We visited Mar Vista in early June this year and had such a magical time. Cab and Deanna are genuinely kind, warm-hearted people who have created a truly special place to share with others. Our cottage was incredibly cozy, and our days were filled with simple joys: harvesting vegetables from the garden, feeding the bunnies, collecting eggs from the chicken coop, helping shepherd the goats, and playing with the cats. There's also a beautiful beach less than a 5-minute drive away, making it the perfect balance of farm and coast. At Mar Vista, fresh eggs are delivered to your cottage every day. On our last day, we noticed every single egg in our egg basket was blue! We realized Cab or Deanna had probably hand-picked the blue eggs for us after learning that our toddler was in a phase where she loved everything blue. It was such a thoughtful gesture that meant so much to us. And who knew eggs came in so many beautiful colors? That was one of many incredible things we learned/experienced at Mar Vista. Our toddler has been asking to go back every single day since we left, and honestly, so have we. We can't wait to return. read more

We had such a wonderful experience here and it makes an amazing retreat for when you need a place to slow down from the hustle and bustle of life. Our cozy cottage was clean with a great view of the garden and ocean. The bed is very comfortable and the provided space heater helped kept us warm at night. Only con I have to say is the pillows were very flat so we had to sleep with both pillows on top of each other for more support. I love that it had a full kitchen so you can cook delicious meals with fresh ingredients such as the daily delivered eggs straight from the chickens and greens you pick from the garden. If you want a break from cooking or want a meal prepped for when you arrive, you can add in the option of a dinner or picnic basket to your reservation as well. For the activities such as chicken chat and goat gab we weren't able to attend; it was raining pretty heavily during our stay so we opted to stay indoors and enjoy the cozy cabin. For the moments where the rain would stop, it was nice to explore the land, making stops by the bunnies and chickens with our dogs. Definitely planing on coming back! Would love to experience Mar Visita during the spring or summer! read more

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Things have been more stressful than usual (don't we all know) so when my sister suggested a "sister escape" I jumped at the chance. She had been here before but it was my first time and I can't say enough good things about it. Deanna and Cab clearly love their place and share it freely. We did the farm tour which was very inspirational and informative for wannabe gardeners like us! I feel inspired. We had fresh eggs and fresh picks from the garden at every meal. Beautiful views and so relaxing to just sit out in nature. Don't miss the stars at night and do not miss getting the fried chicken basket! We definitely will return, I think it needs to at least be a yearly event! read more

Mar Vista is one of our favorite places in the world! My partner and I have visited multiple times with our most recent stay in August for our wedding! As a weekend getaway: We love this place and can't get enough! It's a perfect place to relax and unwind away from the hustle of the SF bay area. We love cooking meals with the fresh eggs and veggies from the garden. There's multiple grocery stores in Gualala and also a breakfast basket you can order (love the bacon in the breakfast baskets!). The cottages are clean, cozy, and each have their own unique charm. We try not to plan at all when we visit. Between the private beach, the woodland trail, the cute cats and rabbits, the veggie garden, and various hammocks and chairs on site, you're not going to want to leave once you check in! As a wedding venue: We booked the Mar Vista Celebration package for our wedding which was lovely since we had the whole property to ourselves. Cab & Deanna were incredible to work with and were instrumental every step of the way. They responded to our questions promptly and were super organized with the timelines and costs. They also helped us find our florist, musicians, and caterers (all incredible vendors!) and worked closely with them to ensure smooth communication throughout. We had a weather scare the week of the wedding with rain on the forecast but Cab & Deanna went above and beyond to keep us calm and adjust plans. It was the most magical weekend and we're so happy we chose to have our wedding at Mar Vista! read more

We absolutely loved our stay here - so much so, I felt compelled to share a review while I sip my morning pour over, listening to the birds, and watching the sun come up over the gorgeous view from cottage 5. Cab and Deanna are such incredible hosts, welcoming you into their world from the moment you book. Their hospitality is pretty much unbeatable. The cottage(s) has/have every thing you could need/want to cook your own meals, cozy up, and relax. We brought some of our favorite games for the evenings, but they have those to borrow, too! The property alone is magic. Join the goat gab, chicken chat, and bunny banter. Take yoga or meditation. It's a true breath of fresh air, especially for those of us wanting to escape the city and unwind. Harvesting fresh food from the garden, walking down to the beach, star gazing, or just sitting outside of the cottage next to a fire is spectacular. If you wish to explore off the property, there's pretty much endless opportunity any direction you choose. I only wish we had a full month to enjoy this place. We definitely hope to be back! read more

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Mar Vista Farm + Cottages isn't just a stay, it is an experience. Our cozy cottage was warm and charming, overlooking the farm's gardens and ocean view. It was the perfect retreat to experience a breathtaking sunrise, stroll the beach, enjoy peacefull hikes, and take in the ocean air. Every morning farm-fresh eggs awaited us at our front door, a kind gesture from our amazing hosts Chris and Deanna. We whipped up delicious breakfasts in our cottage kitchen, using fresh herbs from the farm's garden. Chris and Deanna were incredible hosts, sharing great recommendations to explore the area. Mar Vista Farms is an magical place to relax, to reconnect with nature and make memories that last a lifetime. If you are seeking a peaceful and relaxing escape, this is the perfect haven. You won't want to leave! read more

