This was our first experience securing the use of a vacation rental. When we came across the Forest Cottage, I knew that was the place we needed to stay for our 25th anniversary. Coming off the PCH, you are immediately transported to another world. Redwoods surround the drive up to the property, evoking the feeling that you have entered a secluded realm, tucked away from the city. Once you pull into the property, you begin to notice something that has been missing: quiet silence. Just the rustling of the leaves by the breeze coming off the ocean, and for our trip, a winter rainstorm. But being from the desert, we just ate it up immensely. The house was well-equipped, having all the amenities you'd desire in almost any hotel. But the place is yours for the duration. Bed was comfy and the kitchen had everything you'd need to make a decent meal. Andrew and Brianne were attentive to our needs, and communicated very well, from the initial reservations to the follow up after our stay. If you're looking for a hideaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, please check this place out. You will not be disappointed. read more

Tucked between redwoods, waterfalls, and Big Sur views--with Carmel's restaurants just 20 minutes away--this cabin nails the location game. It's small (I stayed in Little Gem) but has everything you need, impeccably clean, and tastefully furnished (no "live laugh love" signs in sight). Peaceful, private, and hosted with quiet charm. read more

Heart Circle Mountain - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Carmel, California

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Very nice house and a beautiful hike! Would love to return. This house is all you really need.

We stayed in the smaller cottage on the property. The hosts were wonderful and attentive, the property and its trails were beautiful, the cottage was compact but had everything we needed, and it was close to beaches and parks along the coast between Carmel and Big Sur. We had a lovely stay there. read more

This place was absolutely magical! If you are looking for the feeling of being immersed in nature this is it. It is quiet, the grounds are beautiful, and the sun shining through the trees is something truly special. This property is a one of a kind. YOU MUST do the on property hiking trails. The creek, the waterfall, and the sunset viewing point.......Amazing! We have traveled all over the world and this is one of our favs by far. Hope to visit again someday! read more

We had a magical stay! The nature and the quiet, there isn't a more beautiful place. And a short picturesque drive to Carmel and Monterey. Lovely beyond description. We can't wait to come back and visit again. read more

Great cottage and the host is very responsive. Great location close to all that Big Sur has to offer. Nice amenities as well.

This property is perfect for a couple's retreat. you won't want to leave once you arrive and get settled into the most beautiful redwood forest. The hiking trails on the property are wonderful and the hosts are very accessible! read more

We've rented vacation homes for 16 years, and this one may be the best. Cottage was super clean, thoughtfully equipped, and very private, quiet, and relaxing. Located in a forest with many large redwoods, the setting is off-the-chart, and very nicely landscaped with beautiful flowers and shrubs. Hot tub was also super clean and heated to 103 upon our arrival. 2.5 miles of private hiking trails were a pleasant surprise. Owner Brianne is very kind, personable, and caring. She obviously takes pride in this cottage and in the great experiences she helps create for renters. Communication with Brianne was excellent. 5+ stars for this one. I highly recommend this vacation cottage, and my wife and I will definitely stay here again the next time we visit Big Sur and Carmel. read more

My wife and I stayed at the Forest Cottage during the end of February. To visit during this time of year you're taking a gamble with the weather and we wanted to stay at a place that if rain prevented us from outdoor activities we could still enjoy our time. The pictures of the cottage don't do it enough justice. The property is off Palo Colorado Rd which is initially intimidating but as long as you turn your lights on, take it slow and be cautious of other vehicles it's a wonderful road to drive through. The cottage is plesantly private and has everything you would want/need. There are two private trails on the property that are very well taken care of, felt very safe and at the end of each trail is a place to relax on chairs or a hammock. Palo Colorado Canyon is absolutely stunning and you wouldn't be able to experience it on this level if it wasn't for the hosts sharing their personal space. There are lots of places to stay in the Big Sur region but what makes this place stand out from the rest is the sheer privacy in a place that one could only dream of with all the comforts of home. You will not be disappointed. read more

