Amazing, Enchanting Art Retreat

Entire place in Alpine, California

  1. 2 guests
  2. 1 bedroom
  3. 1 bed
  4. 1 bath
Hosted by Charles
  1. Superhost
  2. 12 years hosting

Listing highlights

Top 10% of homes

This home is highly ranked based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.

Exceptional check-in experience

Recent guests gave the check-in process a 5-star rating.

Great for remote work

Fast wifi at 66 Mbps, plus a dedicated workspace.
This home was designed by the famous artist James Hubbell. It is unique and marvelous. This home and the artist are featured in two books stocked in the living room.

The full charm of "The Shire" is absorbed over days and nights of individual's and couple's immersion, relaxation and awakening.

The space
There is no place on Earth quite like it. It is a great home in which to be engulfed in its organic form and ensemble of wood, brick, stained glass, ceramic tile, bronze and iron. There are no rectangles, only curves, arches, vaults and alcoves. Sit and read, listen to music, love your spouse, lover or self and behold art.

It has one queen-size bed up the steep stairs with railings to the loft bedroom, so it's only for 1-2 physically-fit adults with good balance and mobility. It features a comfortable, new Casper mattress. Enjoy looking out at the stars through the huge window doors, possibly open in fair weather.

It's not NY, LA, or any bustling downtown (though SD is just 30-40 min. away.) You'll also see and hear birds, lizards, squirrels and (in the winter and spring) the cascading flow of seasonal Alpine Creek on site.

In full disclosure, there is some background traffic noise outdoors, from the nearby Interstate 8 highway, though it is modest to most when indoors. Any music played at low volume will drown it out, and to date it has never interfered with a guest's sleep (even the nightly frogs are sometimes louder in winter, in a naturally-comforting manner.) Still, if one wants quiet when outdoors, this location may not be the best for them. Also, because of it's natural country country setting, on a 2/3 acre lot, there are some creatures about (hawks, owls, squirrels, field mice, etc.) Mice are reduced by pest control, but may possibly sneak inside. I keep the home very clean, but can't guarantee a mouse might enter an open window or door at night. (It has only happened 2% of the time.)

The entire 800 SF "art" house, including use of all appliances, dishware, utensils, cleaning supplies, furnishings, books, magazines and CD's. Upon request, a guest artist may access a separate studio on site.

I will only approve guests with whom I first communicate and trust to protect this home. I will be HAPPY to assist all approved guests with their comfortable stay at my home, in the Alpine community, indeed all of San Diego County, with helpful information and personal suggestions.

I will be present for the guest's arrival with keys and orientation. I love to travel and appreciate the arts, and enjoy other people who do as well! If you'd like, and time permitting, I'll show you to nearby restaurants, a great pub, a natural hiking park and/or discuss San Diego and environs, and the house itself. I want you to cherish and fondly remember your visit.

Guest access
The guest will have full use of the kitchen, including stove, microwave, coffee makers, refrigerator and dishwasher. Utensils, plates, bowls, glasses, pots and pans, etc., may be used, all to be cleaned after use. The cable television, two Bluetooth speakers, and fireplace are also for guests use. The host's books, magazines and CD's may be enjoyed on site. A basic studio building may also be requested for use by artists.

Other things to note
I will be available by email, text and cell phone to answer any guests' questions, within hours if not within minutes.

The area can be chilly to cold in the winter but the beautiful fireplace, heaters, comforter, quilt and blankets make the home comfy inside. Sweaters and jackets are recommended November-March. Summer days and sometimes parts or autumn may be hot, though the inside is cooled downstairs, the upstairs may take longer to cool in the evening. Opening the large loft windows at night will cool it down.

If you have an electric car, you may charge it overnight for free parked by the studio. It is a grounded 120V, so not as fast as 240, and must use your own portable cord. For ex., it may take 12-13 hours to charge 40 miles after driving from San Diego, but the downhill return will use less energy than getting to Alpine, so energy to spare if full when leaving.

Where you’ll sleep

What this place offers

River view
Waterfront
Kitchen
Fast wifi – 66 Mbps
Dedicated workspace
Unavailable: Carbon monoxide alarm

Select check-in date

Add your travel dates for exact pricing

Rated 4.93 out of 5 from 239 reviews.

Guest favorite
This home is in the top 10% of eligible listings based on ratings, reviews, and reliability
0 of 0 items showing

Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 95% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 3% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 0% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 1% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for value

Where you’ll be

Alpine, California, United States
This listing's location is verified and the exact location will be provided after booking.

Neighborhood highlights

Alpine is an inland "town-like" community of the county, 30-35 miles from downtown San Diego, SAN airport, the Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, dozens of museums and theaters, and hundreds of restaurants, and 35-45 minutes from Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Coronado and Julian. Yet this home is a semi-rural retreat on 2/3 of an acre we affectionately call The Shire.

Alpine has several restaurants and the superb McIlhenney Beer Company. It is within 30 minutes of trail hiking in beautiful Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and Mount Laguna in the Cleveland National Forest, and just four miles from hiking in a 400-acre natural open space in Alpine called Wright's Field. Numerous mountain biking trails are also near. Area attractions include the Sky Falconry and the Lions, Tigers & Bears animal rescue, often open for paying visitors with reservations and donations, respectively.

The back yard of the home includes Alpine Creek, which flows seasonally after rains, mostly in December-April. Then it has pleasing cascading water and delightful chorale frogs "singing" at night.

Meet your host

Superhost
239 reviews
4.93 out of 5 average rating
12 years of hosting
My work: retired from municipal financial management; now self-employed
Speaks English
I am a world traveler, have enjoyed visiting 47 states and 34 countries so far, not just to land in, but walk and "feel" as much as possible. I've lived in nine states and two European countries, but settled in wonderful San Diego for most of my life. I especially love running, hiking, music, art, theater, friendships, and good people of all backgrounds.
Show more. Open host profile.

Charles is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.
Response rate: 90%
Responds within a day
To help protect your payment, always use Airbnb to send money and communicate with hosts.

Things to know

House rules

Check-in after 3:00 PM
Checkout before 5:00 PM
2 guests maximum

Safety & property

Exterior security cameras on property
Nearby lake, river, other body of water
Heights without rails or protection

Cancellation policy

Explore other options in and around Alpine