We visited Mar Vista in early June this year and had such a magical time. Cab and Deanna are…read moregenuinely 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.

We had such a wonderful experience here and it makes an amazing retreat for when you need a place…read moreto 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!

Wonderful, spacious and clean rooms! Would definitely stay there again! The breakfast at Lumber…read moreJacks was good too!

I went to a yoga retreat at Shambhala Ranch during the recent fire storms in the area. It's a…read morelarge, rustic house with a big kitchen and cozy common rooms. The bedrooms are comfortable and the beds are very nice. My room had a great deck that was perfect for stargazing and sipping tea in the afternoon. The location is ideal for a relaxing, serene getaway. Tara, the owner, was very gracious and offered us a free extra night's stay when we learned that many roads were closed on Sunday. She and her husband were also very helpful in getting us information about alternate routes to get home.

This is one of those lovely bed and breakfasts you know you will return to time after time…read more The landlords, Chris and Brent, were great. Chris told some hysterical stories and Brent played straight man and was an incredible chef. Our room was very comfortable and wine and cheese on the porch in the late afternoon made the whole stay just the relaxing time we needed. We still feel impressed and mildly embarrassed by Chris picking up our huge suitcase and toting it up the stairs thanking "his mother's thighs". It's a destination and a reason to go to Calistoga.

My partner and I just spent the weekend at Embrace Calistoga, and it was easily one of the best bed…read moreand breakfast experiences we've ever had. From the moment we arrived, Brent and Chris made us feel like old friends coming home. The evening wine and cheese hour was such a treat. Local wines, great cheeses, and friendly conversation with other guests created this wonderful sense of community. And breakfast? Out of this world. Perfectly fluffy beignets, a croque madame baked in a delicate crepe, and berries tossed in a spiced wine syrup with cinnamon and star anise. It honestly rivaled any restaurant brunch I've ever had. The big wraparound porch was our favorite spot to relax, whether sipping morning coffee or enjoying a glass of wine at sunset. The location is ideal too, right in downtown Calistoga but still incredibly quiet and peaceful at night. Every detail here feels thoughtful, and every interaction genuine. You arrive as guests, but you really do leave as friends.

Had lunch here at Harbor House Inn and really enjoyed the experience. The cooking has a style that…read morefeels very much like its own. The food is incredibly clean and precise, but still has a surprising amount of depth and flavor. You can tell there's a lot of thought behind each dish, with the ingredients really being allowed to shine while still building layers of flavor throughout the meal. The freshness of the ingredients was definitely noticeable, but what stood out to me more was the depth of flavor. Nothing felt overly heavy or complicated, but the flavors were really developed and layered, which made the meal enjoyable from start to finish. The setting is also a huge part of the experience. The view outside is beautiful, and after lunch we were able to visit the private little beach and take a good walk. It was a great way to slow down and enjoy the scenery after the meal. Harbor House Inn is definitely its own experience. Beautiful setting, very clean cooking, and food that has a lot more depth and flavor than you might expect. Being able to enjoy the beach afterward made the whole lunch even better.

Harbour House worths more than 3 stars!!! The oceanfront view with sunset, the details of the…read morefurniture and tableware, the presentation of each dish, the five senses combined dinning experience. It'd be totally worth it to stay there for a night after the meal to enjoy the Elk vibe. The next day go for a hike around the coast, slow lifestyle at a few-hour drive away from the city!