We had the best time at Heart Circle Mountain. The owners were amazing and had great communication. The location was an easy drive to scenic views and Big Sur parks. The cabin is secluded and tucked in the trees but still provided good light. It was meticulously cleaned and had all the kitchen essentials needed. Wifi worked perfectly. We really enjoyed a dinner at the outdoor seating. The on-site trails were also fun to explore. Highly recommend and would love to return. read more

Quaint cabin in a remote location. We enjoyed the serenity and solitude. It was a bit of a trek (approx 2.2 miles) on a single lane road to get to/from the property from the main highway. But this trek also provides for the serenity and solitude of the property! It was wonderful to enjoy the hot tub after a day of hiking. Would definitely recommend this property if peace and quiet, rest and solitude are what you are looking for! read more

Yet again, staying here was wonderful! Coming from the Vegas desert to this magical cabin is always a treat! Although, I think I spoiled the birds a bit much... If you stay, they like all types of breads cut into cubes haha :) They're pretty and are friendly enough birds to get some cute pictures! Andrew & Brianne are awesome and super friendly!! Don't be shy to ask questions. read more

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We spent 3 lovely days at the Forest Cottage. The place was immaculate, the kitchen equipped with every possible need (good quality too). Our hostess Brianne was delightful, warm and welcoming. We came to do nothing but relax, and what a spendid setting to do so - quiet, peaceful, secluded (but not far from anything). We enthusiastically recommend staying here for a peaceful, rejuvenating experience. If you want to get out and go, go, go, there is great hiking and beaches just 20 minutes down the road. read more

I stay in a lot of hotels as a business traveler, so I've been drawn to private accommodations that are standalone private units. Also, these days, there aren't enough differences in the quality of a $100 hotel versus a $250 one. So when I researched places to stay in Big Sur, I searched long and hard for a secluded retreat. Heart Circle Mountain fulfilled my requirements and then some. Three retreats are available. We stayed in Little Gem, a cross between a cottage and a cabin perched on a hilltop overlooking lush green vistas. Little Gem is about 600 square feet with a patio in the back furnished with two comfy outdoor chairs and a little table. We spent some good hours with our drinks, some chatty bluebirds, and those rolling green vistas before us. Inside, Little Gem holds the most comfortable bed ever, a little dining area with a skylight view of the redwoods, a stocked kitchenette, a wood-burning stove and -- through French doors, a lovely little bathroom with the deepest tub I've ever soaked in. There are windows throughout the place, which makes it feel bigger than it is and provides constant breathtaking views at all times of the day. Brianne, who owns the 36-acre property is one of the loveliest hostesses ever. She is extremely gracious, emanates great energy, and will do whatever it takes to make your stay comfortable. We are definitely coming back here. read more

