I have stayed at the Straus Home Ranch twice now for teacher retreats and I cannot say enough positive things about it. The home is historic and full of love. The family history here is compelling and part of why we chose to stay here- it is a privilege to be part of the Straus family's world, and to see the land that Mrs. Straus fought to preserve. The home is comfortable and lends itself to so many great memories- we enjoy conversations in every nook and love retreating to our rooms for much needed rest. The views around the property are stunning. One of my stays was rainy and that was equally delicious - this natural invitation to hunker down and read and be present. Michael is a wonderful person and host and has always shown us such kindness and openness. It is great working with him to set up the place prior to our arrival, from extra requests to making a fire pit for s'mores. This place holds a special place in my heart and I would come back more often if I could afford to - it's a great treat. You will love it. read more

Straus Home Ranch - Doing an art activity with the teachers in the living room. - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Marshall, California

Have you ever worked with a vendor who was so wonderful you instantly wanted to be friends with them? That's Michael and Vivien Straus. They had our hearts within minutes of meeting them, and we quickly learned that their warmth was matched with deep event planning expertise, lightning fast responses to all manner of inquiries, and a general willingness to do absolutely everything within their power to make our wedding seamless. We can't say enough positive things about Vivien and Michael. We had heard planning a wedding would be stressful, but largely thanks to Vivien and Michael, we honestly never felt stressed. They regularly welcomed us to the ranch ahead of our wedding, helping us build a special bond to the land and to their family. They worked so effectively as a team, helping us find lodging, answering questions on behalf of our other vendors, thoughtfully navigating asks related to honoring recently passed family members, and so much more. During the wedding weekend, Michael bent over backwards to make sure everything ran smoothly, always beaming with a huge smile. His soft serve ice cream was such a big hit! It was always such a relief to see Michael, because we knew he was fixing something we didn't have to worry about, or making something work better, or just thinking 10 steps ahead to make a future moment run smoothly. He is exactly who you want at your wedding!! We had the wedding of our dreams and we can't imagine a better place or better hosts for this special moment in our lives. We plan to visit Straus Home Ranch regularly and will loudly sing the praises of Michael and Vivien everywhere we go, because we're convinced there is no better place on the planet to host a wedding. read more

Straus Home Ranch - Wedding barn - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Marshall, California

Straus Home Ranch came onto our radar via Airbnb, as I was searching for a fun place for a group stay. While that Airbnb group trip never happened, I tucked the venue away in the back of my mind when thinking of beautiful and interesting places for a wedding venue. It was immediately obvious after our first visit that Straus Home Ranch was absolutely the perfect place for us to get married, and we would do whatever it took to make that happen, including waiting out the pandemic until things calmed down and putting a date in the sand many months later. Michael and Vivien were so hospitable, gracious, and immediately made us feel so at ease throughout the whole process, and we are so grateful to them for hosting us at their home. They are both such kind people, the type of folks you want to befriend immediately upon meeting them. We hosted a 100 person wedding in August, and could not have been happier celebrating our special day in such a gorgeous location - from our ceremony up at the top of the hill, to dancing the night away at the barn, we thoroughly relished every moment that we had, including staying a few nights before at the newly built Calf House! Straus Home Ranch will always hold a special place in our hearts. We look forward to heading up north so that we can enjoy the great outdoors, shuck some oysters, and say hello to our friends for life. Thank you Michael and Vivien for helping make our dream wedding a reality! read more

The second we set foot on the property, we KNEW. This is the place. It's stunning and upscale, but also so, so relaxed and unfussy. They have thought through the details, but nothing feels formulaic. So many of the other venues feel like a "wedding factory." Straus feels like a luxe weekend at a family lake house. The owners are flexible, communicative, and kind. They have stellar relationships with all of the local vendors. We felt our wedding was perfect, but to hear over and over again from our guests, "this is the BEST wedding we've ever been to" was just magic! read more

We got married at Straus in October 2019 and it was the best choice we could have made. The venue itself is incredibly beautiful, with tons of character and charm and plenty of opportunity to make it your own. Michael and Vivian went above and beyond to ensure our day was special and went off without a hitch. If you are thinking of booking Straus for your special day or other event, don't hesitate, just do it!! read more

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Great spot especially when there is theater. The presence of the family of this famous dairy makes it a special spot.

