated to a point that it is difficult to use Cleaning could have used more attention
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 28, 2026
The sofa is old but very comfortable. If you need perfection go stay at a hotel for $1000 a night. There are plenty of places SUPER expensive in Healdsburg, rather then complain.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Nostalgic getaway

Within a Stones throw of my grandmas cabin where I spent my childhood summers, this place was ideal. Reached out to the owner about a minor issue upon arrival, and the response was immediate. It was great that she grew up in that house also, so we reminisced about the old neighborhood. The River was wonderful and within walking distance. Such a lovely relaxing time.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

A weekend on Fitch Mountain

We arrived in the late afternoon and enjoyed a relaxing stroll to the river. Where the swallows were busy dipping and diving for food. After returning to the wonderful home, we nestled down outside with a cool beverage and soaked in the canopy of green beauty. A lovely peaceful weekend. Comfortable beds, nice hot showered and plenty of towels!! It felt like home! Thank you for our experience in your Fitch mountain retreat!! We loved our stay! Everything was perfect. Great Wi-Fi too!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Cozy mountain cottage

We enjoyed our stay in this quiet, comfortable cottage. The beds were comfortable and the gas fireplace was a bonus on the chilly nights. Be sure to read the previous comments carefully, as there are comments indicating certain items that are not included, that should be. These include washcloths and dishwasher detergent for starters. We did not contact the owner about these items since we were only there 2 nights. Overall a nice stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on Dec 1, 2022
Dear Readers, .The house sits on the North side of Fitch Mountain and is comfortable The beds are nice and a there are beautiful outdoor seating and eating areas. Over the years we have received multiple five star reviews. We continue to maintain high standards and dedicate our time to the comfort of our clients. I
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness

Charming, but hot and in need of a deep clean

The house is cute, and comfortably fit 3 adults to experience all Healdsburg had to offer. We did expect (and wish) it was cleaner. Also, it was quite hot when we were there, but the portable A/C unit blew a fuse and, when it was fixed, it was set at a stifling 86 degrees - it was hot-hot-hot when we returned from a day of exploring.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on Oct 15, 2022
During the hottest day on record 115 degrees outside- the house was probably hot when they got back. We went up to fix the fuse and left one air conditioner on all day and when they returned it was still hot. It was a hot weekend, one for the record books.

About the host

Hosted by Maria Smith

Host profile image
Although I purchased the house in 1997, it has been in my family since 1967. I grew up in Burlingame and we would come to the cottage during the summers. The warm weather, beautiful scenery and the friendly people are the main reasons why all my family have moved to Healdsburg, (in the last 10 years). The natural beauty of Fitch Mountain, the music in the plaza, and the amazing food and wine are reasons why we have stayed. Swimming in the Russian river near home, is an fun place to hang out with your loved ones. We have spent much time on the beach, my children grew up playing there, as I did.
I graduated from UC Berkeley, went on for a teaching credential at St. Mary's College and then got a special education credential at Dominican College, here in California.
Currently I teach Special Education in a neighboring town, and since my sister is going out of town, I am able to stay at her house and dog sit, while others are renting my home.

Why they chose this property

Once you walk through the gate you feel you are miles away from everything. The mountain cottage is close to a beautiful, rocky beach, and hiking trails, while minutes away from downtown Healdsburg, with its excellent dining, shopping and plaza.

What makes this property unique

It's a cottage that has been in our family since 1967. Generations of children have played in its yard. We have wonderful memories of spending summers at the river, dinners on the deck, and picnics at the plaza. There are several wine tasting venues and excellent shopping downtown. The Redwood trees growing in front of the cottage are magnificent.

Languages:

English

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