Entire home

Forest Cottage in Big Sur w/Private Hiking & Hot Tub

Cottage in Carmel with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Forest Cottage in Big Sur w/Private Hiking & Hot Tub

Hike to a secluded & serene 12ft waterfall w/pool, hammock & picnic area.
Relax, nap, or read stream-side under the towering redwoods in the Forest Glen.
Take in the sun, flowers and greenery
Utterly sublime: rejuvenate in our new hydromassage hot tub w/views & stargazing
Relaxing with music, movies or just peace and quiet...

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 2

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
  • Place, Garrapata State Park
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, Bixby Bridge
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, Garrapata Beach
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Airport, Monterey, CA (MRY-Monterey Peninsula)
    ‪28 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Forest Cottage in Big Sur w/Private Hiking & Hot Tub

"Wild Luxury on the Edge of the World"

~ Big Sur is open and accessible from the north!
~ Private Acreage Property= Privacy + 360 views
~ Miles of on-site hiking with romantic lounging areas: creekside w/waterfalls or ridgeline w/ocean view
~ Hydromassage hot tub under the stars
~ 3 miles from breathtaking Garrapata Beach and State Park
~ Paved, private road free of dust
~ High speed internet
~ 2 unique retreats

Welcome to Heart Circle Mountain—36 private acres of redwoods, mountains, and waterfalls, offering the Big Sur experience without the crowds. Step outside your door and immerse yourself in a private forest, where you can hike among towering redwoods, discover hidden waterfalls, and unwind in a serene streamside settings. Bath in the tranquility or venture upwards for sunny ridge-top views stretching toward the Pacific ocean. No need to get in your car—adventure and relaxation start at your doorstep.

Heart Circle Mountain offers a unique balance of wilderness and luxury, with two secluded retreats, each on their own area of the property that are thoughtfully designed for your enjoyment. Hammocks sway in the dappled sunlight, waterfalls provide a soothing soundtrack, and nature’s grandeur surrounds you.

Come experience Big Sur’s wild beauty—without the crowds!

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The Forest Cottage
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An exquisite two-story home nestled into a private redwood and oak glen, the Forest Cottage is your own piece of paradise. Established in the 1930’s as the original cottage on Heart Circle Mountain, the Forest Cottage has been lovingly remodeled, built out of the finest materials including Venetian plaster walls, tumbled marble, and art glass lighting. The retreat is meticulously cleaned with non-toxic cleaners, is pet-dander free, and features sparkling white linens dried in the Big Sur sun.

Upstairs, the romantic bedroom has two skylights for nights of star gazing, unobstructed by city lights. The queen sleigh bed is outfitted with a Tempur-Pedic mattress, a down duvet, and high quality linens. The large sitting area has a desk, love seat, armchair and Smart TV w/Bose soundbar & many streaming services.

The cottage features a full gourmet kitchen, which includes completely stocked cupboards of cooking implements and condiments, a full-sized refrigerator, stove/oven, and large dining area. There is also a BBQ on the patio where you can enjoy the beautiful yard with a custom redwood dining table. Take a nap on a full sized hammock for two, kick back and sunbathe on the chaise lounge chairs, or rejuvenate in the hydromassage hot tub under the canopy of redwoods and oaks, while listening to the sounds of the forest and flowing creek.

~~~~~~~~~~~
The Property
~~~~~~~~~~~

Heart Circle Mountain sits in the Goldilocks Zone—above the fog line but below the hotter, buggy highlands—offering a sunny microclimate teeming with wildlife. Here, deer, foxes, squirrels, quail, birds of prey, and even bobcats roam freely.

Just outside your door, two private hiking trails invite you to explore the beauty of Big Sur without the crowds. Along the way, discover scenic lounging areas with two-person hammocks, loungers, tables and chairs —perfect for a picnic or a drink while bathing in nature.

The Waterfall Trail

This serene path winds through a redwood forest along a private stretch of Palo Colorado Creek, leading to two enchanting lounge areas, surrounded by lush sorrel and ferns. At the halfway point, you’ll find Forest Glen, a magical haven where a meandering creek flows beneath a soaring old-growth redwood fairy ring. Further ahead, the trail ends in an intimate forest retreat, where a 10-foot granite waterfall cascades into a tranquil pool, framed by ferns, horsetails, redwoods, and oaks.