There are truly no words to describe Straus Home Ranch. When we came upon the wedding wire listing we immediately had a feeling in our stomachs that this could be our wedding venue. The second we stepped foot on the grounds for our tour with Vivien, we both had goosebumps covering our whole bodies. Straus is a slice of heaven that makes you feel right at home. There are wildflowers growing everywhere you look, cows roaming the field above the ranch, twinkle lights in the trees, a beautiful white house that your whole family can stay in, a eucalyptus grove for the ceremony that truly doesn't even need wedding flowers because the backdrop will take your breath away, a HUGE red barn for the best wedding dance party of your lives, and lastly the most INCREDIBLE brother-sister duo (Michael and Vivien) to guide you through the wedding planning process. Michael and Vivien are two of the kindest, warmest, and most charismatic people we have ever met. They have created this beautiful oasis for others and they welcome each couple in with open arms. They are both responsive and highly professional when communicating about logistics. They made us feel heard, taken care of, and completely at ease with each decision for our wedding day. We cannot wait to come back and visit the ranch just to hang out with them!!! THANK YOU MICHAEL AND VIVIEN FOR THE BEST DAY OF OUR LIVES!!! read more

The best experience of my life! Granted I married the best woman I could but the Straus Home Ranch and the wonderful family who shares the property with those lucky enough to find it and smart enough to make the decision to sign up for an experience here are the kind of friends everyone should have in life. They are just great, generous and kind people whom work very hard to ensure their home and property is delightful and welcoming to those who want to use it. We had a small wedding here with family and our closest friends, ceremony on the beach, reception dinner in the beautiful lawn in front of the historic home and partied all night in the small barn - prior to the remodel of the large barn. If you're thinking of getting married here or holding a retreat or just want to stay for a few nights, book it now! It is absolutely amazing! read more

We got married at Straus in Oct 2021, and it is a magical place! We are so so happy with our decision to get married here. First off, Vivien and Michael are awesome to work with. They were very flexible and accommodating with our 2 reschedules due to covid. They are very warm and friendly people, and a pleasure to work with. And the entire wedding weekend, Michael was always around to offer to help/lend a hand, which took a lot of stress off (so thank you!)... Next, the ranch is amazing! It is so beautiful and so well kept, from the main house, to the front garden, eucalyptus grove and barn. We had multiple guest comment on how beautiful and magical this place is, and we couldn't agree more. This will always be a special place to us, and we can't wait to stay here again! read more

We attended a show in the barn. Lovely welcome from the Straus family, beautiful grounds and venue. Hoping for more theater events there in the future read more

I spent a weekend in Dec 2017 at the Straus Home Ranch and the experience, hospitality, comfort, and food were all beyond stellar. The Straus family were amazing hosts. Getting to the Straus Home Ranch was very easy using the detailed instructions provided by the Straus family. Michael Straus was our host for the weekend. The home was absolutely GORGEOUS, better than the pictures online, and perfect for our party of 10, celebrating a 40th birthday party. Michael ensured we would have a comfortable stay and we appreciate the attention to small details in this home. The home had beautiful views of the bay, secluded and private. We wanted to spend as much time at the Straus Home Ranch as possible so we hired Stacey, personal chef referred by Michael to fix up our meals. For Saturday's dinner she prepared one of the most beautiful cheese and charcutarie platters I've ever seen. It included local cheeses and an array of delicatessen meats, fruits, and nuts. We also could not have passed on the oysters of Tomales Bay which Stacey also provided. We enjoyed a lovely home cooked dinner and her chocolate desserts were a must try! On Sunday morning we used the little barn for a yoga class. The home provided plenty of yoga mats, blankets, and yoga blocks which was so convenient. We had a 90 minute yoga class, open barn close to nature, listening to the birds chirping, and the smell of fresh air. We laughed, danced, ate, drank, and celebrated with our friends. We all left feeling like we left a retreat and our souls were filled with love. The Straus Home Ranch was the perfect setting for us and highly recommended for anyone looking for a setting to create memories. Thank you for the once in a lifetime experience!! Linda read more

What a wonderful way to spend my wives 60th birthday. Great friends and a warm and inviting home overlooking the Bay.