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Mar Vista was highly recommended to me by manager for my birthday trip and it was an incredible experience. I believe Mar Vista is the perfect Harmony of introducing or connecting nature back to someone's life. I feel like it's an oxymoron to put the two and two together, but it's the truth. I decided to come here because I needed to disconnect from my reality for a bit. As I'm sure many people agree with me when they are feeling "burn outs". Whether it's burn out from work, parenting, and or other responsibilities; it's still counts. Service connections are limited in this area. Seems Verizon is best option out here for service and even with Verizon it's spotty. While Mar Vista does provide WiFi, I've only used it to search for restaurants and things to do. This spotty connection truly helped me disconnect. When you arrive, there is a red cottage that's the office. You'll need to check in there with the owners Cab and Deanna. Or Cab and Deanna are more than happy to welcome and greet you for your check in. When I arrived, I was greeted by both with a smile. They even knew my name and which cottage I reserved. They give you an introduction to themselves, the property and house rules. They are more than happy to answer any questions you may have. As I've continued to interact with them throughout my stay, they are seriously just awesome people who are really passionate about what they do. There are a total of 12 cottages to chose from. Some are suited for families or to accommodate more guest in a reservation. I reserved a cabin for 2 and to accommodate my dog. For adding dogs to your reservation, there is a good dog fee and they must adhere to the rules, which is no pooch on the furniture. I stayed in cabin 2 right in front of their 5 inch plush of open grass great for a picnic and behind the cabin was the woods with a creek running through it. The cottage had an full open kitchen sharing a space with the living room. The kitchen was equipped with a gas burner stove and oven, a counter and sink, refrigerator, freezer and a microwave out in the open. The living room had a gas burning fireplace heater with some furniture. The bedroom had a queen sized bed with white sheets and down blanket. The bathroom has a stand in shower, a toilet and sink with various sizes of white towels, including big ones. You're more than welcome to cook in the cottages and use fresh ingredients from the property such as vegetables from the garden and fresh eggs from the chickens are provided by the evenings. There is a huge garden that is very well maintained filled with fresh seasonal vegetables, fruits, herbs, and other various delicious greens. You can come by and harvest the greens by yourself or there's a share table with some already harvested good from the day. The kitchen has some equipment such as pots and pans, beautiful cast iron skillets, knives, a small cutting board, salt, pepper and olive oil etc. I've brought my own spices and other ingredients I knew I wanted to use for this trip. Being able to pick you own herbs and vegetables for your own meals was an unforgettable experience if you don't have your own garden. Mar Vista offers a variety of activities that's great for all ages such as how to gardening, collecting eggs from the hens, feeding the 3 goats, meditation, star viewing, picnics and so much more. You can build a bon fire in their fire pit and gather with other lodgers from the property. There's a private pathway directly to the beach and a pathway to the woods with a small creek. The drive there on the 1 was absolutely amazing. I've never seen sights and views as I have before. Depending on where you are driving from, You may drive through state regional parks with many campsites or just along the Clif side over seeing the sea. You're also about 50 mile from Fort Brags and unlimited access to trails and beaches. I was only here for two nights, but it was two wonderful nights with a lifetime of memories. I even though this would be a great place to spend anniversaries or maybe to propose? I hope this review will peak your interest as their cottages books up fast! So, don't be shy, go to their website and do some research on them if you are interested. And as always, you don't have to just take my words on it, book a trip and go experience for yourself. read more

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First off, Renata and Tom are great hosts! Please ask them for any recommendations for things to do in the area and they will point you in the right direction. We found out about the wildlife preserve later so we didn't have time to check it out. THE COTTAGES The cottage we stayed in was CLEAN from top down. The floors are clean as well so we always took our shoes off to keep them clean. We are sticklers for clean floors. The kitchen was stocked with all the utensils you need. COFFEE FILTERS PROVIDED They provide coffee filters along with cones to put over your mug. Though you have to provide your own coffee. You also will need to provide your own tea if you're a tea drinker. ORGANIC GARDEN Yes, you can pick from the garden to add to your cooking if you choose to cook. They have gardeners coming in everyday to take care of all the veggies and herbs. All of it is grown on raised beds. EGGS DELIVERED TO YOUR COTTAGE Leave your egg basket out hanging in front of your cottage and you will receive at least 4-6 eggs for you to make your eggs in the morning. CHICKENS They have at least a 100 chickens so you're children are invited to help pick eggs from the hen house around 5 pm and you can also help put them away for the night at 9pm. Tom is the one who helps with all of this. THE HOUSE GOATS Renata and Tom have at least 4 goats which you can help feed later in the day. THE GROUNDS There's plenty of room to roam around and have quiet time. You can lay down on a hammock. Sit out in front of your cottage or just hang out in your cottage. THE BEACH You will have access to the private beach across the street. A key will be included when you check in. ASK FOR RECOMMENDATIONS As I mentioned, Renata and Tom can make any recommendations to restaurant and any other things you need in the area. read more

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Can't begin to explain what a special place this is. Mar Vista is perfect- the cabins are clean, cozy and well thought out- clear lots of care was put into each one, exactly the right amount of bedding, kitchen supplies, towels- they even provide dog towels. The private beach access across the street is so cool, great tide pooling and almost empty every time we went. The owners were kind- I get the impression they're pretty intuitive about much much interaction their guests want/don't want, they always seemed to be right there when we had questions but kind of let the property reveal itself to each guest. Lots of good viewing spots to take in the coast but the actual grounds are stunning even without the coastal views- so much care goes into this place without it feeling precious or fragile. I love it my husband loved it, our dogs were happy and we just felt good- The only bummer was that we had to go home. read more

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Mar Vista is such a magical place to stay and has truly provided the perfect respite for our little family during this crazy time of covid. Renata and Tom are masters of hospitality and I'm so sad I didn't make it up here earlier especially with their imminent retirement this year. They've managed to create the perfect home away from home environment with the added perks of hearing the ocean waves at night and farm fresh eggs, flowers and veggies. We've loved it so much we've come back a second time two weeks after our first visit and I'm trying to figure out a way to convince the hubby that we should make the 4 hour drive with our fussy baby again before Tom and Renata move on to their much deserved retirement. read more

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Our Coastal adventure hit a high point by booking a stay at Mar Vista Cottages in Gualala. The cottages are a like a little taste of farm living at the coast...150 chickens provide guests with eggs each day and an ample garden provides herbs and veggies to guests. Deanna and Christopher (owners) do a great job making you feel welcome! The scenery around Mar Vista is fabulous too. Today we toured Gualala and visited the Point Arena lighthouse and museum. Fantastic day! read more

