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Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House

Photo gallery for Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House

Terrace/patio
Exterior
Smart TV, fireplace, books
Smart TV, fireplace, books
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6149 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Pet friendly
    Pet friendly
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor Space
    Outdoor Space
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House

Beautiful modern straw bale earth house in the heart of gold country. Light-filled and full of gorgeous design touches. This home resides on a seasonal pond and creek. Sit outside by the fountain and enjoy a glass of wine or coffee as you watch the turkeys and deer stop by. Perhaps catch a glance of the river otters that live in the pond, or catch a fish. Animals we have seen include coyotes, deer, turkeys, foxes, bobcats, rabbits, fish, mt lion, heron, bald eagle, snakes, salamanders. We are up against federal land and our pond supports an abundance of life. Kayaks are available. Relax in the hammocks and watch the stars.

A straw bale home is a environmentally sustainable type of architecture. The walls are over 18" thick and this home is built to passively heat in the winter and cool in the summer. There are solar panels and the beautiful concrete floors have radiant heat in winter and naturally cool the home in summer. We consider this house to be a piece of art. We are so happy to share it with you and hope you will make many happy memories.

****If you are bringing small kids; this is a fragile home. Strawbale is covered with breathable lime plaster which some small hands may want to gouge, pick or otherwise destroy.
****There is a large fountain with over two feet of water outside the back door. There are several steep cliffs, drop offs and areas to fall. There are wild animals all around. It is a magical home and surroundings but we have cliffs, ponds- you get the idea. Kids will need to be closely supervised. If you have questions please reach out before instant booking.

****We welcome well behaved dogs. Please clean up after them inside and outside. Keep them leashed outside. They should not harass or chase the wildlife. Do not leave them unattended in the house. If you leave, crate them. There is a $50 charge per dog.

House has shades that can be drawn in the summer and we have added window air conditioners to cool it off on very hot days.

Property manager

Lisa Hill-Pierce

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing and snowboarding nearby

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Kitchen island
  • Coffee grinder
  • Toaster
  • Coffee/tea maker

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Towels provided
  • Toilet paper
  • Hair dryer
  • Soap
  • Shampoo

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Dining room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV
  • Books
  • Games

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Firepit

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 2 total (up to 50 lbs per pet)
  • Welcoming dogs only

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • On the lake
  • On the river
  • On the waterfront
  • In the mountains
  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Water sports equipment
  • Boat on site
  • Kayak on site
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Unit size: 1600 sq ft (149 sq m)

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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total (up to 50 lbs per pet)
Note from host: $50 per dog. Leashed outside.

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Water, cliffs, rocks, wild animals. SUPERVISE

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

About the neighborhood

Map
Sonora, CA

What's nearby

  • Black Oak Casino - 10 min drive
  • Twain Harte Lake - 13 min drive
  • Adventist Health Sonora - 13 min drive
  • Twain Harte Miniature Golf - 15 min drive
  • Columbia State Historic Park - 23 min drive

Getting around

  • Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) - 141 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Black Oak Casino Resort - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Jumping Coyote Espresso - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Cover's Apple Ranch - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lbs per pet.

What time is check-in at Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House located?

Located on the waterfront, this family-friendly vacation home is within 9 mi (15 km) of Black Oak Casino, Twain Harte Miniature Golf, and Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Twain Harte Lake and Stanislaus National Forest are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 14 out of 15 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 15 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 15 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 15 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 15 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Adam M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful stay in Sonora
Had the pleasure to stay at this beautiful spot in Sonora with my family of four. Beautiful grounds, clean and well laid out interior. Would highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Sylvia P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Weekend Getaway
Spacious home, good layout for the most part. The home has one bathroom, which is on the other side of the master and living area. If we would've come with more people (we didn't use two of the bedrooms), it would've been challenging with one bathroom. We missed that when searching for a home in the area. The outside of the home is beautiful with many different seating areas. The outside dining area is on the side of the Master bedroom, which is an odd choice and more cumbersome to get to. The house is a little too cluttered for us with lot's of decorations. We were supposed to get our deposit back within a certain amount of time, and that ended up not happening. That was a disappointment.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful escape
This property was even better than the listing made it seem! Manager was very communicative a the location was perfect. We spent hours down along the pond and creek enjoying the water and beautiful fall colors. The house was cozy and had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary Beth B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Magical
The property is magical. The host, Lisa, could not be sweeter, more responsive or more accommodating. We had a fabulous time just relaxing in the beautiful surroundings of StrawbaleHouse. The touches of hammocks, Adirondack chairs and other little sitting niches around the property make is super relaxing to sit back and watch nature go by...quite literally. The house itself is well appointed. Lots of cozy blankets, games, stocked kitchen. We didn't want for anything. We will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Matt M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great
Beautiful house and grounds. Just be aware there's a second bookable house on the property as you go down to the pond!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shelby E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Home and Location
Our family of 6 had a wonderful get away at this beautiful and peaceful home. Lisa was wonderful to work with and very attentive and responsive. We really appreciated all the extra amenities that made it feel like home.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Toni Y.

