Cottage vacation rentals in Northern California

Anything I write would only echo the rave reviews Hilmar has already received. I will say the kitchen was the best of any of the 50+ Airbnbs we have stayed at. A very peaceful, easy feeling staying here. A number of reviews mentioned seeing and hearing owls. Unfortunately, all we heard were the continuous "hoots" of Collared Doves which after awhile became annoying. There were a lot of deer who stopped by to say hi. The views out the windows were subtly magnificent. A great week was had.

It was a very cozy stay, nestled in a serene area right near the ocean. I really appreciated the attention to detail and the individual pieces of consideration, including the lovely music that played as we entered the cottage. It really set the tone for such a nice and peaceful stay.

Artistic and quirky house. I loved it! You have to duck a lot, but it’s super cool. <5min walk to beach or downtown.

Small hiccup getting into the house and Amber was super quick to help! The place was stunning! So beautiful and so well appointed. The home is 10/10!!

The quiet cottage was exactly as described, and perfect for a getaway! It was private and peaceful, with a beautiful garden and surrounded by nature. It's common to see deer or hummingbirds during the day, and sitting out on the porch enjoying the views and the sunshine was our favorite part. The cottage had everything we could need, including a fully stocked kitchen, board games, books, and plenty of DVDs to choose from as well as streaming services. The hosts kindly provided a list of recommendations for local grocery stores and restaurants, sorted by distance and price, which was very helpful. The cottage is secluded and up in the foothills away from the main city, but only a 20 minute drive from Mendocino grocery stores and beaches, which was the perfect setting for us. Exploring the property and watching the wildlife were the highlights of this trip! I would highly recommend visiting.

Our stay was lovely! The beds and linens were comfortable and the rooms were quiet. The entire home was well stocked and it felt like a second personal home in terms of the quality of items - sharp knives, well stocked pantry for cooking basics, foil, etc. We brought two dogs and it was a paradise for them. The outdoor area is truly magical. The fire pit is great, the downstairs dog shower is handy, and the landscaping is sublime.

A beautiful retreat in the Sierra foothills, hosted by the wonderful Salim. The home looks exactly like the photos and is impressively well-organized. The kitchen and dining area stand out—fully equipped with all the essentials and a pleasure to use. Everything was spotlessly clean, and the setting was peaceful and private. The two patios, positioned on opposite sides of the house, offer a great option for finding shade at any time of day. The home is also very well insulated—we were comfortable throughout our stay without needing the A/C. The location is great—close to two larger lakes, one of which we enjoyed kayaking on. There are also some excellent dining options nearby, including a small cafe/restaurant right on the property that features Salim’s impressive cooking (open for early dinner only). We’ll definitely be back!

We loved our stay at the cottage! BEAUTIFUL views of the surrounding seascape and very private - we felt like we were at our own resort! The house was lovely and our 2-year old daughter enjoyed the board games and puzzles immensely. Fantastic time and hope to visit again!

We met the infamous Piper! She’s just as sweet as they say…and Royce ain’t bad, himself. The cottage was cozy, warm, inviting, and stocked with everything we could need. It was exactly as pictured, and the hot tub under the stars was incredible. We were lucky enough to catch the annual benefit concert right in the yard (hosts discussed this with us beforehand). Special note: the rooster crows throughout the middle of the night (many times between 12am-5am). He roams during the day with his beautiful ladies and may crow near the cottage in the afternoon. If you’re not used to this, bring some ear plugs or headphones. The location of this property is PERFECT - a quick drive to Fort Bragg (10 min), but feels remote. Follow the directions that they’ll send you the day before arrival and NOT GPS! Make sure you have cell service the day before, because our reception was 1 bar (Verizon). WiFi at cottage worked perfectly. This place was SO homey and the hosts were so welcoming!

Our stay was wonderful. The AC worked, the bed was comfortable, the hot tub and views of the lake were relaxing, and the place was clean and cozy. The hosts were also great. We would stay here again and recommend this place for anyone looking to unplug and experience nature.

A friend and I and our daughters had a lovely time staying here. I loved the mix of keeping the historical feel of the house and the tasteful updates the owners have done. We used the provided kayaks and paddle boards to paddle on the river. It is mellow enough that you can paddle up and down without any trouble (at least in mid-June). The neighborhood is quaint and quiet. We used the firepit one night to cook "hobo" dinners and make smores. The spa was also nice. We went to the nearby town of Guerneville to go vintage and antique shopping and eat meals. We also went on a hike near the beach. And nearby Duncan Mills is also a nice place to eat and shop. The nearby Lightwave Cafe is an experience! Definitely recommend a meal there. I would definitely stay here again.

