This cozy studio cottage (lovingly called the Writer's Cottage) at Stemple Creek Ranch in West Marin is a sweet retreat. It has a small deck with a BBQ, tiny kitchenette, outdoor shower, and views of the countryside that stretch for miles.
There is new floors as of 2023, a queen sized bed, writer's desk, and cozy chair. Your private backyard space as an outdoor shower and gas grill.
We also have a larger cabin on the property that sleeps 4 (property # 681593), a farmhouse that sleeps 6 (property #1227083) and an event venue (outdoor spaces and a beautiful barn!) if you are looking for somewhere to host party, wedding, or corporate event.
Stemple Creek Ranch is a family owned and operated organic cattle ranch in Tomales, CA, just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. We raise grass-fed and grass-finished beef and lamb and pastured pork.
The cabin is just a few miles from the town of Tomales, less than a mile away from Highway 1 (Shoreline Highway), and a great home base for exploring Marin or Sonoma Counties. Visitors love to go kayaking, hiking, and enjoy the local wine, oysters, and cheese.
No professional photography or filing without prior approval. There are other people who live and work on the ranch. All guests must be considerate of others at all times. No pets allowed except service animals. No more than 2 people are permitted on premises at any time.
Please note: no pets, no smoking, no open flames.
You can interact with is as little or much as you want. We do not live on the Ranch, but there are other houses on the ranch where other people live and we do work there on most days.
There is Verizon and AT&T cell service. We do have satellite based wifi that allows us to stream videos and work via Zoom. There is also a local cafe, the Tomales Deli, that has free wifi.
If you want to order beef or lamb from us (Stemple Creek Ranch) please let us know ahead of time and we can have it there for you when you arrive.
Please note there are outdoor video surveillance cameras on site.
Check in time in 2:00 PM or after. Check out time is by 11:00 AM. Please wash your own dishes.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill
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After your booking has been confirmed, you must sign a custom e-agreement within 48 hours.
Cancel 60 days or more prior to arrival and get 100% refund less a cancel fee. 50% refund 30-59 days in advance of arrival.
We highly recommend you protect your vacation investment by purchasing cancel for any reason travel and trip insurance.
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
About the area
Petaluma
Located in Petaluma, this cottage is in a rural area. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Tomales Bay State Park and Marconi Conference Center State Historic Park, while Tomales Regional History Center and Tomales Town Hall are cultural highlights. Travelling with kids? Consider Wild Flour Organic Gardens and Luther Burbank's Experiment Farm. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Tomales Regional History Center - 9 min drive - 7.5 km
Dillon Beach - 17 min drive - 15.9 km
Tomales Bay State Park - 23 min drive - 18.5 km
Getting around
Santa Rosa Station - 40 min drive
Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County) - 46 min drive
Restaurants
Two Rock Pizza Diner - 16 min drive
Two Rock Coffee Co (USCG) - 20 min drive
Bodega Bay Oyster Company - 10 min drive
Tracen Lower Galley - 20 min drive
Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery - 11 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Rustic Studio Cottage on Organic Cattle Ranch pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Rustic Studio Cottage on Organic Cattle Ranch?
As of 2 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Rustic Studio Cottage on Organic Cattle Ranch on 12 Jul 2026 start from £208, 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.
How much is parking at Rustic Studio Cottage on Organic Cattle Ranch?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Rustic Studio Cottage on Organic Cattle Ranch?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Rustic Studio Cottage on Organic Cattle Ranch?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Rustic Studio Cottage on Organic Cattle Ranch located?
This family-friendly Petaluma cottage is located in a rural location, within 3 mi (5 km) of Tomales Town Hall, Tomales City Park and Tomales Regional History Center. Dillon Beach and Pelican North Beach are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
The Studio Cottage was a great place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty. It was welcoming, clean and well cared for. The wild life was amazing. The birds, deer and owls made my stay memorable.
The Writer’s Cottage was the perfect stay for some time in nature! The outdoor shower never ran out of hot water and was so nice in the cold mornings! Will definitely be back loved our stay here!
If you want to have a little peace and quiet this is your place. The setting is fabulous and the cabin is as advertised. Perfect for a couple or solo traveler.
