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Beautiful, Historic Guest Ranch with Modern Amenities

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Pool
Pool on Sonoma Mountain
Pool
Comfortable, light filled living room with views of the surrounding mountains
Entry

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8167.2 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Guest Room

1 Queen Bed

Master

1 King Bed

Sleeping Loft

4 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Master Bathroom

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Beautiful, Historic Guest Ranch with Modern Amenities

The Ranch on Sonoma Mountain is an historic guest ranch situated outside the charming village of Glen Ellen in Sonoma County. Located on the slope of Sonoma Mountain with breathtaking views of the valley, the Ranch is unlike any other vacation rental in Sonoma, combining luxury accommodations with a farm stay experience. The Ranch on Sonoma Mountain is an ideal vacation destination for families or anyone interested in wine country living as it has been experienced by California families for over a century.

At the Ranch you have the opportunity to relax in 'the Cottage', a luxury, private 3-bedroom home with private wooden hot tub while enjoying all the Ranch has to offer, including a salt water pool with panoramic valley views, seasonal organic vegetable garden, orchard, blackberry and strawberry patches, chicken coop and more.

The Cottage at The Ranch on Sonoma Mountain was built in 1898 as the primary guest quarters for the popular Bruning's Summer Resort from the late 1800s to 1915. The Cottage is situated at the end of a private drive on twelve acres of rolling hills studded with oak trees, vineyard and orchards. Recently remodeled (with upgraded HVAC) and professionally decorated in a comfortable agrarian chic style, the Cottage has an open and bright floor plan, gourmet kitchen with Viking Range, three bedrooms (including an old-fashioned sleeping loft), and two full baths. Please note, the Cottage is a vintage, 120+ year old home located in an agrarian setting and is best suited for guests who enjoy indoor/outdoor living.

The Ranch is conveniently located approximately one and a half hours from San Francisco and is accessible from downtown Glen Ellen as well as from Highway 101 via Rohnert Park or Santa Rosa.

A Day at The Ranch on Sonoma Mountain:

In the morning, sip your coffee or tea outdoors while enjoying the abundant wildlife including rabbits, wild turkeys, quail and more. For breakfast, collect you own fresh eggs from our pasture raised chickens, pick wild blackberries and gather seasonal fruit from our orchard.

In the afternoon, grab some towels, pack some cold drinks in the red wagon and follow the gravel path to the pool. While you splash and play, enjoy panoramic views of the valley. On your way back to the cottage, gather pick fresh seasonal fruit for your dessert (blackberries, figs, French plums and rhubarb grow along the path).

In the evening, enjoy a glass of wine on our view deck or take a stroll up Sonoma Mountain Road and enjoy the many vineyards that surround us. For dinner, snip baby lettuce, pick heirloom tomatoes off the vine and gather other fresh vegetables and herbs from our abundant organic garden. Enjoy the sunset as you dine outdoors on our generous deck overlooking Sonoma Valley. Later, gather around the outdoor fire pit for marshmallow roasting. Before bed, enjoy a nip of Madeira and a biscotti on the view deck and savor the starry silence of life in wine country.

County Requirements for Vacation Rentals:
Quiet Hours: 10pm to 7am
Max Guests: 8
Max Vehicles: 3
TOT #1151N

Our rates and calendar are up to date so please check the Calendar section for availability.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Quiet hours after 10pm per neighborhood ordinance.
Currently, no campfires allowed on the property, outside of gas fire pit.

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
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
Property Registration Number 1151N

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Santa Rosa

Located in Santa Rosa, this cottage is near theme parks and in the mountains. Santa Rosa Plaza Shopping Center and Railroad Square Historic District are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Sonoma Plaza and Trione-Annadel State Park. Spreckels Performing Arts Center and Sonoma County Fairgrounds are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Santa Rosa, CA

What's nearby

  • Sonoma Mountain Zen Center - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Jack London State Historic Park - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Sonoma Plaza - 25 min drive - 19.4 km
  • Sonoma TrainTown Railroad - 27 min drive - 20.5 km
  • Sonoma Raceway - 41 min drive - 37.1 km

Getting around

  • Santa Rosa Station - 29 min drive
  • Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County) - 40 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Matanzas Creek Winery - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪St Francis Winery & Vineyards - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Stella - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Pillowfight Coffee - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Rancho Market & Deli - ‬15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Beautiful, Historic Guest Ranch with Modern Amenities have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

How much does it cost to stay at Beautiful, Historic Guest Ranch with Modern Amenities?

As of 28 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Beautiful, Historic Guest Ranch with Modern Amenities on 15 Jan 2027 start from AU$1,103, 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.

Is Beautiful, Historic Guest Ranch with Modern Amenities pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

How much is parking at Beautiful, Historic Guest Ranch with Modern Amenities?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Beautiful, Historic Guest Ranch with Modern Amenities?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful, Historic Guest Ranch with Modern Amenities?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Beautiful, Historic Guest Ranch with Modern Amenities located?