Let me preface the review by saying the bed and pillows were VERY comfortable and I slept like a…read morebaby (which is not easy at my advanced age!) Unfortunately, I wasn't sure I'd have that opportunity. I booked the room through Expedia, which routed me through VRBO, and it's possibly this two-step process that caused the issues we encountered (I'm trying to give the owner the benefit of the doubt) This was just one night of a multi-night trip. As the day approached, I realized I hadn't gotten any info from VRBO regarding check-in instructions, etc. Typically, this is very detailed before-hand via email and text. We arrived at a very derelict-looking property about 6pm, and despite about seven cars in the parking lot, there weren't any signs of life. I walked up to what appeared to be the office and found it locked. There were some bare wires hanging out from where a doorbell would normally be. I knocked, but through the glass I could see there was no one inside. I rechecked my reservation info for phone numbers. I found two numbers, both of which went unanswered and was advised that the voice-mail was full. I went back to the front door and knocked loudly, to no avail. I attempted to jump the doorbell wires to make some noise inside, but that didn't work either. I went back to the car to try to find alternative lodging but I wasn't optimistic about finding anything on a summer evening on the California coast. The wife was starting to get hangry at this point, so I agreed to drive into Gualala to find food and hopefully a room. As we were pulling out of the parking lot, another couple was walking to their car, so I stopped and asked them if they had seen the proprietor, or had any idea where she might be. The wife asked if I had checked the obvious places, and then she suddenly realized, "Oh, your room is upstairs from us. It should be open!" Her husband, on the other hand, said "no, we don't even know who these people are". I assured him we were the correct people. I thanked her profusely for the info, and walked up a treacherous concrete staircase through the very overgrown foliage. At the top of the stairs, we found one door open, which led to a tiny foyer with two rooms, with coded locks. The first knob I tried was locked, the second door opened into a very musty-smelling (apparently not updated since possibly 1986), but otherwise, tastefully-appointed room. It has a small balcony with an ocean view, and as I mentioned, a very comfortable bed. There were wine and drink glasses provided, which was a nice touch. The bathroom is very aged. The tub is indeed a spa tub (though no larger than a standard bathtub), but I think you'd need to be quite desperate for a soak to use it, because your head would be adjacent to the toilet. There's an ice-maker in an odd place, in the under-sink cabinet. It was full, but it made me wonder when the filter had last been changed. Interestingly, there were five or six "guest books" in the room with entries dating back to the late 80's. It was almost like being in a museum! The next morning, we got up and left. We never heard nor saw any sign of the proprietor. At one point I was quite livid. In 2026, there is absolutely no reason for such a lack of communication from the property owner! The fact that we had to get check-in instructions from other guests, who we just happened to run into, is beyond ridiculous! Needless to say, we won't be back. . .

Like a mighty gray whale breaching the surface of the beautiful Pacific off the Mendocino County…read morecoast, the Whale Watch Inn has reopened. And if you're looking for a place to relax and revel in the calm, powerful beauty of that ocean and that coast, you should consider making this recovering gem your base of operations. A short drive to the restaurants, markets, art galleries and other artifacts of modern Northern California life, including multiple parks and trails. Grounds rich with local trees and well-tended flora. An eclectic selection of comfortable, television-free rooms and suites, some with kitchens or mini-refrigerators so you can lay in provisions and hide from the outside world. Free, fast Wi-Fi for when you want or need to reconnect to said outside world. A Whale Watch Lounge where you can read, play board games, heat some of your provisions or restaurant leftovers in the microwave (if there isn't one in your room) or just gape in slack-jawed wonder at the views. Several rooms have amazing views from windows or decks as well. A highlight of your stay will doubtless be any interactions you have with the marvelous Miren, She Who Runs Things at the Inn. Whether she's bringing your included hot breakfast to your room or recommending nearby attractions, Miren will definitely enhance your stay. There is a weathered, 134-step stairway that deposits you on a lovely stretch of beach. But if you walk, bike or motor to the nearby Anchor Bay Campground, you can buy a day pass that lets you skip those steps and walk comfortably to and from the beach with unlimited "in and out" privileges until sundown. It's not lavish, or pretentious, or overdone. It's comfortable, quiet, and in harmony with its surroundings. The Whale Watch Inn is a nearly perfect place to relax, recharge, and enjoy a perfect dose of some of the magic of the Northern California coast.

This was a beautiful little cottage location run by a sweet woman and her well behaved dog. We…read moreenjoyed our stay, slept well. Was a great option for lodging for a visit to Harbin, or anything else in the area like wine country. The rooms are old but well kept, nice large bathroom, working fridge, soundproof rooms. The breakfast is pure sugar, but if you like fruit it's fresh.

Clean, Cute, quaint and quiet space central Middletown...Miss Greta & Ollie were welcoming and…read moreaccomodating. We had a pleasant peaceful stay w/ comfy beds, Wifi, Cable Netflix YouTube Tv refrigerator microwave coffee pot tea as we spent a relaxing weekend in Harbin & Napa Valley Hope to stay again soon

We stayed two nights in the Aquitaine room. The artwork and decorations were eclectic. The…read morekitchenette with a decent sized mini fridge and freezer. With the available cooking utensils, we were able to make dinner one evening. A small grocery store is a few minutes south. We didn't use the fireplace but there are recliner chairs in front of it that were very inviting if you want a relaxing night in. It is easy to reach Diane and Damien via text. The day before we placed our breakfast order and it was delivered to our door in the morning. The ginger scone was my favorite but the biscuits were also huge and fluffy. Loved the matcha latte. The flowers and plants on the property were gorgeous. If you walk to the top of the property, there is a gazebo and sitting area. Perfect for a place to read. You can see the ocean and hear the Sea Lions. One night we signed up for an hour long session in the hot tub. It was very private, clean, and super relaxing. If you go after dark, the stars are incredible. The pathways were well lit for your walk back. Before visiting, I was a little unsure of what the electric vehicle charging would look like. There are two sections of parking, depending on which room you are staying in. They are well marked based on which room you stay in and don't require a long walk. I recommend to have directions saved and to look up ideas on where you want to go before you leave. There will be little to no signal once you leave the property. Had a fantastic dinner at Izakaya Gama (be sure to make reservations ahead of time) and went to The Record afterwards for a drink. There was a live band and so much positive energy. Damien and Diane were so friendly and welcoming. We can't wait to go back, try a different room, do a wine tasting with Diane and explore more of this gorgeous area. Thank you both for your hospitality!

