Entire home

Stunning Mendocino coastal retreat

Photo gallery for Stunning Mendocino coastal retreat

A wooden deck with a fire pit, outdoor seating, and a table with chairs.
Living area
from living toward dining room
view of living room from loft
kitchen was recently updated

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • On the beach
    A rare beachfront property in the area - enjoy direct access to the beach and sea.

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Balcony or patio
  • Hot tub on site
  • Dog-friendly
  • On-site fitness centre
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
Gualala, CA
  • Place, Cooks Beach
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Gualala Arts Center
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, Gualala Point Regional Park
    ‪13 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

living room

1 Double Bed

Loft loveseat

1 Single Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

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

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About the area

Gualala

Located in Gualala, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the beach. Arena Theater and California Coastal National Monument are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Sea Ranch Golf Links and Bowling Ball Beach. Kayaking and scuba diving offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with ecotours and hiking nearby.
Map
Gualala, CA

What's nearby

  • Cooks Beach - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Gualala Arts Center - 7 min drive - 6.0 km
  • Gualala Point Regional Park - 13 min drive - 7.7 km
  • Salt Point State Park - 27 min drive - 34.3 km
  • Fort Ross State Historic Park - 41 min drive - 52.4 km

Getting around

  • Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County) - 123 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Trinks Cafe - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Whitecap Coffee and Tea - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Cove Azul Bar & Grill - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Gualala Seafood Shack - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪The Black Door Mexican Cuisine - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Stunning Mendocino coastal retreat pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

How much does it cost to stay at Stunning Mendocino coastal retreat?

As of 25 Oct 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Stunning Mendocino coastal retreat on 16 Mar 2027 start from £1,759, 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 Stunning Mendocino coastal retreat?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Stunning Mendocino coastal retreat?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Stunning Mendocino coastal retreat?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Stunning Mendocino coastal retreat located?

Nestled on the beach, this Gualala holiday home is within 3 mi (5 km) of Cooks Beach, Gualala River and Gualala Bluff Trail. Studio 391 Fine Art Gallery and Gualala Arts Center are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 48 out of 50 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 50 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 50 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home, great views.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had such an amazing stay. Sunburst is a true gem on the coast. Everything was organized, well cared for and stunning. Not just another rental, but rather a cherished stay in someones beautiful home.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was the perfect place for a family retreat. The grounds are fabulous, and the view amazing!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great stay at Ted’s coastal retreat. The 270 degree views are spectacular and the patio and outdoor gardens are so lovely. The home offers a blend of 1970s charm, very cool architectural features, and some nice updates (wood burning stove is fantastic, comfortable beds and seating areas). We walked down to the beach daily and appreciated the proximity to town for grabbing groceries.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Sunburst 60th anniversary celebration

Our family of 11 met here for a 4 day celebration. We enjoyed the unique architecture and very clean accommodation. Wonderful biking and tide pools to explore.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great winter stay

We really enjoyed returning to this cozy home in winter & watching the storms roll in across the ocean. We saw sun dogs, measurable hail, and lovely sunsets.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Amazing home and host!

Doesn’t get better than this-awesome property, amazing home, incredible host. I don’t have a single complaint or issue to report. Was one of the best stays on VRBO I’ve ever had. Highly recommend!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lovely retreat

We really enjoyed our stay in this beautiful home. It is a book lover’s paradise with an extensive library & many cozy reading spots. Great home office setup & Internet if you must get some work done. Appreciate being able to bring our dog!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful experience

We had a large group of mostly teenagers who came to California for a senior trip. Gualala was a wonderful little town, and this house was perfect for our group. Very peaceful, plenty of space, beautiful setting and owner who was very easy to work with. Would highly recommend and would definitely stay again!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

A great place in a great location

The house was all that we hoped it would be. It was a rare occasion for us to rendezvous. We really enjoyed our time there, the amazing views from every room (and the hot tub) and the proximity to all that Gualala and the coast has to offer. We also really appreciated the timely and concise instructions for how to access and use everything the host had to offer. We can’t wait to visit again!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautifully designed home in a lovely coastal town with stunning views of the ocean

