The Space
Vacation rental on the Mendocino Coast, amidst gardens, meadows & forest, 150 miles north of San Francisco.
Our Quiet Meadow Cottage is located on the spectacular Mendocino Coast in a beautiful rural area just 1.5 miles from Pacific Ocean on 13 acres of gardens, meadows and redwood forests, with horses, sheep and llamas next door on our quiet, dead-end, paved road. We are 5 miles from the fishing village of Albion, 12 from historically preserved coastal village of Mendocino (an art, wine and food lover's paradise) and 20 to 30 miles from Fort Bragg’s harbor, ocean fishing, whale-watching cruises, sand dunes, Botanical Gardens, the historic Skunk Train, two virgin redwood preserves, and many Anderson Valley wineries.
Our guest cottage is clean, cozy and quiet with a queen bedroom, tub & shower bathroom, small kitchen, sunny deck, and a comfy, sun-filled living room (with 2 additional day-beds). No other houses are in sight (besides the owners' next door), deer and wild turkeys frequent the meadow in front, nearby are extensive flower and organic vegetable gardens, and at night what you usually hear most is the distant ocean surf.
Costs: For one or two people during the off-season (Oct-Marchs) it's $117 a night or $600 per week.(During the high-season, April-Sept + 6 holidays, it's $125 a night and $775 per week.) There is a 2-night minimum for Saturdays and holidays, and if a 2nd or 3rd bed is required, add a one-time fee of $25 per extra bed for the additional bedding & towels. There is a one-time $50 cleaning fee and no other fees.
To keep the cottage fresh for all occupants, smoking and pets are not permitted. More photos can be sent to you upon request, and several photos of the property, garden and Mendocino Coast area can be viewed at the owners' home-exchange website:
Note that we have video and DVD players and a TV set for movies, but we do not get TV reception or cable. Cell phone reception is sketchy-- it works for some carriers and not for others. There is a phone in the cottage in case you want to give it to family or friends, and which you may use freely for local calls. The internet is accessible thru a high-speed Internet connection via a satellite dish.
The cold Pacific Ocean 1.5 miles away keeps our summer daytime temp below 80 degrees-- 60 degrees during foggy days-- and nights can go as low as 45 in summer and 30 in winter. Bring layers. The cottage is heated centrally by a Monitor propane heater whose thermostat you can adjust to your desired temperature. And we do provide all bedding, towels, two bathrobes, hair-dryer, iron and ironing board. You're also welcome to use our propane BBQ, 2 bikes and canoe.
The check-in time is 3pm, and check-out is noon. We do not provide breakfasts or meals. The kitchen includes a propane stovetop, mini-fridge, sink, microwave and toaster ovens, stick blender, toaster, coffee maker and tea kettle, plus sugar, salt & pepper, and usually some teas. However, you need to bring your own coffee, cream and all the food you want to eat. Many restaurants are available in the area, and Albion village has a good little grocery store and deli. Driving directions are at the bottom.
We wish you an enjoyable time in the country,
Tom & Sharon
Comments from the guestbook:
"Thank you for creating such a spacious, uncluttered, tranquil environment. This lovely cottage, deep rest, miles of quiet, and black nights all conspire to ease my wound-up nerves."
"We enjoyed our stay and were very refreshed by the quiet, natural beauty nearby and deer and wild turkeys stopping by to visit from time to time. We loved our 3-hour kayak ride up the Albion River. We didn't see another soul but did see several harbor seals, river otters, cranes and hawks."
"This is truly a special place. I was looking for a retreat and I found more... I found myself again. Thank you for creating a safe, warm space and sharing your incredibly beautiful property."
"You have a truly magical world here and a cozy cottage to comfort guests. Being here in this enchanted forest is a true gift."
"Thanks for this lovely space to rest and become restored. The nature, the quiet, the warm and sunny days have left us all softened around the edges."
"This is my 5th time staying here in this cozy space. Your land is more beautiful than ever and the peace and quiet so supportive. The blooming wysteria was an extra delight, truly lovely."
Guest Access
You have access to explore the owner's 13 acres of gardens, meadows and redwood-Douglas fir forests. The veggie garden often has produce the owners are happy to share with guests, The landscape garden has hammock and various lawn seatings for reading and relaxing amidst flowers and nature. A propane BBQ grill, canoe and bicycles are available to use for free. Guests staying a week or more may use the owners washer & dryer.
Interaction with Guests
The hosts live next door on their 13 acres and are available to answer questions and be helpful in any way while also highly respectful of guests privacy.
The Neighborhood
Our immediate rural neighborhood is explorable via paths thru our meadows and woods and by walking on Middle Ridge Road, a little-used, dead-end road, and country lanes. The village of Albion is 5 miles away and has an excellent little grocery and wine market & deli plus post office, hardware store, ocean harbor, beach, boat rental and 3 restaurants. Seven miles up the coast from Albion is Mendocino-- a historically preserved coastal village and an art, wine and food lover's paradise. Seven miles further north is the larger town of Fort Bragg, with a large harbor, ocean fishing, whale-watching cruises, 20 restaurants, sand dunes, Botanical Gardens, and the historic Skunk Train. Fifty miles inland from Albion are two virgin redwood preserves and 20 Anderson Valley wineries. Albion is great base for hiking, biking, kayaking and exploring the beautiful North Coast.
Other Things to Note
Guests have written of the hosts, "Tom and Sharon's Quiet Meadow Cottage is a total oasis. They've created this incredible, comforting nook in the world that weary travelers are welcomed to and given a chance to truly rest. It's like going home. Just read a few pages in their guest book and you'll know immediately that there is something really special about them and this place. We were looking for a place that we could rest and recharge and this was it to a T. When we arrived there was a family of deer in the meadow there to greet us. There is a really great movie collection and a super interesting range of books and CDs. The kitchen has everything you need and the Albion Grocery & Deli has the basics, including organic produce and local wines. The cottage was super clean and had everything else you could possibly need. If you're up to exploring this coastal area during the day, there are plenty of options ranging from incredible ocean bluffs and beach bumming to virgin redwood forest hikes. The cottage comes complete with maps, local guides and informational pamphlets from all over the area. We're grateful for the time we spent at the Cottage and are tremendously thankful to Sharon & Tom for welcoming us. We hope to go back soon!"
