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Vacation Home Overlooking Heart's Desire Beach at Tomales Bay

Holiday home in Inverness with kitchen and fireplace

Photo gallery for Vacation Home Overlooking Heart's Desire Beach at Tomales Bay

Helen's House Living Room
Helen's House Dining Area
Dining
Helen's House Entrance Porch
Helen's House Walkway

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 51200 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View in a map
Inverness, CA
  • Place, Tomales Bay State Park
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Tomales Bay
  • Place, Heart's Desire Beach
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County)
    ‪69 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Vacation Home Overlooking Heart's Desire Beach at Tomales Bay

Helen's House is a cabin style home which has a large living room with a stone fireplace, dining area and king bedroom, all with picture windows which have scenic vistas of Tomales Bay. The home has a picnic area with wood slab tables and gas barbecue which also overlooks Tomales Bay and the State Park lands.

Located on Pierce Point peninsula at the entrance to Tomales Bay State Park, The Trees By Tomales Bay consists of two private vacation homes situated on 5 acres. The property features spectacular views of Tomales Bay and Abbotts Lagoon, and is surrounded on all sides by State Park and National Seashore.

Enjoy the solitude and peacefullness of our unique setting amidst bishop pines, oaks and beautiful vistas, or venture to the beaches and trails of Tomales Bay State Park (5 minutes) or the many vistas, trails, historic sites and beaches of the Point Reyes National Seashore (5-15 minutes).

POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE comprises over 100 square miles, including 32,000 acres of coastal wilderness area. Estuaries, windswept beaches, coastal scrub grasslands, salt and freshwater marshes, and coniferous forests create a haven of 80 miles of unspoiled and undeveloped coastline. Abundant recreational opportunities include 147 miles of hiking trails, backcountry campgrounds, and numerous beaches, including over 10 continuous miles of unspoiled beach. Kayaking, biking, hiking, beachcombing, surf fishing, seasonal whale and elephant seal watching, bird watching and wildlife viewing are just a few of the activities awaiting your visit. Additionally, you can explore geology, Coast Miwok Indian culture or Lighthouse history by visiting the many historic sites within the park. Located just an hour’s drive from the San Francisco Bay Area, the Seashore is a great escape from a busy city life.

TOMALES BAY STATE PARK is comprised of a 2,000-acre day-use park which features four gently sloping, surf-free beaches, protected from winds by Inverness Ridge, the backbone of the Point Reyes Peninsula, as well as forests, fields, hills, meadows and marshes - each with its own plant life, including varieties of trees, shrubs and wildflowers. One of the finest remaining virgin groves of Bishop pine in California is in the park's Jepson Memorial Grove. Wildlife in the area includes foxes, raccoons, badgers, weasels, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, deer, bobcats, skunks, wood rats, field mice, moles and other animals. There are also land and sea birds, including the spotted owl, quail, goldfinches, puffins, great blue heron, pelicans, ruddy ducks, woodpeckers, meadowlarks - and more. The park has hiking trails connecting all its bay beaches, and is a popular place for picnicking, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, bird watching, clamming and boating.



Keywords: Vacation Home
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Parking available
Barbecue grill
Water view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
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

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please do not strip beds. Leave sheets, blankets, etc. on beds Return any furniture that has been moved to original location.
Empty grinds from coffee maker and turn off. Take garbage and recycle out to bins in carport. Wipe down counters.
Place all used dishes, pots, pans and utensils in the dishwasher and start wash cycle. Turn off heat and all lights. Leave doors unlocked.

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 and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number 024661

About the area

Inverness

Inverness is home to this holiday home. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Tomales Bay State Park and Point Reyes National Seashore, while Tomales Regional History Center and Tomales Town Hall are cultural highlights. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Inverness, CA

What's nearby

  • Tomales Bay State Park - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Heart's Desire Beach - 4 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Shell Beach - 13 min drive - 5.3 km
  • Point Reyes National Seashore - 14 min drive - 15.2 km
  • Marshall Beach - 18 min drive - 8.1 km

Getting around

  • Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County) - 74 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Hog Island Oyster Farm - ‬30 min drive
  • ‪Inverness Park Market - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Nick's Cove - ‬37 min drive
  • ‪The Marshall Store - ‬29 min drive
  • ‪Tony's Seafood Restaurant - ‬28 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Vacation Home Overlooking Heart's Desire Beach at Tomales Bay pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Vacation Home Overlooking Heart's Desire Beach at Tomales Bay?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Vacation Home Overlooking Heart's Desire Beach at Tomales Bay?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Vacation Home Overlooking Heart's Desire Beach at Tomales Bay located?