We spent a week at Sunburst and loved every minute of our stay. The host was consistently responsive, informative, and accomodating. The house has plenty of room, with comfortable bedrooms, nice linens and kitchenware, The weather is great on this part of the northern CA coast in August - sunny and temperate - so we were able to enjoy the outdoor patio and hot tub that boasts beautiful views of the ocean and surrounding groundseach day of our stay
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful Retreat

My husband and I took our 3 kids and our dog fora few days of and rest and relaxation. The stunning 180 degree views from this house are unbeatable! We had so much fun playing whiffle ball and other games in the private yard, enjoyed the hot tub with a view, and walking down to the beach. The house is very clean and well equipped for cooking, playing games, and reading. We will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Amazing Home

The Sunburst house is amazing. We had both sunny and rainy weather and the light from the windows was beautiful. More beautiful than the pictures. Sara was kind and helpful. Ted, you have a great property and we hope to rent it again. Thanks for sharing it with our family!! Vicki
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023
Archival

8/10 Good

Beautiful location

My wife and I wanted to get away to a place where we could relax, enjoy a wonderful coastal view, and unplug. This place fit perfectly. It has a funky, Bohemian-type charm. Other than one day that was quite foggy (fun in itself) we enjoyed beautiful sunrises and sunsets each day. There is a dog-friendly beach a short walk down the road and our dog had a wonderful time playing. The beach is in a fairly secluded cove and I don't think we ever saw more than ten people there at any given time. I can't speak to the local restaurants as we cooked all of our meals except for a day trip to Mendocino. I understand that Edward (Ted) and his wife recently purchased this property and we we were only the second guests to stay here. While they don't live near enough to the property to greet you, Ted was very responsive to any questions and concerns we had. There are only a few things that prevent me from giving a five star rating. It had rained recently before we arrived and we encountered a few leaks in the roof that dripped into both the master bedroom (not near the bed) and the living room. This didn't slow us down, but we did need to put towels/bowls down to protect the carpet in a couple of areas. I know Ted was having a roofer come out after our stay so that's likely a non-issue now. The master bed was a bit firm for my taste and my wife had trouble sleeping because of it. Lastly, I would probably change out the living room furniture for a few pieces that are more cozy and comfortable. As with any new listing there are a few refinements to make, but we had a very nice time and look forward to a return visit in the future.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar 2020
Yes, we just recently purchased the house and were given to understand the roof had a few more years on it. Clearly not the case! We had a roofer in the day Rich left to patch the leak over the master bedroom and will be installing an entirely new temporary roof in mid-December to make sure we don't get any more incidents like this. The mysteries and foibles of this funky, Bohemian house are slowly revealing themselves. A complete re-roof, which will be combined with some balconies off the loft to open up the ocean view and all new, openable skylights will also be happening as soon as possible, depending on the vagaries of Mendocino County Coastal Commission approval. Rick and his wife were very good sports about the whole situation, and gave me timely updates along the way, I really appreciate their patience and understanding. We'll take the living room furniture suggestion under consideration; I'll only note that the current layout is a considerable improvement on what was there before! Baby steps.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Amazing Architecture & Character

Our second stay at this lovely Mathewson-designed house. It’s so clear that a lot of love went into designing & building this place. Love walking to Cooks Beach in the morning.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Family gathering

Beautiful location, private, scenic and special.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful house in great location

We loved our stay at the Sunburst house. Beautiful architecture, great views, comfortable beds, and a well stocked kitchen. Also, short walk to a wonderful, uncrowded small beach. Highly recommend
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Totally recommend. Wonderful home.

Lots of character and excellent host.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Epic and Serene Place

What a splendid stay! Thank you for opening up for your home to our family and friends. We were in awe of the surrounding view, remodeled kitchen, spacious living area, hot tub and beautifully detailed binder you left with history and details to make our stay complete. Your purposeful use of refurbished materials did not go unappreciated. The doors are all so lovely and the welded sun/window off the deck lends a industrial artistic view. Every direction we looked from the house, we were looking at the ocean. We can’t wait to see all the further improvements you are making. Can’t beat the proximity to Cook’s beach. We spent the whole day taking in the sun at the beach while the boys skim boarded. We had a touch of rain the last night so we cozied up and enjoyed the wood fireplace what was prepared for us with kindling and paper. Thank you again for the hospitality. This house is lovely.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Charming place, can use some updates

