Rustic family vacation retreat with private tennis court!
Tucked into the Inverness Mesa above Tomales Bay, this property blends historic character with the kind of space and privacy that makes Point Reyes trips memorable. Mornings often start with fog in the trees, afternoons on trails or beaches, and evenings around the fireplace playing games or planning the next day’s hike. It has been hosting families and small groups for decades because it’s comfortable, unpretentious, and close to everything that makes this part of the coast special.
Property Overview • Main house + detached upper-level suite • Private full-size tennis court • One-acre fenced grounds with mature trees • Walkable to Tomales Bay; 10 minutes to Point Reyes Station • Reliable WiFi for work and streaming (no TV)
The House & Layout Originally built in the 1890s as the Inverness Tennis Club and expanded in the 1930s, the property feels like a classic coastal lodge rather than a modern rental. The redwood-paneled great room—once the tennis clubhouse—anchors the main house with high ceilings, tall windows, and a large wood-burning fireplace. It’s an easy space for cooking, reading, long meals, puzzles, piano, and quiet downtime after full days outdoors.
Main House Includes: • Redwood great room (former clubhouse) • Full kitchen and dining area • 4 bedrooms • 1.5 baths • Fireplace, piano, board games • Deck with Adirondack seating and BBQ
Detached Upper-Level Suite Above the garage sits a private suite with a king bed, full bath, and its own entrance. Families often use it for grandparents, a second couple, or anyone who wants morning quiet. It gives groups more flexibility without making the property feel disconnected.
Outdoor Setting The private tennis court is unusual for Inverness and tends to get steady use from both casual and regular players. The fenced acre includes mature oak trees, open space, and seasonal blackberries in summer. Deer often pass through when the gates are open. The deck is a comfortable spot for coffee, grilling, or stargazing on clear nights.
Location & Surroundings The house sits in the historic Inverness neighborhood—peaceful, residential, and close to the water.
Nearby: • Tomales Bay shoreline & small market area (walkable) • Point Reyes Station (10-minute drive) • Beaches, lighthouse & national seashore trailheads (short drives)
The Point Reyes peninsula offers hiking, birding, kayaking, beaches, whale watching, and quiet backroads. Guests who come for a long weekend often wish they’d stayed a few more days.
Guest Experience Groups tend to spread out naturally between the great room, suite, deck, and tennis court. The absence of a TV is intentional and often appreciated—people read, talk, and play games instead. WiFi supports streaming on personal devices for those who want it.
Best For: • Families and multi-generational groups • Friends planning outdoor-focused trips • Guests who appreciate older houses with character • Remote workers who need quiet and reliable WiFi
House Rules • Maximum occupancy as listed • No pets • No parties, events, or large gatherings • Registered guests only • Respect neighbors and quiet hours
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The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
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 and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number 077637
About the area
Inverness
Located in Inverness, this holiday home is in a rural area and near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Tomales Bay State Park and Point Reyes National Seashore, while Tomales Regional History Center and Tomales Town Hall are cultural highlights. Kayaking and power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and horse riding nearby.
Point Reyes National Seashore - 9 min drive - 8.1 km
Muir Woods National Monument - 54 min drive - 51.4 km
Graton Resort and Casino - 58 min drive - 65.9 km
Sonoma Raceway - 58 min drive - 62.1 km
Getting around
Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County) - 68 min drive
Restaurants
Bovine Bakery - 9 min drive
Toby's - 9 min drive
Hog Island Oyster Farm - 24 min drive
Due West - 11 min drive
The Marshall Store - 23 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Rustic family vacation retreat with private tennis court! pet-friendly?
No, only service animals are welcome at the property.
How much does it cost to stay at Rustic family vacation retreat with private tennis court!?
As of 15 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Rustic family vacation retreat with private tennis court! on 18 April 2026 start from NZ$1,130, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Rustic family vacation retreat with private tennis court!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Rustic family vacation retreat with private tennis court!?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Rustic family vacation retreat with private tennis court!?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Rustic family vacation retreat with private tennis court! located?
This family-friendly Inverness holiday home is located near the bay, within 3 mi (5 km) of Tomales Bay State Park and Shell Beach. Heart's Desire Beach and Point Reyes National Seashore are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Beautiful and storied place, great for a trip with friendskids. Kitchen is well-stocked, living room great for dinners and games, the yard and tennis court are stellar.
WE love this place! Gorgeous location and old construction. Fireplace is magnificent. Great enclosed yard for our small dog. Great deck with deck chairs in the sun. We've stayed here twice and hope to stay here again.
We loved the Colby House! It's really such a special hidden retreat. The location is amazing and very close to Point Reyes and the Cypress Tree Tunnel which is a must see..We'd be delighted to stay there again!
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Inverness. This is a quirky house which is perfect to escape the heat of the bay and unwind and a beautiful part of northern California’s coastline.
What a dream! We felt like we were at adult summer camp. Perfect space for a small gathering or friends and family and secure for animals. We hope to be back! Highly recommend
The rustic setting and old California Coastal style was exactly what we wanted and Colby House delivered it perfectly! The area is a favorite of ours and there was plenty to do and see. Our family group was three generations wide and each of us was continually charmed by the ambiance. We hope to come again!
This is a very special and historically interesting property in a lovely neighborhood in a wonderful area. We had so much fun with the tennis court and yard and exploring everything there is to do, and the house was very relaxing and cozy. It was a lovely stay and we will definitely be back!!!
Colby House is an old-fashioned charmer of a property that reminds the visitor of Inverness' summer-house history, a tender place for children, trail-seekers, and those given to the imagination. Sprawling, comfortable, and welcoming—Colby House was a treat for our family's holiday gathering. We loved how welcoming and relaxing it was, how splendid the fireplace, how functional the kitchen.
David W.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023
Archival
10/10 Excellent
luella n.
28 December 2013
Inverness at it's Best!
Great old school "cottage." Wonderfully quiet and serene! Even though it rained and tennis was out, we and our two dogs thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Looking forward to better weather on a future stay and lots of tennis!
luella n.
Response from VrboOwner on 21 March 2020
Thank you so much for your review and I'm so glad you enjoyed your stay. Colby House is a great place for winter getaways - some of our best memories are of cold and rainy winter days, friends and family gathered around the fireplace in our cozy living room, good food, and lots of laughter and sharing. We look forward to having you - and your two dogs - for another visit!
We had plenty of room for 6. Unfortunately the water heater for the main bedroom and bath went down and we never had hot water in that bathroom. The place was a very comfortable and authentic throwback in time. We had a great time. If you are going for the tennis, ask the host to clean the court prior. We received a discount from the host to compensate for the lack of hot water....great genture!
A beautiful rainy winter stay here at the Colby House. This is true classic Inverness experience where you get to go back in time and live a magical life with family or friends. We are definitely coming back! Thank you.
Hannah L.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023
Verified
6/10 Okay
Elizabeth A.
9 October 2023
Liked: Location
Quaint, rustic
Would be a great place for a family with kids; birding was wonderful; easy access to Point Reyes Seashore, birds, whales, elk, coyotes, and other creatures. For a group with couples there was a lack of privacy, and it was more rustic than we had expected from the online profile.
Beautiful weather, charming cabin, excellent location.
We adored Colby house. The camp-like atmosphere was perfect for our family. We played loads of tennis, beach and yard football, shucked too many oysters, and would absolutely go back.
Great for families and friends who get along well and love the outdoors.
Dogs love it too! Zoomies of happiness everyday!
Thank you Kerry for sharing this gem with us!
Elinor D.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023
About the host
Hosted by Meg Cadiz
The Colby House is owned by the descendants of Henry and Ruth Colby. Mike Brown grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Andy McKey lives in Brooklyn, and Emily McKey lives in Montana. Colby House was purchased by the Colby family in 1933.
Why they chose this property
Henry and Ruth Colby's children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren have some of their favorite memories and activities associated with the Colby House. It was the dream of Ruth Colby that the Colby House would remain in the family and that new people would have the chance to experience the magic of this special place.
Special memories include summer and winter holiday weekends and extended visits; special activities include playing cards and games in the living room; short drives to the Tamales Bay beaches, particularly Shell Beach where Ruth Colby used to drive each day in the summer to swim after 4:30pm; longer drives out to the beautiful ocean beaches, particularly McClures, but also to enjoy the wildflowers and to look for the Tule Elk who live in their own preserve. But you could be forgiven for losing all ambition to explore the area because the property itself is incredible and offers a diverse array of activities (including just sitting on the deck and taking it in).
What makes this property unique
The property is very private, with almost a full acre and the entire side of the block of Park Avenue, up from Forres Way where our green gates face the Inverness School. Within the property is the newly resurfaced and restriped tennis court, and an oak tree next to the deck which is suitable for climbing (and with a rope swing as well)! Everyone enjoys sitting on the deck in the summer to enjoy every meal!