Situated in Inverness, this holiday home is steps from Tomales Bay State Park and within 3 mi (5 km) of Heart's Desire Beach and Shell Beach. Tomales Bay and Marshall Beach are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.6

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. 193 out of 232 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 34 out of 232 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 232 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 232 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 232 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Alexandria H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful location. Perfect for our weekend getaway.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joe W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We love Helen's House. Have stayed there quite a few times over the last 20 years. The setting is pure soul food. The house is always immaculate, so quiet, very comfortable, well provisioned. It is one of our all-time favorites.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

LEAH K.

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

Wonderful Stay

We had a wonderful stay at Helen's House. The views are amazing, the property is tucked away and private, and the house is very cozy. We ended up needing to extend our trip by a day and we greatly appreciated the flexibility.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

cindy t.

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

Cozy Stay

Loved Helen's house! It was perfect for our stay. The art on the walls was amazing! We loved the indoor and outdoor views. We went to three beach hikes and the house was well located for all hikes and easy drive to Point Reyes for bakery and dinner visits. Loved our stay
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christopher N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very peaceful, pleasant place to stay. Surrounded by nature and only 2-3 miles to Pt. Reyes Abbott's Lagoon and other beaches. I would however recommend making sure to bring all your own condiments, spices, and aluminum foil, storage bags, etc. for cooking uses as there was none of the above available. Also, the lighting in the main room where TV is is not good for watching movies or reading after dark. Other than that, it is a lovely place to stay alone or with one or two others.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

David M.

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

Cozy Hideaway

This is a wonderful quiet spot in an excellent location. The house is comfortable and well-equipped with a lovely view. Highly recommended!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

mcalvello

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

Serenity and relaxation

I have had the pleasure of staying at this beautiful home several times and treasure coming back as often as I can. Comfortable, clean, quiet and peaceful. Already miss the experience and eager to return.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ivan d.

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

Perfect getaway to enjoy Tomales Bay and Point Reyes

We spent a weekend with our 1.5 year-old. The property was great and had everything we needed for the weekend. Beds were comfortable, kitchen was well stocked, heat worked well. The property itself is gorgeous, very peaceful and perfectly situated to explore the surrounding area. It is not hard to find, butr reception is spotty towards the end of the drive so download a map or instructions to have available offline.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

John H.

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

A lovely home with an equally lovely view of the landscape.

Listen up VRBO what my wife and I do, while we are seeking a peaceful, well planned weekend to celebrate our 30th Wedding anniversary, is our personal business.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bernadette H.

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

Peaceful retreat

Our family of four was looking to stay at a peaceful getaway for a weekend not too far from San Francisco. This place was perfect! It had everything we needed to unplug and reconnect as a family. We also did some nearby sightseeing during our brief stay. Barbie and Jeff are terrific hosts. I hope they will have us again sometime. :-)
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Claire M.

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

Wonderful

Cozy house with all we needed. Gorgeous views and garden with wildlife to observe. Big working fireplace, very comfy couches. Location is ideal. Best vacation we’ve had in a long time. I recommend Marshall Store (hours are Friday through Monday only), Inverness Park Tap Room, Brickmaiden bakery (open only on weekends), and the boutique Vita Collage.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marc L.

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

X

X
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Benji W.

