Oct. 31st - Nov.2nd is the only weekend open until Dec. 19th!
Previously known as the Mushroom Dome Cabin, (Permit number 241029) we have been listing the LAND of Paradise Suite & the Mushroom Dome Retreat with airbnb since July '09 and have had the most reservations of any of their listings. There is a reason we are so popular: the cabin is near a Redwood Grove, and at night, there is hardly any sound here - maybe crickets. It is a Paradise here: a great place to unwind & restore.
The space
As we are no longer allowed by Santa Cruz county to rent the Mushroom Dome Cabin by it's self, we are now listing the LAND of Paradise Suite, a room in our unique home. (LAND: Love And Nature Divine) Make a reservation for the Suite and you will have unlimited access to the Mushroom Dome Cabin, aka Retreat.
We have 10 acres next to land without fences so you will get to enjoy nature: just hang out on the deck, take a hike in the woods, watch the hummingbirds on our deck, go to the beach or gaze at the stars - as long as the moon isn't full. ; - ) During the summer, if there isn't any nightly fog, we can see some of the Milky Way here.
To check our availability, click on the "Request to Book" link. If you want to stay here on a weekend, you will usually need to make your reservation request about 4 months in advance.
We have another listing: the Hummingbird Haven. It usually has more availability.
(Please read all of this description before making a reservation request: we want our guests to be comfortable with our provisions.)
The cozy and clean semi-rustic retreat space has a loft under a geodesic dome (the "mushroom cap"). In the loft is a couch which allows for very comfortable meditation and watching a movie and just hanging out. If you should fall asleep, it can be expanded, We provide clean sheets and pillow cases. Plenty of blankets are also provided.
Downstairs is a couch that we can make up into a bed. If there are going to be 2 of you, but if you want separate beds, please let me know ahead of time - there is a $15. charge for using it as a bed.
On the main floor of the Meditation Mushroom Dome Retreat (a Pentagon) is the couch, a pull-out table and 2 chairs. (3 more chairs outside) We provide a small refrigerator, a Hot Air Popcorn Popper (and the kernels), French Coffee Press, an Electric Water Kettle, a wine opener, dishes - and more. We have 2 tables where you can enjoy meals, games, etc.: 1 inside and 1 outside on the large deck that faces the redwoods. We also have a barbecue grill on the deck. We provide Organic Coffee, teas, Oatmeal, popcorn, butter, sugar, nutritional yeast (for the popcorn!) spices, oil and vinegar and various snacks. Our well water is treated by an ozonator, a UV light and a soft water filter.
If you have a baby and you won't be needing the second bed, make your reservation for 2 and let us know if you will need a small pad for the loft. Again, if there are 2 of you but you want to use the second bed, please let me know ahead of time: you can include a dog and the fee is the same, but I will need to know that you will need the extra bed and won't be bringing a dog.
The cute bathroom has a Travertine shower, custom tiled sink and a Swedish Separett self-contained composting toilet. We now have a fancy door to the bathroom so the curtain is gone! If you follow the instructions for how to use the toilet, it won't have any odor. If the thought of using a composting toilet grosses you out, then don't make a reservation here. ; - )
We provide towels, soap, shampoo, conditioner, a hair blow-dryer, etc. (a word of caution: the bathroom has a low ceiling. If you are over 6' you may have to do a little ducking here and there.)
If you aren't very agile, have difficulty with ladders or steep steps that don't have a rail, you would be better off staying somewhere else. If you have small children and you plan to leave them in the loft by themselves, then please stay somewhere else as well.
Check-in time is between 4 and 10 pm. If you want to come sooner or later, this can sometimes be arranged. Check-out time is noon.
As Saturdays are very much in demand, (and we like to be free on Saturdays), we don't accept Saturday arrivals.
On 3 day holidays, we require a 3 day reservation. (This includes Presidents Day, Memorial Day, M. L. King day, and Labor Day.) But to stay here on a weekend, you will usually have to book the cabin 4 - 5 months in advance - unless you are lucky to find a cancellation!
As we have experienced some damage from guests, we are now requiring a $100. security deposit. If you want to bring a dog, we charge an extra $15. per dog.
Although it feels very isolated here, we are less than 10 minutes to Aptos Village where you will find stores, New Leaf (a very large natural food store), restaurants, Safeway, etc.
We are centrally located on the Monterey Bay: 10 minutes from the beach (Rio Del Mar and Seacliff State Beach) as well as the 10,000 acre Forest of Nisene Marks State Park for miles of hiking or dirt biking in the Redwoods and along Aptos creek. We are 20 minutes to downtown Santa Cruz, 25 min. to the Beach Boardwalk, 45 minutes to Monterey and the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, 50 min. to Carmel and 1 1/2 hours to Big Sur going south and San Francisco to the North. Yup, we are located in one of the most beautiful areas of California. (these times are not during rush hour(s) ; - )
If you love hummingbirds, bring your camera. Our garden is the year-round home to hundreds of Hummingbirds.
Keep in mind that we have a long and narrow driveway that goes up the hill in the woods. There are a number of pullouts, but you must take it slow. Also if you have a fear of heights, please ask me about our driveway if you have any concerns.
Please, no smoking or vaping in the cabin or on the property. We used to let smokers stay here, but they stink up the cabin and it is a fire hazard outside.
Some cell phones don't work here, but since we have wifi in the cabin, if your phone works with a wifi network, you are good to call.
To learn about things to do in the area, do an internet search for Santa Cruz, CA.
Pets:
Dogs are welcome to stay here but with a few requirements: We will request a $15. fee per dog. Since we have so many animals, we require that your dogs be kept on a leash when outside. Also, we don't allow dogs in the loft or on the couch downstairs so please bring a doggie bed. (your doggie can go on the couch if you bring a cover for it) And don't leave your dog here by themselves: we had quite a bit of damage from dogs that were left and stressed. We have a gate on the deck so your dog can be off the leash there - while you are here.
Please don't bring any cats. We love cats but we get a lot of guests who are allergic to them.
If you are bringing a small child, keep in mind, that a child should not be left in the loft by themselves as the rail isn't very high.
You are invited, if you feel you would be harmonious here. Check out our chickens, cats, miniature dog Elliot and enjoy the very fresh air. If you come here when there is no moonlight and the sky is clear, you will see lots of stars.
Tired of the heat in the summer? Since we are on the edge of the "fog belt", it can be both sunny and cool here. If you want a noisy place, you won't like it here: most of the sounds here come from the birds or crickets chirping, the tree frogs croaking and the breeze blowing through the trees. People do live on the land here though, so don't expect it to be totally devoid of human sounds and the occasional chain saw or wood chipper. ; - )
Guest access
There is wifi in our house and the Mushroom, great well water and some good hiking trails near by as well as a nature sandbox in the dry creek bed under the redwood grove. (In the winter, it can have running water)
We also have hummingbirds year-round. You are welcome to come and watch them hum around at the feeders.
We now also have a childrens trampoline, climbing dome and a tiny playhouse for kids. Let us know ahead of time if you want to use them.
During your stay
I usually interact with our guests. I love to make them feel welcome and at home, show them the hummingbirds and share my knowledge of the great places to go in our beautiful area.
Other things to note
We have a rather narrow - and in a few places, steep - driveway. There are turnouts to pass oncoming cars. Please take it slowly and be considerate of the other drivers/residents who share the road. If you can back-up easily for another car, please do so.
Occasionally, we have a power outage during the winter. If that happens, we will provide battery operated lights and power cords from our propane generator. The shower and space heater are powered by propane. If the main road is blocked by a downed tree, I'll let you know how to get in or out of our area.
