A redwood retreat in the heart of Sonoma County wine country (w/ Fiber Internet)
House in Russian River, CA
10 guests · 5 bedrooms · 3 baths
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Great for petsBring all your friends and family, even the furry ones
Includes essentialsGarden, Pets allowed, Kitchen or Kitchenette and more
About this house rental
***Update - August, 2021 ***
To see the current air quality at the home, please visit PurpleAir.com and search for Healdsburg, to the west of town you'll see our sensor called "Starlight Grove." Please message us if you'd like a direct link to it.
We recently completed major renovations on the house and I wanted to share the upgrades.
- Fireplace - we have installed a gas fireplace to keep you cozy
- Dedicated Fiber Internet - previously we relied on satellite internet which was unreliable at times. We now have business class dedicated fiber internet for all of your Zooming and streaming needs so you can quickly get work done.
- Renovations - along with the fireplace, we have new flooring, countertops and paint in the main house.
- Furniture upgrade - we also have upgraded with a number of new pieces from Restoration Hardware and vintage pieces.
- Hot tub - we installed a new hot tub in Dec 2019, so the hot tub is less than a year old.
(Updated pictures coming soon, please ask if you have questions.)
----
Welcome to Starlight Grove, the ideal retreat for you and your family. Just over an hour from the Golden Gate Bridge you will find yourself in a magical setting that provides instant relaxation. With a host of amenities you will feel like you landed in your own private resort.
We've created Starlight Grove as a wine country retreat with easy access to some of the best wineries in the world here in Sonoma County. It's a wonderful area for cycling, hiking & outdoor activities, or just relaxing.
The space
Accommodations:
Main House: A light airy house with Chef's Kitchen. 2 Large Bedrooms on the main level - 55 Inch TV for movie nights and and unparalleled views of the creek and surrounding gardens. All linens are organic and we pride ourselves on finding the best quality products for our guests.
Master offers a Queen Bed, Luxurious ensuite Bath and Walk-In Closet surrounded by views of the rushing water and Redwoods
2nd Bedroom has Queen Bed, dedicated bathroom, and fireplace, with views to the Garden and Pizza Oven.
3rd Bedroom, Downstairs and detached from the main house this room overlooks the creek with 2 single beds. It is ideal for teenagers. Please note: sometimes younger children do not want to sleep there because it has a separate entrance and no internal staircase to house.
Little Dipper - The Guest House - A cute and private cottage with own bath, efficiency coffee and fridge. A queen bed, and sitting area as well as a private deck overlooking the treehouse makes this the perfect private getaway.
The Treehouse - Kids (old and young) will be instantly charmed by our beautifully handcrafted treehouse. With private decks and sleeping loft - this is a bonus extra sleeping room. Includes sleeping pads, and heat and is fully finished.
The house in the redwood grove sits right along Mill Creek, which feeds the Russian River and runs year round. Between May and September the creek is wonderful way to stay cool, and there is a swimming hole on the creek steps from the house.
We love the contrasting colors of the sky and the green of the redwoods - during the day the sky is the bluest of blue, and at night the stars are right at your fingertips with no light pollution at all.
We love the Healdsburg area with access to world-class cycling, wine-tasting, culinary delights and more.
We feel so disconnected and unplugged when we visit this part of the world, and though wifi is available, the best screen time is outside staring at the redwoods and watching the birds and ducks in the creek.
We hope you'll enjoy this home as much as we do, its really a special place. Welcome.
Guest access
Guests get exclusive access to:
- full sized tree house with sleeping porch
- terraced gardens with citrus trees, flowers and zen gardens
- regulation bocce court along Mill Creek
- access to Mill Creek swimming hole perfect for cooling off on a hot day
- full surround decks around the house
- house and guest cottage
Interaction with guests:
Guests will have keypad access to the house.
To see the current air quality at the home, please visit PurpleAir.com and search for Healdsburg, to the west of town you'll see our sensor called "Starlight Grove." Please message us if you'd like a direct link to it.
We recently completed major renovations on the house and I wanted to share the upgrades.
- Fireplace - we have installed a gas fireplace to keep you cozy
- Dedicated Fiber Internet - previously we relied on satellite internet which was unreliable at times. We now have business class dedicated fiber internet for all of your Zooming and streaming needs so you can quickly get work done.
- Renovations - along with the fireplace, we have new flooring, countertops and paint in the main house.
- Furniture upgrade - we also have upgraded with a number of new pieces from Restoration Hardware and vintage pieces.
- Hot tub - we installed a new hot tub in Dec 2019, so the hot tub is less than a year old.