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My husband and I live in rural Oklahoma and were looking for a relaxing getaway for our first vacation post-baby, and we hit the jackpot! Mar Vista exceeded our expectations in every way, the staff were so welcoming and accommodating making us feel right at home. The cottages are so quaint, clean and simple complete with everything you may need during your stay. We loved participating in feeding the chickens and goats every afternoon and gathering fresh flowers and vegetables from the garden. There is nice shopping in Gualala and hiking/walking trails nearby with breathtaking views. This is a little slice of heaven and was 100% worth the long day of travel to get there! Definitely won't be our last visit. read more

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This is a fabulous gem of a property. The love the current owners have for this very special little family resort shines through in every detail. The clean and quaint cottages have everything you need for a relaxing get away. We had a great time stomping along the creek, picking ingredients for dinner out of the garden, and cozying up to the fire pit after dark. If you have kids they will have a blast exploring the farm and the surrounding coast. If you are a gardener take the farm tour; you'll get lots of great ideas for your own garden! read more

My family and I were recently evacuated from the Kincaid fire. Without a real plan or idea of where we would end up, we left our home in the middle of the night, went north on hwy1. Here's where it gets good! We stumbled upon the Mar Vista Cottages. When we pulled up, we were met by Tom and Renata (the owners) who went above and beyond to make sure we got settled in quickly and easily. When I offered to pay for the night with cash, I was told to hang on to it as the power was out just about everywhere and I may need it later on. I asked about the rate and was told "not to worry about it, get settled in and we'd figure it out later" We ended up staying in the most incredible cabin! Even though the power was out we had all gas appliances. We found ourselves spoiled, warm with a gas fireplace, hot water and a range to cook with. Spoiled by the amenities and generosity of the owners, we had the most incredible stay. Tom brought us fresh eggs harvested daily. The property was absolutely beautiful. Plenty of room to bask in the sun in our own outdoor seating area next to the garden and overlooking the ocean. It was a evacuation turned vacation. My family and I would like to thank Tom and Renata for their generosity. We were definitely taken care of at the Mar Vista Cabins. Definitely going back stay the next chance we get. Thanks again.... read more

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Mar Vista is a gem. Goats, chickens, cats, veggies & herbs plus eggs for the picking and eating . A lot of land for children to run on and adults to lounge on. All right across the ocean. The views are beautiful as well as serene. The relatively new owners, Cab & D, are very warm and welcoming. They know the area and are willing to share information on restaurants and activities in the area. Mar Vista has become a tradition for our family. Lovely! Claudia & Jerry Burg read more

My wife &i decided to celebrate our anniversary this past weekend at vista Mar. it was a delightful experience ! CAB & D are amazing host The cottage we reserved was very clean & very quiet! we had a delicious breakfast with fresh eggs & local bacon & bread ! Beautiful private beach with amazing ocean view ! we had a terrific weekend! read more

I was looking for a getaway spot for New Years and remembered I hadn't even reviewed my last vacation spot! Doh! I loved my time at Mar Vista. The cozy fireplace...the sounds of chickens clucking every morning...the closeness of the ocean...the presence of modern amenities but lack of annoying modern technology...time spent playing board games, reading, or exploring the coast... And I felt like a kid again when I was up there, learning the basics of "farm life." I learned about different types of chickens and their behaviors, the various egg shell colors they produce, and it was the first time in my life, I had chickens eating from my hands. The fresh (oftentimes still warm) eggs delivered to our cottages every morning were divine. I had no idea that the flavor of the eggs I was getting at the local grocery store absolutely paled in comparison when it comes to flavor. And then there was the organic vegetable garden. Sure, not everything was available or in season while we were there, but we still had plenty to work with. I have personally never been around food being grown. I grew up in a Houston suburb, my mom was a single parent, we always had canned vegetables, sometimes frozen ones, but rarely fresh ones. I am one of the many Americans who's relatively clueless about where my food comes from. And it was a beautiful experience to cut my own herbs, pick my own strawberries (after evaluating them for adequate ripeness), artichokes, fresh greens for my salad, squash, and a host of other items. The lady overseeing the garden was sweet, informative, and helpful. We cooked everything with herbs from the garden and/or olive oil and garlic and the natural flavors of everything were mindblowing. The cottage succeeds at providing a very rustic feel, while at the same time being modern and very clean. Most everything is provided inside the cottage, but I do recommend bringing some extras like tea, honey, garlic, salad dressing, etc. Gualala is the nearest town with a decent supermarket, so you can go there if you forgot something, or want fresh baked breads, etc.. We actually didn't make it to Mendocino during our entire stay, but we did do a day trip to Anderson Valley wine country for a temporary reprieve from the fog and it was gorgeous and sunny up there. Mar Vista is a wonderful place to drop out of civilization and get away from it all, with the extra bonus of fresh eggs and having unfettered access to the organic garden every day. It's excellent for a romantic getaway, family vacation, or solitary exploration. I can't wait to return one day soon... read more

