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Charming Retreat Home Amid Oak Trees in Central Coast Wine Country

Photo gallery for Charming Retreat Home Amid Oak Trees in Central Coast Wine Country

New wood screen door and spring flower baskets.
The landing at the top of the stairs.
The master bedroom has a queen sized bed with memory foam mattress.
Chuck designed and built the staircase newels and railing.
Summer at Carndonagh House

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 492.9 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Atascadero, CA
  • Atascadero City Hall
    ‪15 min walk‬
  • Sunken Gardens
    ‪15 min walk‬
  • Atascadero Lake Park
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • San Luis Obispo, CA (SBP-San Luis Obispo County Regional)
    ‪32 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Charming Retreat Home Amid Oak Trees in Central Coast Wine Country

The Carndonagh House is perfect for a romantic couple getaway or small family retreat. We only allow short stays of a week or less. Please enter the total number of guests when you book so that we can have the beds, linens, and towels ready for your stay.

This lovely home is walking distance (less than a mile) to downtown Atascadero with the Sunken Gardens, wine bars, movie theater, boutique stores, craft breweries, and restaurants. The Carndonagh House is also centrally located between Paso Robles wineries (15 minutes to the north), San Luis Obispo (20 minutes south,) and beautiful central coast beaches 20 minutes to the southwest.

The Carndonagh House is a 1000 sq foot home on two levels. The two upstairs bedrooms are furnished for comfort in the industrial farmhouse style. The master bedroom has a queen-sized bed and sitting area. Bedroom two has a twin daybed with a twin trundle.

There is a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, living room, flat screen television with ROKU ( Amazon Prime and Hulu), DVD player, free WiFi and fireplace. The front patio is the perfect place for you to enjoy your morning coffee and to relax after a day at the beach or wine tasting. Common sights you may see are deer, squirrels and the stars in the night sky. Bubbling seasonal creek runs through the property in winter.

The owners live in a nearby house on the same oak-studded property.

There is a $25 per night fee for extra guests over the original two guests. VRBO will calculate this extra fee when you book so there won't be any surprises. Maximum Occupancy - Four people.

We're looking forward to hosting great people.

Property manager

Chuck and Dawn Doherty

Languages

English, Korean

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Laundry
Outdoor space
Breakfast available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 3–17
Not set up for children under two.
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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
We only rent for 2 nights minimum to 7 nights maximum.

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
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Atascadero

Atascadero is home to this holiday home. Atascadero Historical Museum and Templeton Historical Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Charles Paddock Zoo and Olea Farm. Paso Robles Children's Museum and Ravine Waterpark are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Atascadero, CA

What's nearby

  • Atascadero City Hall - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Sunken Gardens - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Atascadero Lake Park - 4 min drive - 4.0 km
  • Charles Paddock Zoo - 5 min drive - 4.4 km
  • Atascadero State Hospital - 7 min drive - 7.3 km

Getting around

  • Paso Robles Station - 13 min drive
  • San Luis Obispo, CA (SBP-San Luis Obispo County Regional) - 32 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪In-N-Out Burger - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪A-Town Diner - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Charming Retreat Home Amid Oak Trees in Central Coast Wine Country pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Charming Retreat Home Amid Oak Trees in Central Coast Wine Country?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Charming Retreat Home Amid Oak Trees in Central Coast Wine Country?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Charming Retreat Home Amid Oak Trees in Central Coast Wine Country located?

Situated in Atascadero, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Atascadero City Hall, Sunken Gardens and Vino + Therapy Studio. Atascadero Historical Museum and Caring Touch Massage Therapy are also within 3 miles (5 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. 70 out of 71 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 71 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 71 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 71 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 71 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Chris F., Walla Walla

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

Great hosts

Wonderful stay. Quiet, convenient spot.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Norm B.

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

Best place ever stayed. Super soft beddinHilton quality.

This was the best Arno we have ever stayed. It’s a new 2 bedroom cottage with 1-1/2 baths with excellent WiFi all necessary kitchen appliances and even a bottle of wine.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debra P.

