Save

Entire home

Private beach - river view. Complimentary kayaks for our guests.

North deck - Wine from Korbel winery (across the river)

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

9.6

Exceptional

3 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 8167 sq m

Popular amenities

Beach view

Hot tub

Washer

Barbecue grill

Kitchen

Fireplace

Explore the area

Forestville, CA

Korbel Winery7 min drive
Armstrong Redwoods State Park14 min drive
Johnson's Beach16 min drive
Oakland, CA (OAK-Oakland Intl.)95 min drive

Most relevant reviews

10/10 Excellent

We spent a wonderful time tucked into this very clean, warm and cozy house in the redwoods. The kitchen had everything w...

Julia K.

Dec 30, 2023

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1 - Main floor

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2 - Main floor

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3 - Lower level

1 Double Futon, 1 Double Bed and 1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1 - main floor

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shampoo

Bathroom 3 - Lower level

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Kitchenette

Balcony

Outdoor play area

Dining Area

About this property

~Fall SALE~Upscale GetAway@~Private Beach~Kayaks~SPA,Sauna,Basics,3-5 Nights min

Sonoma County Licence 1213N.
==== Absolutely NO SMOKING policy inside the house. $500 or more (depending on remediation bill) charge. =====
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glorious, newly renovated in 2021 upscale property with PRIVATE BEACH across the road(for our guests only).
It is not the usual rental property, this is our family vacation home.
- We enjoy all the time we can spend there, the rest of the time we share it with our guests and we are making sure they are getting the most comfort and service for their money.
- Our PRIVATE BEACH (for our guests only) is shallow, and safe for kids. 25 feet downstream/70 upstream it's deep enough for adult swimming,
- Private dock on the river with KAYAKS - summertime only (from the End of May to the End of September).
The house has 2 NOT connected levels with separate entrances, perfect for extended/multiple families' stay.
- 3 decks with a Japanese privacy fence
ALL BASICS: staples, shampoos, soaps, bedding, towels, beach towels included.
- Chlorine-free(Bromine only - good for your skin :-) )
River Valley Wineries - see Guidebook with my comments/ratings - 5 years history.
We look forward to sharing our cozy, comfortable, spacious (1800 ft. sq. plus approx. 1000 ft. sq. deck space) ZEN-inspired retreat in Sonoma Russian River Valley with guests worldwide.

Early check-in and late check-out are available!
Please let us know in advance.
A private beach just a few steps away (just across the road) with winter and summer docks allows you to walk right out the door and into the water and beach. 4 Kayaks provided.
Russian River Retreat is located on 4 parcels. 2 parcels on the bottom of Redwoods Canyon and 2 directly on the Russian River in the heart of the Sonoma Wine Country, near Healdsburg, Guerneville, Sebastopol, and the Pacific Ocean, only a 1-hour drive north of the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown San Francisco.
Surrounded by local wineries: - Korbel: tour guides, garden tours, California champagne, brandy, vines - 1.6 miles, free testing every day.
- Hartford Family Winery: Pinot Noir, old vine zinfandel, etc. - 1.7 miles.
- Moshin Vineyard: petite Sirah, dessert wines, wine-making process - 1.9 miles.
- Porter Bass Winery: Pinot Noirs, zinfandel, chardonnay - 2.4 miles.
- Iron Horse Vineyards: sparkling wine, estate pinot noir, green valley of Russian river brut - 3.4 miles.
And dozens more within 10-15 minutes of driving among beautiful scenery.
A tranquil place with a zen touch and an inspirational get-away from it all Russian River Retreat offers upscale comfort, relaxation, peace, and quiet, yet close to high-end shopping at Healdsburg and wine tasting of the World Class Sonoma County wineries.

Russian River Retreat is located among stunning redwood trees that naturally shade the decks for comfortable outdoor dining and is surrounded by a beautiful fence crafted in Japanese traditions, that gives it ultimate privacy.

Decks approx. 1000 ft. sq. deck space, surrounding the house:

- North deck with a 6-person hot tub, a dining area, and a covered outdoor couch.
- South deck offering gas BBQ and dining area for 8 persons located under the roof.
The front deck connects the North and South decks and has a lounge area where you can kick back and watch the sunset.

The vacation rental offers 2 levels - not connected internally with separate entrances:

- Upper level includes 2 bedrooms with comfortable queen beds, a large living room with couch and sofa-bed.
Full kitchen with new appliances, dining/bar area with 40 sq ft quartz island comfortably seats 8 people.
The full bathroom has a jet tub, shower, and sauna with a rest area.
In addition, the upper level has a half bathroom for your convenience.

- Lower level is offering a bedroom with queen bed and couch, living room with sliding wall opening to the front yard, sofa-bed convertible to 2 comfortable chairs, dining set for 4, kitchenette, small refrigerator, microwave. Full-size bathroom with shower.

