House in Kentfield, CA

Gorgeous 2Bd + Loft with Deck and Gardens. Soaring 20 ft ceilings, huge windows!

Gorgeous 2Bd + Loft with Deck and Gardens. Soaring 20 ft ceilings, huge windows!

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Welcome to the Musician's Cottage!
Gorgeous light-filled Great Room with soaring 20' ceilings
Spiral stair in corner. Walls of windows looking out on green woodlands
Such high ceilings!
Comfortable, stylish living area

Overview of Gorgeous 2Bd + Loft with Deck and Gardens. Soaring 20 ft ceilings, huge windows!

9.8 out of 10 Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5111 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Check out the area

Kentfield, CA
  • Popular LocationLarkspur Ferry Terminal6 min drive
  • Popular LocationMission San Rafael Arcangel7 min drive
  • Popular LocationMuir Woods National Monument20 min drive
  • AirportSan Francisco, CA (SFO-San Francisco Intl.)51 min drive

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Loft

1 Single Bed

Master bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Second bedroom

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Bathtub or shower

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Gorgeous 2Bd + Loft with Deck and Gardens. Soaring 20 ft ceilings, huge windows!

This lovely cottage was originally a music studio for the owner, a performing musician and teacher. Now in its second life as a guest cottage, you can still feel the happy vibe of the space! Fully renovated in Sept. of 2020, the large 1200sf space is fresh, upscale, and very Marin. The light-filled great room has soaring 20' ft. ceilings and walls of windows looking out onto woodlands. The cottage is located in a quiet, private 2-acre property walking distance to town and convenient to both San Francisco and wine country.

The Musician's Cottage is nestled in our peaceful, historic family property along with our Victorian main house and another cottage. The grounds are landscaped beautifully with wild woodlands behind. The cottage has access to a lovely green front lawn and a private back deck. Hummingbirds and butterflies flit about, deer are frequent visitors, and we even get the occasional fox. As you enter the cottage you feel the freshness of a full, high-quality renovation. There is a new kitchen, a dining area flooded by light from double french doors, an incredible great room with double-height ceilings and a small loft for reading or stashing an extra guest. Enormous windows surround the great room on three sides and look onto old sculptural oaks; you'll feel like you are in a treehouse. The bedroom wing features a quiet master bedroom with woodland views, a large, luxurious new bathroom, and a twin bedroom. The renovation was done by an award-winning San Francisco designer, and all furnishings, fixtures and finishes are stylish and of the highest quality. And another plus: There is so much outdoor space to enjoy! A private back deck with grill, a small front patio, and the large common lawn and gardens in front. Breathe deep, enjoy!

The property is entirely private, with no traffic noise and surrounded by nature. But here's the kicker: It's only 1 minute from a main thoroughfare of Marin County, Sir Francis Drake. This means every convenience is close by: grocery stores, restaurants, etc. The charming small town of Kentfield is walking distance away (about 7 min down a steep hill) with a fantastic deli/ gourmet store and two restaurants. Best of all, we are in central Marin, the best part of one of the safest and most beautiful counties in the land. Marin is world-renowned for its year-round fantastic mild weather and its hiking, biking, and kayaking. Sunny central Marin, in particular, is free of the chilly fog that plaques southern Marin (Mill Valley, Sausalito, Stinson Beach) and San Francisco. Central Marin, moreover, is located about halfway between San Francisco and wine country, making it convenient to both. It's no wonder that so many Marinites call this place Paradise!

This is the perfect place to bring your pooch along on vacation! The property has a central common lawn for the doggos to play, and is a gated compound at the dead end of a road so very little traffic (except us). Rosie the resident mini-bernadoodle is a wonderful hostess and always up for playtime!

Pet policy: 1 dog 50 lb or less welcome in the cottage. No animals younger than 1 year old. Dog must be cleaned up after scrupulously. Dogs with behavior issues like chewing or excessive barking are not allowed. If dog’s paws are dirty wash and dry them at the “Dog Paw Washing Station” next to the lawn (towels in grey bin) before entering the cottage. Use provided couch and bed covers. $50 nonrefundable pet fee.

NOTE: Your unit comes with two assigned parking spots, on the tight side. They are large enough for 2 standard-size cars (compact to midsized), one full sized car and one compact, or one large or oversized vehicle. No additional cars allowed on the property, even just for dropoff.

Property manager

Jenny Israel
Premier Host
Premier Host

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 12:00 PM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Spiral stairs and loft unsafe for young children.

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 50 lb per pet (limit one pet total)
Max 2 cats, 1 dog under 20 lb allowed. $50 fee.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Long term guests agree to a phone interview shortly after booking to make sure that it's a "match". If not, they agree to cancel booking the same day.
This is a shoes-off house. Please remove shoes at entry.
Quiet hours between 11p and 8am. No loud noises of any kind between these hours.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Greenbrae

Located in Greenbrae, this cottage is in the mountains. Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island are notable landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at San Francisco Bay and Presidio of San Francisco. San Rafael Pacifics Baseball - Albert Park and Book Passage are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Larkspur Ferry Terminal - 6 min drive
  • Mission San Rafael Arcangel - 7 min drive
  • Marin County Civic Center - 11 min drive
  • Sweetwater Music Hall - 11 min drive
  • Muir Woods National Monument - 20 min drive

Getting around

  • Richmond Transit Center - 27 min drive
  • Oakland, CA (OAK-Oakland Intl.) - 40 min drive

Restaurants

  • Jack In The Box - 7 min drive
  • Flatiron Saloon - 6 min drive
  • Depot Garden Cafe - 7 min drive
  • Sabor A Mexico - 7 min drive
  • Pink Owl Coffee - 6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Gorgeous 2Bd + Loft with Deck and Gardens. Soaring 20 ft ceilings, huge windows! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lb per pet.