A peaceful retreat on a beautiful ranch! This lovely cottage was the perfect getaway: peaceful, private, and surrounded by nature. We especially loved all the birds around the property! The house had everything we needed (and then some), making it feel like a true home away from home. The hosts were incredibly responsive and helpful throughout our stay. We’d absolutely love to come back again!

We loved our stay at Pauline's place. You could tell that Pauline strives to be proactive, intentional and transparent with her space, which helps ensure a smooth trip and a great stay! As a fellow host, I appreciate that she thought of everything to both create a comfortable space and answer any questions that may have come up during our visit, right off the bat! I brought my Dad up from Texas to visit the Redwoods for his 70th birthday. The Fortuna location was the perfect spot for visiting both the Humboldt State Parks in the South and The State & National Redwoods park in the North, along with visits to Trinidad, Ferndale & Eureka on the way. After long days of hiking, the hot tub and bath tub with a view were a dream! We slept so good (Dad loved the daybed and I had the "queen's room") and enjoyed the fresh eggs :)

Such an amazing place to stay. Words can't do it justice. Everything within the space is so intentional, the beds, the shelves, the lighting the appliances. I stayed with my family of 7 (4 adults & 2 kids) and it was perfect. Two bathrooms was a huge plus! The washer and dryer were a huge plus and we enjoyed the sauna and the hot tub and had a bbq in the backyard. Can't say how magical and wonderful this place was to be in the middle of the redwoods was just amazing.

My husband and I stayed at Renee's cottage for a long weekend and loved every minute of it! The outdoor gardens are gorgeous and perfect to enjoy a cup of coffee or glass of wine. The bed was the most comfortable bed we've had at an Air Bnb. And the two person hot tub was super clean and eat to operate. Her place is also very close to town and just a short drive to the Town Square and amazing restaurants and shopping. The grounds are also very charming with a lot of rustic farm equipment and a beautiful vineyard. We look forward to coming back!

We had an amazing 5 days stay here as part of our honeymoon. Truly such a special place which has everything and more you could need. Paula is literally the perfect host, so friendly and kind, even made us breakfast on our last morning. Thank you for such a wonderful stay!

My wife and I enjoyed our stay here. It was a very short walk to the beach and a short drive to the Redwoods. The Cozy Coastal Cottage was the perfect size for the two of us. It was clean and comfy and great to relax at in between activities. If we ever vacation in the area again we would definitely stay again! Thanks for letting us stay!

My family had a great stay. This included my 90 year old parents. The location is nice; close to Marshall's restaurants and the view of the Bay is wonderful. We were attending a family wedding just a couple of miles away and this was a great place to be able to kick back when not involved in wedding related activities. Definitely would consider a future stay.

This cottage is a little gem in a desirable part of the city. The upstairs sleeping loft is spacious and well laid out with plenty of closet and drawer space. We loved the thoughtful touches like high-quality coffee, a bottle of wine, extra sheets and towels, and attractive decor and books. Host Johnny was very responsive to our questions about the heating unit and fixed it right away. Not a problem for the physically agile, but guests should be aware that the outdoor side entrance is maybe 24 inches wide, and that the steep loft stairs are necessary to navigate to use the bathroom. Overall, a wonderful stay with a kind and thoughtful host!

We loved Marissa’s place! After a long day of hiking the redwoods, it was a lovely retreat that kept us in the heart of the redwoods! It feels homey and the beds were so comfortable! Best night of sleep we’ve had on vacation. Marissa was wonderful about communicating with us and was very kind. We hope to return one day!

My wife and I stayed here on our honeymoon! It was our first stop in California and it was absolutely worth it! The accommodations were beautiful, the kitchen made it easy for us to eat meals together at home, and furniture was clean and very comfortable! We would definitely recommend staying here!

My spouse and I stayed here over Memorial Day weekend with our two dogs. It is such a peaceful, relaxing spot and our dogs really enjoyed being able to explore the yard (which was entirely fenced). We had nice weather and used the grill for dinner both nights which was great. The cows and pigs were around as well and we fed them treats that were provided - so fun! Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a quiet place to stay with beautiful surroundings.

The unit was clean, cozy, and right in the heart of incredible nature! The creek is incredible for bird and animal watching, and Colin is a communicative and thorough host. Couldn't recommend more highly!

The cottage was very nice, with great views, tall ceilings, huge sliding glass doors, and perfectly set up for two couples. It was extremely clean! We had a great stay!