Idyllic Mill Valley cottage next to Muir Woods

Situated on a secluded 1 1/2 acre garden paradise our cottage is nestled amongst the giant redwood trees that have been the focus of authors and explorers for generations. Walk or take a short drive to Muir Woods, our cozy cottage is ideal to write your memoirs, commune with nature, write that book or binge watch Jack Ryan.

We would love to tell you how wonderful the home is but those who have stayed here have left reviews that we hope you find more telling.

This once in a lifetime cottage escape is just minutes from famed Muir Woods, Mt. Tam and sits atop some of the best hiking trails in all of Northern California.

An escape retreat for hikers, naturalists, explorers and those wanting to immerse in a redwood forest surrounded by overgrown gardens and canopies of nature and light.

If you want to hike Muir Woods, you can walk from the house to Canopy Trail - one of the nicest. It’s a short drive to Muir beach and the Coastal Fire trails, and a not very long drive to Stinson.

Is this home for you?
Yes if you seek privacy, beauty, serenity. This is where one comes to escape the noise and immerse in nature. This is not for you if you’re seeking luxury, modern, spacious, suburban.

The cottage is private, peaceful, and quiet. Past guests have shared this was a fantastic, idyllic, cozy cottage that fulfilled all of their hopes and went beyond expectations. The decor, cleanliness and location was beyond great. With high speed wifi and gas starting wood burning fireplace, you may not need to leave in order to recharge and reconnect with nature, with your significant other or yourself.

***The road getting here is windy, but once you're here we guarantee you will not want to leave. Our description will be helpful as will our photos, but hundreds of reviews also tell the story of what this cottage in the woods has meant to nearly every single person who has stayed here.

Our dream like cottage is set on a 1 1/2 acre "park-like" setting with a beautiful and diverse garden. In fact the previous owner was a botanist who brought in rare & non native plantings. What may at first glance appear as overgrowth is an intentional landscape plan that promotes height, depth, color, and an array of fragrances.

This mountain home retreat is situated on a hill with beautiful views of the valley, and the Bay. It offers a ladder-to-loft hideaway for an extra 2 people (in addition to the quaint master bedroom).

A fireplace in the living room will truly bring you comfort and warmth in any season.

Note that our washer/dryer is below the home (in a basement like room) - meaning you'll have to exit the main door and walk outside to reach the room in order to perform wash/dry.

Please note: Access to the property is down a narrow street and requires a 3 mile drive up the famed Mt. Tam and Panoramic Highway arterial streets. Once here you are guaranteed to find peace, quiet, relaxation and no desire to ever leave our mountain retreat and hideaway.

A Note About Our Weather/Climate:
For most times of the year, we are blessed with perfect Northern California weather. Cool mornings and evenings and warm and pleasant mid day and afternoon temps.
Please note, that the home is located in a “banana belt’. The fog can be blowing in heavily on the mountain but at our place it can be beautiful and sunny. It’s actually pretty weird!

Property Details:
Number of floors in the property: 2
Living Area: 800 sq. ft.
Number of bedrooms: 2
Number of bathrooms: 1
Number of beds: 2
Master Bedroom: Main Floor/Queen bed
Loft: Upstairs Loft/Full bed
**THE LOFT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN ** this is a ladder climb up

We kindly ask that the couch not be used as a bed.

KITCHEN AND DINING:
Available in the property: Refrigerator,Stove,Oven,Microwave,Dishwasher,Coffee Maker,Toaster,Dishes Utensils,Pantry Items
Dining area seats: 4
Is there a child's highchair available: No
Important details regarding "Kitchen and Dining": 2 Extra dining chairs in Master bedroom closet if wanting to fit 6

ENTERTAINMENT:
Available in the property: TV, Streaming Device, Satellite/Cable, Internet, Wireless Internet (Continuous access in the listing), Games, Books
Total number of TVs: 2
Location of the TVs: Living Room & Primary Bedroom
Guests should be prepared to login *and logout on the smart TV apps with their own accounts
The living room is a 43" smart tv with preloaded apps (Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Disney)
The 40" Primary Bedroom has a Roku Device.

UTILITIES:
Available in the property: Central Heating, Washer, Dryer
AC IS NOT NECESSARY - even during summer season in the home.