(Updated pictures coming soon, please ask if you have questions.)
----
Welcome to Starlight Grove, the ideal retreat for you and your family. Just over an hour from the Golden Gate Bridge you will find yourself in a magical setting that provides instant relaxation. With a host of amenities you will feel like you landed in your own private resort.
We've created Starlight Grove as a wine country retreat with easy access to some of the best wineries in the world here in Sonoma County. It's a wonderful area for cycling, hiking & outdoor activities, or just relaxing.
The space
Accommodations:
Main House: A light airy house with Chef's Kitchen. 2 Large Bedrooms on the main level - 55 Inch TV for movie nights and and unparalleled views of the creek and surrounding gardens. All linens are organic and we pride ourselves on finding the best quality products for our guests.
Master offers a Queen Bed, Luxurious ensuite Bath and Walk-In Closet surrounded by views of the rushing water and Redwoods
2nd Bedroom has Queen Bed, dedicated bathroom, and fireplace, with views to the Garden and Pizza Oven.
3rd Bedroom, Downstairs and detached from the main house this room overlooks the creek with 2 single beds. It is ideal for teenagers. Please note: sometimes younger children do not want to sleep there because it has a separate entrance and no internal staircase to house.
Little Dipper - The Guest House - A cute and private cottage with own bath, efficiency coffee and fridge. A queen bed, and sitting area as well as a private deck overlooking the treehouse makes this the perfect private getaway.
The Treehouse - Kids (old and young) will be instantly charmed by our beautifully handcrafted treehouse. With private decks and sleeping loft - this is a bonus extra sleeping room. Includes sleeping pads, and heat and is fully finished.
The house in the redwood grove sits right along Mill Creek, which feeds the Russian River and runs year round. Between May and September the creek is wonderful way to stay cool, and there is a swimming hole on the creek steps from the house.
We love the contrasting colors of the sky and the green of the redwoods - during the day the sky is the bluest of blue, and at night the stars are right at your fingertips with no light pollution at all.
We love the Healdsburg area with access to world-class cycling, wine-tasting, culinary delights and more.
We feel so disconnected and unplugged when we visit this part of the world, and though wifi is available, the best screen time is outside staring at the redwoods and watching the birds and ducks in the creek.
We hope you'll enjoy this home as much as we do, its really a special place. Welcome.
Guest access
Guests get exclusive access to:
- full sized tree house with sleeping porch
- terraced gardens with citrus trees, flowers and zen gardens
- regulation bocce court along Mill Creek
- access to Mill Creek swimming hole perfect for cooling off on a hot day
- full surround decks around the house
- house and guest cottage
Interaction with guests:
Guests will have keypad access to the house.
Amenities
Air conditioner
Pets allowed
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
Hot tub or spa
TV
Garden
Family friendly
Map of Russian River, CA
RRRR
Reviews
10.0
Our family of five (2 adults and 3 teens) had a wonderful stay! The house is just a short drive to wineries and to downtown Healdsburg with terrific restaurants. The house is nicely decorated, the kitchen is well stocked and the beds and linens are high quality. The property is magical! We enjoyed exploring the treehouse and the creek. We also all had fun playing bocce ball and it was great to be able to bring our dog along for the trip.
10.0
We had the best time at Starlight Grove. The house was the perfect size, especially having the separate room with its own bath. We can’t wait to come back!
10.0
Relaxing hearing stream in the Evening
10.0
This place was amazing! The yard and creek are fenced in so we didn’t have to worry about our kiddos or dogs getting out. There’s a ton of space and things to keep busy. There’s a guest room up top with a bedroom with bathroom, then in the main house there is a master bedroom with an large bathroom (big shower and big tub), then there is one more bedroom in the main house. Bathroom is just across the dining room so they just used that one as their own. There is a tree house with a bed up top and a small area for a little kid to sleep below. Not big enough to put an air bed in or anything like that but it was so cute. Our kids were too little and too big to want to sleep out there but the littles did play in it lots. It has power so they could even play in it at night. Then under the house is a “hidden” room as my 5yr old called it. That is where he and I stayed. It was nice going down and hiding away from the noise when he got tired and needed to go to sleep. There is no bathroom down there but there is a sink and mirror right outside the door. Bathroom is up in the main house but there is a light that pops on if you needed to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Loved the creek and the hot tub. It was so beautiful and relaxing. You are missing out if you don’t get to experience this place! Hoping to plan a trip back next year.