Situated in the mountains, this cottage is 1.1 mi (1.8 km) from Jack London State Historic Park and within 6 miles (10 km) of Sonoma Valley Regional Park and Jack London Village. Benziger Family Winery and Morton's Warm Springs are also within 6 miles (10 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. 84 out of 89 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 89 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 89 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 89 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 89 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kristin F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Place was great.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeff S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Just an incredible property. Absolutely beautiful landscape.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

jeff y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Thanks so much for a magical experience with our kids & grandkids! Jolynn & Jeff
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bruno-Frédéric B.

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

Absolutely great stay

Wonderful house, very nicely furnished, with an amazing view and calm environment. We got a little surprised on the last day with a big snake crossing the path to the house, but for the rest, absolutely memorable stay in a very nice place which we warmly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Katherine H.

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

Truly Amazing Property

This house and property was just perfect for our family. Our kids loved roaming around, checking in on the chickens, seeing if fruit had become ripe and much much more. Many places for adults to sit peacefully and relax in quiet nature.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ashley G.

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

Amazing stay!

The photos don’t do this property justice! It is so cute, large, and remote. There are chickens and lots of land and a vegetable garden which the care takers gave us produce from to cook with. The house was so well stocked and updated. Would go again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Meagan P.

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

Amazing getaway

We absolutely loved our time there!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Terry G.

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

Wine country house

Relaxing, peaceful - wonderful outdoor living space with lovely views!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Galin B.

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

Sonoma Getaway

This is a gorgeous, secluded property with stunning views from the deck. The cottage was immaculate and beautifully furnished. We would definitely return for a relaxing stay in Sonoma wine country!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nancy K.

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

special place

We had such a wonderful 4 days in this beautiful home and environs. After a very stressful few months for all in my family, this was the perfect place to rejuvenate and leave restored. Every need we had was quickly addressed by the owner and her staff. We cannot wait to return next fall.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michele B.

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

relaxing and beautiful setting

Lovely home, gorgeous, peaceful setting with beautiful views. Easy check in process. Everything was perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alyx L.

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

Birthday weekend getaway

Truly wonderful and relaxing stay at the Ranch. The cottage is cute, clean and has all the amenities we needed. There’s something for everyone. We hope to come back. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne V.

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

Beautiful, relaxing!

This was a beautiful, extremely well appointed property. The garden was a wonderful place to find fresh produce, our toddler loved visiting the chickens for fresh eggs every morning, we loved that it was dog friendly and the pool was very welcome on a hot day. The owner and caretakers were extremely helpful and friendly. We will certainly be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dawn V.

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

Our favorite spot in Sonoma!

We’ve been going to this property now for every year for 3 years. It’s the kids favorite spot and the location is perfect. Beautiful views, fresh eggs, lovely caretakers, and overall awesome house! Thanks for having us each year - looking forward to next year :)
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Callah B.

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

Magical

Myself and friends came out from Canada for a "girls" weekend of wine tasting and connection and we couldn't have found a more magical and gorgeous place. The place was clean, kitchen was a dream to work in, beds were super comfortable, and the view/access to nature can't be beat. Communication and check in was easy. Can't recommend enough.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Archival

10/10 Excellent

SUSANA M.

Wonderful, relaxing get away!

We celebrated my birthday for 5 days at Sonoma Mtn. Road house and had the most wonderful time. The location was perfect for relaxing. Everything from the views, sunshine, the pool, garden, fruit trees and well appointed cottage to the quiet...those wonderful breezy nights. We will return! Thank you!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2017
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia P.

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

Family Get Away

We wanted to extend a stay in the area after attending a family wedding. This property was perfect for us and our dogs. It has amazing views and wildlife. The on site chickens and garden is a fun bonus. The house is super cute and well equipped and the beds are super comfortable. Many wonderful and peaceful outdoor spaces to enjoy. Hosts were very kind and attentive. I didn’t want to leave to be honest and will definitely return.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Katie F.

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

Amazing property

We had a great weekend stay. Loved picking fruit and veggies from the garden and relaxing in the hot tub. Gorgeous views! There was an issue with the septic system (someone before us had flushed wipes--don't do that!) and they handled it immediately and gave us a bottle of bubbly for our trouble. Highly recommend this place!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kay J.

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

End of Summer Family Get Away

My family and I had a fabulous last summer hurrah at the Ranch! The views around the house of the Sonoma Valley are breathtaking! The house is stocked with all the essentials that you need to cook or grill. The kids enjoyed chatting with the chickens each day and appreciated the fresh eggs for breakfast. The best part of the weekend was obviously time spent at the pool. Picking/eating the fresh blackberries along the walk to the pool was also a plus! We can't wait to come back next year!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

caitlin m.

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

Dreaming of the ranch

We had an exquisite visit from start to finish and we all can’t wait to come back (although we’ll probably try to avoid coming back the same weekend as Bottle Rock again). The ranch was perfect and idyllic and felt like home. The views could bring you to tears. We used the hot tub and fire pit and next time we hope the weather is nice enough for a pool day. I can’t speak highly enough of this home - we can’t wait to visit again!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jennie H.