What time is check-in at Gorgeous 2Bd + Loft with Deck and Gardens. Soaring 20 ft ceilings, huge windows!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Gorgeous 2Bd + Loft with Deck and Gardens. Soaring 20 ft ceilings, huge windows!?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Gorgeous 2Bd + Loft with Deck and Gardens. Soaring 20 ft ceilings, huge windows! located?

Situated in the mountains, this cottage is 0.6 mi (1 km) from Kentfield Hospital and within 3 miles (5 km) of Imagination Park and San Francisco Theological Seminary. San Rafael Pacifics Baseball - Albert Park and Mission San Rafael Arcangel 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. 36 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 41 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

8/10 Good

Erin G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful property
We had a very nice stay at this Kentfield rental. We did run into an issue with a broken refrigerator and the Wi-Fi not working upon arrival and for the first 24 hours. It was stressful and had to spend a lot of time working with the owners to resolve the issues, in the middle of the holidays. They gave us a small credit although not enough to make us feel valued. Aside from that, the location is beautiful and about 8 to 10 minutes from the 101. This is a small house right next to the owners home and there are two other rentals on the property. The beds were very comfortable, beautiful views out the large windows in the back, and the kitchen had everything you need. Great double sinks in the bathroom as well. It is very peaceful however, there was a loud barking dog every night at around 9 to 10 PM, which was not expected. We would stay here again as overall it was a great rental. 4 stars is because of the issues we encountered.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Desiree P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hidden Gem
Beautiful cottage and setting. Central to many restaurants, shopping and walking paths. Well stocked kitchen perfect for a small group. Felt like we were sleeping in the trees. Loved it!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

dr. rick n.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Couldn’t ask for better….
I have stayed here before and will be staying here again. It is my “home away from home“ and meets every expectation. it is simply the best I have ever stayed at in Marin County.
Stayed 13 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nanci R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay for visiting family in SF
Beautiful setting and close to so many things in the Bay Area
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cathy C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved every minute
We stayed 10 days and brought our Labradoodle. The fact that we could bring Tula with us was super special. The house was light, airy and comfy. Loved the privacy and trees. It was so relaxing, we didn't do much sightseeing, though we could have since fun locations were easy to access. Comfy beds, too. Highly recommend and will return.
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2023

About the host

Hosted by Jenny Israel

Host profile image
I am a native of Marin, and love everything about it! Hiking, beach barbecues on Muir Beach, Mountain Home Theater, burritos in the Mission, Fairfax Scoop, wine tasting in Napa... the list goes on and on.

I love Marin even more as I took a long detour from it. Our three children were born and raised in NYC, and I persuaded the family to move back here in 2013. Quite the change, brownstone Brooklyn to nature-filled Marin! We love both but are so happy to have landed here.

I am an artist, a Mom, and a small business owner. I love yoga, hiking, hanging with the family, reading on the porch, and dinner with friends. My husband Sandy is a professional musician and teacher. We are a relaxed, creative family.

My motto? I guess it would be: 'Have a gratitude attitude.'

Why they chose this property

A huge attraction of this property is Marin County itself, one of the most magical places on earth. Marin is famous worldwide for its' astounding natural beauty and the huge amount of land protected for public enjoyment. There are few places on the planet where you can hike, mountain bike, surf, sail, horseback ride and camp on thousands of acres of untouched wilderness, all within an hour of a major city. The variety of fun to be had in the area is unmatched: all the restaurants, museums and shopping of SF, the stunning beauty and outdoorsy lifestyle of Marin, plus wine country just 40 minutes north.

Kentfield is a charming little town in central Marin, an area with the mildest, sunniest, most lovely year-round weather you can imagine. It has several very good restaurants, a gourmet market, bike paths, a school with a big field to kick a ball around, and loads of small town charm. It's one of a string of such small towns along the Ross Valley, all very special. I grew up the next town over, in Ross, and have always wanted to come back. Can you tell I love this place?

What makes this property unique

I first became intrigued with our property when I heard of it's unique history. The property was owned by the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and the house and two cottages were built in 1890-1905. They were together known as "The St. Francis Outings Club", a summer and weekend retreat for Catholic women, both nuns and laypeople. Catholic factory-worker girls from the city were invited here to relax and reflect. In the Main House (118), the two central living spaces were used as prayer rooms and had pews as late as the 1970's. The Musician's Cottage (117) was the Mother Superior's private quarters, while the other cottage (116) was a barn or garage. A path through the woods had the 12 Stations-of-the-Cross, some of which remained until the 1970's.

Those were the roots, but several incarnations followed. In 1946 the property was bought by a retired war colonel. When his widow died in 1978 the property was sold, used as a rental, and fell into disrepair. We've heard that it became something of a wild place, with a local reputation, fitting for its' times. It was then reclaimed by the owners before us, and lovingly restored. We've continued this effort.

We love all the long and varied history of this property. The property is all at once a spiritual retreat, a colonel's home, a flop house, and now the happy home of two artists and their family. All of these layers are present in historic properties like this.

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