Entire home·Private host

Family-friendly 3BR resort experience on quiet vineyard near Stanford/Palo Alto

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Exterior
Outdoor pool
Smart TV, video games, DVD player, books
Outdoor dining
3 bedrooms, Egyptian cotton sheets, memory-foam beds, in-room safe

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
    Hot tub
  • Pool
    Pool
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor space
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Portola Valley, CA
  • Stanford University Golf Course
    9 min drive
  • Stanford University
    10 min drive
  • SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
    10 min drive
  • San Francisco, CA (SFO-San Francisco Intl.)
    33 min drive

Room options

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About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Family-friendly 3BR resort experience on quiet vineyard near Stanford/Palo Alto

Professionally cleaned detached home nestled among an oak grove, waterfall & vineyard in the hills above Stanford (10 min), Palo Alto (20 min), Menlo Park (10-20 min), Mountain View (25 min) and San Francisco and San Jose. Perfect for traveling families and groups, as well as startups visiting Silicon Valley or conducting off-site meetings. Amenities include private pool, spa, sauna, tennis, pickleball, basketball, putting green & trails. Please read this entire listing for full details.

LATEST UPDATES: Upgraded AC, faster internet and a WiFi6 for lots of devices and bandwidth. We've also added pickleball lines to the tennis court and installed a putting green with five remote tee locations (tees available July, 2022).

CONVENIENT RETREAT: Quiet rural escape in a secluded home on a vineyard with lots of screening, full fencing and a security gate across your private driveway.

Portola Valley has a great outdoor lifestyle: cycling, equestrian, hiking, yet is only minutes from Stanford and central to all major Bay Area destinations: Googl/Alphabet, Facebk/Meta, Apple, Sand Hill Road, and all major cities including Palo Alto, Mountain View, Cupertino, San Francisco, Santa Clara & San Jose. You're 4-5 minutes from I-280 which is the most beautiful freeway in the U.S. and the fastest route up and down the peninsula.

RESORT-STYLE AMENITIES: private tennis court, pickleball, basketball, putting green, outdoor dining patio, walking trails, plus summer-time amenities including a spa, sauna and swimming pool (with dive, slide and shallow toddler section)

WINE COUNTRY LIVING: You're on a vineyard with a family-operated winery and an award-winning pinot noir that's grown, fermented, crushed, barreled and bottled on-site. Best of all: a complementary bottle is available on request!

COMMITMENT TO CLEANLINESS: exceed VRBO & CDC guidelines. See details below.

FAMILY FRIENDLY: books, toys, games, Wii, high chair, Pack & Play crib, scooters & outdoor toys at sport court. Pool includes a 1' shallow section for toddlers and is usually fully covered for safety. Ponds have safety grates.

BUSINESS-FRIENDLY - high-speed internet plus multiple desks & counter-tops for work areas. Tables in kitchen, on porch and outdoor patio (at tennis court) are suitable for meetings. We recently upgraded our Comcast service to the highest tier and installed a high-performance WiFi 6 base station.

EXTENDED STAYS - includes central AC, heating, linens, towels, pillows, and a fully-stocked kitchen with appliances, utensils, pots, pans, etc.

A NOTE ON CLEANLINESS: The home is cleaned between guests by a professional crew using a 200-point checklist that goes above & beyond typical house-cleaning. We wash dishes, cups, utensils and appliances between guests. We disinfect all food, cleaning & bathing surfaces as well as faucets, toilet flush levers, doorknobs, drawer-pulls, cabinet handles, appliance handles/panels, light switches, remote controls, etc. And of course all linens and towels are cleaned. Check-in and check-out are contactless - you can arrive anytime after the check-in time (4pm) and let yourself in.

>> LOCATION
Despite offering a secluded surrounding, the home is only 5 minutes from I-280, which is the backbone connecting San Jose, San Francisco and all of Silicon Valley. It's near Stanford (10 mins) and Sand Hill Rd (7 mins). It's very close to Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Woodside, Mountain View and Los Altos. Levi's Stadium is 30 mins away; San Francisco is 35 and San Jose is 25.

This is a storied property - it once was a hunting lodge visited by Hollywood celebrities like Bing Crosby. In the 60s and 70s it became a hippie commune before becoming a private residence. This house was once a stable and was converted decades ago to a guest house, then remodeled and updated twice in the last 10 years, including new kitchen, bath and beds.

In addition to all the amenities inside the home, there's a full tennis court, basketball, pickleball and putting green with five approach tee boxes (starting July, 2022) at various distances and elevations. Pool, hot tub and sauna are available between 9:30-6:30 during the warm season.

A private half-mile walking trail encircles the property and a network of public hiking trails are available just outside the fence.

Use of outdoor amenities requires a signed liability waiver and adherence to site rules & guidelines. Violating rules will result in loss of access to the amenities. The rules are reasonable but we've had to cut folks off a few times.

>> THE HOUSE
The self-contained house includes a kitchen, dining area, living room and 3 bedrooms. The master bedroom features a luxurious queen bed fitted with 400-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. There's a 42" HDTV as well as a desk, walk-in closet, dresser, full-length mirror and small safe.

The second bedroom includes a queen bed, desk, 32" TV and closet. The third bedroom has twin bunk beds, dresser and toys and books for young children. Additional sleeping is available on the convertible sofa in the living room. It converts easily to a queen-size bed with a memory foam mattress.

The bathroom features a marble floor and granite slab on the sink and the shower. The shower is granite with a solid cast-iron, porcelain tub. There are extra towels, pillows and blankets as well.

The full kitchen includes granite counters, premium cabinets and modern appliances: range, 2 ovens, microwave, dishwasher, disposal and full refrigerator/freezer with ice-maker. Dishes, cups, silverware, pots, pans and utensils are available. There's plenty of counter prep space. In addition to the dining table, there's a bar-top with four stools.

The living room features a 60' HDTV with Blu-Ray DVD player, Wii gaming console and surround sound. You'll have one of Comcast's top internet and cable packages with ESPN, HBO, Showtime and many other channels. There's also a selection of books & toys that are appropriate for young children.

The home has plenty of natural light and includes its own central heating, air conditioning, full-sized washer and dryer and plenty of closet space.

The back porch includes two chairs with the vineyard to your back. There's also a cafe table with two chairs at the covered porch at the end of the house. Just off the tennis court is a separate outdoor patio with table, umbrella and chairs.

You'll enjoy full access to the house, with your own security gate, driveway and parking area. The tennis and basketball courts, putting green and walking paths are available anytime, and courtesy access to pool, spa & sauna during the warm season. The pool includes a diving board and water slide.

Amenities outside the house are shared with the permanent resident (us), and are rarely-though-occasionally reserved for maintenance or an event. Though we live in the adjacent house, there is never overlap. With a separate driveway and plenty of landscape screening, you'll probably never see us unless we're saying hi.

Finally, we ask that any gatherings with guests you invite (who aren't staying as part of the rental) be indoors, i.e. no tennis/golf/swim guests, outdoor events, playdates, parties or other gatherings with guests not staying in the house.

There are great outdoor space for family & group gatherings at the nearby Portola Valley Town Center or the Alpine Inn, which is a 10 minute walk or a 2 minute drive. The town center is a 5 minute drive and has a library, playground, walking paths, picnic lawn, BBQs, fields, basketball, tennis and pickleball. If there are any questions, please ask.

The surrounding area is popular for walking, running, hiking, cycling (road and mountain), and horse-riding. It's quite beautiful and rustic despite being minutes from I-280, Sand Hill Rd, Stanford and Palo Alto. Shopping and dining are minutes away, either in town, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, or beyond.
Our customers tell us they can't get enough of the overall property condition at this vacation home. During your stay, you'll be close to Stanford University. An outdoor pool and a spa tub are available. The vacation home includes amenities such as free WiFi and a private pool.
  • Air-conditioned home with private pool, kitchen, and washing machine
  • Free WiFi
  • Take a swim in the outdoor pool or soak in the spa tub
  • Onsite recreation includes tennis courts, a sauna, and a playground
  • 10 minutes by car from Stanford University and 10 minutes from Stanford University Medical Center
This vacation home offers its guests an outdoor pool, a spa tub, and a sauna.

Property manager

Bill Youstra

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach sunloungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Private pool
  • Outdoor pool
  • Fence around the pool
  • A hot tub
  • Sauna

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Ice maker
  • Paper towels
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Egyptian cotton sheets
  • Memory-foam mattress
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bath or shower
  • Hairdryer
  • Shampoo
  • Towels provided
  • Toilet paper
  • Soap

Living spaces

  • Living room
  • Dining room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite service
  • Video games
  • DVD player
  • Stereo
  • Video library
  • Books
  • Music library
  • Games

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Fenced garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near a laundromat

Work spaces

  • Desk

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: No smoking indoors or outdoors

Services and conveniences

  • Safe
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone
  • Local meal delivery service

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near a health or beauty spa
  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Tennis on site
  • Golf on site
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Horse riding nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Basketball nearby
  • Golf nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Cycling nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking. An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking.