We stayed in the "little gem" cabin for two nights. There are three different cabins/retreats @ Heart Circle Mountain. The little gem is furthest up the hill. Directions are given (through email) on how to get to the area and how to get to your specific cabin. The price to stay at the little gem ranges from 250$ to 350$ (possibly more.) Prices go up if you are staying on a weekend and/or a holiday and varies on what month you go. We stayed Thursday night to Saturday. I thought our Thursday night would be cheaper because it is NOT on a weekend, but I guess because we were staying two nights (which occupied a weekend) we were not granted that discount? I've been to many hotels/ B&B's/etc.. and this has never the policy. I guess this is something I am not used to. The Big Sur Marathon was that weekend, so we ended up paying 350$ a night for both nights. Personally, If we paid less I would have been more satisfied with my stay. You are to call the owner to schedule a check in time (it doesn't specify when, so I called when I was in the Carmel area.) The owner will check you in or you have to check in yourself. I tried calling the owner several times and left a message before we headed up to the cabin. I didn't get a call back, so we decided to drive up to the cabin anyway. When we got to the cabin/courtyard and there was no one there. There was a phone and I tried calling the owner again and left another message. No answer. We didn't know what to do and we were about to leave until my fiancé found the key hidden somewhere. The owner told me there were directions if this were to happen. The directions she was talking about was included in a email which I read weeks before going to the cabin and I had forgotten about it. She was apologetic, but I just wish there was some sort of reminder/note for a forgetful human being, like myself. Better communication (especially during check in time) would have been appreciated too. The inside of the cabin resembles a little studio. Small and cute..with many items that are needed for cooking (stove, oven, nice size "mini" refrigerator, toaster.) If you happen to use any utensils/ pots &pans..etc.. you will need to clean them before your check out time. There is an iPod docking station/ CD player and there is no TV. They provide you with wood if you use the wood stove. It may look small, but that little thing puts out a lot of heat! We loved it. It made the cabin warm, cozy, and romantic. There is a BBQ grill outside the cabin too. The bed is a bit noisy and it's definitely not a " soft and fluffy" bed (if you like that.) It has a memory foam mattress and we slept good on it. The property is beautiful and the hiking trails were enjoyable. Unfortunately, it was raining one day, and we did not get to enjoy the hammock and outside area (near the cabin or near the hiking trails) as much as we wanted. There are two different hiking trails on the property and at the end of the trails they have chairs with a table and a hammock to relax on. I really liked the trail that lead to the little waterfall. I took some pretty pictures during our hike. It was really nice having our "own" private hiking trails. Being able to enjoy a little piece of Big Sur without the crowds is a plus. There is no WiFi in the cabin. You need to walk to the main house/ court yard (which is a short walk away) to get connection. Check in starts at 4pm and check out is at 11am. This is a "get away from everything and everyone" kind of cabin. Just you and nature. A very private and secluded cabin. read more

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The Little Gem is my favorite. Imagine driving through a woodsy neighborhood into your own space that is uniquely big sur, welcomed by a cozy cabin lit with christmas lights. It's the perfect amount of space with an adorable deck for breakfasts, playing cards, drinking whiskey, and writing poetry. The wood burning stove makes everything come together when you light it. I recommend bringing a record player and Shakey Graves' "And The War Came." Take a hike up to the top of the mountain and see the ocean in the distance, followed by an incredible shower that makes you feel like you just left a spa. Skip the Hyatt. Stay at the gem, relax in the hammock, and meet Honey. The most adorable pup in Big Sur. I made some memorable moments in this cabin and felt like home. Thanks, Brianne and Andrew! read more

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BE AWARE!! STAY AWAY!! These people are shady. We booked their cabin through airbnb, they contacted us and told us to send a deposit of $301 through their personal website. We did and they sent us info. We got there later at night (930pm), he encouraged us to pay in cash to save a few dollars so we paid $1150 cash (for 2 nights) not through airbnb. It was pitch dark when we got to the cabin and he made us sign some contract in the dark in the middle of the forest with a flashlight when he could have taken us inside with adequate lighting. He never gave us a copy of the contract nor a receipt but we didn't think anything of it at the time. The next morning our friends joined us early to go hiking in the trails by our cabin. On returning, the hosts were at our cabin. They had entered and gone through our belongings with no notice or permission from us! We were shocked. They claimed we had let our friends stay the night and told us we had to leave. We argued they did not stay the night but they insisted we leave, we said we'll pay them for the night we stayed but that they must return our cash for the next night but they refused. They made us leave, in a threatening and shocking manner by blocking our car in with their cars and told us to leave immediately as if we had done something really wrong, we were so confused! They forced us to leave the rental property in an unjustified manner, intentionally kept our cash for the night we did not stay and we were even more shocked to discover they had cashed our $301 security deposit even though we left the property in the state we arrived with no damage. We go twice a year to Big Sur, usually love it there, and they completely ruined our vacation. We were so shocked and couldn't believe how they treated us. We are currently filing a lawsuit against them, and with BBB and the county of Monterey. They are greedy crooks and should not be allowed to conduct a business. I want to make sure they do not do this to anyone else, stealing and entering without permission/notice. We also saw the cabin relisted the same day they made us leave so they kept our cash, made us leave so they could get double profit and had the nerve to cash the security deposit. I wanted to write this review so this experience does not happen to someone else and warn people of their ways. I'm really surprised their reviews are so high on here. Eventually the karma will get back to them. Thieves. STAY AWAY!! read more