I purchased a lovely Valentine's gift for my husband of Cheese spread and chocolates from Straus Home Ranch. I'm not a cheese person but the two cheeses I received were AMAZING!!! Hearts Desire Cowgirl Creamery and BiValve Foundry Fresh Organic Cheese Spread were light and delicate and delicious. I haven't tried the chocolates yet (waiting for Valentine's Day) but the packaging was beautiful and secure with a cold pack inside. Treat yourself to something special for any occasion and help support small business. read more

Straus Home Ranch - Valentine Collection from Straus Family Ranch - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Marshall, California

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml_n1U4K9cA We hosted a party with 350 people at Straus Home Ranch last month and everyone still can't stop talking about how lovely it was. Vivien is such an incredible host and the caterer she recommended (Stacy Lauer) provided the most stunning local food spread. The whole experience was a class act and so very "west Marin." I would highly recommend them for any size function you have! I can't wait to work with them again for our next party. Thanks again Vivien, Michael, and Stacy!!! read more

Tomales Bay and the little city of Marshall is so special to my husband and I, and we were so thankful we stumbled upon Straus Home Ranch as our wedding venue. From the start Vivien was so welcoming and let us tour the ranch and answered any and all questions we had. I knew from the minute I walked on their property that the ranch was somewhere special and I just had to have our wedding there. Both Vivien and Michael were in constant contact throughout the planning process and assisted in anything that we needed. It was so stress free and easy that I kept telling my husband how thankful I am for the both of them making our weekend so special. We had our rehearsal dinner in the smaller barn and our wedding in the bigger barn and absolutely loved our stay at the farmhouse. There is so much history surrounding the property you can't help but feel the love and appreciation they have for their ranch and all the hard work put in to making it one of a kind. You will instantly feel like family and I think that was the most important feeling of all. I cannot recommend Vivien and Michael enough. They are some of the most wonderful people you will ever meet and have the pleasure of working with. We are looking forward to going back and just relaxing on the property and enjoying all that Tomales has to offer. Thank you so much Vivien and Michael for letting us enjoy your ranch for our wedding and for all of your help making our day so special and one we'll never forget. Gina and Jason P.Sa they have the BEST soft serve ice cream and chocolate milk!! read more

Straus Home Ranch - The Renovated Barn - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Marshall, California

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I loved every detail of the house, you could see that they spent their time thinking about our comfort and harmony of the place. I literally felt at home there. This is a perfect place to go and zone out from the world. read more

We can't say enough good things about Straus, or about working with Michael and Vivian. Our wedding weekend (June 2019) could not have been more special, and the two of them could not have been more delightful to work with. From the beginning and throughout the planning process, they were kind, generous, welcoming, uber-responsive, and organized - they went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we could ever want for our wedding. We are still feeling giddy and blissful about our weekend at the beautiful ranch. It was so wonderful to be able to have all of our wedding events there, from the Friday night barbecue on the lawn, intimate gatherings by the water, the ultimate dance party in the big barn, and a picnic brunch on Sunday in the small barn - it was the most magical home-away-from-home for all of our friends and family for the weekend. What a special place, what special people, what an incredible weekend - we will be forever grateful! read more

Straus Home Ranch - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Marshall, California

Wow...what a house and experience! It was an absolutely perfect stay for our group of 9 friends celebrating my fiancé's birthday weekend on 6/28/14. I would highly recommend the location if you want a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. Michael was the best host I've ever come across, which is a high compliment. He gave us an historical tour of the farm, the fields, the beach, the barns, and a great overview of the Straus Family Creamery history in the organic movement/land preservation of Marin County. Really amazing if you're into that sort of thing (which we are). So much history in Tomales Bay! He then let us be to enjoy the property...which had everything. The kitchen is huge and fully stocked with all the oils, spices, condiments, specialty utensils (shucker!), kitchen gadgets (rice cooker), cast iron pans, gas grill, and even a nice care basket of Straus Creamery items. We bought 2 bags of hog island oysters to shuck in the afternoon, had fish tacos in the evening with all the sides, and a big farm breakfast the next morning. For dinner, we loved the huge table setting...with some day trippers coming up, 12 people fit around the table for dinner pretty comfortably. The rooms...wow! All four of them are upstairs and are gorgeous. Lots of natural light, brand new beds, tasteful decor, and each had views of the bay or farm. The upstairs has such a cool wrap around deck that some friends hung out to play music on and some of us enjoyed star gazing after dark, such a cool feature. We had people go to bed at different times and the noise from downstairs didn't bother anyone trying to sleep earlier. There was also a TV room (which we didn't use much, except for the 9th person who used the comfy pull out couch). We did use the piano and sitting room, with a baby grand that was used a lot :) Comfy, stylish couches-chairs and floor rugs that when we moved into that area. We also loved the big 1st floor wrap around porch, but spent most of the afternoon in the front yard and the patio area shucking/eating oysters, drinking wine, and enjoying a perfect sunny day. We also really enjoyed taking a stroll the nearby beach across highway 1 after dinner...I only wish we would have brought some firewood to enjoy the cool evening at the beach longer. Also a plus, no mobile phone service :) but great wifi for hooking up to spotify and posting your favorite pics instantly, ha. I can't recommend the Straus Ranch enough...just go!!! read more