10.0
Wow - what a great spot. It’s one of the spots where I kept taking videos to send to friends that were not there. The creek access, the bocce ball court, pizza oven and the amazing flow of all the space made for a really awesome time. I plan to bring my toddler back with me next time to play in the Sandy by the creek. No complaints!
To note: there is a rental house next door that shares the same creek access. That blew our other wise very private vibe a bit, but all worked out just fine.
10.0
I was a little nervous booking a long summer stay here at first when looking at the temps but this place was truly perfect. We spent long days lazing in the tubes at the creek, grandparents teaching kids about frogs, skipping stones, watching birds and butterflies, story times in the tree house. The property manager was around whenever we needed anything but otherwise we enjoyed the quiet and privacy of having these terraced gardens, bocce ball courts and creek to ourselves. We hope to make it a family tradition!
10.0
The coolest home in Healdsburg!
This is truly a magical home tucked away in the trees, right alongside a creek. We absolutely loved our stay in this home. We jumped into the creek, played bocce ball, and enjoyed the sounds of nature from their large deck.
If we ever come back to Healdsburg, we will be sure to stay here again!
Other positives: easy check in process, great communication and nice local recommendations, easy check out, good wifi, and they even left us a bottle of wine!
10.0
Creekside get away
The property was amazing. Host was exceptionally responsive and helpful. We had a wonderful time, we were sad to leave.
10.0
Beautiful getaway in the redwoods
Starlight Grove was the perfect place for a family retreat. There were six of us there and plenty of space to hang out, read, and relax together or apart. The bocce court and treehouse made this place special.
6.0
Could be great but several big issues
We were excited to find this property available for our first family trip in almost two years due to covid! Although I did a ton of research, sadly, this stay was a disappointment and I would not recommend this home.
Pros:
- Home is well decorated and has nice touches like a record player, tree house and unique decor
- Great location! Super close to town but feels like you're in a forest (though the creak nearby brings a TON of bugs so beware)
Cons:
- Various parts of the home were dirty when we arrived. The fridge and freezer were both dirty (had spills, old food stuck to the shelves) and were filled with food including perishables like meat. A bathroom was filled with dead bugs as the window had been left open. There were hairs in the sink and shower. The kitchen sink and counters were dirty with glass rings, food stains and a couple of dishes in the sink.
- I immediately contacted "Samuel" who the owner told me was the “always available” property manager, but I didn't get him so I messaged Chris, the owner. Chris was very responsive and came right over to try and clean up but it was a quick job and not thorough plus at this home’s rate and given we paid a hefty cleaning fee, it absolutely should not have happened. I would have at least expected our cleaning fee to be refunded though to be fair, I didn’t ask.
- I tried to contact "Samuel" several more times during our stay and never heard back from him! He never replied to messages or answered the number we were given. Honestly, I'm not convinced Samuel exists.
- Strangely, many of the doors in the house that are accessible for entry did not have locks! There was a sliding glass door on the patio that entered the living room that had no lock inside or outside. The guest cottage could not be locked from the outside. Anyone could easily have entered the house because the gate doesn't lock either and again, the town is only 1 mile away so it's not like it's that remote.
- Another weird thing is several of the rooms have no curtains! For example the master bedroom has a wall of windows/door looking onto the patio with no curtains so zero privacy.
- Finally, the listing notes air-conditioned but this home has no AC. It was 90F when we left today and very warm. Chris offered to bring two portable units over but at this point we were just ready to leave.
All in all, this house has potential but as-is I would absolutely say to pass. Overpriced and under cared for.
10.0
Dreamy Starlight property
This place was absolutely incredible. No words or pictures could portray the beauty of this property. The private swimming hole! The beautiful pizza oven! The comfy beds! The bocce/ petanque courts! The list goes on. Chris was so wonderful weeks before and during our stay. He made sure to answer all of the pertinent questions leading up which made this stay so much more exciting . I've never had a host so accommodating. I would without a doubt rent this space again. The surrounding nature, infinite space for fun and relaxation, and overall good vibes makes me want to book again next week. I can't wait to go back (and I call dibs on the treehouse sleeping area! Thank you Chris for the best 30th birthday space I could ever ask for! DO NOT miss out on renting this place readers!
8.0
Starlight Sanctuary!
My friends, family and I enjoyed a very relaxing, weeklong stay at Starlight Grove for my birthday. The property was just as described in the details of the posting (be sure to read the fine print). It had also just undergone some renovations and updates when we arrived, so the rooms were better than expected compared to the photos currently posted on the listing.
Overall, the location was great! It was just close enough to town for us to run and grab what we needed, while being far enough away to feel tucked away in nature. I already miss the sounds of the babbling creek alongside the back of the house and we made great use of the bocce ball court when the weather was nice (equipment is included).