The property is about 2-3 miles off of Highway 1, on a secluded hilltop that is impossibly lush and vibrant. The studio was pretty enough to make The Standard Hotel look shabby. After a homemade grilled steak dinner (gas grill and full kitchen attached to studio), as we soak in the hot tub with a glass of wine and enjoying the clearest starry sky in our adult memories, everything faded and seemed dreamy and unreal. For the next two days, we settled into a loose routine of sightseeing along the coast, picnics, napping, grilling steaks for dinner, and soaking in the hot tub. Suddenly the deeper meaning of life is within grasp. Truly an out-of-this-world experience. Skip the hotels, come stay here, and have your eyes opened. read more

Do you like hammocks? I do - I was really excited that I would have a hammock right outside my cozy little cabin. I was on a solo trip, a retreat to refresh my brain, and I was looking forward to some hammock meditation. And while it was nice to have one so close to my front door, the true magic of the Little Gem opened up when I decided that I'd take a chance on their on-property hiking trails. It either didn't say how close everything was, or I missed it, but I packed my bag with snacks and water to last me a good trek... only to find that I had three other mini-havens at my fingertips! Maybe five to ten minutes of casual walking, and I found myself up in the hills with the low fog rolling over the hill I was nearly atop of, or the burble of the little waterfall in a secluded nook, or the redwood glade with a stream running beside it. Each site has its own hammock, and its own table and chairs. OK, besides the hammocks - the place is awe inspiringly beautiful. It's a retreat - so don't expect cell coverage unless you have AT&T and decide to connect to the microcell there. The wireless doesn't reliably reach the cabin, but I have to say that was part of its charm. If I needed to pop off a quick email, I could walk maybe a dozen paces towards the caretakers property and I'd be covered, and there were plenty of benches to sit and browse the Internet on your phone. The cabin itself was cozy - I'd say that could be a bad thing in terms of having the potential of having your own space, but see again how there are four hammocks, all spaced out wonderfully, for when you need some alone time. The little fireplace warmed the place up, and even came with handy suggestions on how to get it going for less hardy folk like myself. An oven, stove-top, kettle, and all sorts of kitchen accoutrements make it an ideal place to bring food for a picnic - I made myself pasta, salad, and sandwiches to cover my four day weekend. Big Sur is nearby and beautiful, but I'd highly recommend just staying on property and allowing the majesty of the redwoods to overtake you. Lots of hot water, a big comfy bed, and so many places to take a picnic indoors or outdoors. I almost don't want to write this review because I don't want the place to get so popular I can't come back... but this is a place to treasure, and be shared with the world. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! read more

Fantastic experience, would highly recommend. The property is beautiful and well kept. I stayed in the forest cottage, which is a spacious two story one bed loft. Clean, private, and brand new. I arrived late the afternoon of new years eve with my girlfriend, and Brianne, the owner, was kind enough to help us make last minute dinner reservations in town. Will definitely be returning. It was the perfect romantic getaway. read more

I loved everything about Heart Circle Mountain's property, "Little Gem"! Its a beautiful and private cabin. We used the kitchen and grill to cook dinner most nights which was a big plus for us. Its off Palo Colorado Road which in itself is a pretty amazing - Huge redwoods on a narrow winding road with small houses and cabins built along the steep hillside. Our last day there the road was being use to shoot a Land Rover commercial, so I know I am not alone in thinking this is a neat place! Great spot if you are visiting Los Lobos State Park, Big Sur State Park, Garrapata State Park, Pfieffer State Park, and many other nearby parks. Also, groceries and restaurants are still only a short drive away (as little as 15 minutes). We saw the seals at Los Lobos, hiked the Rocky Ridge trail at Garrapata, walked Pfeiffer Beach, and tooks photos by the waterfall at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. We drove as far south as Hearst Castle and saw beautiful coastline and a beach full of elephant seals on the way. We traveled a bit north and drove the scenic "17 mile drive" which includes Pebble Beach. Staying at Little Gem put us nicely in the middle of everything. Great place, great time! read more