Great property

We had a great time celebrating 40th birthdays here with 3 other couples. The house is quite charming and we enjoyed having access to fresh eggs daily. The property is beautiful and we had everything we needed. It is up a curvy mountain road but it was not difficult getting into Glen Ellen. Just beware that it's chillier up on the mountain than it is down in Napa (at least it was for the length of our stay) and unfortunately we weren't able to use the pool. Definitely would stay again for an off-the-beaten-path stay. Thanks for a fun weekend!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2017
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tina K.

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

Family fun in rain or sun!

Wonderful trip with family & friends. Despite some surprising May weather (rain, 50/60s) we all had a great time. Lots of indoor games and books for adults and kids alike; plenty of space for two families of four to spread out; close enough to Glen Ellen and Kenwood to visit restaurants and wineries. The kids LOVED the zip line, trampoline, chickens and kids space (esp under the stair landing). Morton's warm springs public swimming pool was a great alternative for a colder day (pools were 90degrees). Only caution is mosquitos at dusk (though of the 8 of us I was the only one to get bit several times). We would love to come back!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dawn V.

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

Great location, clean, good amenities

We had a great experience. We rented for a week and are a family of 5. Space was plenty big, kids loved sleeping in the loft, appliances and supplies were current and all worked really well. Kids loved getting fresh eggs from the chickens, jumping on trampoline and the pool. It was a short drive to local markets, bakery, and wineries. Caretakers rent house on site which is convenient. The listing said private pool although on welcome binder it said the pool was shared space , but no one else used it while we were there so it worked out great. Would definitely stay here again was a wonderful week!
Stayed 10 nights in May 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kimberley E.

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

Country living

My children enjoyed this country getaway. The pool, zipline, trampoline and the chickens were a huge draw. My kids loved collecting eggs from the coop and cooking them for breakfast. The property manager Paisha was also very helpful. There was enough to do within the property that we didn’t need to leave for days. There was lots of outdoor seating and we used the grill and fire pit daily. We didn’t get to use the hot tub because it was broken but otherwise it was an enjoyable getaway.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

susan d.

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

Lovely even in a heat wave

The house is one of the best stocked homes I've ever stayed in..spices/herbs, flours, sugars..just made me want to cook. The porches and hot tub give views of the Sonoma valley, sunrise and sunset. The pool is across the property but this time of year it gives you a chance to eat blackberries on the way and look at the fresh vegetable garden to plan for dinner. The other side of the house has plug and peach trees for the picking. The caretakers are warm and helpful with any issues. I loved it so much I'm returning with my daughter and family and can't wait to see the grandkids watching the chickens and picking veggies. I think this time I'll make blackberry sorbet in the wonderful ice cream maker.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2024

About the host

Hosted by Kristin (Owner)

Host profile image
I am a 6th generation California native, raised on the San Francisco Peninsula. We purchased the ranch when our children were toddlers and spent time there whenever possible. As they grew older, we found it arrange weekend getaways to Sonoma. This led us to decide to share The Ranch with you on VRBO.

Why they chose this property

It was love at first sight, really. Historic property, 10 fenced acres, two homes, barn, orchard, vineyard, pool, seasonal creek, valley views, oak trees and more. It was a project for sure but that too, drew us in. I have always had a passion for historic restoration and viewed this property as an opportunity to be a steward of an important piece of California history.

Also, our eldest son was nearly two years old at the time we purchased the property. We wanted him, and our second son who soon followed, to grow up loving the land and having the same kind of freedom we both had as a children to roam and explore. At the Ranch, children and grown ups alike have the opportunity to develop a sense of self sufficiency in nature by climbing trees, building forts, collecting eggs and picking the food they will cook eat for their meals.

What makes this property unique

The Ranch has been inhabited by Californians and our native predecessors for This Humans have lived on this land for thousands of years. Based on stone artifacts found around the property, the land on which the Ranch now sits was likely a camp for the Costal Miwok Indians.

The Ranch on Sonoma Mountain (then 160 acres) was purchased by C.H.W. Bruning, a German immigrant, on June 17, 1876 for $4000. The property was owned by various members of the Bruning family, who sold or divided it until separate parcels over the years until we purchased the original home site in 2007. Around 1910, the Ranch shared a property line with Jack London's Beauty Ranch, as can be seen on maps on display today at Jack London State Park.

The Brunings operated a summer resort called either Waldrue or Brunings Summer Resort from the late 1900s until 1915. Guests traveled by train to Glen Ellen and were then transported via horse and buggy up the mountain. Wives and children would often come for the week while husbands would often travel from the City just for the weekend. Guest accommodations included dozens of platform tents dotting the landscape and a cottage, what we now call The Cottage on Sonoma Mountain. Dining and entertainment was offered in the main house which still stands near Sonoma Mountain Road. Guests can view the original guest book from Bruning's Summer Resort during their stay.

Prunes were the primary crop through the prohibition. One French prune tree remains from the original prune orchard. During this time the Brunings also tried their hand at poultry farming and raised white leghorn chickens. In 1946, the Brunings installed a concrete pool which served the triple purpose of recreation, fire protection and irrigation source. The pool allowed the Brunings to plant grape vines for the first time, the same gamay vines that grow today. Rumor has it that one year the family shipped the harvest to Chicago by train where the grapes were sold to Al Capone!

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