Entire home

Luxury Tranquil Waterfront Haven w/Pool & Spa

Lakefront villa with outdoor pool and Hot tub

Photo gallery for Luxury Tranquil Waterfront Haven w/Pool & Spa

Marina
Exterior
Pool
Interior
Bathroom

Reviews

9.8 out of 10, Loved by Guests
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 12371.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly

Explore the area

View map
San Rafael, CA
  • Place, Dominican University of California
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, China Camp State Park
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Golden Gate Bridge
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Airport, San Francisco, CA (SFO-San Francisco Intl.)
    ‪42 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

Living Room 1

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden

About this property

Luxury Tranquil Waterfront Haven w/Pool & Spa

Designed for connection, restoration, and quiet indulgence

Wake up directly on the water, where mornings begin with glassy canal reflections and evenings melt into golden light drifting in from the bay—just a few peaceful paddle strokes away.

Perfect for family gatherings, executive retreats, creative residencies, or refined group escapes, this four-bedroom villa delivers resort-level amenities in a setting that feels effortlessly elegant and deeply restorative.

This is not a party house.
This is a private waterfront sanctuary, curated for guests who value taste, space, and serenity.

THE HOME:

The first floor of this residence is entirely available to you, offering a spacious yet intimate layout curated for comfort and taste. Four beautifully appointed bedrooms—each with king or queen beds—invite deep rest, while the 2.5 bathrooms include three showers, a deep soaking tub, and a powder room, allowing groups to move through the space with ease.

Natural light fills the living areas, highlighting refined furnishings and warm textures. A tuned grand piano anchors the home, ready for those who play or those who simply enjoy the presence of music. Every room feels purposeful, balanced, and quietly indulgent.

WATERFRONT LIVING:

Step outside and the experience truly unfolds.

The backyard opens directly onto the canal, where a private dock and deck create an effortless connection to the water. Paddleboards and a kayak are available for gentle morning floats or sunset paddles to the bay just minutes away. The pool and spa are framed by lush greenery, offering privacy and a sense of retreat that feels worlds away from daily life.

An authentic Finnish sauna overlooks the canal—an experience that transforms cool evenings into something grounding and unforgettable. Whether you’re soaking, floating, or simply sitting with a glass of wine, the atmosphere encourages stillness and presence.

DESIGNED FOR TOGETHERNESS:

This home is exceptionally well-suited for larger groups who value quality time without chaos. Multiple indoor and outdoor seating areas allow for conversation, reflection, and shared meals without crowding. It’s equally comfortable hosting a family gathering, a wellness weekend, or a focused team retreat.

While the property accommodates groups comfortably, gatherings remain quiet, respectful, and intentional. Sound carries easily across the water, and the surrounding community values tranquility as much as we do.

GUEST ACCESS & PRIVACY:

Guests enjoy full access to the entire first floor of the home, including the front courtyard, backyard, pool, spa, BBQ area, waterfront deck, and dock. Paddleboards and kayak are included. The boat itself is not part of the rental.

There is a separate upstairs unit with a private entrance that is occasionally occupied by the host. This space is fully separated from the guest areas. Guests may request full vacancy of the upstairs unit for an additional fee, subject to availability.

PARKING & ARRIVAL:

The driveway accommodates 2–4 vehicles depending on size and positioning, with additional street parking available for up to three cars. No more than 3 cars can park on the street. Nearby public parking, including an adjacent park lot, is also available for overnight stays.

A THOUGHTFUL STAY:

Longer stays are welcome, and additional cleaning services can be arranged for guests staying five nights or more.

To preserve the integrity of the home and the peace of the neighborhood, house rules are enforced with care and clarity. Parties, ragers, or unapproved events are not permitted. Small, civilized gatherings may be considered with prior conversation and approval. Violations of house rules may result in immediate termination of the stay without refund.

This is a home for guests who understand that true luxury is space, water, intention, and calm.

If you’re seeking a waterfront escape that feels private, grounded, and beautifully considered, where days unfold slowly and nights feel deeply restful, you’ve found your place.

We look forward to welcoming you!

OTHER THINGS TO NOTE:

This is a rental of the first floor of the residence. There is a separate upstairs unit with a private entrance that is occasionally occupied by the host. This space is fully separated from the guest areas. There are no shared spaces. Guests may request full vacancy of the upstairs unit for an additional fee, subject to availability.

The host can arrange additional cleaning service for guests staying long-term (5 days or more).

If rules are not honored, guests will be asked to leave and will not receive a refund from the host. It is significant to note that due to some bad apples in the past, we are enforcing rules with greater scrutiny, and ask for honesty and transparency in an effort to help honor and preserve the tranquility of the community, especially with homes across the canal that absorb amplified sound that travels across the canal. Thank you for respecting our community!