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This is our second visit to Mar Vista. We spent a couple days there last year, but I never got around to writing a review about it. It's difficult to want to share something that you would like to horde all to yourself! Tom and Renata are absolutely wonderful and everyone else who works there has always been friendly and pleasant. As we drove up to the cottages on our first day there, Tom greeted us with a bow and a wave and handed us a brochure of the cottages and all the activities and sights to see near by. We stayed in Cottage 9, which has a nice view of the trees and ocean from the sitting area of the cottage. The cottage wasn't just clean. It was immaculate! The kitchen is stocked with all the pots, pans, and utensils you need to cook or bake and salt and pepper. We spent most of our stay cooking rather than dining out, since the amount of restaurants nearby are fairly limited. We were able to find a wonderful mix of salad greens from the vegetable garden to add to our dinner and in the morning we scrambled up eggs which Tom delivered to our cottage the night before. There are no TV's in the cottages, but it was a nice change to spend the time enjoying the outside views rather than sitting around connected to a TV. I have AT&T and was not able to get a reception here, but there is a phone outside of the office which is available if needed. There is also wifi, which was helpful as well (especially with a teenager who claimed he was disconnected from the rest of the world until he found the wifi connection). Highlights: Dog friendly, which is a big bonus for us. However, you would not know dogs had even stayed in the cottages, no sign of fur anywhere or any other tell tale signs. Kid friendly. Each time we have stayed there, I've seen the children enjoying the spacious grounds, playing on the rope swing, and helping Tom pick eggs in the afternoons. So much to do; sit around on the yoga deck or swing and enjoy the ocean views, walk across the street to the secluded beach and enjoy the ocean, pick vegetables or flowers from the garden, pick eggs with Tom, soak in the sitting tub outside, walk around the beautiful grounds, BBQ dinner, make Smores over the fire, or stargaze at night. Mar Vista is a beautiful place to be! It immediately became our all time favorite place to getaway. read more

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Were you ever one of those kids who went to summer camp and wished you could stay there forever without the rest of the annoying campers with you? Well, I think I found just the place to get this experience and it is AWESOME. Let me first preface this review by saying that Mar Vista is not meant for everyone. If you're expecting to be waited on hand and foot and bathed in luxury, you will be grossly disappointed with what you find here. However, if you enjoy the simple pleasures in life or just need to get away from an information and people-laden life like I needed to, you will very likely want to come running back here at your next chance. That said, a stay at Mar Vista is not simply a vacation, but an introduction to a way of life that you've probably never experienced before (or at least a way I know I haven't) I came here for a secluded escape with my boyfriend for Valentine's Day. Upon arrival, we received a brief info session from the ground's steward Renata who then sent us on our way. The cottage was tidy and neat but rustic and had only the most rudimentary amenities including a kitchen with a few pots and pans and basic kitchen tools, a gas stove and fridge, and some gently used, but well kept furniture. We stayed in cottage 1, which exuded so much warmth and charm, and was the perfect place to cozy up in the rain and cold that hit the coast that weekend. Being a huge foodie, my favorite part of the grounds was the organic garden that was burgeoning with beautiful produce which we were encouraged to help ourselves to. Also noteworthy was the egg collecting trip I took with Renata's husband, Tom on the property's hen enclosure. Although I found out that chickens smell a hell of a lot more than I ever gave them credit for, I cannot even begin to describe what it feels like to take a warm egg from right under a chicken's ass (and I say that in an entirely good way) We spent the whole weekend experimenting with various egg and fresh veggie recipes, reading, taking walks along the rugged coastline, playing in the creek beside our cottage and hanging out with the resident goats Pygmalion and Higgins. Everything about the weekend was perfect, and we could not have asked for a more stellar place to have called our temporary home. We will surely be back. read more

Mar Vista Farm + Cottages - cabin window - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Gualala, California

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I've not had a vacation that I can truly call relaxing in years. That is, until I stayed at Mar Vista. By reading the description on the site, the cottages on the property sound a bit rustic. They may be simple, but they are perfect for a single, couple or family. I could not get over how clean, immaculate, truly spotless each cabin was. The only other place I can compare on the "next to Godliness" level is the Biltmore Four Seasons. I rented two cottages and spent lots of time in both because it was a bit rainy (misty, light near-the-ocean type rain) the few days I was there. The damp weather didn't hamper the fun though. We played games, cooked some fabulous meals (with many fresh ingredients from the organic gardens out our front door), snacked, read, hung out with the chickens and other critters and slept ever so soundly. Tom and Renata are the innkeepers and they truly go above and beyond to make sure your stay is comfy and memorable. The old girls (chickens) weren't laying too well, but Tom and Renata supplemented our eggs on a morning we planned for a big breakfast. Collecting the eggs in the evenings were oftentimes the highlight of our days. Seeing the gorgeous blue/green, brown and white eggs in our basket hanging beside our door each morning was just like Christmukkha. This may not sound like your idyllic vacation, but I promise it will end up that way. The beach is just across the street (a.k.a Highway 1) and you will find plenty to do without the distraction of a tv. The pond, the rope swing, the bbq, fire pit and the surrounding woods offer adventures aplenty. There are only a dozen cottages and they fill quickly, so if you have special dates in mind, I'd book your trip today. Say hi to my favorite goat (you'll know her when you see her) from Jamie D and don't forget your galoshes! Perhaps I'll see you there. read more

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Mar Vista was the perfect spot for a girls' weekend getaway... too bad we had to bring the husbands and children. Nah, I'm kiddin--all 12 adults, six 3-year olds and three babies had an incredible time and it looks like we're making an annual trip out of it. With the centrally-located glasshouse and BBQ pit, the place is ideal for group dining and we took advantage of it by dividing dinner and breakfast responsibilities between the couples, using veggies from the garden and eggs from the hens and wine from the cases we shlepped up from the City. It turns out Mar Vista is also ideal for kids and dogs, which we appreciated immensely. I can imagine that it would be a nothing less than terrifying to open your serene and impeccably clean cottages and grounds to SUV after SUV full of road-wrecked, vomit-covered kids and anxious, pent-up dogs. But open arms are what greeted us, with details that warmed the heart of at least this parent: a cozy cot set up for our son, with a down comforter and a sweet teddy bear that became his instant Mar Vista companion, outlet protectors, and black-out felt available for the bedroom window so he could nap better. Tom also very graciously put up with no less than three Type-A calls from me the day before we arrived (I think I needed to ensure that they had real wine glasses in the cottages, to know what kid-friendly activities there are in the area, and to find out if we needed to bring charcoal for the BBQ--answers were yes, go outside dummy, and yes btw). He didn't really call me a dummy, but I felt like one when we unleashed the kids from the cars and watched them tear off across the property, just happy to run in that much grass and get to pet goats that weren't corralled in a petting zoo. So go, go! But follow the rules and regs, which are somewhat unusual for B&Bs--like paying half the price six months in advance (for a group of five cottages or more), six-month-advance written cancellation, and no kids in the edible garden (so they don't pull things up and waste them). It's all worth it to spend however long you can in a little piece of Northern Californian paradise. read more