You are just a few steps away from the private beach and inspirational, zen getaway - Enjoy it!

3 - 5 nights minimum stay

Please help keep our neighbors happy and our neighborhood's vacation rental-friendly.
Sorry, NO WEDDINGS, PARTIES, EVENTS, or LOUD GATHERING at any vacation rental by Sonoma County Ordinance. Quiet hours are 10 pm-9 am. Maximum occupancy includes adults and kids over two. Ask about day guests.
Upscale~Russian River~GetAway, Private Beach, Spa, Sauna, All Basics, 3-5 Nights min

Property manager

Alex

Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Hot tub

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

Free WiFi

Kitchen

Free WiFi

Gym

Outdoor space

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 12:00 PM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: cats less than 9 kg per pet (limit one pet total)

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

!!!!!!!!! Absolutely -- NO SMOKING -- policy inside the house. $500 or more (depending on remediation bill) charge. !!!!!!!!

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

Property Registration Number Sonoma County Licence 1213N

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Forestville

Located in Forestville, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the beach. Railroad Square Historic District and Potter Schoolhouse are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Pee Wee Golf and Arcade and Rubicon Adventures. Travelling with kids? Consider Dom Whitney Tasting Lounge, or check out an event or a game at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Forestville, CA

What's nearby

Korbel Winery - 7 min drive
Rubicon Adventures - 11 min drive
Armstrong Redwoods State Park - 14 min drive
Northwood Golf Club - 15 min drive
Johnson's Beach - 16 min drive

Getting around

Santa Rosa Station - 21 min drive
Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County) - 19 min drive

Restaurants

‪Rainbow Cattle Co. - ‬11 min drive
‪Sonoma Pizza Co. - ‬7 min drive
‪Coffee Bazaar - ‬11 min drive
‪Koalas Fine Food - ‬11 min drive
‪Korbel Winery - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is ~Fall SALE~Upscale GetAway@~Private Beach~Kayaks~SPA,Sauna,Basics,3-5 Nights min pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at ~Fall SALE~Upscale GetAway@~Private Beach~Kayaks~SPA,Sauna,Basics,3-5 Nights min?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at ~Fall SALE~Upscale GetAway@~Private Beach~Kayaks~SPA,Sauna,Basics,3-5 Nights min?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is ~Fall SALE~Upscale GetAway@~Private Beach~Kayaks~SPA,Sauna,Basics,3-5 Nights min located?

This Forestville holiday home is on the beach, 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Russian River, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Korbel Winery and Porter Creek Vineyards. Russian River Vineyard and Hartford Family Winery are also within 6 miles (10 km).

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Linda S.

24 June 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Teriffic

exceptional

Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julia K.

30 Dec 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Warm and cozy

We spent a wonderful time tucked into this very clean, warm and cozy house in the redwoods. The kitchen had everything we needed to cook meals and enjoy the rainy days. Both the sauna and the hot tub were loved by our group. The hosts were very kind and responsive. We highly recommend this property.

Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Claudia E., San Juan Capistrano, CA

11 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family gathering

We truly enjoyed our stay at Alex’s lovely home. Our favorite part was the Asian-themed outdoor wrap-around decks under the redwoods. One deck has a very nice hot tub with a table & chairs where we enjoyed playing games in the afternoon. In the morning sunshine the opposite deck was where we enjoyed our breakfast. All the while our little Maltipoo had free run around the decks & we didn’t have to worry about her because it was fully enclosed The house was well equipped with everything you would want for your vacation stay. Our only regret was that the steps leading down to the river were a little too treacherous for the older adults in our party. Otherwise, if you want to enjoy the redwoods and a peaceful stay, this is your place.

Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennie I.

6 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A fantastic family stay!

This home was a wonderful place to spend time together and relax. We very much loved the hot tub and river access! We cooked every meal during our stay and loved the well equipped kitchen. Our crew did a river float, played games, visited the Forestville farmers market, enjoyed 3 wine tasting locations, took naps and just enjoyed our time together. Thanks for the good times!

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ann M.

19 Apr 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great family rental

Great place that was really nice to have the 2 spaces, especially for kids or teens. Super clean sauna and hot tub, too!!!

Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

Amber S.

9 Aug 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Well equipped home! Great stay.

This was the most well equipped VRBO rental home we have ever stayed in. Kitchen is well stocked with supplies of all kinds, laundry facility easy to use if needed, floats and kayaks for guest use, multiple outdoor tables for dining or playing games/reading. The stairs down to the river are fairly steep but well maintained, if you have back or mobility issues they might be challenging but easy beach River access is also just a short 5 min drive away. The space worked well for our family of 6 including grandparents and two kids. Great stay, would recommend to other families the spacing is great for time together but also privacy as needed/wanted.