The gem is pristine, functional, & perfect: --Surrounded by gorgeous trails that led ceremoniously to comfy HAMMOCKS. You will die of cozy. --Shower water pressure was great. --Claw-foot tub was divine and the water hot hot hot. --Kitchen, fully-equipped w/ the best utensils & cookware --Sumptuous bed --Romantic lighting, divine details, & roaring fireplace that heats up the whole cabin... If you want to have a heavenly, tranquil escape, stay in the gem! There's a lot of love in this space. Respect it. read more

My husband surprised me for our 3rd wedding anniversary and booked the Little Gem cabin for the Memorial Day weekend. We absolutely LOVED the cabin. It's small, basically a studio with a private bathroom, but perfect for 2 people (any more and it would be too tight). Their property is located fairly deep in the forest and so the cabin is quiet, remote, quaint and has everything you need for R&R. We brought groceries up (easy to shop in Carmel) and were able to cook many meals, the kitchen had everything we needed. There's even some hiking trails off the property, we went up the hill and found a beautiful outlook with a hammock and table. They really thought of everything. No wi-fi, which was perfect for us to disconnect, but if you needed wi-fi, they had a hotspot near the house you could access very easily. And in the cabin there was a binder with all the info you needed for the local area, which was really helpful. Their property is located half way between Caramel and Big Sur and also close to Monterey Bay, so we were able to fit in so much for the weekend, but still had plenty of time to relax. The owners gave us a lot of privacy and we never saw them until we texted them to let them know we needed more toilet paper and they made sure we got some right away. Everyone we met was extremely nice! I hope to return here someday, we thoroughly enjoyed our time there! read more

I absolutely loved it! My fiancé surprised me with a trip to the Forest Cottage. It was relaxing and a great getaway if you're looking to get a rest from the hustle and bustle of life. It has two private trails one that had a waterfall and the other has an awesome view of the valley/ocean. My fiancé actually proposed to me there at sunset and it was private. The kitchen was stocked with things you would need (i.e knives, cutting boards, pans). The cottage was kept up well and clean upon arrival. Sitting in the jacuzzi was nice in the morning after it rained. The only thing thing it lacked was an iron/ironing board, but the owners already got back to us letting us know they would address the concern. Overall my experience was awesome and I look forward to going back in the future. read more

Warning this rental is in Carmel NOT Big Sur. Here is a link from the property that is in Carmel. This will show you that it takes almost a half hour to get to most of the hikes, beaches, and restaurants of Big Sur, if you wanted to experience these things you may want to avoid this rental. http://goo.gl/maps/hznnH I saw that someone reviewed that they brought their child so I asked the owner if we could bring our baby, they said it was fine and that they would send me an additional contract. We actually decided NOT to bring our baby, but just wanted the option. When i emailed to complain about the location the owner Andrew cancelled my reservation b/c he didn't like that i complained about the Carmel address, and then tried to say I broke the contract because I inquired about bringing a baby. I had to email several times to get my money back then he ended up keeping a portion, so please be cautious with this rental. After this happened to me I talked to a property manager who lives in Big Sur and they sent me quite a few links of great properties that are in the same price range close to the must see hikes, food, beaches etc of Big Sur. read more

My husband and I stayed at the Forest Cottage for our mini-honeymoon and had a wonderful time. The tiny cabin was beautiful inside & out and very private. The bed was super comfortable and we loved the skylights in the bedroom area. We also enjoyed the hot tub - very relaxing after a long day of hiking! I wish we had explored the heart circle mountain grounds more and I hope to stay here again so we can do just that! read more

