Entire home

Big Lovely House in the Fresh - Inverness Original

Photo gallery for Big Lovely House in the Fresh - Inverness Original

Leafy fairytale entrance
entry hall
outdoor dining
feast/ indoor dining
kitchen view

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 6250.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Outdoor space
  • Barbecue grill
  • Pet-friendly

Explore the area

Map
Inverness, CA
  • Tomales Bay State Park
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Point Reyes National Seashore
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Tomales Bay
    ‪22 min drive‬
  • Novato, CA (NOT-Gnoss Field)
    ‪46 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Single Bunk Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Big Lovely House in the Fresh - Inverness Original

Brook Ness is a handcrafted home, a dreamy place next to a cool leafy stream and an ideal home base for exploring the pristine nature of Point Reyes National Seashore, from Tomales Bay coves to big ocean beaches, whale and bird watching, wild flowers, mountain biking, sailing and kayaking.

Brook Ness is one of the iconic, true Inverness homes in an area very like an old English village, with huge trees and shingled houses. You wake to the scent of bay laurel, the sounds of the fresh mountain spring and a chorus of bird song. It is enchanting, and only a 5 minute stroll through First Valley to town shops, and oysters at Salt Water restaurant and to the bay where kiters fly across the water.

Or going feral, you can cross the footbridge near the house, hike up the mesa where you'll find myriad trails climbing Mount Vision to kettle ponds and sweeping views of the headlands. The house is also perfect for cozy dinners, games, movies, reading and relaxing with loved ones. There is now high speed WIFI for longer stays/ remote work time, but it's a great place to get away from screens, and the rate is negotiable if staying longer.

Fun for family time and at the end of a short lane, safe from road traffic. There is a toy room and in fair weather an open outdoor space for al fresca dining under a huge oak. The hot outdoor shower makes it a breeze to de-salt after a day at the beach, and the hammock aloft the stream is a dreamy reading spot.

(A quiet dog is okay, but no unruly or loud dogs allowed.)

Also nearby/ 10 mins is the quaint town of Point Reyes, with its distinct Western feel and a bevy of eateries like Cowgirl Creamery and Brickmaiden Bakery. The soft serve ice cream at the Palace Market is a dreamy vanilla whip. Hog Island oysters and Tony's seafood for fish and chips are also delicious, a 30 min drive away. Bodega and the wild shore of Route One north also make for wonderful day tripping.

Keywords: Country House, Oysters, swimming and beaches, Writing Retreat, getaway, West Marin hiking, trees and clean air, quiet, whales and wild life, serene marshlands, gourmet food.

Property manager

Margaret
Premier Host

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Mountain view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
It's magic for kids here.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
Quiet dog under 20 lbs/ meticulous clean up
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Absolutely no parties, guests other than on contract. Neighbors get upset and call. A cancellation on your end will be requested if planning a party.
No dog left alone in the house. Please only one quiet, small dog allowed.
No smoking inside or outside due to California fire problems. My neighbors are very strict about this.

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 no carbon monoxide detector on the property, but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
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

Inverness

Located in Inverness, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Tomales Regional History Center and Tomales Town Hall are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Self Health Institute and Indian Valley Golf Club. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Inverness, CA

What's nearby

  • Tomales Bay State Park - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Point Reyes National Seashore - 8 min drive - 7.0 km
  • Point Reyes Hiking Trails - 9 min drive - 7.5 km
  • Heart's Desire Beach - 14 min drive - 9.4 km
  • Tomales Bay - 22 min drive - 12.6 km

Getting around

  • Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County) - 68 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Inverness Park Market - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Bovine Bakery - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Marshall Store - ‬23 min drive
  • ‪Tony's Seafood Restaurant - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Hog Island Oyster Company - ‬24 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Big Lovely House in the Fresh - Inverness Original pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Big Lovely House in the Fresh - Inverness Original?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Big Lovely House in the Fresh - Inverness Original?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Big Lovely House in the Fresh - Inverness Original located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 0.5 mi (0.9 km) from Tomales Bay State Park and 2.8 mi (4.4 km) from Shell Beach. Mount Wittenberg and Point Reyes National Seashore are also within 6 miles (10 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. 134 out of 142 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 142 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 142 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 142 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 142 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

donna h.

