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Little River Gem: ocean views, exquisite gardens, 1 floor, private, 850 sq ft,

Photo gallery for Little River Gem: ocean views, exquisite gardens, 1 floor, private, 850 sq ft,

Our rock garden contains 50 tons of coastal rock from a local quarry
Cottage is two units: main cottage and connected guesthouse (small unit/ tower)
Living room high ceilings and wood burning stove
Sofa and chair recently reupholstered in sun proof fabric
Twin bed in living room

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 3

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Ocean view

Explore the area

Map
Little River, CA
  • Van Damme State Park
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Agate Beach
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Russian Gulch State Park
    ‪9 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 3)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Common area 1 - Living Room

1 Single Bed

1 bathroom

One bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Little River Gem: ocean views, exquisite gardens, 1 floor, private, 850 sq ft,

NOTE: This is the cottage NOT the annex. There is no ladder. It is a romantic get-away for two. The twin bed in the living room is available for a third person with approval.

Description:
Stroll through an acre of coastal gardens . . .
plop down beneath a tower of jewels and fall fast asleep

Kick up. your feet . . .
sip a glass of Mendocino county wine
watch the sun sink into the Pacific . . .

All this awaits you at Little River Gem, a beautiful cottage with bedroom, two miles from the village of Mendocino.

We invite you to unplug.

Maybe you’d like a roaring fire in the evening. . .
Or a cozy dinner.
Little River Gem is just the place.

Located in Little River, CA on five wooded acres facing the Pacific Ocean, our cottage (total 850 sq. Ft.) is the perfect retreat. Appointed with original local art and hand-woven rugs, this vacation rental oozes charm and sunlight.

We trust you will find everything you need for your stay at Little River Gem. We offer a full living room, a bedroom with king bed, a kitchen, and a bathroom extra long soaking tub and shower. We have reliable TV and internet. With our new 3,000 gallon water tank, there is no water shortage here.

We hope to see you soon.

JoAnne, Property Owner

NOTE: Little River Gem Guest House is not your perfect spot if you need:

*The entire property to yourselves. JoAnne or her guests often stay in the adjacent guesthouse unit (separated by the 10' wide foyer.) Assume that she might be there. Please note: JoAnne is respectful of your privacy and you have the full grounds with the exception of the space directly in front of the guest house window. (1 acre of garden is developed and there are 4 wooded acres).

•Constant cell phone coverage: Verizon is sketchy. AT&T is nonexistent. We use wifi calling and it works well. To access it, put the wifi password into your phone. Then go to settings. Select phone. Select wifi calling. You can make and receive calls. Our internet is reliable

•Unlimited TV channels; we offer Statlink internet.

Property manager

JoAnne Marie Tybinka

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Ocean view
Fireplace

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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

Adults only
Please no young children
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load the dishwasher
Remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Guests should put the compost in the freezer so that we can take it out on the appropriate day. We have raccoons.
Any smelly items should be wrapped in plastic bag and sealed tightly before placing in trash. We have raccoons.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Booking is for two people not two couples. Sofa bed in the living room for a third person.
NO outdoor fires. Please turn off electric heat when going in and out. Our solar panels don't cover it. Hot water heater is 25 gallons
No further rules. Use common sense at all times.

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
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses solar energy, plus eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances 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
Property Registration Number 124415 County of Mendocino

About the area

Little River

Located in Little River, this holiday home is by the ocean. Albion River Bridge and Kelley House Museum are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Van Damme State Park and Mendocino Headlands State Park. Sea Glass Museum and Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Little River, CA

What's nearby

  • Van Damme State Park - 2 min drive - 1.4 km
  • Mendocino Art Center - 8 min drive - 8.1 km
  • Agate Beach - 8 min drive - 8.4 km
  • Russian Gulch State Park - 9 min drive - 8.8 km
  • Mendocino Headlands State Park - 10 min drive - 6.3 km

Getting around

  • Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County) - 124 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Goodlife - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Frankie's Ice Cream Cafe - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Patterson's Pub - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Brickery Pizza - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Luna Trattoria - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Little River Gem: ocean views, exquisite gardens, 1 floor, private, 850 sq ft, pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Little River Gem: ocean views, exquisite gardens, 1 floor, private, 850 sq ft,?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Little River Gem: ocean views, exquisite gardens, 1 floor, private, 850 sq ft,?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Little River Gem: ocean views, exquisite gardens, 1 floor, private, 850 sq ft, located?

Situated by the ocean, this holiday home is 0.6 mi (0.9 km) from Van Damme State Park and 2.8 mi (4.5 km) from Mendocino Headlands State Park. Van Damme Pygmy Forest Nature Preserve and Albion River Bridge 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. 135 out of 141 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 141 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 141 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 141 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 141 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Teresa W.

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

As described, great location!

Perfect stay for 3 days of a writers retreat. The loft ladder was a little too steep for my comfort, but the fold out couch downstairs was very comfortable. Would stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn K.

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

Beautiful location

Lots to do around the immediate area. Very nice, clean.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark V.

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

Nice August Visit

Nice quiet property with close proximity to Mendocino village. Clean and comfortable accommodations. Nice atmosphere to sit outside and relax. Wonderful communications with our host JoAnne!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marc O.

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

Perfect getwaway

This is a great, cozy little spot. Right off of HWY 1, nice rooms, and great kitchen. Highly recommend this place for a long weekend getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Alice S., Auburn, CA

Great place!

Very clean place! Great location too! We will definitely be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Andrea M.