I had my 40th birthday here with eight of my best friends. My dream was to have an overnight retreat for my girls and myself that would include great food, great wine, great cannabis, a beautiful atmosphere, some yoga, meditation and time for self reflecting. I was able to work with the owners, Michael and Vivian and they made my dreams come true! Every single attendee had the best time and left feeling better for having been on this amazing property. The unobstructed views and access to the very private feeling coastline That is just a few feet away from the home was so great to sit and be still. The home had every amenity that you can desire to make your stay comfortable. I am a planner and one of my girlfriends is an actual event planner, so we brought tons of stuff, however we didn't need any of it. They have coffee makers, coffee grinders, beautiful stemware, dinner plates, all kinds of Kitchen and cookware. Super soft sheets, pillows and towels (you don't think of these things until you stay at a place that sucks).. Everything here is quality and very tasteful. Waking up in the sun filled rooms made everybody's morning so much sweeter. The small barn where we practiced morning Yoga was out of a story book or a nostalgic childhood movie. Our yoga instructor, Thaisa, was awesome and took us on a transformative guided meditation that was very different and so peace inducing. Loved every moment. I'm excited to have future events there, as I heard that their new huge barn restoration is almost complete. This property is truly a gem and allows for the most simple to the most extravagant getaways to be filled with magic and great memories. Definitely on my favorites list. read more

Straus Home Ranch - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Marshall, California

Our film crew shot a music video for Leslie DiNicola at Straus Home Ranch in early May, 2015. Overall experience was stellar, with Michael and Vivien graciously providing excellent hospitality throughout our stay. The property itself is gorgeous, crowned by a charming farm house with updated appliances and amenities. Just a short one hour drive from our east bay production studio in Emeryville! Highly recommended! 10/10 would rent again. :) read more

We are still basking in the glow of all things Straus Home Ranch. Michael and Vivien were a dream to work with from the moment we contacted them, and our wedding weekend was everything we could have hoped for and more. I would highly recommend booking Straus for any event you have in mind-it's cozy, relaxing, and a true escape from stress. Golden hour over the water is absolutely beautiful, and the cows next door are curious and cute. The house is stocked with everything you could possibly need, and the new barn is gorgeous. Thanks for a magical wedding spot, Michael & Vivien! read more

After extensive searching, dreaming, and scouting, my wife and I fell in love with Straus Home Ranch as a potential wedding venue. As we left after our initial visit, we loved everything about the house, the property, and the hosts. It is so beautiful...a perfect mix of rustic, cute, charming, and naturally classic. All the details are well tended to. The house is clean, and well set up for cooking, sleeping, and hanging out with 8 people. Vivien and Michael are so helpful with everything. I couldn't imagine better hosts. Given that we were asking to be their first wedding of our size, they were incredibly accommodating and considerate of our needs. After many visits to the farm, and much communication about the details, we had our wedding with 75 guests at the house two weekends ago. It was perfect! The weather, the lighting, the space for ceremony and reception everything was so beautiful, easy, and smooth.. I couldn't be happier with our experience. As a bonus, we we're able to rent two beautiful houses directly across the road from the house for many of our wedding guests (20) to stay. They were able to take a beautiful walk to and from the house to celebrate with us without the hassle of having to drive. Everything worked out so well. Our guests loved it, we loved it...I only wish that I could do it all again! Whether you are looking for a gorgeous and cozy place for a family get away, or a unique venue on the California coast. I highly recommend Straus Home Ranch. read more