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Nothing new or different to say. Place is super cute and the owners are just so nice and accommodating. The drive there is a bit windy so be extra careful! It's such a different experience and I highly recommend it for families! read more

Over the years we have gone out of our way to stay at this unique and peaceful property. A recent change in ownership did nothing to alter our enthusiasm for the area and the venue and we booked a several night detour to Mar Vista on our way from Southern California to Portland for Thanksgiving. Regrettably the flu forced us to cancel our plans and possibly forfeit our full deposit. I called and asked if they would try and sell our rooms in an attempt to recoup our deposit. Without hesitation their site calendar showed the rooms as available and two days later had been booked by a lucky traveler-thank you Cabot! Ownership may have changed but customer focus has not. See you in January! read more

We came here about 12 years and loved it and just completed a stay. And we still greatly enjoy. Great owners, beautiful property, awesome views and comfortable cabin. Fresh organic eggs every day, fulsome garden, and a goat stable. Not to mention the chicken coop. Very relaxing and good place for short or long walks. And driving the coast and stopping in small towns or just looking at the ocean keeps one busy. Just fun to sit outside, read and enjoy the scenery. read more

We stayed in cottage 8 for our mini-vacation. This cottage overlooks the veggie garden and is next to the goats and their feral cat friend. The cottage itself was very rustic(my husband thought a little TOO rustic for the price). We had one bedroom, a full kitchen, living room, with two armchairs and an ottoman, a gas fireplace, a small dining table. The bathroom had a shower only, no tub. There was also a large window overlooking the property and a great view of the California coastline. This cottage had a small deck, that I wasn't able to enjoy unfortunately, because I came down with the flu on our mini-vacation. Darn you flu!! Anyways, I tried to squeeze out a good time while we were there even though I was sick. I was excited to pick some lettuce in their veggie garden for our dinner salads. I walked around the property a bit to see the chickens and bunnies and goats. The best thing about this place was that we were able to bring our dog Penny. She LOVED it here. Although she wasn't off leash much, because of all the other animals there (she has a predatory streak to her and we didn't want her attacking the chickens or anything), she still had a blast. She loved running on the beach and loved/obsessed over her new goat and feral cat neighbors. Some things I wish I had known before coming here: 1) The road is long and winding. I was starting to get carsick on our way back to the city on highway 1. But maybe that was because I was already sick to begin with. 2) Bring some groceries with you, especially essentials, like coffee, olive oil, butter, etc. They did have salt/pepper and sugar in the cottage kitchen though and they do have plates, silverware, pots, etc. 3) There is NO TV and NO CELL PHONE SIGNAL. But there was a wireless network for $10 a day. That seriously saved my sanity. I realized that I am a slave to technology and can't live without it.... 4) There is nothing to do there...really. It definitely is a place to just get away from it all and relax. 5) Gualala's main street is a bit of a drive. We found that the Anchor Bay main drag was enough and their grocery store had everything we needed. 6) Fresh eggs. The first night you arrive, the owners will drop off fresh eggs in a basket at your front door. Charming. And if you want more eggs, just leave the basket out on your front porch and they'll refill it. read more

Does it get any better than 78 degrees on the Mendocino coast, living it up in a little yellow cottage, frolicking with pygmy goats, picking fresh herbs, gazing at the sea, and receiving a basket of fresh-laid eggs on your porch? No, it does not. Go here now. read more

Ahhh, the ago old debate: "Where to go on your honeymoon?". My now husband (yippeeee) and I debated long and hard over this one. His fist choice was a three day road trip to the Grand Canyon and back. While a good option, I wanted something a little more relaxing. After extensive research on Yelp and the rest of the internet, we found Mar Vista Cottages and decided to go with it. There are one and two bedroom cottages. Because of how late in the season we booked our reservation, we were stuck with a two bedroom. It ended up being more expensive than we wanted, but came in useful when we needed to have a room for luggage. Renata and Tom are wonderful hosts. There are fresh eggs and a veggie garden for fresh food options. The cabins are very, very, very clean and cozy. We were in Cabin 10 and I fell instantly in love with the linens and the layout of the place. I love small houses because I grew up in a very small house. My hubby wanted a little more space than we had. Outside there are BBQ pits, picnic tables, reading/gazing chairs, and a Japanese Soaking Tub (more about that later). Things that were great: 1) The soaking tub was wonderful. We used it twice to relax after a hard day of reading and lego construction (we are nerds like that). The tub takes about 25 minutes to fill up and can run out of hot water....but it's very comfy and wonderfully relaxing. 2) The beach is about a five to ten minute walk (across the highway and down a long stretch of stairs). The beach is semi-private and has great rocks for climbing. 3) Everything was neat and tidy in the cabin. They have some cooking and eating utensils, salt, pepper, and the aforementioned eggs. The beds were a little on the hard side, but very comfy. 4) The views from the cabins are great...ocean or near ocean. 5) It's pretty quiet here. Occasionally you can hear Hwy 1 or some kids, but overall, very peaceful. 6) Renata left us a wonderful banner and bouquet to welcome us to our honeymoon....it was so sweet. Things to think about.... 1) The garden was picked clean by the time we got there. There were a few radishes, some flowers, and not much else. Hubby was very disappointed. According to his call to Mar Vista, there would be lots of things to eat from the garden, but this was not the case. So, it's a wonderful resource, just don't count on it. 2) There isn't much to do in the area. We were there for that reason, but these are not party towns. 3) Bring clothes for all weathers. We got there and it was warm and sunny. Four days later it was drippy fog and COLD. Overall it was a great honeymoon thanks to Mar Vista. I really appreciate all the work they did. read more