SAFETY IN THE PROPERTY:
Safety Checklist: Smoke Detector, Carbon Monoxide Detector, First Aid Kit, Fire Extinguisher
How many smoke detectors?: 1
How many carbon monoxide detectors?: 1

Distance from the property to the beach: 10 miles to Stinson, 5 miles to Muir Beach
Important detail regarding "Outdoor Features": Sitting "pad" with chaise and umbrella that is separate from the house and looks towards the Bay (although the Redwood trees have grown up considerably in the last few years and have blocked most of the water view)

As much as is necessary. We are available nearly 24/7 before and during your stay but only if and when you need assistance. Otherwise the home is all yours. We also want to make this a unique experience and not just like a run of the mill hotel. We may text hello from time to time to ask how the stay is going. We may drop a gift for you or welcome present (like a dessert) to make your stay just a little bit sweeter. We are just a bit old fashioned when it comes to that kind of thing (customer service) and in a day and age where everything moves so fast and is so digital, we like to take a step back and slow things down a bit -- at least just enough to say hello in person, to shake your hand and thank you for choosing our home for your vacation needs.

We use Air Concierge hospitality management for all guest interactions.

Sun Trail leading up to Stinson beach, or a hidden hike that leads you all the way through the magical hills of coastal valley to Muir beach... Grab a bite at the end of your hike at Pelican Inn at Muir beach, and watch the surfers, or enjoy a stroll on the beach.
Go the other direction - and find some of the most unique and sophisticated restaurants that the Bay area has to offer... Molina is one.
Beerworks is the other. And a dozen others. You pick
Legendary Sweetwater for some rocking and rolling, and a dive bar 2AM club down the hill.

The location of the house is fantastic. The Dipsea stairs are just down the block, and for the adventurous, offers downtown Mill Valley by foot. (By car, it is a 3 minute drive.). Muir Woods, Muir Beach are both less than ten minutes away, with hundreds of miles of stunning hiking trails immediately adjacent to the house.

Mt. Tam Legends & Myths

Excerpted from a Mill Valley Herald article:

Praising Mt. Tamalpais, Marin’s Holy Mountain

In the classic Mountain Play “Tamalpa” a beautiful young Miwok maiden falls in love with an Indian prince. When he abandoned her, she walked to the top of the mountain nearby and died of heartbreak. As she sobbed, the mountain heard her intense sorrow and took pity. When finally she died, the mountain was so moved by it changed its form, taking on the supine shape of her body and become the SleepingLady, our dear Mt. Tamalpais.

The Hopis from Arizona used to travel up the West Coast gathering supplies. They always tried to make a stop at a Mt. Tamalpais beach to gather Kachina shells. These shells were considered very religious and worn only by the Kachina dancers and dolls. Grandfather David Monongye, the Hopi elder and holder of the Prophesies, gathered the shells as late as 1973 by offering prayers and sweet grass offerings to the Goddess of the Ocean to deliver up a good supply. Needless to say, that while on other occasions the beach offered few gifts, on this occasion the beach was filled with little white mounds of Kachina shells.

During the 1980’s, as more and more people from all over the world discovered the quiet beauty of the woods surrounding the peak, several momentous religious events happened on the Mountain. The Dalai Lama of Tibet paid a visit to the mountain several times, once to pray for peace with others at the very peak.

The highly publicized Harmonic Convergence of 1989 had Mt. Tamalpais as one of the center points of the convergence. People gathered from around the West to meditate in its woods and held ceremonies for the healing of the earth.

Mt. Tamalpais Image Copyright (c) Jason Armstrong and used w/permission

There are buses that take you back from Stinson if you choose to not hike back.
You could hop on a bus to Sausalito from the bottom of Dipsea steps, about 15 minute walk from the house.
Uber service is a quick and easy way to get around the area as well. They'll come get you at the end of your hike!

San Francisco is only 30 minutes away and a delightful drive through Golden Gate Bridge.

Mill Valley Depot is just a short drive away -- (less than 5 minutes). Catch commuter buses to San Francisco or head into picturesque Sausalito. While there, adventure over to Alcatraz or Angel Islands via ferry.

It's an approximate 40-50 minute trip by car to San Francisco International Airport. The Oakland International Airport can be reached in approximately 45-60 minutes.

Muir Woods; 10 min by car to entrance ; 45 minutes to walk

Mt. Tam: 2 min by car to entrance off Panoramic Highway

Our driveway/parking can accommodate 2-3 cars - however please note there is approximately a 50-75' path to reach the home from the location of the cars. This is a relatively flat and well lit area but travelers should note.

Our property is great for children, although under the age of 9, and due to our loft area, we would suggest the home is not suitable.

Security deposit required: $3000 refundable 14 days after check-out