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

Perfect Location!

The house was impeccable and the added touches of butter, eggs and scones was a sweet surprise. The neighborhood is quiet and in the perfect location. I highly recommend stopping at Trader Joe’s for more breakfast and dinner supplies. We made breakfast every day. Also, after a long day of tastings it was nice to go back and have a light dinner and more wine. I highly recommend this place and will stay again soon!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tom S., Garden Grove

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

Great getaway retreat

Great place to stay. Liked knowing we had this place to go "home" to after a long day of adventures in the area. Quiet neighborhood, safe and woodsy. Nice touches showed owners care about their guests. Will not disappoint.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Zahid M.

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

Super experience

Wonderful hosts, great little touches, felt like home ! Chuck & Dawn have gone above and beyond to make this property one of a kind !
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Diane R.

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

Wonderful getaway

We loved our stay here. Check in and check out was seamless. The house was spotless and so welcoming. There were thoughtful touches everywhere from a welcome scone to fresh eggs. It was a quiet relaxing location that was a mile from the town center and a short drive / uber from Templeton, Paso Robles and the vineyards.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Eric J.

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

Hidden Gem in Atascadero

We had a wonderful stay at this perfectly appointed rental. The hosts were incredibly gracious and took the time to meet with us and go over the details of the house. We could not have been more happy with our experience and would highly recommend this rental to anybody looking for a getaway to the Paso Robles/Atascadero area.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie P.

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

The best

Perfection!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie S., Garden Grove, California

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

Awesome home! Very close to downtown

We were in town for a wedding just 15 mins away. So this place was perfect! Once you walk inside you already feel at home. It was so warm and cozy. We loved it! Thank you Dawn and Chuck for the great bottle of wine and the delicious scones. I would highly recommend this great spot in Atascadero.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Katherine T.

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

Amazing Get-Away

This must be the nicest place we've ever rented through VRBO. From beginning to end, our stay was stellar. The setting is lovely, the house is even prettier and more comfortable than described, and the hosts were amazing. Truly, it was magical! And the added touch of fresh scones, cream, and jam were extraordinary, as were the fresh egsgs. All in all, this place is a 10 out of 5!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Molly B.

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

Delightful!

Carndonagh House is thoughtfully designed for a comfortable, cozy stay. Chuck and Dawn have thought of everything! Here are the special touches that made our stay particularly delightful: > Lights suspended over driveway > Instrumental music & heaters on upon arrival > Wine, scones, cream, eggs, butter, and cold water > Flashlights and umbrellas hanging by door
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jon C., Placentia

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

Amazing Anniversary Getaway

This was an amazing time for my wife and I. Dawn and her husband were great hosts and attended to anything we needed. the home was super clean, quaint, and had all of the necessities we could have ever needed. We were greeted with homemade scones and jam, breakfast for the morning and coffee. We were also left with a bottle of wine and chocolates for our anniversary. Wine tasting nearby and Dawn recommended local places to eat and visit. A must stay in the Astacadero and Paso Robles. We will be back for sure!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019

8/10 Good

Mark E.

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

Toasty

Need to have light bedding available during the summer, comforters are cute but to hot to sleep under during the summer.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

DeAnne P.

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

Truly a place called Peace on earth!

What started off as a place to stay for a friends wedding, turned out to be the most soul-satisfying retreat. Chuck and Dawn are exceptional hosts. Every attention to detail was met and then some. Arriving to the Irish Melody tunes when we walked in, was like getting a great big hug from a loved one. We look forward with great anticipation for a Springtime retreat. Thank you Chuck & Dawn!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sean S.