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

Wonderful and Peaceful Stay!

Location was perfect! Comfortable home, we had everything we needed for a relaxing weekend. Peaceful and beautiful, we would definitely stay again. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer R.

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

A week in the winter

Four of us stayed in this quintessential Inverness spot for a week’s retreat. The space was great for us and is an easy walk to town. This is a beautiful wood house with a burbling stream behind it. The 4th bedroom wasn’t pictured and is set up as a kids room with bunk beds and everything a kid could want! It also works for adults. The house was quiet, peaceful, and cozy, and well stocked, and we loved our stay
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rachel V.

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

Loved our stay!

We really enjoyed our trip to Inverness for Thanksgiving. It was a lovely get away for my family including 2 young boys and a little dog. We were able to unplug by the fire and have cozy quality time together. The house is incredibly charming and has everything you could possibly need. The babbling creek behind the house is so peaceful and beautiful. We enjoyed hiking the area and being among the lush trees. There is tons to see in the afternoon and when we weren’t being adventurous we enjoyed long walks in the neighborhood and just being in the wonderful cottage. We will be back!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael C.

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

Paradise

A perfect place to enjoy Tomales Bay and environs.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Edgar V.

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

Terrific property

The property is accurately described online. The host is responsive and friendly.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kuanie J.

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

Great, relaxing stay

This place is a pretty funky, cool maze layout with beautiful decor. The fresh air outside was unbeatable too. Most important, it was a perfect layout for our infant son to play around in, safely. The home feels well lived in, and wonderful. It also had all the amenities we needed for a wedding weekend. Thank you for a lovely stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Louise C.

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

Lovely family home

This home is a perfect place for a family reunion or vacation. Set back in a beautiful wooded grove next to a creek. Plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces to relax ad enjoy. Comfortable bedrooms. A very well appointed kitchen. Tons of laidback character and charm. Books and games. Convenient to hiking and exploring Tomales Bay and the coast. Highly recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nora I.

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

Beautiful Home and Setting

We gathered for my 60th birthday and the home could not have been more hospitable to me and my special group of friends. We laughed, cooked, and enjoyed the beautiful environment created by the host's details. The kitchen had beautiful glasses and dishes-- all ready to have a nice dinner. We all slept well and treasured every moment of being together. Thank you so much! It could not have been more perfect.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Wonderfulness in Inverness

We loved this place so much. It's surrounded by bay and redwood trees. Funky, in a good way.g9odbutbendlessl6 interestingly fabouslous.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jayne W.

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

A mid-century manse by the creek

This was our second stay: the first, two summers ago, was memorable; this was historic. Our three friends were also colleagues at a literary magazine. Like us, they were enchanted by the architecture, the setting, and the 1000 or so books distributed all around. Our friends are serious cooks, and appreciate how everything from the pots and pans to the flatware reflected an individual, civilized touch. We'll be back, early and often!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Adrianne A.

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

A lovely time in a lovely location

Charming house in the middle of lush surroundings. Will stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

maura s.

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

authentic inverness

we had a beautiful 60th birthday celebration. those looking for the old school inverness will love this place. we did. everything we needed, plus lots of character.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tara O.

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

Lovely getaway in Inverness

We had such a lovely stay here in Inverness! The home has such character and was clearly built and stewarded with love. It is in such a relaxing setting, and a very convenient location for checking out beaches, hiking, and restaurants around the Inverness & Point Reyes areas. Our group included a few adults and a few infants, and the space was perfect for having some big common areas while also having enough private space for sleeping babies. Margaret was a great and communicative host. I would highly recommend staying here for anyone who wants a nice getaway to one of the most serene spots on the northern California coast!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jason M.

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

Perfect getaway!

The house is incredibly unique and the property is second to none. Thank you for a wonderful weekend for me and my family!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathy A.