Property is also known as

Family-friendly 3BR Home Quiet Vineyard Stanford Palo Alto House
Family-friendly 3BR Home Quiet Vineyard Stanford Palo Alto
Family-friendly 3BR Home Quiet Vineyard Stanford Palo Alto House
Family-friendly 3BR Home Quiet Vineyard Stanford Palo Alto House
Family-friendly 3BR Home Quiet Vineyard Stanford Palo Alto

Family-friendly 3BR resort experience on quiet vineyard near Stanford/Palo Alto Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 42 out of 47 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 47 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 47 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 47 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 47 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Christopher R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Exceeded all expectations!
Everything about our stay was great. The property is unique, with ample outdoor space, quiet and private. Bill is a fantastic host and provided everything we needed and more!
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patricia M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family get together
We traveled to the area to visit family and celebrate the birth of a new grandchild. The home is a compact but very well laid out and functional guesthouse on the grounds of an estate and vineyard. The property is magnificent. We wandered the vineyards and picked grapes from the vines, swam in the pool while being supervised by the two friendly dogs, then took our 2 y/o grandchild for a ride on a scooter around the tennis court before checking out the library of children's books and the teddy bear in the room with the bunk beds. The putting green looked great but we never had time to use it. Surrounding walking trails were also wonderful. Very convenient to the 280 freeway. Host is warm, friendly and extremely responsive. We will definitely stay here in the future. Bill gifted us a bottle of the wine they grow on site when we left, which we are looking forward to trying soon. Can't wait to go back!

10/10 Excellent

James F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely escape
Truly idyllic escape and immersion in semi-rural California life in the golden hills. This neighborhood is exactly why everyone wants to live in California—yet just 20 minutes from Stanford campus. Great house with exceptional facilities and hosts. Made our family gathering quite memorable.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

jeffrey k., madison, wisconsin

Liked: Cleanliness
Lot's of fun
This was the cleanest place ever! The location was great, close to everything but uncrowded. We all enjoyed the swimming pool and the chipping and putting area. The check in was hard. We arrived at 10: at night and couldn't see that there were two gates next to one another. The manager finally came out and showed us the other gate to our place. Highly recommend !
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Yoko N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful family stay
We had a spectacular week-long stay here. We were 6 adults and 1 child and found the house specious enough for all of us. The grounds and amenities are top notch. We especially enjoyed the pool, basketball court, and pickle ball court. The owner Bill was very kind, accommodating, and quick to answer our emails. As an added bonus, his two friendly, well-behaved dogs came by to say hi every day. We hope return one day!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tim G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic
Great experience. They were actually bottling wine one day we were there and invited us over. Spent a day by the pool. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jan E., Gothenburg

Liked: Cleanliness
What a gem
Our family had a great time during our 5 month stay. Everything in the description is as stated and with easy access to all things you might need but still outside all the busy parts of Silicon Valley. Given the rural setting, few objects can compete in the area with tranquility and are still close to most things in the Bay Area. The kids just loved to use the basketball/tennis court and being able to move around. The house is just the right size unless you are a family of more than 4 and all that you might need are there even for a family with smaller kids. The house is on a wonderful property in lovely and peaceful Portola Valley. Our hosts Bill and Jennifer were very accommodating and helpful in every aspect and always responded in a quick and helpful way. We can absolutely recommend this house. / J&A
Stayed 85 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Chris K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect getaway
We really enjoyed staying here. We had a 6, 11, 12, and 17 year old with us and they always had stuff to do. Whether swimming, putting , shooting hoops, playing tennis, exploring, or reading the many kid books that they have in the bunk bed room. Kitchen was full size and we cooked in 2 out if the 4 nights. Overall it was a fantastic experience and will hope to stay there again when we go back next year
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amy W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful getaway
This property was immaculate, the hosts were so kind and accommodating and the setting is picturesque.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amy G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely Lodging for Rule Followers
This is a great rental property for adults who don't mind following rules. The guest house is very comfortable and the location exceptionally peaceful. The beds have good mattresses, there's a comfortable room for watching television, a big dining room table, and two seating areas outside where it is very pleasant to drink coffee in the morning. I was particularly impressed by the kitchen, not only because it's newly remodeled, but because it contains everything one could possibly need to prepare a meal, including sharp knives, some spices, and baking dishes. The shared spaces at the estate (the pool, tennis court, and putting green) are available to guests from 10-6:30 only, and the pool, in particular, is governed by a long list of rules as to appropriate behavior on the pool deck and in the pool itself. These include: no flips off of the diving board, no using the outdoor entertainment area, no sitting on the couches in the entertainment area, only adults can operate the pool cover, and an adult must be on the pool deck anytime a minor is on the pool deck. If you like to swim, it's worth following all the rules because the pool is gorgeous and long enough to swim laps in, but also note that given the hours the pool is open to guests, you won't be able to swim swim laps before work or after dinner. If you are traveling with young children you will find lots of books and games and bunk beds inside the house, but should be aware that a certain degree of decorum is expected in the public areas. The property itself is spectacular, with nicely landscaped walking trails. I had an older adult with limited mobility staying with me and the owners offered to help her access the pool though their driveway, because she was unable to navigate the steep steps down to the pool from the rental house, which I thought was very nice. There's a charming shopping center a 4 minute drive away with a fancy market, four very good restaurants, and a pleasant cafe. The owner was very responsive to my queries and easy to work with. I was in town for Stanford graduation, and the house is only 15 minutes from campus.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

john m.

Liked: Cleanliness
Privacy and Serenity
We stayed at this guest house tucked away among vineyards for 2 months to visit family in Portola Valley. This is a PERFECT location in hills with access to local towns and Stanford medical facilities. Bill was very helpful and informative throughout our stay. The privacy and serenity of the vineyards was a welcome counterpoint to visiting during the covid pandemic!
Stayed 55 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Shelby S., New York, NY

Liked: Cleanliness
Gracious
Bill and Jennifer were extremely gracious to offer their guest house in the incredible Portola Valley area. As a family of 4, it's often difficult to find a hotel that meets all of our needs. This VRBO did just that. We would stay there over and over again.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Christin G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful, comfortable base, especially for Stanford parents
We used this guesthouse as a base from which to prepare our son for his move in at Stanford. After spending the days in big stores buying college supplies, it was nice to come back to a quiet, peaceful refuge. Having your own driveway, in a safe neighborhood, with its own gate, means items can be left in the car overnight. This house is a short, easy drive from Stanford and there is a great casual restaurant nearby. (Zott's/ Alpine Inn). I would be happy to stay here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Susan R.

Liked: Cleanliness
house in the hills
This is a lovely property and Bill is very responsive. The house is super clean. It is optimally set up for a young family--the bunk beds are designed for little ones. It was wonderful to have access to the pool and tennis court, but this is not a resort, it is a private property. You will be sharing the grounds with the owners. You will need to respect the family's privacy and the rules they have set up for that purpose. It was fun chatting with Bill about the vineyard and he most generously offered us a bottle of wine, to sample what the family has produced.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Matt E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing escape
The property is beautiful and the host is fantastic.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely little oasis
We had a wonderful long weekend visiting family. This property was a great little oasis, surrounded by a vineyard. They grow, ferment, age and bottle on-site. We enjoyed walking our 1 year old around the grape trees when she was antsy to get outside. The property owner even dropped off a bottle of the pinot noir that's made from the grapes surrounding the house. We would definitely recommend this house for a beautiful secluded setting with an easy drive to Stanford and Menlo Park!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sarah M.

Liked: Cleanliness
wonderful
a most wonderful place to stay while our home is under construction! bill was so helpful and kind and the little place is perfect!
Stayed 38 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Catharine M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Guest House in a Vineyard
We stayed in this beautiful environment while I was in cancer treatment at Stanford. The quiet and the natural setting was restful and healing. An easy and beautiful 15 minute drive to Stanford. The house is set up with all that's needed to be comfortable, fix your own food or get take outs. Portola Valley is very rural with paths everywhere to take short or long walks. Bill is very responsive if you have any problems. We were sorry to have our stay end.
Stayed 34 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderfully peaceful
Amazing location to spend some time surrounded by nature.
Stayed 31 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Stephen J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very relaxing weekend
We really enjoyed our time at Bill’s guest house. The house was very nice, the kitchen was well equipped, and the pool and hot tub were great. We hope to make a return trip sometime.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Thomas D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Portola Valley Stay
Place was beautiful, property was well kept, and owner was great. We wanted a quiet getaway, and our expectations were vastly exceeded. One of the best bay area visits we've had!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Ana W., USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome place!
The place is great! Highly recommended!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Chris D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Memories of the Hills
We rented this property while doing a Stanford college visit for our daughter , and visiting old friends in the area. It is a large, immaculate carriage house with flawless WiFi, located on a four acre multimillion dollar estate in the hills of Portola Valley, with trails throughout the property (we saw deer and bunnies), Bay views from the trails, and shared access to the owner's very large pool. It reminded me very much of time spent living in Los Altos Hills while a student in the area many years ago. It's hard to imagine there is a better place to stay this close to Stanford and Palo Alto.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Lydia F.

Liked: Cleanliness
We loved everything about our stay here. Great for family vacation or just fun getaway for Anyone!
The property was lovely and Bill was a great communicator. I am hoping I can come up with a good excuse to return, because our stay was really great in all ways.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Alexandra J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful home and gracious hosts!
We had a wonderful time at this Portola Valley guest house. It was immaculate and just as pictured. The broader property was stunning--on a vineyard with private walking trails and a pool. The hosts left us a bottle of the wine they make on the property--delicious!