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

Paradise in Atascadero

This house is perfectly appointed for any occasion. This was my second trip. I liked it so much the first time, I brought my family to enjoy it this time. We were able to do San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Cambria, Paso Robles, and Atascadero all from this central location. Pair that with the impeccable hospitality of Chuck & Dawn and you have the perfect property for a trip to the central coast. The air conditioning worked perfectly, even on the hottest of days. Stay here! You won’t be disappointed.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Bob & Linda E., Placerville, CA

Five stars plus

It was an exceptional experience. Enjoyed meeting owners, Dawn & Chuck who warmly welcomed us to their adorable cottage. They went above and way beyond to think of everything possible to make us feel at home and they very much succeeded. The home was spotless, quiet and super cute. This experience will be our new gold standard to which we will compare all others and frankly, we believe the only way we will find it is to return to the Carndonagh House. Thank you both for everything, plus all the wonderful extras.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Michelle P.

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

Home Away from Home

Charming Central Coast property, surrounded by trees, very quiet, and very clean. All kitchen amenities are available, including 3 different ways to brew coffee. The homemade scones and jam and fresh eggs were a pleasant surprise, and we enjoyed eating breakfast while watching the squirrels in the yard. The property owners were glad to help with any questions or suggestions for activities. Walking into the town center is not taxing if you are a walker, but be prepared to walk beside the road. SLO and Paso Robles are a short drive and offer more dining choices. We look forward to another visit.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sue T.

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

Couldn’t have been better!

When we arrived at the inviting home it was like receiving a warm hug which resulted in a peace that pervaded our whole stay. We came for our daughter’s wedding and we left so filled! Our hosts were available when needed and always so kind each time we had a question about the area. Their VRBO had every amenity you could ever need including a concise notebook to answer any tech question with the house. This notebook also included points of interest, activities and amazing restaurant suggestions. The beds were so comfortable and Chuck’s homemade scones had us desiring where we could buy them! Thank you Chuck and Dawn! 😊
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tamara W.

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

Stay during the holidays

I rented the house for my mother and niece to stay in during the holidays. Communication with the hosts was prompt and friendly. My mother very much appreciated arriving to a vacation home that was decorated for the holidays, even including holiday music playing. According to my mother, the kitchen included all items needed to cook dinners for her, my sister, and the grandchildren. My sister who visited the house during the evenings informed me that the house furniture was well laid out and the house décor was elegant. She also mentioned that the large Oak Trees on the property and the beautiful views onto the property from the many windows.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Brenda S.

Fantastic in Every Way!

Wow! My husband and I have been staying in HomeAway rentals for over 10 years of travel. This was really one of the loveliest homes we've ever booked. Dawn and Chuck were such gracious and generous hosts...with unsurpassed attention to every small detail to make you feel at home. I won't give away all of the little touches...I don't want to diminish the surprise and delight you'll experience upon arrival. Hubs and I spent our days exploring up and down the Pacific Coast Highway and it was such a pleasure to return each evening to this wonderful home. Great location, superb hosts, phenomenal rental. Just book it and enjoy every moment!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Daniel K.

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

Excellant Hosts

Could not wish for better hosts! The house is charming and was so clean and neat upon our arrival and their attention to the little things was beyond belief. Light switches labeled, night lights installed, white noise machines available, luggage stands, full length mirrors in each bedroom, tourist brochures, eggs and scones available for breakfast, cream for coffee, additional towels and toiletry items for your use. Add to that the fact that they are continually maintaining and upgrading the property. While we were there, a charming waterfall was installed near the front patio that was just lovely to listen to. We were very appreciative that they cared for the property and their quests in a manner in which they themselves would desire. Would most definitely stay there again when we next visit the area.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sean S.

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

Peace and Quiet

Lovely property surrounded by oak trees. Birds in the morning. Wind through the trees. This was paradise made even more beautiful by the personal touches of the owners who live right next door. My friends and I stayed here for a 50th birthday and enjoyed every minute. A fridge of food, a pail of items we might have forgotten, fresh towels with rosemary sprigs, I felt at home as soon as we walked in. Irish folk music, fresh baked scones, and everything you could ever need. Also, they were kind enough to contact us ahead to ask about extra beds and to make sure we had excellent directions. Really a superior property. Hoping to stay here again. Maybe I’ll let my family come next time. 😉
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Cecile B.