The Zen Trail

For breathtaking ocean, mountain, and valley views, follow the Zen Trail up Garrapata Ridge. Along the way, you might spot a bobcat or our resident fox near its den. At the summit, relax in a secluded lounge area beneath a natural oak arbor, with panoramic views of dramatic ridgelines and the Pacific on the horizon. Watch red-tailed hawks and peregrine falcons glide overhead as you take in a fog river pouring over the ridges or a stunning sunset.

You won’t need to drive anywhere to experience the best of Big Sur—it’s all right here. But if adventure calls, the coastline and Ventana Wilderness are just a short drive away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Neighborhood
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heart Circle Mountain sits atop a small mountain overlooking Palo Colorado Canyon and the Pacific Ocean beyond. Conveniently located just 2.2 miles from Highway 1, our retreats offer the best of both worlds—a peaceful Big Sur escape that’s only: a 15-20 minute drive North to Carmel or a 15-20 minute drive South to the Big Sur Valley.

You’ll experience some of the most scenic roads anywhere, without the hassle of dirt roads—our private, paved road ensures a smooth, dust-free, and traffic-free journey to your retreat.

Without a doubt, you will leave Heart Circle Mountain with a unique piece of Big Sur in your heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Attractions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

North
~ Rocky Point Restaurant – 2.5 mi
~ Garrapata Beach & State Park – 3 mi
~ Soberanes Point & Canyon – 6 mi
~ Point Lobos State Reserve – 10 mi
~ Carmel – 12 mi (80+ restaurants, art galleries, and shops)

South
~ Bixby Bridge & Old Coast Road
~ Andrew Molera State Park – Miles of trails, beach access, and guided horseback rides.
~ Big Sur Valley – 12 mi (restaurants, art galleries, and shops)

East (currently closed)
~ Palo Colorado Road – A scenic drive winding inland to Bottchers Gap Park, with campgrounds, hiking trails, and breathtaking views of the Ventana Wilderness and Mt. Pico Blanco.
~ Mill Creek Redwood Preserve – Now open by permit only, a few miles before Bottchers Gap.

West
~ Rocky Point to Castle Rock – the aqua blue Pacific Ocean crashing onto the shore.

We look forward to welcoming you!

2 Adults 21 & Up, No Pets, No Children

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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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
All guests staying on the property must sign our rental agreement and hold harmless, which lays out additional rules and important information.

Important information

You need to know

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
Property Registration Number 002008

About the area

Carmel

Located in Carmel, this cottage is in a rural area and in the mountains. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Carmel Beach and Garrapata State Park, while Gravity Garden and Molera Ranch House Museum are cultural highlights. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

What's nearby

  • Garrapata State Park - 6 min drive - 7.2 km
  • Bixby Bridge - 6 min drive - 7.6 km
  • Garrapata Beach - 10 min drive - 12.9 km
  • Point Sur State Historic Park - 13 min drive - 17.9 km
  • Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - 14 min drive - 19.7 km

Getting around

  • Monterey Station - 30 min drive
  • Monterey, CA (MRY-Monterey Peninsula) - 40 min drive

Restaurants

  • Big Sur Coast Gallery Cafe
  • ‪The Ranch Club - ‬45 min drive
  • ‪Rocky Point - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Mertin Mekanı - ‬31 min drive
  • ‪The Nest - ‬45 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Forest Cottage in Big Sur w/Private Hiking & Hot Tub pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Forest Cottage in Big Sur w/Private Hiking & Hot Tub?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Forest Cottage in Big Sur w/Private Hiking & Hot Tub?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Forest Cottage in Big Sur w/Private Hiking & Hot Tub?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Forest Cottage in Big Sur w/Private Hiking & Hot Tub located?

Situated in the mountains, this cottage is within 6 miles (10 km) of Garrapata State Park, Bixby Bridge and Los Padres National Forest. Garrapata Beach and Point Sur Dunes Nature Preserve are also within 9 miles (15 km).

About the host

Hosted by Andrew & Brianne

Host profile image
We are the owners of Heart Circle Mountain and have lived here for the past 22 years trying to make the property and retreats gorgeous and welcoming. We have a collective background in Environmental Design and Environmental Science. We love caring for this beautiful land and exploring the wilderness and beaches surrounding us. We are happy to be able to offer some time away from it all, for others to rejuvenate in this Big Sur paradise.

We look forward to meeting you!
~Brianne & Andrew

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

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