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

Final Journey

Laid my dad to rest at Olema Cemetary with his parents and brother. Full Circle this home gave us all A hug. Clean, quirky even all the ducks in a row above the kitchen sink!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Geoff B.

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

Cozy Weekend Getaway

The house really fit our needs for convenience, spaciousness, character, location, etc. It was a rainy weekend. The large tiled entryway was easy to close off for cleaning up the dogs before letting them into the living area after their walks. The kitchen had everything we needed to cook big elaborate meals. The living space was large but cozy. Lot's of windows looking out at lots of trees. It was lovely!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

kevin s.

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

Enchanting home in beautiful surrounding

The home was just as described. It is perfectly located for wonderful day excursions. Each night we would come home and enjoy the wood burning stove and read in peaceful serenity. I can’t recommend this home and host enough! We will be back for sure.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura B.

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

Storybook charm for a family gathering

This was our second stay in this lovely house because it is the perfect place for our family...my husband and myself, our adult son and daughter and their partners. The character of the wood covered walls with lots of windows to see the tree branches all around and a high ceilinged central space is exactly the cross between a cabin feel and a little airiness you want in Inverness. Gathering for tea and breakfast in the open inviting living room, people arriving as they wake but sleeping late undisturbed if they prefer. On sunny days a central spot to go on hikes nearby or in the Point Reyes National Seashore trails and beaches. On rainy days the openess of the house makes it comfortable to be in the living room together reading, or on computers, or playing scrabble, or doing jigsaw puzzles, without feeling at all crowded. Some zoom meetings happened in the other wing of the house with plenty of privacy and a good connection. At night the well equipped kitchen made cooking a pleasure and we all gathered around the dining table for dinner. At night we watched movies on the large TV and there was plenty of room for everyone. We highly recommend this magical place.
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nora T.

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

Wonderful home

This is our second time staying at Margaret’s wonderful home in Inverness. Our family feels very lucky to be able to spend time here. Cozy and charming.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Paula G.

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

Rustic home with comfort and character

Perfect home for family reunion. Lot's of room for cooking, eating and visiting. Bedrooms are comfortable and provide beds for 10 guests. Great location with hiking, eateries, and beach walks close by.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bonnie R.

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

A Beautiful Corner of the World

We loved the home in Inverness and it was perfect for our family gathering. It almost felt as if we were staying in a treehouse - the house has great energy and is highly recommended.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

j l.

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

Inverness

A magical house with wonderful hikes in walking distance. I would stay here again
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Sue M.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfectly Inverness

Lovely hideaway
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Adrian B.

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

Magical and easy

Margaret’s home in the redwoods was totally wonderful for us. The kitchen dining room, living area were expensive then beautiful and had a sense of the forest inside and outside and easy to make meals for the whole family together there. The backyard was wonderful with the rope swing that the two boys never got off of when we were there the creek to explore the berries to pack all the neighbors for so friendly and sweet and we use it as a homebase for lots of adventures in the area. Hikes and great restaurants. We so appreciate Margaret, and all her attention to details, and made us feel right at home we would gladly return.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Banks L.

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

Delightful family getaway!

5 stars! Our family spent 4 nights at the Inverness house and i wish we had another week! The home is super quiet, comfortable, cozy - just want you want in a place like inverness where you can really feel you are away from it all. Love the woodsy, cool setting and small creek running through the property. Lots of good meals in Pt Reyes station and cooked at home. We loved the scenery, beach and hiking/biking options in every direction. Highly recommended.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

About the host

Hosted by Margaret

Host profile image
We are a family of avid outdoors-folk, sailors, hikers, naturalists.

Why they chose this property

We marvel at Point Reyes and the choices of fun fresh things to do in this boundless and well-protected natural preserve.

What makes this property unique

Heart's Desire hikes, Bodega Bay for a tour of Hitchcock's set for The Birds and crab salad in town, oysters at Hog Island, dinner in Point Reyes, the local farmer's market on Saturdays, walking Kehoe Beach for big tumbling waves, reading the paper at Drakes, blackberry picking in September...the list goes on and on!

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests