| Date | Rating | Comment
[Guest Comments: 3 positive, 0 negative]
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| 06/22/09 |
Positive
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5/26/09 through 5/30/09
We spent a wonderful short week at Serendipity. The house itself is a craftsman's dream . I have spent many years in construction and this house is something very special. I would love to meet the people that built this house....they obviously took great pride in what they were building.
Serendipity is set up on a high bluff with fantastic views out the various windows. I am usually good for 15 or 20 minutes in one spot but I spent many pleasant hours sitting on the bench window seats watching all that was happening outside along the river and ocean. There is a whole assortment of creatures carrying on their daily lives in the maritime environment just steps away.
The whole Gualala area is fascinating. We visited redwood forests, rhododendron forests and miles of unspoiled Pacific coast line. We took a day trip to Anderson valley...one of the less overrun wine areas.
The area has a number of good restaurants, good super market, bakery and very pleasant people.
The whole area is lightly populated with fantastic natural scenery. There is a lot to do here if you can get yourself away from the window seats.
Rick and Teresa are great owners and very concerned that things are right.
If you want a sound bite....understated classy in a beautiful enviroment .......everything here gets better the deeper you look.
I love this place and I am a hard man to please on things like this.
Thank You Theresa and Rick
Clay |
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Kathy & Clay Howe, Barnegat Light, NJ
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Homeowner Response:
Thanks so much, Clay and Kathy
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| 01/14/09 |
Positive
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We were thrilled to rent Serendipity for our annual "Woman's Group Retreat" this January, 2009! WOW, what a home, is all we can say. Five "wine and foodies" from Sonoma entered Serendipity on Friday night and were instantly entranced by the beauty and quality of the home. Two sumptuous bedrooms and an ample living room housed us all in our decadent weekend of cooking, drinking, eating, walking and soaking in the hot tub (O.K. we did do lots of Scrabble, and watched some football... but other than that our agenda was "cook, drink, eat, repeat!". Random comments: the comfort and luxury of home in a divine vacation location; amenities as nice or nicer than your own home; house situated with the most beautiful view of the entire Gualala beach; luxurious bed linens; nice walking trails; exceptionally well-equipped kitchen; excellent gas stove and oven; sharp knives and multiple cutting boards; every gadget know to gourmet chefs; multiple binoculars and telescopes for bird watching, whale watching and stargazing; copious amounts of bedding and linens, including many robes to use for the hot tub; child friendly and equipped (many games and puzzles), but almost too nice for kids (and this comes from 5 moms!).
To sum up, this was truly an exquisite home with a tremendous view. Best for two couples having fun, or a truly romantic getaway, or a girl's group or maybe men's group. I can't stress enough home much this is a huge "step up" from the typical rental spot. The owners truly built something special both for themselves and for those of us lucky enough to spend some time here!!!
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R. Nicholson, Sonoma, CA |
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| 02/21/08 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
Review Rating: 5/5
Review Text: "We love Northern California. Mendocino has been our
favorite for years - so we were hesitant when we decided to venture South to
Gualala. But, we must admit this place is absolutely a gem. Spectacular
Views, Lots of Sunshine, Abundant Wildlife and the quality of this
home is tough to beat anywhere.
Like others here, we stay in lots of homes when traveling and
traditionally stay in the very best we can find. But, 'Serendipity' is a
masterpiece of fine living. Secluded, yet easily accessible to all this area
offers. Fine Shopping, Great Massages, Dining, Parks, Canoeing and
Beautful Beaches. Wineries are all over the area and you'll love a glass in
the relaxing hot-tub, that like the rest of the property is well
positioned for privacy and views.
In todays world it's kinda neat to spend some time in a home powered in
part by solar energy - and realized you have sacrificed nothing in
comfort, and leave feeling a bit smarter in the process.
Ethan Allen furniture, hardwoods, granite and stone...this place is
perfect for any length of time, any time of the year.
Lastly...a vacation is hard to forget when you come home refreshed and
feeling you had made a great choice. The owners are available, helpful
and the perfect hosts - although you may never actually see them. Every
detail is perfect and the beds are to die for.
If you like the best - you'll love this place!"
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Memphis Traveler
Memphis TN
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| 07/17/07 |
Positive
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| Fabulous! We rent a lot of vacation homes and this was the absolute best. Beautiful. Nothing but the best in terms of craftsmanship and kitchen essentials. Everything has been thought of and included. Most relaxing vacation in years. Highly recommend Serendipity. Thank you to the wonderful homeowners for a fantastic vacation experience. |
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The Donnelly Family, Webster, NY
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| 07/29/06 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
(Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity)
The Northern Califonia coast has always been a favorite spot for us and now we have found the best of the best.
Anyone can creat a showhouse, but you have created a place of solitude and welcome.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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Jim Eisenhardt
Omaha NE
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| 05/06/06 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
(Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity)
Dear Rick and Teresa,
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home.We love visiting here. Tuesday evening we were relaxing in the hot tub, enjoying the view, when we saw a whale for the first time!
Wednesday we went fishing on the beach. We saw at least 3 whales swimming up the shoreline - we ran along the beach to keep up with them as they were spouting and jumping out of the water. They played close to shore in the area where the river meets the ocean for at least an hour. Breathtaking! We also saw couple of seals playing in the waves. It was such a fun day!This morning we saw the whales again from the deck. We can't stop watching them! We had a delicious lunch at Cypress and the whales entertained us throughout our meal. What a show!
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Stephanie and Abe Singer
Sonoma CA
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| 03/11/06 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
(Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity)
I had a really good time staying in this house! Everything about it was really cool. The beds were really comfy and the hot tub was really nice! We even made ice-cream in the ice-cream maker! At the beach, we found some cool shells and rocks, and had fun climbing the rocks. I also liked the nearby towns- the movie theater at Point Arena was really cute! Oh yeah! The bookstore here was really good! It was so small, but had such a great selection of books!Thanks again for the awesome house!
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Holly Hummer (age 13)
Austin Texas
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| 12/30/05 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
(Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity)
What a total sanctuary! We laughed, danced, played, hung out in our bathrobes all day, watched marathon movies, and just plain relaxed. I am so thankful for the refreshing- the beautiful views, the soothing sounds of the ocean, the deer sightings, the intimate meals shared, the insulation from a roller-coaster paced life, the new perspectives found.
Serenity, tranquility...
Thank You
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Timothy Gravigan
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| 05/16/05 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
(Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity)
"Stunning, spectacular, sensational!"
How can you adequately describe the glee from when you first catch sight of this incredible home? It is the most perfect home we've ever been in. From the incredible view of Sonoma's breathtaking shoreline to the stragically placed skylights to the radio controlled weather station to the elevated queen beds overlooking the ocean to the thoughtful property owner who thinks of your every need (before you do)- we could go on & on but you get the picture. It's like a dream being here- one we'll remember all our lives.
Thanks so much for letting us share your palace. May all who read these words ejoy Serendipity as much as we did.
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Debbie and Craig
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| 02/24/05 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
(Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity)
Thank you for our preview of heaven.
Anthony (age 87) and Eveline (age 86) Smith
(Note from owner: This is both the shortest and most powerful of all of the wonderful comments in our guestbook)
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A & E S
San Rafael CA
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| 02/14/05 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
(Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity)
The best Valentine'S Day ever! Hooked, line and sinker....
We are officially addicted to this place. It is, however, very humbling to stay here. We are building a house now and we look around at Serendipity and see all these amenities that aren't in the budget! Oh well, I guess we'll have to come back soon. This place is a world class treasure!!!
(2nd stay)
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K and B S
Sacramento, CA
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| 12/30/04 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
(Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity)
We have lived around the world, have rented holiday homes in many countries, none finer than this!
You seemed to have thought of everything! To make Serendipity available to the public is more than generous-thank you.
We will return.
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P.&S. S.
San Francisco CA
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| 11/25/04 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
(Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity)
Thank you for sharing your warm, lovely and awesome home.
Like so many, we found ourselves looking for excuses to stay in rather than go out and about.
The beds are a true delight and the window seat was perfect for nesting and napping.
Kudos on the kitchen and all of it's toys. You put so much thought and effort into it and it shows....First Class!
We enjoyed shopping at the Surf Market but also got great steaks and fresh crab at Gualala Market.
Again, we thank you for allowing us in your home. Although we gave some serious thought into not leaving and letting you have the sleeper sofa if you wanted to come up.
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G.&.B.
Upland Ca
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| 11/05/04 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
(Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity)
Wow! What a beautiful house! Every detail of the house is immaculate! Even the smell of the house is wonderful.
Kipp thinks every guest should try "the Nap" sandwich at Cafe La La. We purchased an oil painting from Craig Gilliland at the Spindrift Gallery.
The views and the sounds of the crashing waves have kept us indoors at Serendipity for most of our stay.
Thank you so much! We will be back!
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K.&B. S.
Sacramento Ca
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| 08/20/04 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
(Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity)
We were in awe of the cathedral window framing the ocean.
I was excited to "hear" the hummingbirds and seethe attracted to your special flowers.
Wearing the robes to the hot tub felt like we were at a luxurious spa.
This morning I have already seen a family of quail.
Thank you so much.
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M.K.
San Francisco CA
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| 08/18/04 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
( Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity)
Your house is great and the view is superb! You could not have picked a better location to build it!
We enjoyed everything and esp. being able to have meals at "home": enjoyed the hot tub and much more.
Thank you for letting us use your welcoming home. We cherish our stay here and we will keep good memories of it.
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N.&A.
Vancouver, BC
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| 08/15/04 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity)
I'm listening to the sound of the waves as I write this late at night. They have lulled us to sleep and carried us gently through the last eight nights. Each night I've passed time on the deck- marvelling at the stars when the sky is clear, bathing in the damp when it's foggy. Tonight is clear and a meteor shower is treating us to a light show.
Your house- your home- is a joy. Every convenience and comfort has been anticipated. The architecture is a marvel and the decoration is inspired. Nature, however, takes center stage. How many types of birds live here? We've seen so many. Then our friend Sandy came face to face with a doe near the deck.
I've enjoyed your planting and benefitted from a glorious show of summer flowers.
Thanks to your very complete kitchen we rarely ate out. We two couples (and one young adult) are fond of cooking so we took advantage of it all. It felt like home.
It's been a lovely, refreshing week. We wish you the best with Serendipity and we look forward to retuning here.
(Additional note.)
I have rarely stayed in a home where I felt so at home, so quickly. I would like to congratulate the owners on their vision, and also congratulate the architect and builders in bringing that vision to reality. E.G.
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E.&N. G
Corona Ca
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| 08/15/04 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
(Note: all Homeowner added comments have been copied from the Guest Book at Serendipity)
As your first official guests,we can only say thank you. Your home is beautiful and set in a truly magical place.
Nine days seemed a long time but it has gone too fast. During our stay we toured wineries,went kayaking (twice) and just relaxed and rejuvenated our souls.
We have seen bald eagles, osprey,cormorants,otter, seals,sea lions, dolphins (from your deck) , quail, deer,
and whale spouts.
Thanks for having the bird and wildflower books! We enjoyed the telescope for our bird ID, dolphins and stargazing.
Your attention to detail in this home makes it a memorable and wonderful experience. Thank you so much.
P.S. Had the Senior Ctr. abalone breakfast on Sunday. Now my daughter loves abalone too! Also had fantastic dinner at St. Orres.
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D,S,&N. J
Corona, CA
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