Chris and Anne were excellent communicators leading up to and throughout the trip. The checked in just the right amount and were also great hosts in recommending some of their favorite spots around town. You can tell that they've invested a lot into Starlight Grove and ensuring their guests are and feel comfortable throughout the stay, which was greatly appreciated.
Overall, you will not be disappointed with Starlight Grove! If you're looking for a peaceful getaway from the hubbub of the city, I highly recommend you check this out. I hope to return back again someday, perhaps when the weather is warmer!
10.0
Beautiful Property Close to Downtown Healdsburg
Terrific wooded property close to everything. The treehouse, guest house and main house were perfect for our family! Chris was welcoming and easy to reach when needed. Recommend highly!
1.0
This property is not being properly cleaned between guests, yet is advertised as having a “cleaning protocol for COVID-19 including all CDC recommended guidelines and we are extensively cleaning the hot tub between uses.” This is gross negligence.Ahead of our trip, the owner assured me that extra cleaning precautions were in place between guests, including draining and cleaning the hot tub. Upon arrival, this property, hot tub included, was not cleaned.I booked the property along with two friends. We all agreed to follow strict social distancing measures for the two weeks prior to the trip to be able to safely bring our three households together.My husband and I arrived first. The beds appeared to be made and garbage had been taken out, but the floors and bathrooms were dirty, and the counters were not wiped down. Food was left in the refrigerator. At best, the property appeared to be poorly cleaned. In the guest cottage, when we found used towels strewn about, a dirty bed, empty wine bottles, food, and garbage, it became clear that the property had not been cleaned at all. At this point, I felt confused and vulnerable. I had already touched many handles, surfaces, and knobs.We saw people floating in the creek and came to find that they were in fact the owners, Chris and Anne. Per the owners’ instructions, property manager Kevin typically greets guests and shows them around the property. Owner Chris had not responded to two emails, so I texted Kevin (who was on vacation) directly on the day of the trip to ask about early check-in. Kevin told us that it would not be a problem. Chris and Anne confirmed that Kevin was away on vacation and appeared quite flustered once I told them that the house had not been cleaned.They came over to the property and made an effort to wipe down surfaces and change sheets. We had to prompt them to drain the hot tub and change the duvet covers in all bedrooms. We quickly accepted their offer to schedule a housekeeper to come to clean the next day and Chris offered to waive the cleaning fee and refund half of the first night’s stay. While I appreciate his efforts to make things right, I don’t know what could be offered to remedy the situation. Because of their actions, I unwittingly put my friends and family at risk.The owners live next door. They knew their property manager was away. It is a massive, inexcusable oversight to leave a property filthy between guests, especially amidst a global pandemic.
2.0
Beware--Property was not cleaned upon arrival!
This property is not being properly cleaned between guests, yet is advertised as having a “cleaning protocol for COVID-19 including all CDC recommended guidelines and we are extensively cleaning the hot tub between uses.” This is gross negligence.
Ahead of our trip, the owner assured me that extra cleaning precautions were in place between guests, including draining and cleaning the hot tub. Upon arrival, this property, hot tub included, was not cleaned.
I booked the property along with two friends. We all agreed to follow strict social distancing measures for the two weeks prior to the trip to be able to safely bring our three households together.
My husband and I arrived first. The beds appeared to be made and garbage had been taken out, but the floors and bathrooms were dirty, and the counters were not wiped down. Food was left in the refrigerator. At best, the property appeared to be poorly cleaned. In the guest cottage, when we found used towels strewn about, a dirty bed, empty wine bottles, food, and garbage, it became clear that the property had not been cleaned at all. At this point, I felt confused and vulnerable. I had already touched many handles, surfaces, and knobs.
We saw people floating in the creek and came to find that they were in fact the owners, Chris and Anne. Per the owners’ instructions, property manager Kevin typically greets guests and shows them around the property. Owner Chris had not responded to two emails, so I texted Kevin (who was on vacation) directly on the day of the trip to ask about early check-in. Kevin told us that it would not be a problem. Chris and Anne confirmed that Kevin was away on vacation and appeared quite flustered once I told them that the house had not been cleaned.
They came over to the property and made an effort to wipe down surfaces and change sheets. We had to prompt them to drain the hot tub and change the duvet covers in all bedrooms. We quickly accepted their offer to schedule a housekeeper to come to clean the next day and Chris offered to waive the cleaning fee and refund half of the first night’s stay. While I appreciate his efforts to make things right, I don’t know what could be offered to remedy the situation. Because of their actions, I unwittingly put my friends and family at risk.