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Guests to sign liability waiver form
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Please gather all used Towels and sheets in the laundry room . Thank you
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
No parties , if party takes place the host has the right to ask guests to leave the property without any refund .

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number 85-2989037

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

San Rafael

Located on the waterfront, this villa is in Canal, a neighbourhood in San Rafael. Muir Woods National Monument and Golden Gate Bridge are notable landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz Island. Book Passage and Novato Arts Center at Hamilton Field are also worth visiting.
Map
San Rafael, CA

What's nearby

  • Dominican University of California - 3 min drive - 4.0 km
  • China Camp State Park - 5 min drive - 2.6 km
  • Golden Gate Bridge - 14 min drive - 19.9 km
  • Golden Gate Park - 20 min drive - 28.4 km
  • Lombard Street - 24 min drive - 30.6 km

Getting around

  • Berkeley Station - 19 min drive
  • Oakland, CA (OAK-Oakland Intl.) - 49 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Picante - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Mi Pueblo Food Center - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Burger King - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Circle K - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Chipotle Mexican Grill - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Tranquil Waterfront Retreat Haven have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Tranquil Waterfront Retreat Haven pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

How much is parking at Tranquil Waterfront Retreat Haven?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Tranquil Waterfront Retreat Haven?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Tranquil Waterfront Retreat Haven?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Tranquil Waterfront Retreat Haven located?

Located in Canal, this villa is 2.1 mi (3.4 km) from Marin Country Mart and 2.6 mi (4.1 km) from San Francisco Bay. Mission San Rafael Arcangel and Larkspur Ferry Terminal are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 24 out of 27 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 27 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 27 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 27 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 27 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.2/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Curt B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved this home for our weekend in San Francisco! Very comfortable - multiple seating/conversation areas - fire pit - jacuzzi and pool. The showers are amazing and the master bath is exceptional. Bedrooms are nice in size and the beds are very comfortable. I really don’t have anything negative to say about this home.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Walead E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful time at this home. It's spacious and beautiful and serene and had everything we could need. We will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Iman O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Beautiful place, we had a great time. The kids really enjoyed the place and had tons of fun. Sherry, our host, was wonderful and stayed on touch with throughout our stay. Awesome experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Frank P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was perfect. Beautiful location and a home full of amenities. Our host was extremely responsive, gracious, welcoming, and proactive. Couldn’t have asked for more. Thank you!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Wild H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
we celebrated my milestone birthday with family and friends this past weekend. the house has been well loved and thoughtfully furnished and decorated. it is well equipped and has lots of wonderful amenities. sherry is a wonderful hostess and very responsive with requests and concerns.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Susan D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Well stocked house and the host is very responsive.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Angel H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Home is beautiful and well appointed. We had plenty of space for our party of 7 longtime girlfriends to reconnect. Property manager was great at accommodating. She answered texts right away and made us feel very welcome. Able to paddleboard and kayak on lagoon and enjoy all the dining and lounge areas around the property.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brian G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The property was great and met all of our expectations. The property manager was very attentive and helpful throughout our stay. Only issue we had was lots of flies in the house. We kept the doors and windows closed but there seemed to be an endless amount of flies. I get that being on the water you can’t avoid flies but some sort of mitigation is needed. Other than that small issue our stay was great!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amy S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fun family stay

Had a wonderful time visiting family and Sherrys house allowed many of us to stay together. Beautiful backyard and worked perfectly for our whole family.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place !

My kids loved the pool. They also enjoyed kayaking and fishing so close to the house. Great house for a family.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Emma M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Incredible Oasis!

We had the best time staying here! It is cultivated to be so comfortable and peaceful, and the homey touches are so welcoming. We particularly enjoyed the sauna and hot tub. It was the perfect place to host a bit group of a friends on a little vacation. Thank you!!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Christina R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Casa Canal

We had a wonderful & relaxing time at Casa Canal this past weekend with a group of women. Although the neighborhood made us a little concerned when we were driving to it but when we got there we felt secure. The property is surrounded with video surveillance & once behind the gate of the home you feel transported to a different place. It’s so relaxing, the water, the birds & the ambiance was so refreshing. Would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Roland L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous spot, great getaway

Lovely home with a spectacular location on the water. We enjoyed the pool and hot tube, gas fire with the water just feet away. Could not have been better!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Don P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

I resort like property !!!