Lovely place to stay. Outdoor shower was refreshing in the cool evening air. Only drawback was the lack of separation between the bathroom and main room - the curtain doesn't give much privacy, so make sure you're very comfortable with any travelling companions!
It was sublime to be in nature, and the cottage quaint and comfortable. I experienced unforgettable sunsets and a moonlit dawn that took my breath away! Showering outdoor in the cold morning was tempered by the hot shower and unforgettable to be amidst trees with hawks flying above me!
I grew up in western Montana and spent a lot of time on the family cattle/sheep ranch. Your place is equally beautiful and the cottage was well stocked and cozy. Just one comment, you might want to give a little direction on opening the door. I found it a little tricky. Thanks for a great stay!
The bed was very comfortable. There's no a/c. When we arrived the cottage was closed up and very stuffy. We opened the 1 window and turned the fan on to try and cool off the cottage while we went to dinner.
Most of the surrounding establishments close by 8, it was our experience that they run out of food items as well. Had a difficult time finding a coffee shop south of the cottage. I would recommend being food/coffee creamer/sugar.
Over all it's a cute cottage and farm.
*We had a great time. Cozy. Served our purposes.
*It might be helpful to put pictures of how close the other houses are.
*Needs pot holders for the toaster oven. The tray gets very hot. I had to use the dish towel.
*Coffee machine was great. Came with coffee pods and creamers.
*Stemple Creek Jerky was a nice touch.
*Only condiment was salt and oil. Could at least have pepper. Since you are out in the middle of the country, maybe tell people there is only one small frying pan and one pot. Emphasize that you need to bring EVERYTHING if you are going to BBQ. We had to scramble to find the BBQ.
*Since it was 32 degrees in the morning, the outdoor shower was frozen until past check-out time. Maybe more insulation on the pipes?
BUT WE DID REALLY ENJOY THE STAY!!!!!!!!!! Just some hopefully helpful suggestions.
I loved this cottage. It's soooo quiet. Though there are other buildings around, it felt very private and the main views of the cottage look out to the hills. I was there to write, and it was perfect. The kitchen worked for me just fine, but it is very spare and the refrigerator is small. The bed is very comfy. And I loved the outdoor shower. Katie, the on-site manager, was responsive via text and completely unintrusive. I'll definitely go back.
Quiet comfortable 2-night escape from city life. Appreciated no TV and simplicity. Hosts were very responsive when we couldn’t find grill utensils. Nice touches of garden and outdoor seating. We loved hearing the great horned owl, cattle, and sheep.
The Writer's Cottage was the perfect place for a few nights away from the hustle and bustle of the city where my husband and I live. We spent our first leg of our honeymoon there and enjoyed the proximity to kayaking in Tomales Bay, dining near beautiful Bodega Bay, and the incredible hiking that surrounds that area. The communication with hosts was very thorough and detailed, and we had no trouble with check-in. The cabin warmed up nicely with the heater, and we enjoyed the adventure of using the outdoor shower! Overall we would recommend this VRBO for anyone looking to have a rustic but comfortable Northern Marin experience.
This charming cabin is off the beaten path and was perfect for me. I stayed two nights and truly enjoyed the peace and beauty of the ranch. During the day I traveled all around the area, visiting small towns for great food and shopping, and also going to several different beaches along the ocean, all within easy driving distance. I highly recommend the Writers Cottage.
Such a cozy little cabin on a beautiful property. Easy to book. Directions were perfect and check in was simple. We had a wonderful stay and will be back!
Back door dd not lock. Otherwise everything was great!
Fun spot!
Rick A.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019
About the host
Hosted by Lisa and Loren Poncia
The Poncia Family owns and runs Stemple Creek Ranch in Tomales, CA. It is a fourth-generation organic cattle ranch that raises grass-fed and grass-finished beef and lamb and pastured pork. We have a full event venue on site including a beautifully restored event barn. We are just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean (Dillon Beach) and just off Highway 1. Come enjoy a slice of paradise with us!
Why they chose this property
Tomales is a great jumping off point to every thing West Marin and Sonoma Counties have to offer - great food, wine, local cheese, oysters, Tomales Bay, Point Reyes, Bodega Bay, and the Sonoma Wine country.
What makes this property unique
This cabin is located on a 200+ acre organic ranch. Come enjoy the quiet and peaceful countryside with everything West Marin and Sonoma has to offer!