Straus Home Ranch is one of the most beautiful places in Northern California. But what sets it apart are the Strauses themselves. Michael and Vivien were a joy to work with in the planning, imagining and execution of my son's wedding. They were responsive, friendly, full of ideas, willing to go out of their way to help in any way possible. The site of the ceremony atop the hill, overlooking Tomales Bay, was magical. You didn't think it could get any better. Until you entered the barn, which manages to be both intimate and spacious at the same time. Their professional catering kitchen is on a separate level and behind a curtain, so one can dance with abandon without running into the chef and servers. We had a welcome party the night before on the lawn in front of the gorgeous refurbished farmhouse - which actually housed about half of the wedding party - and throughout the weekend, Michael helped us with all the many tools they offer to create a perfect event - a bar, heaters, benches, twinkling lights, a blazing firepit, boxes of vases and votives, blankets, a wedding arch, and on and on. They are set up to give you the most memorable, gorgeous wedding you've ever envisioned. And they do. And, best of all, there is not a moment of stress with them - they are fun and funny and cheerful as can be. You will want to think of excuses just to go back to Straus Home Ranch and hang out with them. Honestly, I am still buzzing with the joy they created with their amazing venue and energy and warmth. I will never forget the weekend. Or them. Do not consider anywhere else for your special event. read more

We had our wedding at the Straus Home Ranch on April 6 and it could not have been more perfect. Thank you to Vivien and Michael for sharing their property and their home - not only is this a beautiful venue, but it's a beautiful family that we're lucky to have found. We can't wait to come back (but not for another wedding. maybe just like a big birthday party!). read more

This is the house the Straus Family lived before, and you can feel the warm hospitality the family always had. Renovated as a modern vacation house, the house still has the feel of the history and memories of the family. The owners, Michael and Vivian, are very friendly and pay attention to the details of the house. It is close to many attracted places such as Hog Oyster Company, Cow Girl Creamery and Point Reyes station. Surrounded by the beautiful nature, the house has both the convenience of the modern life and the nice atmosphere of the rural life. We are sure you will enjoy a most wonderful stay there! read more

Straus Review The Straus Siblings: Michael and Vivian are two of the friendliest and warmest souls we have met. As soon as we arrived on Straus for the initial tour, we knew it was the place for us. They made us feel like a part of the family and were extremely helpful and accommodating. On the day of the wedding Michael drove our limited mobility guests up to the Ceremony site and waiting during the portraits after the ceremony to take my mom back down. One of my favorite parts of the wedding was having Michael around and my Uncle had brought down his specialty salmon from Chelan, WA he had caught and smoked for us to share. We made sure Michael was given some as a thank you for all of his generosity. The Area: if you live in the Bay Area you know how special and beautiful Western Marin is. Straus Ranch encapsulates the natural beauty of the regional plants. The Ceremony site is in the organic pasture with a Cypress and Eucalyptus grove that overlooks Tomales Bay. We highly recommend taking the less efficient root of going through Fairfax, making a stop in Point Reyes Station, and then continuing on the 1 till you hit Straus. There are a ton of outdoor activities in the area: kayaking, hiking, horseback riding. Tomales Bay is known for its oysters - go to Nick's Cove, Marshall Store (our favorite), or Hog Island Oyster if it isn't too packed! You'll tell by how much parking there is on the 1. The Home Ranch: The house is absolutely stunning. As soon as you walk up to it you see a gorgeous open porch, and green window shutters that tie to the vibrant grass color. Each room upstairs is extremely cozy. You feel transported to a rustic heaven and everything is where it belongs. The décor reflects the historical functionality of the ranch and family history. There is a top deck that was fun to hang out on while the sun is shining. The Dining room has a stunning wooden farm table that seats 8-10. The kitchen has every amenity you can think of. The morning of the wedding and the morning after we made breakfast in the kitchen and set everything up on the dining room table casually. It was perfect and has a great layout. The Living Room + TV Room both have ample seating and the Steinway Piano is a bonus. Especially if you have persons who play in your group! I enjoyed the outdoor table and benches the most in the front lawn. It was a gathering space for the bridal parties in the morning and we were able to eat out side and drink our coffee after eating our food. The Lawn: We had our wedding set up on the west lawn for dinner with long farm tables and a few rounds with canapes. The ground is flat enough and more functional than we originally thought. That allowed us to have our dance floor next to the wooden floor in the front of the lawn near the house. Since our wedding was in September (summertime in the Bay Area) we wanted our dancing outside! It was the right amount of room and we were able to set up tables and chairs around for our older guests to sit and watch. Barn and Shed: While we did not use the Shed for any of our wedding, it was used as storage which was great! The Barn was under construction, but it was a joy to go in and see. The next time we go back to Straus we will definitely be utilizing the newly renovated barn! Accommodations: There are two VBROs across the street that sleep a substantial amount of people (10-12) and give you access to a dock on the Bay. We had our first look photos there. About a 5-minute drive away is Nick's Cove - these are a little pricey but extremely convenient. Pricing: you cannot beat the pricing for a venue in the Bay Area. Not only is it affordable compared to other venues, you get so much more than what you pay for. Straus is a very special place with rich history. You can feel it as soon as you arrive. read more

This is a wonderful little farm rich with history, and it is a beautiful area with other places to visit nearby..

