If you enjoy the experience of escaping from it all while still being close enough to a major metropolitan city to take advantage of its offerings, then La Grande Maison is the perfect destination for you. Nestled within the stunning Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Mt. Tamalpais State Park, La Grande Maison serves as a tranquil home base with breathtaking views and reliable, high-speed Wi-Fi —all just a 25-minute drive from San Francisco. This unique combination of serene nature and urban accessibility truly sets it apart.
Whether you're looking to explore the diverse ecosystems of the park, hike the scenic trails, or simply unwind in a peaceful setting, La Grande Maison provides the ideal backdrop for your getaway. Experience the best of both worlds—nature’s beauty and city life—right at your fingertips.
You’ll love taking short walks across the street to the breathtaking Muir Beach Overlook, where you can catch stunning sunsets over the deep blue Pacific. Alternatively, enjoy leisurely strolls through the towering giant redwoods of world-famous Muir Woods, just three miles away. If you’re a wine enthusiast, the picturesque wine regions of Napa and Sonoma Counties are only an hour and a half drive up the road. Your host, a former resident of Sonoma County, is eager to share insider tips on their favorite wineries in the area. As one of our guests beautifully put it, "It's like staying at Lake Tahoe, but without the drive."
Gourmet Chef’s Kitchen
The gourmet chef's kitchen is fully equipped and ready for you and your family or friends to create unforgettable meals together. Featuring double electric ovens and a five-burner gas cooktop, this culinary haven boasts stunning full-slab Brazilian granite countertops, custom-built maple cabinetry, and high-end fill and spot lighting. With a modern refrigerator/freezer, a dishwasher, and an extra-large deep double sink, every detail has been thoughtfully designed for your convenience.
As you prepare delicious dishes, your guests can gather at the elegant granite bar, sipping wine and engaging in lively conversation, making the kitchen the heart of your culinary experience. This is more than just a kitchen; it’s a space where memories are made and flavors come to life.
The Great Room
The Great Room stretches gracefully along the length of the house, offering ample space to unwind and a dedicated play area that keeps younger kids happily occupied for hours. This inviting open floor plan features an arched wood-burning fireplace as its stunning focal point, complemented by oak hardwood floors reclaimed from a historic church, adding character and warmth to the space.
The entire back wall is adorned with a series of sliding glass doors and windows that seamlessly connect the indoors to the expansive deck, which wraps around the back and side of the house. Here, you can soak in breathtaking views of beautiful Mt. Tamalpais and the lush Muir Woods Valley.
On one end of the Great Room, a full wall of maple bookshelf cabinetry creates a perfect nook for the children’s play area, while at the other end, the dining room beckons with its charming maple farmhouse dining table, inviting you to enjoy meals with family and friends against a backdrop of outstanding scenery. This is more than just a room; it’s a vibrant space where memories are made and stories are shared, making it the heart of your home.
The Master Bedroom Suite
You’ll find the Master Bedroom Suite to be a serene retreat, perfect for relaxation, reading, and restful sleep. With impressive 30-foot vaulted ceilings and double-opening skylights that invite natural light, this space is designed for comfort and tranquility. The super-comfortable California King bed features dual-control mattress pad warmers, ensuring a cozy night's sleep tailored to your preference.
For families traveling with a baby, the spacious walk-in closet conveniently doubles as a nursery, equipped with a crib, rocking chair, and a foldable travel crib. We warmly welcome children; however, please note that the house is not childproof.
When you need a quiet place to focus on work, the built-in loft office offers a peaceful and private workspace for one or two. Complete with a color printer/scanner/copier, this dedicated area allows you to stay productive while enjoying the comforts of home.
This Master Bedroom Suite is more than just a place to rest—it's a thoughtfully designed sanctuary that caters to both relaxation and productivity, making it the ideal escape for your stay.
The Master En Suite Bath
The spacious master bath features a custom vanity with a stylish top bowl sink, a fully enclosed glass shower, and double-opening skylights that fill the space with natural light. Enjoy the luxury of a towel warmer and elegant travertine tile throughout, creating a serene atmosphere for your daily routine.
