Handcrafted Redwood Tower
The space
NB: Bookings available mid-May through September. It is always closed in the Winter season. It is an unheated property and for summer living only.
Hello! Please READ ALL THE WAY THROUGH this listing carefully before requesting to book. This place is out in the wilderness and is not for everyone. I have your interests at heart. Thank you!
Perched on top of its own hilltop, the handcrafted rusticTower is an adventurous and inspiring place to be. A 'box of light', the three sides of windows look out over the hills. Romantic and secluded, the Tower is a real escape and retreat into the wild.
The sparkling Mattole river is just over the road below at the bottom of the hill. Enjoy the spectacular bird-life. Local beaches (where you'll probably see no-one) are a 20 minute drive away and make for great hiking and beachcombing.
** VERY IMPORTANT!** The Tower is accessed by a STEEP uphill trail of wooden dirt steps through Douglas Firs. The trail is a 520ft climb - a 5-10 minute uphill hike. You need to be fairly fit. Light bags and backpacks rather than suitcases are essential. This rental is not suitable for those who ought not be taking this kind of hike. Please bring flashlights.
**IMPORTANT Check-in info** The Tower is a property that needs a guide to show you up there initially. It has its quirks, and you’ll benefit from a quick orientation up there. Prior to your trip we will liaise re your check-in time. I always try to accommodate your ETA, but I do have a job I do remotely from home and have online meetings. Due to the remote location and the trail, I ask guests to please check-in before dark if possible.
UPSTAIRS:
The upper storey of the Tower has a Murphy bed (SMALL DOUBLE), which measures 4ft across and is 6.5 ft long from headboard to footboard. Very tall people may find it too short due to footboard. This room also has a long sofa, deco chairs, redwood window seats and a long cherrywood table.
The Tower is on two floors, connected by an OUTSIDE STAIRCASE.
So *PLEASE NOTE* As the bathroom is on the lower floor you will need to go down the outside stairs to the bathroom.
DOWNSTAIRS
Downstairs is the bathroom, shower and kitchen in one open plan room.
The spring water is excellent for drinking so don't worry about lugging water bottles up the trail!
The lower storey also houses water tanks, wrapped in canvas painted by a local artist.
Relax beneath the stars in the outdoor in-ground copper bath tub, with plenty of space for two and a small surrounding deck for glasses of wine, or take a shower outside, looking out onto the hills.
Enjoy ceramicist Jim Danisch's sculptures punctuating the trail.
In collaboration with Petrolia's craftspeople the Tower was designed by my father, an author and lover of art.
For groceries, the local Petrolia store has most basics (including a gas pump) but please bring your own special groceries as you may not find all you need. There are ZERO bars or restaurants in Petrolia - yup ZERO! Bear in mind that the Petrolia Store closes at 5pm, so be sure to bring groceries with you if you're arriving later than that, especially for that first night's dinner!
500 ft below, at the bottom of the hill is the main house, where I live.
To enable a real break from the world and total relaxation, the Tower remains UNPLUGGED. That means...NO WIFI! There is very limited cell service in Petrolia. But fear not, there is a landline available in the Tower for your private use.
BAD ROADS: Petrolia is off the beaten track and lies at the end of a very winding, rugged road with potholes a-plenty. Ordinary cars can make it here fine, but if you are hiring a car you will be better off hiring an all wheel or 4 wheel drive that is higher off the ground for local exploring.
PG&E POWER OUTAGES
Due to the severity of wildfire threat in California, outages are more frequent. PG&E can announce planned outages. There can also be unplanned outages due to a tree falling on a power line etc. In the event of outages, my generator in the main house will also provide power to the Tower.
WILDLIFE
TheTower is on top of a rugged hill in the WILDERNESS! Despite my best efforts and a recent sealing of the building around its parameter, a bug or two may get in, and you might even get a visit from a bat - who eats the mosquitoes and will fly out of an open window in the dark.
LASTLY, thank you for reading all the way through. I am grateful for your attention. Please feel free to contact me with any questions if this seems like your kind of place!
Thank you for your interest in The Lost Coast Tower, I look forward to helping make your stay as pleasant as possible. Guest happiness is very important to me, and I am all for helping you when I can! Thanks! Daisy