We booked Straus Home Ranch for our July 2019 wedding and it was more amazing than we could ever have imagined. We booked it on the spot after visiting the property for the first time- even though we know there would be logistical challenges with hosting a 130-person wedding out in West Marin with spotty cell service and limited lodging options. But we fell in love with the property, with the Straus family, and getting married on Tomales Bay was incredibly special to us. The grounds are gorgeous, you can see the water from most places on the property. We loved that we could do all the weekend festivities in one place- the rehearsal dinner on the lawn, the wedding in the pasture overlooking the water, the reception in the beautiful remodeled barn, and the brunch the next day back on the lawn. The farmhouse was a comfortable and cozy place to stay. Our guests loved the venue, and we felt right at home there. It is a little more work than a traditional wedding venue, as you need to bring in everything for the wedding including rentals and food. But, I gotta say it was more than worth it. The Straus family was incredible to work with, and just the kindest people you will ever meet. We loved the cows, the organic soft serve ice cream, and all the other little touches that made it special. The Straus family was so helpful, so responsive, and genuinely warm. Thank you Michael and Vivien for a wedding weekend that far exceeded even our highest expectations! read more

I was hired as a violinist and bandleader for a May wedding at the Straus Home Ranch. The owner Michael called me up personally to ask what he could do to prepare for the band, so I visited the venue 3 weeks before the event, and we discussed his plans for landscaping. There is now a wooden stage and flat area of lawn perfect for band and dance floor. I am immensely grateful to Michael for his support and preparations. SHR is truly one of the most delightful places I have had the opportunity to perform. read more

We had our wedding here, it was perfect for a small group (30) and the house is absolutely gorgeous. All of the guests were blown away by the place. Very comfortable inside and four bedrooms upstairs. Great place for a weekend getaway. read more

In the search for our wedding venue, the beautiful Straus Home Ranch immediately caught our attention. After touring the gorgeous grounds with the kind and accommodating Vivien and Michael, we felt an immediate kinship to them and were completely taken by the magical setting of their Ranch. We knew without a doubt that this was the place for us. When the day came for our intimate gathering of family and friends, the beautiful surroundings proved to be the perfect place to celebrate our special day. Vivien and Michael were genuinely happy to help and be available for any questions or concerns that arose throughout the weekend. Our guests couldn't stop talking about what a perfect event it was. From the towering eucalyptus trees, the charming interior decor, the bay-front beach--we had a wealth of incredible places to spend our weekend. We can't imagine having our wedding anywhere else, and could not recommend this property more highly. read more

We stayed here for a few days this past summer and it is truly an amazing place. Beautiful old house and lovely property. Met Michael on one of the mornings and he kindly let the kids meet the cows that had wandered down the hill. We will return one day - highly recommended! read more

This place is a dream. First of all, the location! Snug in a hollow among centenarian eucalyptus trees and picturesque red dairy barns, facing Tomales Bay, with Hog Island and Pt Reyes filling our view, we felt as far from the city as can be. The closest neighbors were the cows of the Straus Dairy; you'll see them go by busily and happily from time to time. Architecturally and agriculturally it's like the living the history channel or at the very least some crazy real estate advertisement -- good farmhouse design means wrap-around porches on the sunny sheltered sides, bedrooms in corners with multiple sunny windows -- except that the furniture and kitchen are completely and beautifully updated and there was fast wifi! Wonderful Pt. Reyes Station was just 20 minutes away (oh, the bakery! the bookstore!) and fun Nick's Cove just 3 (the bloody mary!), not to mention several oyster joints where you can feast on the bounty that grew just a few paddles from where you sit. Our beds might well have been the coziest and most comfortable I've ever slept in. The kitchen is perfect form gathering and cooking, and you won't believe the farm table made from wood salvaged from one of the dairy barns. Host and owner Michael Straus was caring and wonderful. Go for as long as you can. I am dreaming of my next escape to this wonderful place. read more