Super Cozy, Comfy, and ALL NEW!

This place is UBER cozy with comfortable furnishings and high-end linens. The owners, Chuck and Dawn, have recently remodeled this wonderful home outwards and inwards and turned it into a Pinterest Poster Child for Country Charm Living. Upon first entering, we were greeted with a plate full of yummy butter cookies and a delicious bottle of local red wine. The refrigerator was nicely stocked with fresh dozen eggs, bacon, butter, milk, and a warm loaf of sourdough bread lay inside a basket wrapped up all ready to eat. It set the tone for the rest of the weekend. This place accommodated our family of four very very comfortably ( we all had our own beds!) and the kitchen was decked out with all you need for cooking up a delicious meal. I highly recommend Chuck and Dawns charming retreat over any hotel in the area. This is your value added vacation perfect pick.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Sabrina S., Lodi, CA

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

Fantastic stay at Carndonagh House

The property was exactly as described (except the owners and I may have a different definition of “walking distance” :-). The house is in a quiet residential area, and was very relaxing. The owner’s live next door, but give you as much privacy or assistance as you want. I have been staying in VRBO homes for decades now, and this has to be one of the best kitchen set ups as far as pots and pans and knives. I’ve been in some homes where the kitchen is an afterthought and its stocked with discard pans and knives and cooking is a bit like cooking while camping, but not here. If you like to cook, the utensils are good quality. The seasonings were basic, but with COVID restrictions I was not expecting to see anything, so it was great. The scones and jam provided were delicious, and the eggs, butter and cream were a wonderful bonus. It was a great stay and wouldn’t think twice about coming back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Theresa M., Orange, Ca

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

Wonderful Cottage

From the moment we arrived we knew this was going to be a great place! It's obvious that Chuck & Dawn take great pride in their cottage, from all the amenities that are provided, including many extras which were 'over and above' what homeowners usually provide. We were welcomed with a basket filled with homemade scones, a very nice bottle of wine and even a card wishing us a happy anniversary! This place was immaculate and even has baskets with essentials in case you forgot to pack, (toothpaste, toothbrush, q-tips, deodorant, shampoo & rinse and more! Chuck also is a Chef, & hopes to open his own restaurant in time. We decided to take advantage of his chef skills and had a delicious four course dinner, having each course paired with a wine to complement it. Dinner was fabulous! Honestly I told my husband that they must really enjoy hosting & cooking for their guests because they can't be making much profit for all that he and his wife do to make guests comfortable. Top notch place. Thanks again!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2020

About the host

Hosted by Chuck and Dawn Doherty

Host profile image
Chuck and I finished remodeling The Carndonagh House in October 2017. We are HUGE "Fixer Upper" fans and have transferred many of Chip and Joanna Gaines' ideas into our home.

The Carndonagh (Carn-Donna) House is named for the town of Chuck's ancestors in Donegal, Ireland. We adore Ireland and everything Irish!

Both of us adore entertaining! We want our guests to love the Central Coast Wine Country as much as we do. Our goal is a beautiful and comfortable home and great hospitality.

Looking forward to meeting you! Blessings!

Why they chose this property

We fell in love with the Central Coast Wine country several years ago. We explored it often staying in a variety of vacation rentals. It's been our dream to buy a home in this area and provide the very best to our guests. We hope other travelers will fall in love with this area while staying in our beautiful home.

What makes this property unique

We have over 300 wineries in our area! This is the PERFECT place to visit if you love great wines and excellent food.

There is a weekly farmer's market walking distance from Carndonagh House.

Sitting on the front patio sipping wine in the early evening is the highlight of our day.

The kitchen's open shelving is both attractive and functional. It allows the guests to see where dishes are kept.

The primary bedroom is a modern farmhouse delight with an iron bed and plush comforters.

In bedroom two there is a very special wardrobe that will be of interest to any Narnia fans.

Languages:

English, Korean
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