My partner and I spent 4 nights in the Little Gem in early May. I must be honest, it was smaller than we anticipated. I wouldn't call this place a 1-bedroom, but a studio. Everything is in one room (double bed, small kitchen, small table), which was fine during the day, as there were outdoor chairs and hammocks. However, at night, the Little Gem cabin didn't offer a place to relax, unless we were ready to go to bed. It would be nice to have a cozy chair or couch, but unfortunately there's not enough space for that. We think this cabin is ideal for 1 person. That said, the Heart Circle Mountain area is lovely. The cabin was surrounded by mountains and trees, little paths and redwoods. We liked having lunch on the deck. Personally I liked reading in the hammock. The bathroom is gorgeous - I found myself hanging out in there more than usual. The kitchen is quite small, occupying one corner of the room, about 3 feet away from the bed. Simple meals only. Thankfully, it was stocked with a few serving bowls, a couple of glasses, silverware, a tea kettle and a small drip coffeemaker. There are several hiking trails and state parks nearby, and Carmel is just a 30-minute drive north. Andrew and Brianne were great to work with. Very kind and accommodating, they offered local tips on hiking trails. And we very much appreciate their commitment to the conservation of the area. The next time we visit Heart Circle Mountain, we will probably book the more spacious Forest Cottage. read more

Our stay here was excellent! Very serene and peaceful, but not difficult to get to. Big Sur was amazing and the cabin had everything we needed. The kitchen makes it very easy to whip up a meal without going into town. The cabin is well maintained and looks regularly cleaned. We would definitely stay here again! read more

My boyfriend and I stayed at the Little Gem for three nights at the end of June. It is very clear Brianne and Andrew put a lot of thought and care in to the property. Directions getting there were spot on and easy to follow. We did a self check in and did not have any issues, so we really had no need to contact anyone, however we did get to meet Andrew while we were drinking coffee in the courtyard one morning. You can make your stay as secluded as you'd like. The room had everything we needed and even had some yummy chocolates and granola bars. We did the Waterfall Hike one morning and was also able to do the Zen Trail in the evening (MUST DO FOR SUNSET). The sunset was so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes. Phone in courtyard came in handy when we wanted to make dinner reservations. (They provided a list of nearby restaurants with phone numbers). This was my first trip to the area and it was completely wonderful, magical and beautiful. read more

The Little Gem cabin is a perfect spot to "unplug" if you're looking for a private, cozy rental away from the bustle of the more popular resorts in the Big Sur area. The surrounding landscape is breathtaking, and there are some very cool hiking trails on the property. There is a wooden deck facing a large hill that rises up behind the cabin, in addition to an outdoor lounging area with a comfy hammock. Very relaxing! Amenities are very nice. This isn't the spot for rowdy social gatherings, and it's unlikely you'll be able to get a cell phone signal. For our purposes that suited us just fine! It was the perfect spot to return to after spending the day exploring everything the Big Sur region has to offer. read more

The property was very pretty and the hikes that were on the property were pretty, but the hikes were not long enough. I was disappointed at how remote the location was. I didn't know until I arrived that the owners lived so close to the cabin I rented. The cabin is filled with lots of warnings to keep the place clean and in good shape, you get the feeling that they are looking for reasons to keep the deposit money. I barely spent any time in the actual cabin and more time driving to other locations so I didn't have any issues. read more

My husband and I stayed here for three nights in March and loved it. It was as described in the listing, and the photos capture it well. I don't think I have slept that well in months- it was so quiet and peaceful. You could just hear frogs (in the fountain on the patio!) and crickets. It was a great location- tucked away but still close enough to drive to lots of beautiful areas. We spent one day hiking in the Big Sur area, one day at Point Lobos, and one day wandering around Carmel. We also enjoyed using the wood burning stove at night and hanging out in the various hammocks on the property. Each morning we had breakfast on the patio and watched/listened to the birds. The owners are friendly and live on site if you need anything but give you privacy. We will come again! read more