Stayed here this past week (our 3rd visit) and loved it just as much as every other time we've been here. I can't say enough good things about this place. It's obvious that the owners, Tom and Renata, think of everything that their guests can possibly need. I love all of the animals on the property, the beautiful and bountiful organic garden, the fresh eggs in the morning, and just the very lovely and well-kept property and cottages. The prices are so reasonable too! Not to mention the money you save on not eating out - we've made so many good meals in our cottage just using the produce from their garden and fresh eggs mixed in with a couple of other ingredients. We wanted to explore a bit further north this past week, so we spent a couple of nights at another property in Mendocino before staying at Mar Vista, and I have to say that we were so disappointed and kept saying how we should have just spent our entire visit at Mar Vista. The other place had really good reviews though, so I can only assume that we've been too spoiled by Tom and Renata and now no other place will be good enough. I guess that's the only downside to staying here - you'll never be satisfied staying anywhere else again. It's a great place if you're alone and just want to escape, but also great for families with or without kids because there's room to roam and lots to explore on the property and in the surrounding areas. If I had the money, I'd move in here and never leave! read more

Just got back from a weekend at Mar Vista and I had to write something. This place deserves all of the rave reviews it gets, so here goes another one. There is something special about this place. Maybe I'm crazy, but you know the part of "The Last Samurai" with Tom Cruise, when he starts exploring that Japanese village and he's amazed by the dedication, the simplicity, and the beauty of everything around him? That was me. All weekend. (Minus the flowery inner monologue from Mr. Cruise.) To be clear, this is not Japan in the 1800s. This is about 3 hours north of the city and it's got the perfect mix of modern amenities and old-style cabin touches. They have WiFi, they have gas ovens, and they have a microwave/refrigerator. Everything else, it seems, could be from 100 years ago (except it's not - they've done an excellent job adding a mix of antique furniture and functional modern touches to make everything work together). Our cottage (#4) was perfect for a couple, but I suppose could have fit 4 if you're into sharing. It was very clean, very cozy, and very well-appointed with anything you need. Since it has a wood-burning fireplace, they already have wood and kindling ready for you. The bed is comfy, with goose down pillows and blankets, and the bedroom has a new space heater since the fire only warms the living room. The bathroom and kitchen are both modern and include everything you need (towels, utensils, plates, pans, etc.) - although we do recommend you bring butter/oil to cook with as they provide you with delicious organic eggs, vegetables, and herbs but the kitchen has no other cooking ingredients. I loved that they have a little booklet of instructions ready when you arrive because there's just some stuff you need to know. I, for one, had never picked my own organic lettuce before, and yes, there is a certain way you need to do it. They also have instructions on everything from getting down to the beach (which has that really cool crashing waves/rugged beauty to it) to using the soaking tub to how to treat the various animals on the property (goats, cats, rabbits, chickens, etc. - all of which are very friendly). Overall, you get the sense that a TON of thought has gone into making Mar Vista what it is, and all of that genuine effort shows. The kindness and thoughtfulness of Tom and Renata will wow you. I highly recommend Mar Vista, and I expect we'll be back many times in the future. read more

If you're lucky enough to stumble onto this place, you'll be so pleased! Grounds are meticulous. Hosts are wonderful. I mentioned once that it was my birthday trip -- I was welcomed by a Happy Birthday banner in my cottage! Included: We picked our own organic salads and flowers every day and the host delivers fresh laid eggs in a basket on your patio. There is a lovely "river" walk with towering redwoods on site. A friendly goat, Lola roams the spacious grounds. Pet friendly. Our cottage #7 had a view of the ocean, great sunsets and a wood fireplace with unlimited wood. Full kitchen. Ironed duvet comforter in bedroom. WiFi too. I saw a shooting star one night among the fabulous view of the Milky Way. Cozy and quiet. Totally relaxing. Head-clearing. So much better than other choices. It gets five stars for overall unique and enjoyable experience. Go there. Say hi to Tom! read more

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I remember when Mar Vista was owned by a very quiet older hippie couple. The grounds were much less developed: covered by the tall grass you find now only in a few places. The japanese soaking tub was there, but not the swings, gardens, greenhouse, chickens, donkeys, goats, dogs, cats that are there now. I remember the cottages being off white with red accents. It was wonderful then, and it's even more wonderful now (albeit more pricey) that Renata and Tom own it. All of the abovementioned amenities are a delight. The cottages are lovely, spare and cosy. And above all, the sound...not quite silence, more like a touch of wind, a touch of ocean, and a touch of wildness. Probably my favorite place to stay in the whole world. read more

Cab and Deanna are amazing hosts! Our family loved our stay at the cottages. Our grandchildren enjoyed feeding the goats and participating in collection of the fresh eggs from the 140 chickens on site. The nostalgic cottages are clean and very well maintained. The flower and vegetable gardens are beautiful and provide a peaceful and Serene setting. We also enjoyed going to the ocean through the easement across the street. We will definitely return! read more

