Entire home

Van der Ryn Eco-Refuge: Architecture in Nature

Photo gallery for Van der Ryn Eco-Refuge: Architecture in Nature

A wooden staircase with a rustic design, surrounded by wooden beams and columns, leading to a room with a view of greenery outside.
A wooden interior with a large stone slab, a woven mat, and a view of a colorful outdoor area with plants and a red wall.
A wooden bench with a metal trellis and flowering plants against a wooden wall.
A cozy, open-plan living area with wooden flooring, a fireplace, a bookshelf, and a large window offering a view of the outdoors.
A modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, a granite countertop, a built-in oven, and a large window providing natural light.

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.
  • Firepit available
    One of the few properties with a dedicated outdoor firepit.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Walk to Point Reyes National Seashore

Popular amenities

  • Balcony or patio
  • Massages in spa
  • Hot tub on site
  • On-site fitness centre
  • Barbecue grill
  • Electric vehicle charging point

Explore the area

View in a map
Inverness, CA
  • Place, Point Reyes National Seashore
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Tomales Bay State Park
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Point Reyes Lighthouse
    ‪42 min drive‬
  • Airport, Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County)
    ‪77 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 11)

ground floor living/dining area

1 Queen Bed

Middle Level, overlooking front garden

1 Queen Bed

octagonal bottom level "soft room"

1 Queen Bed

Roost Apartment

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Futon

Roost apartment living room

1 Double Futon

Third floor master suite

1 King Bed

5 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

bottom level Octagoal bedroom

Toilet · Shower only

dining room

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet

Master

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Middle Level

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo

Outdoor

Shower only

Roost Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Spaces

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

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About the area

Inverness

Located in Inverness, this holiday home is in a rural area. Tomales Regional History Center and Tomales Town Hall are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Self Health Institute and Indian Valley Golf Club. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with horse riding and cycling.
Map
Inverness, CA

What's nearby

  • Point Reyes National Seashore - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Tomales Bay State Park - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Point Reyes Lighthouse - 42 min drive - 34.1 km
  • Muir Woods National Monument - 53 min drive - 53.6 km
  • Graton Resort and Casino - 57 min drive - 66.3 km

Getting around

  • Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County) - 106 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Hog Island Oyster Farm - ‬26 min drive
  • ‪Toby's - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Tony's Seafood Restaurant - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪The Marshall Store - ‬25 min drive
  • ‪Inverness Park Market - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Van der Ryn Eco-Refuge: Architecture in Nature pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Van der Ryn Eco-Refuge: Architecture in Nature?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Van der Ryn Eco-Refuge: Architecture in Nature?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Van der Ryn Eco-Refuge: Architecture in Nature?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Van der Ryn Eco-Refuge: Architecture in Nature located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is steps from Tomales Bay State Park and 2.8 mi (4.5 km) from Chicken Ranch Beach. Shell Beach and Point Reyes National Seashore are also within 6 miles (10 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. 36 out of 37 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 37 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 37 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 37 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 37 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
Our stay at the Eco-Refuge was perfect. The house and property are a beautiful work of art. The bocce ball court provided fun competition and entertainment! I highly recommend experiencing this treasure. It provides a peaceful space for family gatherings surrounded by beautiful art.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Micah's is an excellent host. Eco-Refuge is a great retreat site for our organization. We're able to relax, work and play. We love the gardens.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Eco-Lodge was amazing

Recommended!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Birthday/Thanksgiving celebration

The house and grounds were amazing
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful inspirational stay

The home and grounds are well loved and tended, the space is magical and inspirational, and Micah went out of this way to accommodate our group's special needs. A must-stay in Point Reyes!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Dec, 2022
It was exciting for me to host this group of women (who turned out to be 18 total) spending the weekend doing a remarkable women's creativity workshop designed by Elena. They were respectful and appreciative of the inspiring space I provided. And they told me how much the space played an active role in the creative process of the workshop itself. So I am glad. However, hosting this group involved much more work and stress than my usual experience with guests. First, there were many inquiries about the property about so many details. Elena wanted 15 people, which required me to find additional spaces on the property, and then at the time of check-in, added three additional - making it a total of 18 people, with 12 cars parked in my driveway, all beyond my stated limits. The house was generally left pretty clean at first look, though many extra towels and linens wore used. Elena had hired a chef, who superficially left the kitchen clean. But opening the kitchen drawers, I found a lot of mess - disorganized and dirty kitchen utensils. everything out of order and much of it dirty, including potholders and dish towels with food and turmeric stains, and several pots ruined with burning food fused on the bottoms. My cleaning costs were increased.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great Getaway

Unusual, creative architecture and design features makes this rambling home a delight.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Nov, 2022
It was fun hosting you and your family, Lila. Thanks for enjoying it! And great meeting you and all the family.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Peaceful sanctuary

Historical spot lovingly cared for by family. Great space to hang with family! Attentive host Micah!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Fun new years weekend

Thanks Micah for sharing your family home, it was just the getaway we needed! So lucky the sun came out the last day, great time - many thanks
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is a very interesting, eclectic home, furnished with items collected from around the globe. There are beautiful lush, gardens, bocce, and hot tub, which made it fun for our siblings reunion. Even with rainy weather, there are spaces to gather together, as well as private spaces.Micah was terrific. He was in touch, went out of his way to address any of our needs, and was a source for interesting information about the locale. We loved this rental!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Unique architectural gem

For the second time 10 members of our family got together at this wonderful place. We highly recommend it and the host Micah who is so personable and generous with his time and his knowledge. Can’t wait to go back!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful home high in the hills of Inverness.