Diane and Damien are great hosts, keeping a lovely B&B with serene grounds. Amazing getaway! Highly…read morerecommend. I'll be back to stay in the other rooms. Room- We stayed at Aquitaine. The room was clean and quaint. It came with a king bed and a day bed. The fireplace adds a rustic feel to the place. Breakfast - There is complimentary breakfast in the morning, make sure you put your orders in through text the night before. You must try the buttermilk biscuits. They arrived piping hot, crispy outside with soft delicate inside. Paired with jam or gravy, every bite is heavenly. They were so sweet and brought us cookies for our birthday. Wine tasting - we had wine tasting with Diane in the lounge room. she is very knowledgeable and a great conversationalist. A charcuterie board, nuts and dessert were waiting for us when we arrived. Damian even brought in a home made flat bread! She took us through 4 Anderson valley wines, introducing us to some small local vineyards.

We had a fantastic New Years weekend here. Thanks Mia and Kevin for the beautiful home in a…read morepicturesque setting. Check-in was easy, comfortable bed in a huge room. By the way, every room has a private bath, unlike a lot of B&Bs. The house has a variety of rooms and amenities, so do your homework to make sure you get what you're looking for. The WiFi was very spotty and cell signal is non-existent, so plan accordingly for this. The breakfast, while lighter than some B&Bs I've stayed at, was delicious. Everything is homemade by a very talented staff. The service all around was terrific. We ate dinner the first night at the Pier Chowder House, just a 2 minute walk to the waterfront. Good food, lots of local beer and wine to choose from. The second night we found out about a scampi and crab feed at the grange in Manchester, a few miles north of town. There's also a decent Indian Casino just outside of town. There's a great coop market in town (a mile away, back on Hwy 1), as well as a small movie theater that used to be a playhouse. They sometimes have live music events there, too. Be sure to drive 4 miles north to the lighthouse. You can actually climb up the 145 steps to the top and see for miles. Take your camera! There's a small museum and gift shop as well. All in all, we had a great weekend. It was well worth the drive. We'll be back!

Just got back from an amazing and relaxing LONG weekend up the coast with the wife. We spent two…read morenights at the Coast Guard House and I have to say, this is one of the quaintest and coziest little B&Bs I've ever stayed in. The location is right on the Arena Cove waterfront; secluded and - most importantly - quiet. The house was actually used by the Coast Guard back in the day so it has lots of history behind it. Your typical frilly Victorian B&B decor (bleh) is non-existant...think more turn-of-the-century craftsman. Our room (Surfmen Cove) was spacious, with a gas fireplace and sunken tub in the bathroom. Downstairs in the living room/parlor there is a wood burning stove that is usually lit in the mornings and evenings with a nice sitting area in front of it. Mmm, love that smell... The innkeepers, Kevin and Mia, have been operating this establishment since the mid-1990s. They are very friendly and willing to help you secure local dinner reservations as well as give you ideas on what to do with yourself while in the Mendocino area. Mia is originally from Philadelphia, so east coast feistiness + plenty of caffeine = enthusiastic "audio/visual presentations" over breakfast on local sights and activities. Fellow inn guests were just as friendly. The group this particular weekend was mostly from the south bay. One evening we ran into another couple staying at the inn at the Arena Cove Bar & Grill (just a few steps away from the CGH...another plus!) after driving back from dinner in Mendocino. We ended up sharing pints, stogies and port well into the wee hours. I would definitely come back here, and maybe next time try one of the two cottages they have on the grounds in addition to the five rooms in the main house. Holiday weekend note: The CGH can be flexible with reservation minimums. The website (which allows online reservations) says there is a three-night minimum required in order to make a reservation over a holiday weekend. For Memorial Day weekend, we actually wanted to stay at the CGH for only two nights (Friday and Saturday) and then head to Napa to stay at the Carneros Inn on Sunday night. On the previous Monday, I noticed online that there still seemed to be rooms available for the weekend. I phoned Kevin and he was agreeable to making an exception to the three-night rule and allowed us to complete our reservation for just two nights.