There are almost no words to describe how wonderful Mar Vista is! The cottages are gorgeous and have been stocked with delightful antiques, and the simplicity (the gas stove you have to light with a match, the compost bin instead of a Disposal) is just enough to be charming, without being overly complicated. (Although remembering not to turn the gas burner off all the way when we had something else to cook took some getting used to.) I've been to other "rustic" cottages, which tended to be dirty and filled with modern furniture. Not so with Mar Vista. It was neat as a pin (and an old-fashioned wood-handled broom can help you out if you make a mess) and had the most wonderful weathered beds and nightstands, rag rugs, mismatched china and the aforementioned stove. The kitchen also gets major points for having a cast-iron pan (which was perfectly seasoned). The organic garden is to die for. Most of the vegetables and herbs were ready for picking when I was there (end of July), and they were divine. Renata and Tom want you to pick it, so don't be shy. Oh, and speaking of Renata and Tom, they are wonderful people. I don't think I've ever stayed in a place with owners as genuinely friendly as these. And their niceness is contagious - everyone I came across at Mar Vista would smile and say hello to me, a big change from the city! And the view - oh, the view. From our huge cottage window we could see the cliffs and the sea crashing against the rocks. At night, the sky lit up - it was the best Milky Way display I'd ever seen. The beach is a short walk away, and it's a nice one. Mar Vista is a beautiful gem on the California coastline. Anyone who wants to "get away" should look into it. I was stressed out and tired of working, and after a weekend there I felt great - no massages or facials necessary. This is one of those places where the place IS the vacation - so you don't have to feel guilty about spending the entire day reading on the porch. (Although there are some lovely sights in nearby towns, like the Sea Ranch Chapel.) I am so glad to have found this lovely place! read more

Um.. i am reading all of these 5 star reviews and the only thing i can think is that these are 'staged' reviews or fake. (we actually saw some pretty bad reviews on this place after our stay and noticed they have magically disappeared.) I mean we couldn't have had a more opposite experience then the reviews listed below. We came with small children and a dog to celebrate our birthday and all i can say is that our birthday was ruined. It cost a fortune and the experience was terrible. We couldn't wait to leave. IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN OR DOGS DO NOT COME HERE! Renata and Tom are the owners and were basically the only people we ever really saw there. (no 'staff' as other's report below) They market this place as a 'resort' or bed and breakfast etc but the reality is it's THEIR HOME. They bought the property to retire and LIVE THERE and use the 'guests' to pay for it and keep it running. In fact our cabin was a few feet from theirs, and they are constantly wandering around and watching the guests. There is feeling of NO privacy or that you can't escape them. (there are also NO real curtains or blinds in the cabins but little pieces of sheer 'cloth' or 'napkins' that hang providing ZERO privacy. Anyone walking by can see in. And you are given explicit instructions on not to touch the 'hankies' that hang. (We had to hang and stuff towels in the window to try and get some privacy and block the light that comes in early in the am) That is the beginning of how you are ordered what to do and NOT to do there. They also claim that that the cottages were child friendly but it was anything but that. It was deathly quiet there and we were told to keep the children quiet and were not allowed to let the children 'wander around unattended'? We were also told that it was dog friendly and yet through out our trip we were being watched and then eventually 'talked to' multiple times about the dog being off leash. Tom was very nice and pleasant but his wife Renata who basically runs the establishment was not. She was very 'cold' and seemed constantly stressed out that that the children or dogs were being destructive or doing bad things to her cottages and property. (why allow children and pets and then micromanage the guests who bring them?) They claim on the Web site to have this wonderful place with real chickens and a chicken coop and a natural garden which is perfect to go 'off the grid' and great adventure for children, but then we showed up there and received an awful pamphlet filled with detailed list of instructions of what 'not to do'. That pamphlet contradicts that the place is child friendly stating,' 'the children were not allowed in the garden nor was the dog'. However, at one point Tom invited us into the chicken coop (accidentally or without thinking i guess) , and Renata came around and saw the children and dog in the coop and literally started yelling at both Tom and us. It was the most unprofessional thing we have ever seen at a hotel. Never have we felt more unwelcome and baffled. Couldn't imagine how they though this was hospitality. Finally the cottages were COLD and again both through the pamphlet as well as the many signs posted throughout the cottage you are 'ordered' to do your own cleaning and that 'daily housekeeping will not be provided'. You do your own cooking and are told how to dispose of your food in the kitchen. You are told to conserve TP, told NOT to put grease in the sink, told to recycle your trash, told to take out your trash and given difficult instructions on how to do it. And also given more difficult instructions on separating your trash and composing and recycling how they prefer it. They literally do NOTHING for you while there and charge a small fortune for your stay, and the entire time you are there you feel scared to touch anything, move anything, change anything or do anything. We paid over 2K for a weekend stay for an experience worse than motel 6, and felt we had to leave every day and sight see as we couldn't bare to stay there. Again if i wanted to cook, clean and 'live' so crudely off the land i could have camped at any of the wonderful campgrounds located all around the Mar vista cottages and paid a fraction of what we did to stay there. The only two positives about the place are Tom who was very kind and pleasant and the fresh eggs he brought. If you are looking for a wonderful retreat or get away with privacy and relaxation do NOT come here. You will do all your own cooking and cleaning and be watched, reprimanded and 'controlled' the entire time you are there. read more

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We stayed at Mar Vista last weekend. It was a bit of a last-minute venture, since issues developed with our original lodgings. We were lucky that there were a few empty cottages, and we grabbed #4. We were utterly charmed from the first moment we arrived on the property. It's a beautiful place, with a big pen for the chickens (who are released in the late afternoon and have the run of the place), a cutting garden for flowers, and a lovely organic garden. Renata, the owner, is a warm, lovely woman who had all sorts of helpful information and handouts for us. She even had printed a map of the tides for the weekend for us in case we wanted to go beachcombing. Our cottage was charming and slightly scented with wood smoke from the wood stove. (Renata had already laid out our first fire--all we had to do was apply the match.) There was bright floral oilcloth for the dining table and starched linens in the windows. Shortly after our arrival our first basket of eggs appeared, hung on a nail by the front door. We feasted on them for breakfast the following morning, and they were the best eggs I have ever tasted. Our cottage was near some earth steps leading down to a bubbling creek in a redwood forest. There was no other sign of human presence. We were both so struck by the beauty of this magic place that we just stood for a very long time, listening to the water gurgle over the rocks. After dinner that evening, we went outside to see what we could see in the sky (my VSP is an amateur astronomer). We both gasped simultaneously--there was no light pollution. In the black night sky, there were millions of sparkling heavenly bodies, many of which appeared to be so close that you could pluck them from the sky. A small caveat: Mar Vista isn't for everyone. If you're big on creature comforts, you may want to look elsewhere. If television and a swimming pool are crucial to the enjoyment of your stay, this isn't the place for you. However, if you want simple beauty--if you love stars at night and silence (other than the occasional clucking of a hen scratching in the dirt or the babbling of a stream)--if you want to be surrounded by good vibes and experience a unique brand of hospitality, you'll love Mar Vista. We did, and we'll be back. read more