This home is a great spot for a family or group. The property is beautifully designed, each room unique and artistic, lots of different places to hang out. Gorgeous gardens, bocce court, patio for outdoor dining, hot tub. Micah the host was very welcoming and available throughout our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Aug, 2022
Julia and her extended family had a wonderful 3-day get-together at the Eco-Refuge, enjoying themselves thoroughly, while always being respectful to the property and practicing good communication. I would recommend Julia to other hosts.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Fantastic gateway

We had wonderful time in this one of a kind eco refuge home! Unique in everything aspect, providing warmth and tranquility. Micah is an excellent host. We enjoyed it and we’ll come back again soon! Highly recommended!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 30 May, 2023
Thank you, Amelia. It was a pleasure hosting you and your whole group. Thank you for being great guests, and also learning a little bit about Bulgaria as well. I hope you will have a chance to come again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Point Reyes Vacation

Unique, quirky, fun! Also: great location, spacious, clean. Loved the hot tub, work out yurt, gardens with herbs and fruit trees, the visiting deer. We all had our own rooms and bathrooms (4 sibs + 1 spouse and 1 adult son). Genial host Micah.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Sept, 2024
Thank you, Sally, for the kind review and being such great and fun guests to host! All the best, Micah
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Travel while standing still

This house is a travel into architectural times, world civilisations, west marin: once you step in you are taken by the peaceful and yet strong energies of the house. The libraries are fantastic as well. Unforgetable
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

In the area for a wedding in Pt Reyes.

We thoroughly loved the property. There were 10 of us - all sorts of family members. Plenty of beds for 10 of us. Kitchen had everything we needed for cooking, and then some. The property and grounds were a dream.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 20 Apr, 2023
As I was away, I could not personally meet Lynn and her group, though my wife, who fills in for me when I am away, did meet them and reported everything went well. They left the property in good shape, and I would recommend them as guests to other VRBO hosts! Thank you Lynn for your picking the Ecorefuge for your get together, and hope you will have a chance to return again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Unique property

What a unique property full of art and an eclectic sensibility. Very beautifully maintained. Large, well stocked kitchen. Working fireplaces, bocce ball for the kids and a trampoline.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Magical

Magical property with delightful gardens and eye-catching architectural elements. MIcah is a wonderful host and is very helpful and easy to work with. Five stars.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful Home; Excellent Location

Ecorefuge is a very intereesting, unique beautiful property. Staying there is like staying with friends. The house is full of art, found treasures and books. Plus the architect's water colors are hung everywhere and they are gorgeous. We enjoyed our stay. Be sure to bring a hair dryer and conditioner is you need them.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Aug, 2021
Thank you, Kathleen. I'm glad you enjoyed and appreciated your stay at the Eco-Refuge. Thanks for pointing out the lack of a hair dryer and conditioner. I'll be sure to make sure to have that in the house in the future.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful escape to a simpler time

Our family of 5 loved every moment we spent at the Eco-Refuge. Micah and his family are gracious hosts, helped us to understand the history of the home and property, and to navigate the surrounding area (including hiking trails within minutes away). The home is also situated close to "town," with easy access to Point Reyes Station as well as the villages up and down either side of Tomales Bay. Very easy to get around to explore the whole region. Can't wait to come back!
Stayed 13 nights in Aug 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

heavenly place

Beautiful tranquil surroundings with an amazing and unique living space full of light,art, and interesting architectural design.Gorgeous outdoor space with gardens and water elements as well as hot tub and bocce court . Very warm, gracious ,knowledgeable and responsive host. So wonderful to come home to after a day of hiking or time at the beach .
Stayed 6 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Amazing Property!

The house is a piece of history, built by a famous architect and his students in the 1970's. It is full of character and personality, and includes the owner's huge library and many of his paintings. The property is quiet and private and includes outdoor amenities like a gym, hot tub, trampoline, hammock, barbeque and chicken coop. It is close to Tomales Bay and Point Reyes hiking trails and beaches.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful Stay in Inverness

Micah was incredibly helpful as we had unexpected travel issues and he went above and beyond to accommodate us. Friendly, professional, such a warm host with an incredible home that he takes great care of and is generous to share with guests. We had rain all three days and felt so fortunate that we were able to spend the time in such a beautiful, magical house. Thanks Micah!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Jan, 2023
Jacob and his group were excellent, easy, respectful, and communicative guests. Hosting them was a pleasure, and I was happy to help them with any special needs.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Celebratory place

This is a sanctuary for gathering and being. We were a group of 8, briefly 10, and cooked, soaked, poured over books, photographed, sang, wandered around and played games. The kitchen and the library and Sim's architecture were all highlights. Many comfy rooms each with something special. Delightful large kitchen with everything needed for large meals . Coffee in the morning with fog and deer another highlight.a little bocce, a great time.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful gathering of family and friends

We rented the Eco Lodge in July '23 for 4 nights and had a wonderful gathering of family and friends. It's a very unique and inspiring property that was perfect for our needs. Micah, who lives on the property in another unit, was the perfect host, going out of his way to make sure our gathering was everything we could have hoped for. His friendly demeanor and generosity with his time and knowledge was appreciated by everyone in our group. We would highly recommend the property for anyone looking for a unique experience in a beautiful setting.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Eco-Refuge is a refuge for thought, peace and creativity

We enjoyed our stay at Eco-Refuge. The first floor kitchen and dining space is perfect for groups of ten or more people. The second floor living room was an excellent meeting space. The wifi was dependable. We stayed in the winter and with power outages, Eco-Refuge has a back up battery for keeping power. The beds were comfortable and the bedding was of good quality. We plan to come back for our annual retreat. Micah is the best host. He makes sure we had all we needed and was very accessible and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
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