Entire home

Lovely Straw Bale Home with Views of the Yosemite High Sierra!

Photo gallery for Lovely Straw Bale Home with Views of the Yosemite High Sierra!

A field of orange flowers with a rocky hillside in the background.
A kitchen with a granite countertop, stainless steel sink, and a hanging light fixture.
A modern house with a wooden deck and a staircase leading to a second floor.
A kitchen with a stainless steel sink, a wooden countertop, and a view through a glass door to an outdoor deck.
A round glass table with metal chairs and a wooden railing, overlooking a mountainous landscape.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Family fun awaits
    Top-rated for families.
  • Sledding nearby
    A rare find — snowy slopes for sledding are just minutes away.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Barbecue
  • Electric vehicle charging point
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet

Explore the area

View map
Midpines, CA
  • Place, Merced River
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Place, Merced River Recreation Area
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Place, Mariposa County Visitor Center
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Airport, Mariposa, CA (RMY-Mariposa-Yosemite)
    ‪24 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Lovely Straw Bale Home with Views of the Yosemite High Sierra!

California has cowboys, beaches and surfing, skiing, hiking and shopping all rolled into one beautiful state. Seeing Yosemite when you vacation in California is a must. For this vacation, expand your mind and enjoy a true California experience by staying in a straw bale home. Unlike those of big bad wolf fame, modern straw bale homes are warm and comfortable. They provide a unique place to rest your soul (and feet) after a day of discovering Yosemite.

Our newly constructed Yosemite Straw Bale vacation home is a wonder. While the straw bales provide incredible R-50 insulation, we are using passive solar heating for preheating our radiant floor heating system with an instantaneous hot water heater as a backup system. Our photovoltaic grid panels are naturally creating clean energy from the sun. We tested these techniques on our own home and perfected them in this vacation rental for your enjoyment. Made to feel like your private second home, design touches include a social kitchen with a granite slab bar height counter, finished dyed concrete floors, and cozy radiant floor heating. Sitting hilltop at 3000 feet elevation (914m), the house includes a private deck perfect for relaxing and enjoying the views. We are also honored to share with you, eight fine art prints by renowned Sierra photographer Howard Weamer.

The gates of Yosemite are a mere 35 minutes away* on a drive that follows the wild and scenic Merced River. (*Your drive may take longer as you stop to put your feet in the river or photograph the wildflowers along the way.)

Check out our profile below, and look at the calendar for booking availability. Call or email to hear more and make arrangements. We look forward to hearing from you.

Keywords: Straw Bale, Home, Yosemite, Yosemite Area, Mariposa , Midpines, Hilltop

Add dates for prices

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

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

Similar properties

Exterior detail
Yosemite Cottage Retreat: 1/2 Block to Downtown
Mariposa
  • Kitchen
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (5 reviews)
Yosemite Cottage Retreat: 1/2 Block to Downtown

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
Strict no pet policy
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Strict non smoking policy

Important information

You need to know

Property # 296628vb
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
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 and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Midpines

Located in Midpines, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. Merced River Recreation Area and Butterfly Creek Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Windows on the World Books and Art and California State Mining and Mineral Museum. El Portal Market and Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad are also worth visiting. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the ice skating and sledging.
View more Holiday homes in MidpinesOpens in a new window
Map
Midpines, CA

What's nearby

  • Merced River - 13 min drive - 13.7 km
  • Briceburg Information Center - 13 min drive - 13.7 km
  • Merced River Recreation Area - 13 min drive - 13.7 km
  • Mariposa County Visitor Center - 17 min drive - 19.1 km
  • Mariposa Museum and History Center - 18 min drive - 19.5 km

Getting around

  • Mariposa, CA (RMY-Mariposa-Yosemite) - 24 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪1850 Brewery - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Happy Burger Diner - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Don Rubens - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Pony Expresso - ‬18 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lovely Straw Bale Home with Views of the Yosemite High Sierra! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Lovely Straw Bale Home with Views of the Yosemite High Sierra!?

As of 25 Sept 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Lovely Straw Bale Home with Views of the Yosemite High Sierra! on 25 Jan 2027 start from AU$1,109, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Lovely Straw Bale Home with Views of the Yosemite High Sierra!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Lovely Straw Bale Home with Views of the Yosemite High Sierra!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lovely Straw Bale Home with Views of the Yosemite High Sierra!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Lovely Straw Bale Home with Views of the Yosemite High Sierra! located?

Situated in the mountains, this holiday home is within 9 miles (15 km) of Sierra National Forest, Merced River Recreation Area and Briceburg Information Center. Telegraph Hill and Merced River are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

10

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. 263 out of 272 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 272 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 272 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 272 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 272 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This property was amazing! Beautiful, clean and spacious home. Great views! This was the perfect spot to stay for our visit to Yosemite.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Lovely, clean, quiet accommodations with washer dryer and working AC. About an hour and 20 minutes to Yosemite.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is such a cool home. The views are amazing. Communication was very prompt. Wonderful experience and very close to Yosemite.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hosts were super nice and friendly. We got an opportunity to meet and talk with Alex as well. The place was very cozy, newly build, well maintained and had all the necessary amenities. We booked the place for our first time trip to Yosemite.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Beautiful view! House cleanliness was perfection. As a family of 5, we had plenty of room and enjoyed our stay! Great location to explore Yosemite. Our kids loved playing horseshoes too 😊
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Well equipped, great views
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay at the Bale Straw House! it is a beautiful house with beautiful views. It was very clean and comfortable! Kathleen is a great host, easy to communicate with, very helpful and friendly. We highly recommend Kathleen's home.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very cool location with great views of mountains. Our kids loved the sunset and sunrise while walking around the neighborhood. House was well equipped and enough room for our group of 5. I would recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 13 June 2026
Beautiful photos! Thank you for the kind review.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely place, great sunsets! Host was very helpful. Would stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Cozy home for a winter trip

My family had a fantastic stay here for their trip to visit us.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, listing accuracy
Disliked: Location
House was fine, just no ac in 100 degrees. No tv service but it was ok to do without. Much father than 23 miles to Yosemite but the stars were wonderful at night.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice location. Well stocked.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great house for two couples.

Wonderful house and location. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Yosemite beauty

What a great place to stay while checking out Yosemite. We totally enjoyed this home, very comfy and had everything we needed. The mornings & evenings on the front deck were just wonderful.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great location

Property was clean and spacious. Covenant to Yosemite and easy to find. Had a great stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beatiful setting, comfy home

My daughters and I had a lovely time during our May stay. The weather was great, the flowers were blooming and the home had everything we needed to wind down and rest between our sightseeing. Definitely would love to stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect

The perfect place to stay for our visit at Yosemite area.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great communication from the host. The house and surroundings were beautiful and the kitchen was well stocked. The location was remote with amazing views of the Milky Way. We really enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Yosemite adventure

Fun and pretty
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Superb

Great location for exploring midpines region and Yosemite National park. Property with superb views and facilities.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Awesome Home in a Stunning Setting

We loved our stay in the Strawbale Vacation Home. It is extremely well kept, a beautiful property, and a convenient location to the Yosemite main entrance. The owner was extremely helpful with our planning and a pleasure to work with.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Awesome location!

Awesome views! Seemed like it was made for two traveling couples. Really enjoyed the layout and scenery. May have to come back some day!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

A great stay

We loved our time at this home in Midpines and Yosemite. The home is clean and pretty, and the view is wonderful. We strongly recommend it.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Yosemite 2024

It was just perfect for our Yosemite visit.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Clean and comfortable

Lovely place. Clean and comfortable. Great location. My family enjoy the stay! Thank you Kathleen!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

About the host

Hosted by Kathleen Pfeffer

Host profile image
Kathleen and Alex moved to Midpines sixteen years ago to enjoy the natural beauty of the area and spend as much time in Yosemite as possible. Kathleen is an Architectural Designer and specializes in Straw Bale Home design. She is also very busy raising twin boys. Alex is a trained Engineer and teaches mathematics at the local public school.

Why they chose this property

We chose to build a vacation rental on our thirteen acre hill top to allow family, friends and vacationers the opportunity to enjoy Yosemite and its surroundings.

What makes this property unique

Our hilltop is incredible for enjoying sunsets, sunrises, star gazing, wild flowers and bird watching all from the comfort of your private deck.

Languages:

English, German

Premier Host

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