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Yonit P., Campbell, ca

8 Jan 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magical, decorated beautifully and so clean

This property is so unique and squeaky clean! The linens and decor are like staying in a luxury hotel. The spa is to die for, the two decks are stunning and large. The kitchen has EVERYTHING You could need. My partner and I are cooking snobs and we usually bring our own supplies and kept smiling when we realized the house had many of the items that we had ready in the car! There were plenty of towels and blankets and room to settle in. We had so much fun. YOU MUST GO HERE!!! We came home so relaxed!!!

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2021

8/10 Good

Laura M.

9 Dec 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Peaceful Getaway

This was a happy option to spend a quiet Thanksgiving holiday with our young-adult kids. The sauna, hot tub and kayaks were wonderful features that we used often. Living among the tree tops felt like we hoped. The one downside was that neighbors were in close proximity when we thought it would be less populated. It didn't affect our visit, but our expectations were a little off in that respect.

Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Cara P., St. Paul, MN

24 Oct 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unique hideaway

This is a lovely home tucked away in the forest and was perfect for our family vacation. The separate downstairs area was ideal for our adult children to have some time away! Would have loved more time in the outdoor spaces but the rain just didn’t cooperate with us. Maybe next time!

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tatiana G.

31 Aug 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Happy with our choice

Great house! Clean, updated, fresh and welcoming. All amenities we needed were at our fingertips. The rooms were more than adequate for our family, kitchen was stocked very well, as were all the bathrooms. The hot tub at the charming yard was a great bonus and the cozy sauna was a gem. We loved the access to the river across the street and the kayaking experience was an unbelievable fun! We had a few questions during our stay and Alex responded to all our questions immediately. Thank you for the joy and delight of staying at such a lovely place!

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Philly T.

26 June 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

What a treat!

What a fabulous time we had at this property. This was our first time at this rental but second time renting a place on the river. This rental did not disappoint. The photos do a wonderful job of displaying the amenities offered: relaxing atmosphere, hot tub, sauna, comfortable beds, and river kayaks/chairs. We would most definitely love to return to this vrbo. COMMUNICATION WITH HOST - Alex provided all the details about the contactless check-in process with detailed directions, including photos. So clever. LOCATION OF PROPERTY - Aside from the beautiful photos, one of the reasons we chose this particular property was how easy it was to get to, meaning this location was just a few miles off 101, so the windy roads were less troublesome for some kids who may get carsick. We had previously stayed more west - and while it was lovely - it was a longer drive on windy roads, something to think about if you have people who have issues with that. This drive was a breeze - and it still provided a beautiful location, serene and gorgeous, away from that city life. RIVER ACCESS If you have trouble with stairs, this may be the only issue you may have. We didn't have a problem, but our kids are older (teen and young adult), so it was no big deal. I'm also confident my senior parents could manage them, but if you have a fear of heights/stairs, this may not be the property for you. Then again, many homes with river access has this issue, so FYI. INTERNET Around this area, internet can be spotty, but we had zero issues, thanks to Alex's internet choice. We also have Verizon, so our cell phones worked as well. For those still needing to do work, you will be able to log on. :D OTHER One of the tricky thing about rentals is that it is hard to know what to bring and what will be provided. Alex's rental provided pretty much everything you needed: both river/hot tub towels and bath towels, bath wash and shampoo, kitchen items like oils, condiments, sponges, and all the other basic things like can openers, utensils, etc. To note, we realized we need a new can opener at home because Alex's worked much better than the one we have at home. HA. That's just an example of the quality of items this rental provides.

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Leigh G.

3 Sept 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Long Weekend

We had a wonderful time at this property...even in the time of social distancing and local wildfires. We kayaked and SUPed from the private beach. We hiked and played at the coast. We tasted some great local wines. The house was a perfect home base on the river!

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kenna L.

6 July 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

perfect retreat

nothing could have been better. the place is delightful, and perfect downstairs for teens who want their own space.

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Tamara O.

6 Jan 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

New Years Retreat

My family and I drove from Southern California to stay in this home and it didn't disappoint. The house was perfect for our large family and the area is quiet and beautiful. It's a quick drive to hike or wine taste. We will be back!

Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Rachel Katherine K.

2 Dec 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Thanksgiving getaway

We enjoyed our trip to this beautiful house. The decor is lovely and all maintained to a high standard. It has everything you need for a wonderful retreat. It is close to some great towns and places to visit. Thank you for letting us stay!

Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2019

8/10 Good

Marcy B.

6 Oct 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Really great getaway in the redwoods

We really loved this house! The dry sauna was a favorite. It was located really close to the river, Armstrong woods, Guernville shops & restaurants, and wineries. The house seems newly remodeled, with new floors and A huge wonderful bathroom. Our only request, would be that top sheets be made available for all the beds, and perhaps some new pillows? And honestly, if that’s our only request, you know this is a pretty nice place. :-)

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

KELLIE P.

10 Aug 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing getaway. Beautiful location, beautiful cabin !

You will love !! Everything about this place is wonderful.

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jim C.

27 July 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Russian River Relaxation

Nice home and nice location secluded in a big green redwood forest. Only problem I had was negotiating the steep steps down to and back from the river. I'm a senior and they're far too many tall steps for me to negotiate with ease. Otherwise I really can't say enough about how nice the home was and how great it was to be alongside the river. We really enjoyed the kayaks and being able to launch them from the bottom of the stairs. Jacuzzi, hot tub & sauna were really great.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Paul M.

8 May 2019

Woodsy Retreat

We enjoyed our stay here, three couples, it was peaceful and the redwood trees were amazing. It is a little bit intimidating following the directions to the house but only the first time, and they were very clear and accurate. Cell phone service was a bit sketchy at times but we were able to order Lyft and Uber without much problem and they were able to come right to the house. We only had three nights there and much of the time was spent traveling to wineries but we would love to return just to spend time here without a schedule or agenda. The house was spotless and we did not need for a thing. Great location!

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019

8/10 Good

Kerri K.

21 July 2018

Hidden gem right near the river...

Ideal house for a get away. Super peaceful spot. Perfect for 2 families, each with their own space. Very clean and nice additions (hot tub + sauna).

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Belinda F.

16 July 2018

River Getaway

Great access to the river with 3 kayaks making it easy to get out and enjoy the water. The house was very well equipped and handled our large crowd really well.

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Michael B., Omak Washington

16 Mar 2018

Great base camp for wine tasting

Beautiful place in the redwoods with a nice hot tub. Enjoyed the sauna and jacuzzi tub also. The kitchen was well equipped. We really enjoyed our stay!

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Rosemary P., Canada

24 Feb 2018

Relaxed, well equiped, nature surounded

My guys (team of work) really enjoyed their stay there while working in Sebastopol. The balcony is really private, the batchelor downstair is lovely, the decor and ambiance of the house is really peaceful. The communication and check-in was easy Would definitly go back again

Stayed 20 nights in Feb 2018

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Mark S.

25 Nov 2017

Great Place to Stay while Visiting Sonoma!

Beautiful house! Enjoyed the hot tub on the back deck.

Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Matt F.

9 Sept 2017

Wonderful place to relax in the trees and river

Excellent hot tub, sauna, and master bath/shower. It was absolutely fabulous to sit on the covered outdoor couch and watch the birds in the trees between dips in the hot tub. While neighboring houses aren't too far away (100' maybe,) the thematic landscaping and architectural elements are effectively setup to make it a private and peaceful environment. There is about 80-90% tree cover, so it is very shady and cool during the heat of the day. River access is good, right on a very shallow section of the river that is refreshing to sit in on the provided chairs. Kayaks were a blast.

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2017

About the host

Hosted by Alex

We live in San Francisco since 1993. Started renting in the Sonoma, Russian River area different vacation properties in mid 1990s to spend summer time with our kids on the river. Exploring this area (Summerhome Park/Forestville/Guernville) during summer vacations we just felt in love with it. We've got this property from foreclosure (it took 8 months to get it!) in 2010 and finish renovating in 2014. Now we would like to share it with other people.
Our favorite travel destination in US - Sonoma County and Amsterdam in the Old World. Latest visit to Amsterdam - renovated Van Gogh Museum was a killer, must see.
Favorite food - good cheese accompanied with a good wine, you can't beat Sonoma on this one.

Why they chose this property

Property completely updated/upgraded since: all bathrooms are new as well as whole lower level. Property located among magic redwoods on the bottom of the Ice Box Canyon - 150 feet from Russian river.
We have our private beach located on 2 separate parcels and can enjoy swimming/boating on the river during Spring - Fall time (from April- until November). A lot of activities around: wine tasting of the World Class Sonoma County wineries, Korbel just across the river.

Night-life, restaurants in Guerneville within 10 min driving. We also love to shop at various antique stores in Healdsbourg and Sebastopol within 15-20 min of driving.

What makes this property unique

It not usual rental property, this is our family and friends vacation home.
We enjoy it all the time we are able to spend there, the rest time we share it with our guests and we are making sure they are getting the most comfort and service for their money.
The Retreat is located among stunning redwood trees that naturally shade the decks for comfortable outdoor dining and is surrounded by a beautiful fence crafted in Japanese traditions, that gives it ultimate privacy. 1/2 acre land with private beach on Russian River shore.
The weather is generally sunny and beautiful from April through October, yet as our property is also only 35 minutes from the Pacific Ocean, the cooler marine air nearby keeps the summer days from getting too hot. Night time temperatures are cool and refreshing.