Stunning Countryside Retreat

Are you looking to escape the city for a few days of solace and relaxation? Do you have a yearning to spend some time at the lake? Does hiking through the wildflowers with the sound of the river guiding you along appeal to you? Would a day of shopping at boutiques in historic gold mining towns in between stops at the wineries be more your speed? Or does simply doing nothing at all, other than laying low and recharging your batteries in a peaceful bucolic setting sound exactly like what you're looking for? If you answered yes to any of these questions, perhaps our little retreat hidden in this Northern California ranch setting is the answer for you.

Our home is on five acres, surrounded by cattle ranches, rolling hills of green or amber, and other idyllic rural scenes. Being up on a small incline, the highlight of the property may be the view of the ranchland below, framed by distant hills. On a clear night, the lights of Stockton and Sacramento dot the horizon, and on a very clear day, Mt Diablo is visible, standing at attention in the distance. Certainly, the outdoors - where often the only sounds one hears are the singing of birds and the lowing of cows - is a major feature of this property, and with that in mind, we've created numerous sitting areas to take it all in. The deck overlooking the pastures beneath is one of our favorite spots, as there's almost always a refreshing breeze wafting up from the hillside below. Other relaxation areas include chaise loungers to work on your tan, a swing bench made of Montana pine wood to view our developing flower garden, padded reclining chairs around a gas fire table, a beckoning hammock stretched between two oaks, and another seating area on the large back deck of the house - perfect to keep company with the one manning the barbeque.

If your visit happens to coincide with weather not conducive for spending outdoors, fear not, as we’ve made sure that the inside is just as inviting, and certainly more cozy. In total, there are five bedrooms (please make sure to read the details below!!), four of which are ensuites with private bathrooms. The well-appointed kitchen has a large center island with seating, and the dining area boasts more views of the scenery filtering through the oaks. The sunken living room is right off the kitchen and features a large sectional and big screen TV, as well as a gas fireplace for those chillier nights. And finally, the living area extends into a large sunroom over a spacious deck, highlighted by a hot tub from which to take in the views. This room is sure to keep you entertained, with a ping pong table, beanbag toss (cornhole), and game table, as well as an additional seating area.

For the bedrooms, we went with a themed approach, trying to encapsulate what makes the area distinctive. The master is called our Ranch Suite. This features a king-size bed, gas fireplace, and a completely remodeled bathroom containing a wet room. The next bedroom is our Garden Suite. This has double doors leading to the sunroom, a walk-in closet, and its own full bathroom. It’s important to understand the layout of the third bedroom, our Boat Room. This room with two twin beds is off the master suite via double doors. This would make for an ideal option for younger children who want to be near their parents. Alternatively, for older children or adults, those doors can be locked, and the room be accessed from the main part of the house via the garage.

The final two sleeping areas are in separate casitas, located approximately 50 yards from the main home along the driveway. The first is our Farm House – don’t be surprised if you raise the back blinds in the morning and are mere feet away from a grazing horse or cow. The other is our Tree House. In addition to the tree-themed decorative elements, you may feel you’re up in one when looking down from the back window. Both casitas are complete suites with their own bathrooms.

There are washers and dryers in the laundry room of the main house, and another set in the Farm House.

While nestled in the hills, the water enthusiasts may not realize it, but there are three lakes and a river just minutes away. The Mokelumne River can be accessed by a country road near the house, and it leads to a bridge from which there are often fishermen casting their lines. There are hiking trails along the river, plus the Mokelumne section of California's Coast to Crest trail. For lakes, the most immediate three include Camanche Reservoir, Pardee Dam, and Hogan Lake, in addition to a number of others within an hour.

A six-minute drive would put you in the quaint mining town of Mokelumne Hill. From there you can grab a morning coffee and either head south on 49 to San Andreas, Angels Camp, and Murphys, or north to Jackson, Sutter Creek, and Plymouth. All these areas feature fantastic wineries and tasting rooms, with Shenandoah Valley perhaps being the most well-known. Murphys and Sutter Creek are our favorites, but all the towns have shops, restaurants, and tasting rooms to explore.

The standard rate is $500 per night, but discounted rates are offered for stays of one week or longer. One last thing - the property also has full RV hookups, size permitting. Let us know if this add-on would be of interest to you.