The owners live next door. They knew their property manager was away. It is a massive, inexcusable oversight to leave a property filthy between guests, especially amidst a global pandemic.
10.0
Perfect holiday getaway
This property is magical and we hope to return next year!
The main house is well appointed with everything you need for a comfortable stay. The cottage is also well appointed and feels like a little retreat from the action of the main house. It’s perfect for a couple or anyone looking for a little extra privacy. The treehouse is also very cool and the loft area can accommodate two (very) cozy adults, the lower bunk would be suitable only for a child. One thing that is important to note is that the lower bedroom with two single beds, does require you to go outside and upstairs to get to access the main house and the nearest restroom.
The garden, decks, various sitting areas and swimming hole are the true highlight of this property. Sipping coffee while enjoying the creek view in the morning, having cocktails lounging creek side or while floating, and grilling and dining outside were among our group’s favorite activities. We stayed on property for our entire stay other than when we went tubing on the 4th and were perfectly relaxed and satisfied.
Chris and Anne are very helpful and attentive as needed. We had the opportunity to meet them and they are extremely hospitable and welcoming.
We had such an amazing stay, we are already talking about making a return trip. Book with confidence, you won’t be sorry!
8.0
Seybert Review
The outdoor space on this property was amazing! The gardens were so lovely! Even given the cold weather, we had several rousing rounds of boccie ball. Would like to revisit the house when it gets warmer to really take advantage of the yard. Some of the maintenance on this property needed attention. For example, we were looking forward to using the hot tub, and it was totally gross. I understand from Kevin that a new one was going to be installed but that didn't help us during our visit. Some of the outdoor lights, i.e., those along the stairs leading to the house from the driveway were not working, making it a little unsafe at night. Kevin was very helpful; my grandson accidentally locked himself out of the treehouse - the door lock is a little deceiving - and Kevin came over promptly to unlock it for us. Otherwise, the property was fine & we really enjoying having it to spend some good family time.
10.0
Wonderful memories remain
We stayed here for 5 magical nights with our 2 children, their spouses and our 3 grandchildren. I will savor my memories of summer evenings eating on the porch, children playing by the creek all afternoon and quiet hours reading on the comfortable sofa.
10.0
Gorgeous place!
We had an incredible stay at this property. Chris was extremely helpful and amazingly accommodating. The grounds are breathtaking--extremely spacious, numerous decks, all sorts of fruit trees, bocce, hot tub, grill, and more!
Inside, the master bedroom is gorgeous. The tree house is fantastic for kids, and the side apartment is lovely. There is no AC, so be prepared for it to get pretty warm when it's hot outside, and bring bug spray! No cell service but the WiFi worked well. There is only one closet but it is large.
This place is literally paradise. I would highly recommend it to anyone!
10.0
Property is amazing
The property was spectacular, even better than depicted online. We had so much fun playing at the creek, and firing pizzas in the wood fire oven. Great space for families or entertaining.
10.0
Good place for relaxing.
Good property. Fun location. Adjacent Creek adds relaxing ambiance. Some property updates could be addressed (WiFi, lights & light bulbs, sound system ...).
10.0
Redwood Heaven
Fantastic house and grounds, had a great time. The music of the large creek / river was amazing. We played Bocce endlessly, with court side cheese and wine!
My only recommendation for improvement would be to spruce up the treehouse bedroom and guesthouse so as to be better for larger groups. Overall, however, better than 5 stars!
10.0
Place for relaxing and enjoy nature, river and stars at night
It is an amazing location with river running along the house. We could hear the running water sound all day. Very spacious main house (we were 4 of us and only used main house). Easy access to the river and very tastefully done garden with multiple levels. Well equipped kitchen and enjoyed making pizza with kids.
There are so many outdoor area to enjoy. It was bit colder and rainy during our stay. We are already thinking of reserving this house for summer holidays, hoping the weather would be warmer to enjoy outdoor.
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Russian River?
The average price for a rental in Russian River is R 5,234 per night. This rental is R 11,038 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at A redwood retreat in the heart of Sonoma County wine country (w/ Fiber Internet). For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is A redwood retreat in the heart of Sonoma County wine country (w/ Fiber Internet) pet friendly?
Yes! This house is pet-friendly. For more information, we recommend contacting the booking provider about animal policies.
What amenities are available at A redwood retreat in the heart of Sonoma County wine country (w/ Fiber Internet)?
We found 12 amenities for this rental. This includes air conditioner, pets allowed, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, and parking.
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