The Family Room
Unwind in our large, comfortable leather sofa as you immerse yourself in your favorite shows. Stream content from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, The Disney Channel, ESPN+, PBS, and YouTube on a 52" high-definition Samsung TV or through our high-definition over-the-air antenna. This is more than just a family room; it’s your personal entertainment haven, where relaxation meets modern convenience.
The Second Floor Bedrooms
The second floor boasts two spacious bedrooms, each with internal windows that overlook the Great Room, creating a sense of openness and connection throughout the home. The first bedroom features a luxurious California King bed equipped with dual-control mattress pad warmers. A laptop-friendly desk provides an ideal workspace for remote work, complemented by stunning views of Mt. Tamalpais that inspire creativity and tranquility.
The second bedroom offers an equally inviting atmosphere with a plush pillow-top queen bed, also outfitted with dual-control mattress pad warmers for personalized comfort. Like the first, this room includes a laptop-friendly desk, making it perfect for productivity or quiet reflection.
Together, these thoughtfully designed bedrooms provide a perfect blend of relaxation and functionality, making them ideal retreats for rest and rejuvenation.
The Second Floor Bathroom
The grand full bathroom exudes elegance and functionality, featuring a custom maple vanity with double sinks adorned with sleek brushed nickel hardware, while the focal point of the room is the extra-large soaking tub/shower, beautifully enclosed in gleaming glass. This luxurious sanctuary makes it the perfect retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation.
The Third Level Crow’s Nest
Guests have described sleeping in the Crow's Nest as akin to being in an adult-sized playhouse, and it’s easy to see why. This charming two-level retreat on the third floor features its own cozy loft, creating a unique and inviting space. The lower level boasts a single bed, while the loft offers a super-comfortable foam-topped single mattress nestled directly on the floor in traditional Japanese style. This delightful setup provides a whimsical escape, perfect for those seeking a memorable and cozy getaway. Whether you're curling up with a good book or enjoying a peaceful night's sleep, the Crow's Nest is sure to enchant and inspire.
The Basement
During your stay, you’ll find it easy to manage all your laundry needs with the convenient front-loading washer and dryer, and a dedicated folding table area. Whether you’re washing clothes or savoring your favorite vintages, this space offers both practicality and luxury, enhancing your overall experience.
Wifi
For staying in contact during your stay, our blazing fast and stable wireless wifi makes Le Grand Maison a perfect spot to get away and work remotely or just treat yourself and your family to a wonderful staycation or vacation.
Wedding?
We’ve hosted several weddings at La Grande Maison. Additionally, the Muir Beach Overlook, with its sweeping ocean views, is just a few steps across the street and is a perfect place for a wedding. Finally, the Pelican Inn hosts many weddings, as does Slide Ranch, both of which are within a 5-10 minute drive from the house.
Hiking
If you like hiking, the Owl Trail starts literally across the street from the house and runs north from the Muir Beach Overlook through dense chaparral with rangy views of the coast down to Slide Ranch. No need to drive to get to a wonderful hike. There are also a number of additional hiking trails in the Muir Beach area.
Muir Beach
The beach is a 5 minute drive down the hill, but if you’re feeling like a challenge it’s about a 25 minute walk down the hill. Going down is the easy part, while coming back entails a pretty good climb.
The Decks
The extensive decks on the back and side of the house provide outstanding views of Mt. Tamalpais and surrounding hills and valley. You’ll find a playhouse to keep the kids entertained, and enough places to sit to be able to enjoy great conversation and mesmerizing views. A four burner gas grill is ready for grilling up some great meals.
Climate
Living on the Pacific Coast means that we have a moderate climate for most of the year. There are usually only a handful of days during the year when it’s hot enough that air conditioning would be useful. As such, we don’t have air conditioning nor do the majority of homes in Muir Beach.
Dinner Parties
When we say no parties or events we mean that we don't want people renting the house solely for the purpose of throwing a big party. However, small get togethers such as inviting friends over for a dinner party or a small engagement party are perfectly fine.
Number of Guests
We limit the number of adult guests to 8, but allow up to 2 infants or children under the age of six.
Living on a mountain.
Since we live on a mountain side, there are 17 steps to get from the street level down to the house.