The place definitely has plenty of interesting architectural details. Views are lovely. Large hot tub was very nice and clean. Small dog friendly beach is walking distance. Town with a few stores was close by and we found everything we needed. Place looks bigger in the pictures that in reality. There is a long term tenant on the property (very friendly, lives in the unit in the back of the house) that limits full privacy and use of the property. There are also parts of the rental unit that were locked and labeled "private". Owner sent instructions making about 1/3 of the pictured property off limits. Property is not fenced and deer come in the evenings. They are beautiful to watch but yard was covered with ticks. This was a huge problem, especially with two dogs. We ended up going to the store for tick spray and comb for the dogs, and tick remover for humans. Dogs were still covered with them, even after being sprayed, every time we went out. Deck is not big so being in the grass was unavoidable. House has good flow. Master bedroom upstairs is quite comfortable. We did kill a spider in the bed on our first night. We only used one of the two bedrooms downstairs. Bed was not as comfortable as the master room and I did get a spider bite while sleeping. It would get cold at night (January) and we used central heating that works great for common areas and upstairs gets very hot. Downstairs bedroom stayed cold and needed a little heater that was in the closet. There is a fireplace in the living room with wood provided for 2 nights, we stayed 5 (additional wood can be purchased for $20/bundle). House gets warm during the day from the sun. Windows are old and hard to open and only a few have bug screens. Living room furniture is not very comfortable and not sufficient if coming with a larger group. There is a small sectional (impossible for 2 people to lay on the couch and watch a movie) and a chair. We enjoyed the quiet and sound of the waves. Sunsets were incredible too! We thought the price was a bit on a high side considering everything.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 13 May 2022
Thanks for your feedback, Maja! Fencing the yard against deer would require surrounding it on all sides with with an 8' tall fence, which would be aesthetically displeasing and rather detract from the views. It's true that certain times of the year ticks are a problem on this part of the coast (Jan-April tends to be the worst), especially if you have dogs. If this is a concern—and it will be a problem anywhere in the region during tick season—I'd recommend keeping your dogs on leash until you get to the beach across the street, where they can roam unfettered and safe from ticks. That's what I do with my dog during peak tick season. And to clarify, the part of the property off-limits to guests is around the garage at the back of the yard, a small fraction of the almost 3 acre property and not really a part of the yard you'd want to go to anyway... (It's where the compost bins, brush heaps and random wood piles are located, and borders on Hwy 1, opposite end of property from the ocean). And Sunburst is an owner-used housing share (I try to get there as often as possible), not a dedicated commercial rental property, so I do reserve a back room on the first floor and a tiny closet near the master bedroom for my personal possessions. All bedrooms have enormous closets for guest use, and the master has two. The windows *are* old (original vintage 1970s) and some are hard to open. But every room has at least one openable window with a screen, which is all you will ever need given the constant ocean breeze. Replacing them all is on the list, but that's lower on the priority list than new flooring and radiant heating... :)
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Fantastic view

We had a wonderful, relaxing stay. The house was beautiful as well as the landscaping. We celebrated my husband's birthday and our anniversary. The view of the ocean was breathtaking! We loved it!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Awesome Stay

We have stayed in the past at Sea Ranch and wanted a similar, but more rustic vacation. We thoroughly enjoyed this unique home.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

A magical retreat overlooking the Pacific

A magical, secluded retreat on a bluff overlooking the pacific. The long, solid wood beams and wood exterior blended serenely with the surrounding forest. And a canopy of glass windows throughout made you feel like you were part of it all. Adding to the magic, were visits at dusk from foxes and deer grazing on the rolling grounds. Look forward to returning one day.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Just amazing!

Beautiful interesting house--quiet and rejuvenating. Great books, views, and art--and a glorious landscape. Best place we have ever stayed.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Our stay

The setting was lovely. A wonderful feeling of getting away. Ocean view and sounds, interesting and inviting home and even seal barks on our last day. Next time I might do more hanging out and enjoying the property and less driving to surrounding interests all around.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
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