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

Super charming little spot

JoAnne’s annex cottage is a perfect respite for two. Cozy, with everything you need, including a spacious bathroom and ample firewood for the wood stove. Private location close to all the wonders of the Mendo area. A lovely stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Richard C.

A true Mendocino home with lovely grounds

Very hospitable appointments and beautiful decor.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Michael R.

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

Perfect Spot for Mendocino

This is a lovely private property that is very well located for trips to Mendocino and even trips to Anderson Valley. There are good restaurants nearby and the whole place has a very peaceful vibe.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lidia H.

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

Beautiful peaceful location

We loved our stay for two nights! JoAnne is an excellent and very responsive host. We loved the location and her place was very comfortable and had a well stocked kitchen. Highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth C.

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

Coastal trip

Beautiful space and area. Quaint, quiet and very relaxing. We only stayed 3 ngts but could have stayed the whole week it was that nice!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lee D.

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

Just magical.

Wonderful place with a caring, kind, and helpful hostess. Cannot say enough good things about this place.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Tina L.

Wonderful Retreat

The grounds are lovely and serene. The house is clearly well loved. The location is so convenient to everything, but also felt so far away from it all, just perfect. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Barry W.

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

Cozy and comfortable

Due to some minor construction issues, Joann upgraded us to the cottage rather than the annex and it was very roomy for the 2 of us. Clean and very comfortable. The wood burning stove was a bit of a challenge for us, but only because we’re “city slickers”! Overall, a great place to crash, see beautiful sunsets and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Mendocino Coast! Thanks Joanne!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patience O.

Awesome

Nice cottage with lots of room. Setback from the main road which was great. Enjoyed our short stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jack B.

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

Great stay

This annex was perfect for my wife and I. Cute set up for the two of us. The cottage was very clean and the amenities are as described. The gardens are very nice as well, in the mornings you can hear the seals and there are 2 owls around the property. Very quiet, highly recommended.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth S.

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

Peaceful Friend Retreat

My friend and I enjoyed some much needed time together at Little River. The place was clean and comfortable with great natural light and views of gardens, a peaceful home base for activities in Mendocino and Fort Brag.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Henry C.

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

Wonderful getaway

We had a lovely three-night stay at JoAnne’s charming hideaway. It is in a great location, right off Highway 1 yet totally quiet and peaceful. It’s a unique place, and we enjoyed the quirks such as climbing the ladder to the bedroom (and being rewarded with a blue water view). We hung out a lot in the house and in the garden; we saw two deer one evening. But we also explored some nearby beaches and downtown Mendocino. We appreciated being able to cook some meals, though we also liked our dinner at the romantic Ledford House nearby. Thanks, JoAnne!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael T.

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

Cottage by the sea

Wonderful time. Exactly like the description. Owner excellent to work with. Perfect for a cozy couple of days on the coast.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christian S.

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

Perfect Weekend

Perfect stay for a long weekend in Little River. Communication with host was very clear, and easy. The annex has all of the things you’ll need to have a comfortable enjoyable stay on the beautiful Northern California coast. I’ll hopefully have an opportunity to come back in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Duane W.

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

Peaceful and Lovely

Lovely, cozy and well appointed cottage with beautiful gardens surrounded by trees. We enjoyed our owl and deer visitors in the evenings. Quiet and serene with close proximity to Mendocino. We highly recommend it and look forward to returning soon.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Donna C.

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

Nice time in charming little place!

Joanne has furnished the cottage with quality appointments and it is very comfortable. It is private and you can see quail and bunnies frolicking in the front yard. Enjoyed our stay and would gladly come again. The ladder climb to the loft may not be for everyone, but it’s worth it … cozy and nice up there,
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gregory F.

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

Cozy Place

Partial view of the ocean, cozy bed up in the loft. JoAnne respects your privacy and is also friendly and knowledgeable about the local area. Thanks Again.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

SHARON

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

Lovely

Beautiful gardens. Quiet. Clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alice L.

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

Little River Tradition Renewed

We love Little River and Mendocino so much that we make it an annual escape. Until now, we have stayed at the Little River Inn. But our regular room was booked (and getting pricey) so we tried this nearbt Vrbo for the first time. It was cozy, and the host was fabulous! Close to town and our favorite shops, beaches, and restaurants. Tip: You need to climb and descend a steep ladder to the bedroom. As long as you're ok with that, it's perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Duane W.

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

Another lovely visit

This was our second visit here. And again, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. JoAnne has created a very cozy, peaceful place with everything you could need at your fingertips. The house is ideally located, just five minute drive to Mendocino, and surrounded by forest and a beautiful garden. We plan to return again in the near future.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

About the host

Hosted by JoAnne Marie Tybinka

Host profile image
JoAnne Tybinka loves to retreat from her flat in San Francisco to this beautiful property on the Mendocino Coast. She is an avid gardener as you will see from the beautiful gardens on the property. Her husband, Peter, originally purchased the property in the 70s as a "back to the land" attempt. Alas! He turned out to be a city boy. But when he met JoAnne, he was glad he kept the Little River property as a place to renew and retreat.

Why they chose this property

The property is unique. It’s in the center of things on the Mendocino Coast yet tucked neatly away. It is a quiet and very calm property sheltered from the wind by rows of Cypress Trees. The partial views of the Pacific are lovely. The gardens are beautiful. The cottage is a little gem with personal appointments, lovely original art, tasteful hand-woven rugs. Yet it is practical and functional with everything one would need.

What makes this property unique

Spacious. Fully equipped. Perfect for a couple or a third in the twin bed.. Well appointed. Provides a deeply satisfying experience.

A real get-away yet with the comforts of home.

Languages:

English
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