My wife and I just enjoyed a wonderful three day weekend at Mar Vista. The cottages truly are as elegantly simple and beautiful as they appear on the website, both inside and out. Ours had plenty of old-fashioned charm-- linen squares for drapes, wooden shutters, 2-faucet sink, a lamp with delicate floral pattern cut into the paper shade in Shaker/German style-- combined with the modern comforts of a gas oven, a warm little gas fireplace, and plenty of hot water pressure in the shower. And very clean! The kitchen is well equipped, and after each day spent exploring the coastal villages and beaches, we brought the freshest sea food at the Gualala Surf Supermarket back to our cottage and then filled a harvest basket from Mar Vista's backyard organic garden with fresh herbs (basil, thyme, oregano, and more), many varieties of greens for a fresh salad, an early ripened tomato or two, and prepared and enjoyed a wonderful meal every night. What a treat! Breakfast turned out to be just as much a culinary experience as dinner once we tried Mar Vista's fresh eggs. Pastel blue, green and beige every morning, these eggs are almost too gorgeous too eat. And those bright yellow yolks! Nights and evenings were very quiet. One evening, as we sipped our chamomile and mint tea (yes, freshly cut from the garden), a young deer walked out of the redwoods right in front of our cottage picture window. For us, Mar Vista Cottages is a reminder of the wisdom of simplicity and of relying on nature for ultimate beauty and sustenance. That's such a profound and timely message for today. Oh, and they also have bunnies. T & C read more

We had the most wonderful 2-day getaway at the Mar Vista Cottages. We were in cottage #1, which had a front-row view of the amusing flock of hens. The cottage was small but immaculately clean and just right for two. We were celebrating a birthday, so were greeted with a special sign above the bed! The cottage also has numerous thoughtful touches which may seem mundane but were much appreciated (like plenty of hooks for clothing and towels, night light, natural dish detergent, and natural soap). Renata provided a warm welcome and brief orientation to the property and surrounding area. Lola the goat came over to say hello. It was a treat to tag along with Tom to collect eggs from the 172 (at the time!) hens. We harvested a bouquet of sweet peas from the flower garden to beautify the cabin. Then it was off to the organic garden to harvest an assortment of herbs, greens, and veggies to supplement our meals. The fresh eggs (left for us each evening in a basket outside the door) were a real treat. We had the most delicious breakfasts of herbed eggs cooked in a well-seasoned cast iron pan, tomatoes from the garden, and nasturtium garnishes. The property has many little nooks to explore, including a small redwood trail, hammock, children's playhouse, hot tub, and another viewpoint overlooking the property with a view of the water. We enjoyed the private beach (the door to the path accessed with a special key), and also went for a short jaunt in the Stornetta Public Lands. Otherwise, we relaxed, read, made delicious fresh food, played board games (also available in the office cottage) and left our normal lives far behind. Wifi in our cabin was also reasonably strong (we didn't unplug THAT much!) Thanks for a wonderful stay, Renata and Tom! I can definitely see us coming back to this wonderful place- particularly in the future, with little ones in tow! read more

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My husband and I spent our 2nd anniversary at Mar Vista and couldn't have been more delighted. We flew into San Francisco and drove from there...so the calm, no frills atmosphere was exactly what we needed. As everyone mentioned, the fresh eggs are a charming touch and the host/hostess are very nice. We also enjoyed some of the nearby beaches they recommended. We sat all day on a secluded rocky beach and watched an adorable group of seals watch us right back. Our only slight disappointment was that the cabins are closer to one another than we expected. This didn't cause a problem because everyone was respectful, but it is something to note. Also, the wi-fi connection in our cabin was pretty spotty. Upon check-out, the owners asked where we were headed next. We didn't really have a plan other than to drive north. They printed out some info on a hotel in Benbow and sent us on our way. Very nice recommendation. I would love to return to Mar Vista again in the future! read more

My husband and I have been enjoying Mar Vista Cottages since 2000. We come here about once a year and absolutely LOVE everything about it! Tom and Renata are wonderful innkeepers: They're warm, kind, knowledgeable about the area and always make us feel welcome. We love picking vegetables, herbs and flowers from the gardens and look forward to fresh eggs being delivered to our door each morning! The cottages themselves are back to basics, there are no televisions and the internet connection can be spotty. However, they're stocked with dishes, pots and pans, utensils, etc. and are clean and cozy. The bedding is pristine. If you're looking for the Ritz, go to the Ritz, this is NOT the place for you. But, if you want a getaway that's laid back and a bit off the grid, you will love it here! It's our home away from home. Thank you Tom and Renata for providing us with such a magical retreat. read more

I rented out all of the cottages for my bridal party for the weekend that I got married, and I am so glad I did! Renata, the owner, was so friendly and helpful in the months leading up to the wedding and during the weekend. She went out of her way to make our stay the best it could be. And it was the best! The cottages are so so adorable. It was so nice to have a kitchen and full fridge, not to mention fresh eggs everyday and a wonderful vegetable garden to pick from. And all of my friends were obsessed with the resident goats! They are fun, quirky creatures that made each day memorable. We got ready in the greenhouse in the middle of the property, which was a beautiful setting for pictures and a great place to all hang out. The whole property made me feel so relaxed and has this sort of escape-to-the-simple-life feel. I really enjoyed all the unique touches that make Mar Vista special. I will definitely be back in the future! A truly wonderful place. read more