Liked: Cleanliness
Ski week and Yosemite visit
Beautiful inside and out! We had a great stay and property/house even better than photos show. Well stocked kitchen and beds/pillows super comfy! We needed more days and less rain to enjoy everything- so we’ll have to go back!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michelle T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful getaway from the city!
We had SUCH an amazing time at the straw bale house :) The house itself had everything we needed for a Thanksgiving holiday away from the city. The kitchen was well-appointed and had everything we needed to cook many delicious meals, and comfortable seating for our group of 6 (and 2 dogs!) The bedrooms and living spaces were comfortable and cozy - plenty of blankets, plush towels, even candles and holiday decor all across the house to make us feel at home - they even had dog bowls, toys, and dedicated towels for the pups ready to go! The outdoor space is beautiful - we made great use of the firepit and seating area overlooking the lake, the hammocks, and even had warm enough weather to take the kayaks out on the lake itself to float in the sun. The location is so peaceful and quiet, and we loved taking in some local deer and turkeys walking through the property! Lisa was super responsive, providing recommendations for our stay and timely responses to any questions we had. We would definitely recommend her home and would love to come back again!!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Connie R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Short getaway
We had an amazing stay! This place is a great getaway. My husband and I work from home and just needed a different scenery. We got there and you felt transported to a calming and soothing area. There's so many areas to just sit and relax and enjoy the day. The area was very hot, but each area had shade at certain times of the day which made it very enjoyable to sit outside all day. We enjoyed watching the turkeys and the deer’s out at dusk. My husband caught sunfish, in the pond which was a treat for him considering he loves to fish. (catch and release of course). My favorite thing was having dinner outside and listening to the waterfall outside of the bedroom. Thank you again Lisa for this place, we would definitely stay again.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gia H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Magical Retreat
Our recent stay at the Strawbale House was wonderful. The house is spacious and completely stocked for a full family experience from all the cooking items and appliances a home chef could need to family games (indoor and outdoor)! The property is quintessential California foothills, with amazing oak trees and a pond that attracts deer, fox, and other creatures! Great for adventuring or just relaxing in the shade in one of the two hammocks. Nothing better than an afternoon nap under the oaks! We will return to this treasured spot soon and highly recommend if you like natural beauty and serenity. Thank you Lisa for creating such a wonderful respite!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Trudi M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect getaway from city life (just a few hours from SF)!
My husband, son and I thoroughly enjoyed our 4-night stay the week of July 4th at the straw bale house. We got lucky with the weather (high-70's/low-80's), so could take full advantage of the numerous outdoor seating and dining areas as well as the swing and all of the fun games. It was like a non-stop nature reality t.v. show, with turkeys, deer, lizards, a fox, frogs, squirrel, peacock, and many, many birds visiting the property. The pond, though not ideal for swimming or fishing at this time, was tranquil and lovely to float around in using the provided kayaks. We expected a ton of mosquitos given all the water, but only saw a few :) The house remained cool and has all of the amenities one needs to make themselves feel perfectly at home. We'll be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kelsea B.

Liked: Cleanliness
AMAZING STAY!
We had the best time staying at this property. Every little detail down to the welcome bottle of wine was perfect. The host communicated with us concerning our needs constantly. The host also recommended tons of activities for us. She basically planned our trip! Would stay here again for sure.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kadia M., Modesto California

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Home
This house was amazing!!!!! The property is beautiful the house is gorgeous!!! It has every thing you could ever want from a instant pot to children toys including art supplies. The only thing is the hike down to the pond is a little rough but totally worth it. We actually discussed booking this house a few times a year because we fell in love with it!!!!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Anan C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Property for a Getaway
The house was situated on a very private lot with a very inviting large backyard. Pictures of the outdoor area is even better in person, with numerous sitting areas and fun activities for kids to keep busy with. Kitchen was well stocked with pots, pans, dishes, cups, etc. for cooking family dinners. Spices, cooking oil, saran wrap and foil was available as well. The house was very clean and in a very quiet neighborhood with afternoon visits from turkeys and chirping frogs/toads in the evenings. Dog friendly home with toys and a dog bed for them too. The bathtub is a bit high but wasn’t a problem for me and my BF to get in and out of. Kids and challenged adults will need to be extra careful when using the stool and handrail available. Host, Lisa, was great. She was in communication from start to the end of booking. Would love to come back and enjoy this beautiful property with friends and family.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rick S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Absolutely Wonderful And Tranquil Stay at the Straw Bale House
We had a wonderfully peaceful stay at the Straw Bale house and recommend it highly for couples/families/reunions, etc. Lisa was great in responding to questions and Waze GPS took us straight to the property. The drive to the house was an easy breeze of 2 hours from the Bay Area. The house was immaculate when we arrived. I love the cool cement floors throughout. The kitchen has awesome appliances and all you need to cook a great meal. The living room with its large Smart TV (which we were not expecting) was nice to indulge in when we came in for the night. WiFi works great. We enjoyed some of these highlights: - the peaceful small pond and the soothing sound of running water. We slept with windows opened to enjoy this relaxing feature. -stars are magnificent at night -the birds! With feeders located throughout the property, birdwatching was another relaxing way to spend time at the house -our two small dogs slept outside all day and enjoyed bird watching too and slept in their cozy beds at night -a good long soak in the claw foot bathtub We are so happy to have found a vacation spot we hope to return to again and again. The owner also sent us a good list of activities around Sonora. Try the pickle pizza at St. Charles Saloon - delicious! Also check out the Standard Pour for yummy snacks and beer. Thank you, Lisa for offering your beautiful home to us for some rest and respite. We will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022