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

Tranquil beauty

We came to Helen’s House for a family reunion in my late dad’s favorite place (Inverness). It was just as nice as I remembered it being the first time we stayed here many years ago. We had a peaceful 4th of July BBQ in the beautiful garden with the rest of our family who were visiting from MA. The location can’t be beat if you’re looking for a peaceful respite within striking distance of all of Point Reyes’ best spots (Abbott’s lagoon, kehoe, Tomales point, etc.). It’s also right next door to Heart’s Desire, which was an added bonus. Hope to be back again in the near future!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary W., Stanford

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

Fall delights us at Helen’s House

We hiked Bear Valley and Muddy Hollow while comfortably lodging at our favorite delightful location next to a Tomales Bay State Park. We cooked our own meals mostly in the well equipped kitchen, played scrabble evenings with excellent light and a forest view from the dining area, read and lounged on the voluminous couches and again at night read a bit in bed with great lighting and a glorious full moon view! Outside I recorded great horned owls,, spotted towhees and California towhees first morning on Merlin and in the afternoon viewed two new warblers and a sweet nuthatch in the birdbath from the kitchen. We love this place!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Julia F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
House was lovely. Views and garden were absolutely breathtaking. Kitchen was well-appointed, though a bit odd that the stove was in a separate room, sequestered with the washer and dryer.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Kitchen fully equipped for cooking, good selection of pots, dishes and utensils.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kate F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our first time at Helens, what a treat. You can't go wrong with this home as a vacation destination.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Natalie L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful location in the middle of nature, right in the park and close to many hiking spots. It was lovely to be in the peaceful environment surrounded by wildlife (so many birds on the property!). Jeff and Barbie were responsive and helpful hosts. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Eddie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Helen’s House is the perfect getaway for anyone looking to unplug and have access to numerous hiking trails and beaches on Point Reyes. The home is super clean and quiet. Would definitely recommend staying for a romantic weekend, or just to get out of the city for a bit. The kitchen is well equipped, but make sure to bring any herbs, spices, condiments, etc., as all we found was salt and pepper and even the salt was running low. Also, make sure to bring and soap or shampoo for the shower as the house doesn’t provide that either. Otherwise, we had everything we needed to sit back and take in the stunning views of Tomales Bay. Will absolutely plan on coming back. Thank you Barbie and Jeff for sharing your special home.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nick W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely place to call home base for the weekend as we were getting engaged across the bay in Marshall! Very peaceful.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

amy b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a really great stay at this cozy cottage. The location is beautiful and convenient to tomales bay beaches and point reyes. We recommend to others booking to double-check the fees before checking out. We noticed after-the-fact that we were billed an extra 100 for "additional guests" but there were only 4 of us in a 2 bedroom place, so I'm not sure what counts as "additional".
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

ElaIne M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Clean, comfortable and fully furnished…Not to mention the most awesome Tomales Bay location. Absolutely excellent.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brian G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
love the property, location is close to the beach for easy access to kayaking and hiking trails. the property it's self offers privacy, quiet, mature/beautiful landscaping and wildlife.the place is old , a family treasure i read, yet well maintained and clean.what was difficult in the beginning is how impersonal and unwelcoming it felt. no welcome letters... they have a fireplace which we cannot use (not a problem for us) and laundry facilities without supplies... no thoughtful touches. the comments on line from the owner felt abrasive. i am sure there are less than worthy renters yet you can't assume everyone will be disrespectful. difficult vibs in the beginning yet , of course we loved the place. we enjoyed it and respected it as everyone who gets to be there should.it gets 5 stars regardless of anything ...
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Catherine S.

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

Out in the Woods

Beautifully landscaped house that belongs to the place. Great views.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nikki M.

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

Coastal Oasis

We are a family of 4 visiting from Northern Virginia. We wanted a peaceful retreat to explore the Point Reyes area. We found a peaceful cabin with a stunning view. We were thrilled to see deer and birds out the large window overlooking Tomales Bay.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

About the host

Hosted by Barbie & Jeff Fairchild

Host profile image

Why they chose this property

This property was purchased by my grandparents and is now owned by our family. We grew up here enjoying the beaches, trails, nature and beauty, and hope to share it with our guests.

What makes this property unique

Helen's House is a beautiful rustic retreat that offers a getaway from the hectic daily grind and allows one to get back in sync with the peacefulness of nature. We are away from it all, and in the middle of it all being surrounded by the Point Reyes National Seashore and Tomales Bay State Park.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests