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Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay

Photo gallery for Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay

Aerial view
Outdoor dining
Exterior
Exterior
Exterior

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
  • Free WiFi
AU$1,961
avg per night

Explore the area

Map
Marshall, CA
  • Tomales Bay State Park
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Dillon Beach
    ‪22 min drive‬
  • Tomales Bay
    ‪49 min drive‬
  • Novato, CA (NOT-Gnoss Field)
    ‪49 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

Den

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Downstairs Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Upstairs Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

Room

  • Beach view
  • 260.1 sq m
  • Sleeps 10
  • 5 Queen Beds
Price is AU$1,961 avg per night,

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About the area

Marshall

Located in Marshall, this farm stay is in a rural area and on the beach. Cayman Practice Range and Bodega Harbour Golf Links are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Point Reyes National Seashore and Tomales Bay State Park. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Tomales Bay State Park - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Point Reyes National Seashore - 21 min drive - 20.5 km
  • Dillon Beach - 22 min drive - 14.1 km
  • Tomales Bay - 49 min drive - 38.7 km
  • Tomales Point Trailhead - 50 min drive - 45.3 km

Getting around

  • Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County) - 47 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Marshall Store - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Tony's Seafood Restaurant - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Hog Island Oyster Company - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Tomales Bay Oyster Company - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Coastal Kitchen - ‬15 min drive

About this property

Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay

** IMPORTANT NOTE: Our listing is for vacation rentals *only*. If you're interested in hosting a wedding, retreat or event of any type, please contact us directly. **

Our family's beautifully renovated 1864 farmhouse, surrounded by towering eucalyptus and cypress trees, on 166 certified organic acres, on the shores of Tomales Bay. Our house is a 30-second walk to the beach, perfect for launching your kayak and watching spectacular sunsets.

Sleeping: Our home accommodates 10 (total, adults and kids): 4 bedrooms upstairs, each with queen bed; plus a queen pull-out sofa in the downstairs den. Comfortable beds and luxurious bedding. Two shared full bathrooms (1 upstairs, and 1 downstairs).

** PLEASE NOTE: Our listing is for vacation rentals *only*. If you're interested in hosting a private event of any type, please find us online and contact us directly. Thanks you. :) **

Kitchen: Fully-equipped gourmet kitchen, coffee, tea, spices, and more.

Entertainment: Wi-Fi, flat screen TV and DVDs, lots of board games and lawn games.

Outdoors: BBQ, patio, upper and lower porches for chillin’, lots of room to hang out (inside and outside), including hammock in the garden. Beach on Tomales Bay literally a 30-second walk from the house. Enjoy a bonfire and an incredible night sky (with no light pollution), which Michael will setup for you.

All in incomparably-beautiful surroundings. Seriously, this place is magical.

For hosting events at our ranch, please inquire, as there may be additional fees.

Eating: West Marin is a foodie Mecca, including Nick’s Cove, Hog Island Oyster Company, Marshall Store, Rocker Oysterfellas, Osteria Stellina, Cowgirl Creamery, Heidrun Meadery and so much more. Pick up some pastries at Route 1 Bakery (Tomales) or Bovine Bakery (Point Reyes Station). Or, cook at home with our terrific kitchen. Shuck and BBQ oysters on our patio. Or … ask us about having an incredible local private chef prepare a glorious meal.

West Marin is a slice of paradise – kayaking on the Bay, hiking in the Point Reyes National Seashore, home to artisan cheeses, fresh local oysters and a serene country escape (but still only an hour’s drive to SF or Wine Country).

Want to know more about Marin County's rich environmental, sustainable agriculture and organic food history? Just ask siblings Vivien and Michael Straus - we can share stories about the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) - co-founded by our mother Ellen; stories about launching Straus Family Creamery (owned separately by our brother) and the local artisan cheese scene (Vivien created the CheeseTrail map and app). Want to talk about psychic phenomena? That's Michael's department :)

Come out to Marshall - the only town where the population minus the elevation equals the speed limit.

Pets: Sorry, NO pets allowed.

Property manager

Vivien & Michael Straus (siblings)

Languages

English, Russian

Amenities

Free WiFi
Parking available
Laundry

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No additional daytime guests (gatherings, parties, events, etc.) without prior approval; additional fees may apply.
Quiet hours: 10pm - 9am
Please refer to our Rental Agreement for other rules, terms and conditions.

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
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

Frequently asked questions

Is Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay located?

Nestled on the beach, this Marshall farm stay is within 1 mi (2 km) of Pelican North Beach and Tomales Bay State Park. Marconi Conference Center State Historic Park and Tomales City Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 94 out of 94 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 94 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 94 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 94 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 94 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

John C.

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

Reconnecting with the Land

We have stayed at a number of wonderful places in the Tomales Bay area over the years, mainly in Inverness. But the Straus Family Ranch experience gave us the deepest experience of the land and its history. The deep personal connection that the owners, Michael and Vivien Straus, have with the place and their warm enthusiasm for sharing it make the place exceptional.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Claire K.

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

Wonderful trip

We loved the property!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

jamis m.

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

The best ever

We travel a lot and this was simply the best for our big family. No negatives at all. Even the placement of the toilet paper dispensers was perfect which is basically how I grade a place These were A+.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

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

Fabulous Farmhouse

Perfect gathering place for family and friends
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Alexander K.

Absolutely beautiful location with charm and character.

The farm house is beautifully done. Modern amenities- great for a group. Only wish we had more time there.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Ariel B.

Beautiful home for weekend getaway

This house is very comfortable and was perfect for a nice weekend on the coast. Four bedrooms upstairs and nicely furnished rooms downstairs make it very cozy and it was hard to leave after the weekend.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Linda G.

Beautiful spot to vacation

The home was very comfortable and the area is a great vacation spot. Lots to do or even better you can spend a lot of time relaxing. Hosts very friendly and accommodating. Home is ideally suited for families. Lots of room for the kids and nice little beach across the street. Highly recommended. We hope to go back!!

10/10 Excellent

STEPHANIE G.

Beautiful Property and Amazing Stay!

We loved staying at the Straus family farm. What an unbelievable property. Strung lights in the front yard were such a lovely touch. We enjoyed drinking wine and gazing at the water view from the large lawn. The house was well-equipped and the beds were comfortable. The owners were a joy to work with. Highly recommend this place!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

David C. O.

Perfect for Work Retreat

A small group of us rented the Straus Home for a work retreat. It was perfect for our needs - we had space to meet together, explore the grounds, and cook/share a meals together. The property was in pristine condition when we arrived, with fresh milk waiting for us in the fridge. We all left with a promise to return with our own families!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Diane G.

Straus Home Ranch wonderful week long stay

We had a relaxing and wonderful time with friends spending a week in the Marshall area, paddle boarding, bike riding, reading, and eating! The house had all the comforts of home and then some, more ways to make coffee than even we have! It is also furnished tastefully and fully. The Straus family little history book is charming. We are all so lucky that the Staus family settled in Marshall and that Elen Straus and Phylis Faber founded MALT.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

a little piece of magic.

We had the pleasure of staying on the farm for a short time. The family is so sweet and accommodating. The house was in immaculate condition. We had a photoshoot just up the hill and the property is beyond gorgeous! I would highly recommend a weekend escape to this little piece of magic. It truly felt like home away from home.

10/10 Excellent

Mark Y.

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

Peaceful getaway

We had such a wonderful stay during our house remediation and it felt like a home away from home in this relaxing setting. Michael and Vivien were quick to answer our questions and help us with anything we needed. The house has so much character and was beautifully attended to with soft beds comfortable linens and fully stocked kitchen. The barn, bay and outdoor games were enjoyed by all. Thank you for having us stay!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Carla P.

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

Safe family get together

We wanted to find a property large enough to allow for social distancing and with outdoor space for the same reason (even though all in the same circles). The property was beautiful and as described if not better. The hosts were accessible and gave us our space. The house is very well equipped which was great for our culinary adventures! We loved being right by the water and close to great food to enjoy tomales oysters. We would recommend this to others and would come again!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kelly K.

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

Very Special & Spectacular Property

We stayed here with family from out of town and found the Straus family’s historic home to be both beautiful and comfortable. Vivien and Michael both made a point to warmly welcome us and make us feel right at home. While at the ranch we enjoyed the beach, pretty garden, bonfires with s'mores, and colorful sunsets from the living room. We had a wide variety of age groups with us and everyone had a wonderful time. Breathtakingly gorgeous Dillon Beach is nearby and we also enjoyed Route One Bakery, Nick’s Cove, and Due West restaurants. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to stay at this ranch with my family and made such nice memories. Thank you, Straus family!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Mary Ann G.

Mary Ann

We had a fabulous family weekend at the Straus Home Ranch. The pictures hardly do justice to the charm of this ranch. It is such a comfortable well appointed home! We arrived to flowers in every bedroom, bathroom and the dining room. What a nice touch! You have made this a very inviting home for a get away with friends or family. We hope to return in the very near future!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Marie G.

Unique, Charming Home with Incredible Attention to Detail

Nine of us women had a ladies weekend at this house and we had an incredible time. The house is perfectly decorated in a charming, fresh, and cozy way. Vivien and Michael are wonderful hosts, easy going and really helpful. We really appreciated all the attention to detail and loved every minute we spent in the beautiful house. You can see the cows out in the field, which just makes you feel immersed in the experience. I will definitely come here again!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Hayley J.

Will undoubtedly return!

Vivien and Michael were so lovely and accommodating. I celebrated my 30th birthday in the shed on their ranch in one of the biggest El Niño storms of the year. They were so helpful both with the set up and break down, making sure we were fully equipped with everything we needed. This is a gorgeous property- I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. We will undoubtedly return!

10/10 Excellent

Stacey F., San Rafael, CA

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

Lovely weekend

We had such a great weekend at the Strauss Home Ranch. Our kids (ages 4 and 6) loved playing outside and visiting the chickens. Vivien gave us an incredible tour, which we all loved. The home is so comfortable and well-appointed. It had everything we needed. We ended up spending much more time at the house than originally anticipated. Our kids just wanted to play in the yard and at the beach across the street. Our only wish is that we could have stayed longer!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Bonnie M., San Francisco Bay Area

Three generations - one Happy Mother's Day

The space was perfect for two grandparents, two couples and three little ones (6, 4 & 1). The children enjoyed the cows, fun toys, and the yard -- the adults enjoyed the well supplied kitchen and comfortable beds -- and we all enjoyed the peace of West Marin. I read my grandchildren Vivien's book about talking to cows (and even the adults learned something about bovines). Best was being licked by a young cow when they visited us at the back gate.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2019
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Yuan W.

Beautiful place and lovely hosts

When I first visited Straus Home Ranch for a wedding site visit, I knew immediately this is the one! The hosts: Vivien & Micheal, were the best hosts you could ask for. They always answered our questions within 24hrs and provided so much information & details, which made the entire planning process stress-free. During the wedding weekend, they made sure we had everything we needed for both rehearsal & wedding events. Our guests were impressed by the beauty of this place and our families had a wonderful stay in the ranch. We love this venue and would certainly consider come back to this area!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kelle K.

Glorious Historic Home, full of magic and beauty

The Straus Home Ranch will forever be a magical place where dreams come true. Our New year's Eve wedding was picture perfect​ and full of charm, love and happiness. Our guests fell equally in loved with this venue and shared our passion for the area and all of its riches. Michael and Vivian, the venue hosts, are as lovely as this wonderful home they grew up in, and quickly felt like old friends with their incredible hospitality and genuine kindness. Whether for a wedding, family reunion, small get together or just a weekend out of the city, the Straus Home Ranch is the perfect backdrop for any occasion. Rest assure, we've already booked our next visit.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Looking forward to our next visit!

In this vintage-meets-modern farmhouse, there are no crocheted quilts and no teddybears. What you get is pristine comfort with all the amenities thrown in. Our stay was perfect, from the mattresses to the views. The house is spacious, immaculate and enchanting. By day we found kayaking, hiking and beaches all within convenient reach. By night we lingered in the welcoming kitchen and sat hours around the reclaimed redwood table under the stars. Our spirits were rejuvenated; we reconnected to a slower, more natural pace. We left with a sigh, looking forward to our next opportunity to visit.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Heather H., San Francisco

Truly amazing!

We rented the house for my friend's (very low key) bachelorette! And it was beyond amazing! The house was lovely - recently renovated; retained the old world charm while also being beautiful and cozy neat, with some of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept in ... ever! And the setting is stunning - the house is surrounded by the water of the bay and beautiful pastoral hills. And last (but definitely not least) - the owners were phenomenal - provided wonderful recommendations for our stay, giving us a fascinating tour of the history of farming, both in Marin and of their family (ask about the cult story - it's fascinating)! Would definitely return!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Couldn't ask for more.

In searching for the venue for our wedding, the beautiful Straus Home Ranch immediately caught our attention. And, after touring the gorgeous grounds with the kind and accommodating Vivien and Michael, we knew without a doubt that this was the place for us. When the day came for our intimate gathering of family and friends, the beautiful surroundings proved to be the perfect place to celebrate our special day. Viven and Michael were genuinely happy to help and be available for questions or concerns that arose. Our guests couldn't stop talking about what a perfect event it was. From the towering eucalyptus trees, the charming interior decor, the bay-front beach--we had a wealth of incredible places to spend our weekend. We can't imagine having our wedding anywhere else, and we couldn't recommend this property more highly.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Adrienne V.

Beautiful and comfortable!

We filled the house with adults and little kids for several nights over New Years Eve and it was fantastic. We had several serious cooks in our group and they all enjoyed the kitchen, which is roomy and well-stocked. The nights reached a low of 27 degrees, but the heater in the house kept all of us snug. The hosts made it known that they were available if we needed them, but otherwise we never saw them and really felt like we had the place to ourselves. The beds and bedding were very nice. We bought some of the pre-stocked items for sale, such as ice cream and apple cider, and used the house iPad with ease to make the purchases. In warmer weather, we plan to return so that we can make use of the outdoor seating and BBQ, and maybe get a tour of the pasture land. Overall this is a beautiful old farmhouse that has been tastefully and lovingly restored.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2015