Hidden Gem ~ Charming Craftsman in Freestone

Hidden Gem is named for its fantastical location – a secret sloped garden tucked off the main street of charming Freestone. Guests peek out to the town or keep to the retreat-like historic home with modern touches. Freestone was the first historic district in Sonoma County and Hidden Gem is one of its true jewels. Built in 1918 and lovingly restored, Victorian and Craftsman style touches are evident throughout. An open and well-stocked kitchen invites sampling local wines and produce – fresh from the coast or local farmstands – just down the block. You’ll laugh and bake or BBQ with friends and family while tasting the best of Sonoma County.

Make a spa day at the house – with a private hot tub and outdoor shower – or book a cedar enzyme bath and facial or massage at the world-renowned Osmosis Day Spa. Grab fresh bread and scones at Wild Flour Bakery and cheese and snacks at Blue Goat, wine at Black Kite – all within walking distance. The stunning Sonoma coastline is minutes away by car. Along with the community of Bodega made famous in Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” – now a hub of local artists and agriculture. Sebastopol and Occidental each offer a kaleidoscope of restaurants and shopping. But you’ll sleep best when you return to Hidden Gem each night! Only 60 miles from San Francisco, you’re in a world away in Freestone.

Know Before You Book:

Maximum Occupancy and Quiet Hours: The maximum occupancy at Hidden Gem is 6 people including infants and children. Quiet hours are from 9:00 pm until 7:00 am. Outdoor amplified sound is prohibited at all times. As tempting as it may be to have more guests than allowed at the home, the maximum occupancy is, in part, set by the septic capacity of the system. Too many people will result in significant complications.

A Note About Our Cleaning Fees: Thank you for supporting our local business! When you stay with us, you are supporting local families at work. We think everyone deserves a decent living wage, and we make sure to set the rates and fees so that our cleaners earn a living wage in beautiful Sonoma County.

Parking: There is parking for a maximum of 3 vehicles in front of the garage and along the fence. The garage is not available for parking. RVs, trailers, and campers are prohibited, per the Sonoma County Vacation Rental Ordinance.

Bed Sizes: First bedroom: King bed; second bedroom: Twin over Full bunkbed; third bedroom: Queen bed.

Heating: Propane “power radiators” in each bedroom plus electric heat in each bathroom, gas fireplace in the living room.

Cooling: A window A/C unit in the bunk bedroom, portable fans. The 100-year-old windows of Hidden Gem do not work with screens, so we recommend stepping outside to cool off – there are multiple seating areas and a cool breeze from the coast.

Kitchen: The well-stocked kitchen includes a dishwasher, Nutribullet, multiple methods of making coffee and tea (including some to get you started)

Bathrooms: One bathroom has a shower and the other a tub. There is a faucet for filling the tub and a handheld wand for rinsing off, but there is not a head-height holder or shower curtain for the tub to be used as a shower.

Location: Hidden Gem is in a cozy mixed use neighborhood in the heart of Freestone. It is a mix of businesses, permanent residents and vacation rentals, families, working folks, and visitors. To honor this balance, we ask guests to park only in the designated spots and respect the quiet hours in addition to general family-friendly, residential neighborhood expectations. Thank you for helping to continue the tradition of a mutually beneficial relationship between vacation rentals and local community! There is a cheese and wine shop with limited hours next to Hidden Gem and an honor-system farmstand just a couple doors up the street.

Road to Hidden Gem: Some online mapping systems have trouble with the location of the house. We provide detailed written driving directions to confirmed guests. The main road – Bohemian Hwy – through Freestone is just on the other side of the redwood grove and old volunteer fire station and cars travel very fast.

Stairs: There are just a couple of steps from the street and parking are to the entry area and a slight ramp between one section of the house to the other. There are winding paths and stairs throughout the yard for you to explore!

Pets: This home no longer allows pets.

Fencing: Most of the property is fenced, but there are spots where wildlife comes in and out. You may see foxes in the yard!

Security: For the safety of guests and the home, there is a doorbell security camera at the front door – facing the exterior entry to the property and parking area.

Work from HERE:
Advertised Wifi Speed: Download is 400 MBPS / Upload is 5 MBPS
While there isn’t a designated desk, there are many reading and working nooks throughout the house.

A Note About TVs: The Smart TVs have access to Netflix, Amazon Video, Hulu, and hundreds of streaming channels. Guests are welcome to bring their login info for these apps. Cable TV service is not provided. One TV has a PS5 console and another have a DVD player.

Additional Amenities:
Whole Home Battery Backup: if the power goes out, the home will automatically switch to battery backup—guests don't need to do anything. Internet, heat, and hot water should continue to work during battery backup.

Baby/Kid-Specific Items: A high chair, a booster seat, and a port-a-crib are provided.

Driving Distances:
Proximity to wineries: Black Kite is a short walk - by appt only.
Nearest Ocean Beach: 9.6 mi
Bodega Bay: 9.9 mi
Sebastopol: 6 mi
Occidental: 3.4 mi
Links at Bodega Harbor Golf Course: 9.5 mi
Distance to Santa Rosa Airport: 17 mi

Sonoma County TOT Number: 4713
Sonoma County Vacation Rental Permit: TVR23-0075
Sonoma County Vacation Rental License: LIC23-0105