My wife and I stayed at the Forest Cottage for a few days and it was simply awesome. Minutes away from the coast, but secluded and in a private section of redwood, complete with its own network of walking trails, stream, redwoods and vistas. The property and surrounding land is beautiful, the hosts are most gracious, and we can't wait to return to explore more of Big Sur! read more

The house is centrally located between Los Padres National Forest and Carmel-by-the-Sea. It feels very remote but conveniences such as groceries gas and restaurants are just a 20 min drive north and Bixby Bridge is a 10 minute drive south. The house and grounds are meticulously maintained and it's apparent that a lot of thought went into the details. The Forest Cottage was well stocked, immaculate, and in perfect working order. Brianne couldn't have been a better host and we would highly recommend. read more

We had a really nice time at Heart Circle Mountain. The Little Gem cottage is absolutely immaculate, and the owners anticipated every need we had. One tip for future guests--we wandered up to Monterey one evening and had a fantastic dinner at 1833, a real find only about 30 mins from the cottage. Highly recommended! read more

The property is beautiful and the location is perfect, halfway between Big Sur and Carmel. We stayed in The Little Gem, a cozy little cottage. We arrived on a rainy day and Andrew had the wood stove already burning for us. You can see the main house from the cottage and there were other people there, but we never heard them. It felt secluded and private, the perfect getaway. We'll be back! read more

I rented the little gem cabin for the weekend as a getaway for my fiancee's 30th birthday. I have to say that it was an incredible place to stay! If you're looking to get away and have magnificent vistas everywhere you turn this is the place to go! The Little Gem is situated on a mountain and when you look out your window you see the gorgeous forest surrounding you! It's an amazing view to wake up to. The rentals are situated on private property with their own incredible hikes. We did a couple of hikes that led to a beautiful waterfall amongst the redwood trees. They keep everything immaculate and we had everything we needed within the little gem (kitchenette with everything you need to cook or bake, dining area, queen sized memory foam mattress, wood burning stove for the couples on romantic getaways, and a beautiful bathroom with relaxing tub). The only thing I would point out that may be a problem in this technological world is the fact that there is no cell reception in this area until you exit the city. They do provide free WIFI and landline access in front of the main house (there is no wifi or cell phone service in the cabin). We can't live without internet access and when we're in our pjs we found this to be a slight inconvenience. The owners were very nice and made sure we had all the information we needed about surrounding hikes, cities, and things to do. We definitely plan to come back! read more

This place is AWESOME! June 2014 First of all, I have to say that our whole experience started here because my husband had a hankering to go to the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite. I checked it out, and it was totally booked FOREVER (no surprise) and the far out dates that were available were exorbitantly priced (again, no surprise). We just wanted a getaway in the near future, with a few requirements thrown in. In searching through VRBO, I was fortunate to land upon the Little Gem Cabin. Big Sur has been a long time favorite of ours - so close to a lot of amenities, but in a world of it's own. The location, privacy & beauty intrigued us, but the hiking trails complete with hammocks, tables & waterfalls had my husband's name written all over it! We would recommend this for anyone (especially a couple) who just wants to step outside their 'normal world' and spend a few low-stress days. (Side note: if you need to be attached to the outside world 24/7 this might not be for you... cell service is not available at the cabin, although there is WiFi at the main house not too far away) Andrew & Brianne were wonderful to communicate with, and offer much information above and beyond. We hope we are able to come and visit again someday soon............ read more

The Little Gem is a beautiful, immaculate setting for a get away. Andrew and Brianne are very welcoming hosts and are willing to offer suggestions for places to go/things to do/places to eat, but they also offer you plenty of privacy. The cottage has everything that you need for a relaxing stay, with a very functional kitchenette, breakfast nook, comfortable bed, beautiful sun-filled bathroom, wood stove, and lots of outdoor space (a private deck and succulent garden in addition to the shared terrace at the main house and walking trails with hammocks and tables). Just bring sunscreen and a book and you'll be very happy. (Quick, easy access to Big Sur beaches and hikes as well as the towns of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey, etc. Absolutely stunning setting.) read more