We Took our family out for a nice relaxing weekend very beautiful property hot tub swimming pool sauna I was like I was the four seasons beautiful bathrooms very beautiful home large and spacious great for large groups Had a blast thanks so much !
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

M J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was hands-down the best vacation we’ve ever had. The view was absolutely breathtaking—truly one of a kind. Waking up to that scenery every day felt like a dream. The home itself was spotless, cozy, and had everything we needed, but what made this experience even more special was the owner. They were the best communicator—so kind, generous, and thoughtful from start to finish. We felt genuinely cared for and welcomed. We left feeling refreshed, grateful, and already dreaming about coming back. If you’re thinking about booking—do it. You won’t regret it!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Terra N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

50th Birthday

My stay was excellent, Sherry was a great host very responsive when I had questions. The house is perfect for small groups a beautiful place to relax and connect with friend, I would definitely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Walker L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house

Great house. Best house manager I’ve ever dealt with in 25 years of vrbo.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great quiet stay on the canal

Perfect place for a family. Pickleweed park is a block away and the views around the canal and bay are epic. Host communicated very well. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful spot!

For our family, this location was perfect. We had all we needed in the San Rafael, Corta Marte, Sausilito area while only being 30 min from Pier 39, Giants stadium and Fisherman’s wharf. Home was very spacious with everything we needed.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

John & Elke M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A great girls weekend with a beautiful backyard

five girlfriends and I stayed three nights here for my big 70th birthday. We cooked in one night we enjoyed the outside areas multiple times found a really nice tranquil place to set out and look at the water.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chester

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Property had everything we wanted including a million dollar view. It was clean and spacious. Sherry the host was responsive and communicated effectively. We will absolutely stay again!

10/10 Excellent

Michelle F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Incredible property with attentive support

We had an incredible stay at this property and Sherry was very responsive, warm, and attentive property manager making sure we had everything we need to have a great weekend. The sun was out each day with both beautiful views on the water, and the property was set up to support our group of 13 girls as we reconnected and celebrated one another. There were ample places to host small activities (tv room, dining room, outside) as well as alcoves for opportunities to reconnect or get some space on your own. I also arranged ahead of time with Sherry to bring a backyard caterer and all the gals had a great time dining near the pool and enjoying sunset. As far as decor and kitchen equipment, this place had it all -- there were two fridges, two dishwashers, and closets full of any bedding/sheets we may need. We had such a great time many of us are considering coming back to make it annual thing. We had a small ant situation at the start but it was dealt with swiftly -- and Sherry took great care to ensure we had all the things that we need to fit even fit our theme of the event well ahead of time and throughout. Highly recommend this place for folks looking for a getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michele D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We had the best time here!

My girlfriends and I stayed here for the weekend and had the best time! The house was clean, comfortable, and our host, Sherry was on the ball 24/7. She was incredibly responsive and communicative including having a technician on site within the hour of texting her about a minor issue. It was fixed and solved in no time and Sherry was very accommodating throughout our whole stay. The pool and hot tub were also a huge hit! This is also a great place to stay if you're looking to do a Napa trip. Highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gian M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wifes 40th birthday with dearest close friends! Best Place for a special occassion!!

This place was absolutely perfect for my wifes 40th birthday get together with our closest friends. We had so much fun and itnwas just what we all needed for a quick 2 day getaway. This place was Super clean when we arrived and the check in was so easy. We communicate by text and phone with Sherry several times and she is super sweet wish we could have met in person to say Hi, she but made sure we are comfortable and if there was anything we needed to let her know. You really can't beat the view of the bay canal being in a swimming pool/ hot tub during sunset, or sitting in the spa in the early morning at at sunrise. The sauna was definitely cool! The beds were very comfortable and the showers/ tubs in bathrooms are HUGE! There is so much open space in the home made it so nice for everyone to migle around. The girls had a blast on the kayak going up and down the bay canal seeing thr surrounding homes in the area. We definitely want to come back again in the future hopefully! Would rate this more than 5 stars if we could!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nancy P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for a Women's Weekend Getaway!

Fantastic property with a very responsive and helpful host! Perfect for our group of longtime middle aged moms/women whose main goal was to have a quiet place to re-connect. There was a hot tub, sauna and gas fire circle to keep the chilly evenings warm. None of us were brave enough to go in the pool in November but several of us enjoyed paddle boarding and kayaking RIGHT off the deck connected to the property. The property is surrounded on most sides by water (the VRBO photo doesn't lie!). The beds were comfy and clean. There was a glitch or two with certain things not working, but Sherry was super responsive to any/all questions, providing timely answers including little videos demonstrating how to work something. Our privacy was respected. The neighborhood felt safe. There was a lovely flat walking path along the water a very short distance from the property. It would work well for a large family/friend group as well - such as Thanksgiving since there were 2 dishwashers and 2 fridges and 2 stoves. Eclectic, peaceful and welcoming decor and landscaping. Felt very secluded and like a real getaway, even though located in a more urban environment. All in all a great property with a gracious host and we hope to be back soon!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

About the host

Hosted by Sherry Zargari

Host profile image

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback