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

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

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House is surrounded by vineyard, oak trees and a waterfall
Open floor plan among entry, living room, kitchen and dining area
Tennis court includes basketball, patio, table & chairs (pickleball added later)
Private driveway & parking + tennis, basketball, pool & spa (warm season only)
Sits on a 3+ acre safe & secluded property with private pool

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

Reviews
9.8 out of 10 Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • PoolPoolPool
  • Hot tubHot tubHot tub
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer
  • Air conditioningAir conditioningAir conditioning

Explore the area

Portola Valley, CA
  • Popular LocationStanford University10 min drive
  • Popular LocationStanford University Medical Center10 min drive
  • Popular LocationStanford Shopping Center11 min drive
  • AirportOakland, CA (OAK-Oakland Intl.)47 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom/Office

1 Queen Bed

Living Room

1 Double Futon

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Small Bedroom

1 Single Bunk Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area

About this property

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.

Property manager

Bill Youstra
Premier Host
Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi

House Rules

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

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking indoors or outdoors
Use of outdoor amenities requires signed liability waiver and adherence to rules/guidelines. Violations will result in loss of access to the amenities
No outside guests (i.e., not part of the rental) may use outdoor amenities. No tennis/swim guests, outdoor events, playdates, parties, etc.
By booking, Guest agrees to hold harmless property owner from all damages and injuries arising from or related to Guest's stay at the property.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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
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 required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Portola Valley

This holiday home is located in Central Portola Valley, a neighbourhood in Portola Valley, and is in a rural area. Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo and San Andreas Fault Trail are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Stanford Shopping Center and San Antonio Shopping Center. Travelling with kids? Consider NASA Ames Visitor Center, or check out an event or a game at Stanford Maples Pavillion. Break out the clubs and hit the links on a nearby golf course, or seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails, horse riding and mountain biking.

What's nearby

  • Stanford University Golf Course - 9 min drive
  • Stanford University - 10 min drive
  • Stanford University Medical Center - 10 min drive
  • Stanford Shopping Center - 11 min drive
  • Stanford Stadium - 14 min drive

Getting around

  • California Ave Station - 14 min drive
  • San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.) - 31 min drive

Restaurants

  • Alpine Inn - 19 min walk
  • The Dutch Goose - 10 min drive
  • Madera - 8 min drive
  • Starbucks - 9 min drive
  • The Treehouse - 11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Family-friendly 3BR resort experience on quiet vineyard near Stanford/Palo Alto have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

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

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Family-friendly 3BR resort experience on quiet vineyard near Stanford/Palo Alto?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Family-friendly 3BR resort experience on quiet vineyard near Stanford/Palo Alto?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Family-friendly 3BR resort experience on quiet vineyard near Stanford/Palo Alto located?

This family-friendly Portola Valley holiday home is located in a rural location, 2.4 mi (3.9 km) from Pearson-Arastradero Preserve, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Stanford University and Stanford Shopping Center. Santa Cruz Mountains and Horse Park at Woodside are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 39 out of 44 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 44 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 44 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 44 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 44 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

jeffrey k., madison, wisconsin

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

About the host

Hosted by Bill Youstra

Host profile image
Semi-retired investor. Grew up on the east coast and now live on the property where we make wine, help technology start-ups and raise our kids.

Why they chose this property

We love the location - a rural, natural setting with lots of space that's only minutes from I-280 and access to San Francisco, San Jose, Stanford, Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Mountain View. 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.

What makes this property unique

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.

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.

Languages:

English

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