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Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay

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Photo gallery for Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay

Aerial view
Outdoor dining
Exterior
Exterior
Exterior

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
  • Free WiFi
NZ$2,100
avg per night

Explore the area

Map
Marshall, CA
  • Tomales Bay State Park
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Dillon Beach
    ‪22 min drive‬
  • Tomales Bay
    ‪49 min drive‬
  • Novato, CA (NOT-Gnoss Field)
    ‪49 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

Den

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Downstairs Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Upstairs Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

Room

  • Beach view
  • 260.1 sq m
  • Sleeps 10
  • 5 Queen Beds
Price is NZ$2,100 avg per night,

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About the area

Marshall

Located in Marshall, this farm stay is in a rural area and on the beach. Cayman Practice Range and Bodega Harbour Golf Links are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Point Reyes National Seashore and Tomales Bay State Park. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Tomales Bay State Park - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Point Reyes National Seashore - 21 min drive - 20.5 km
  • Dillon Beach - 22 min drive - 14.1 km
  • Tomales Bay - 49 min drive - 38.7 km
  • Tomales Point Trailhead - 50 min drive - 45.3 km

Getting around

  • Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County) - 47 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Marshall Store - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Tony's Seafood Restaurant - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Hog Island Oyster Company - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Tomales Bay Oyster Company - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Coastal Kitchen - ‬15 min drive

About this property

Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay

** IMPORTANT NOTE: Our listing is for vacation rentals *only*. If you're interested in hosting a wedding, retreat or event of any type, please contact us directly. **

Our family's beautifully renovated 1864 farmhouse, surrounded by towering eucalyptus and cypress trees, on 166 certified organic acres, on the shores of Tomales Bay. Our house is a 30-second walk to the beach, perfect for launching your kayak and watching spectacular sunsets.

Sleeping: Our home accommodates 10 (total, adults and kids): 4 bedrooms upstairs, each with queen bed; plus a queen pull-out sofa in the downstairs den. Comfortable beds and luxurious bedding. Two shared full bathrooms (1 upstairs, and 1 downstairs).

** PLEASE NOTE: Our listing is for vacation rentals *only*. If you're interested in hosting a private event of any type, please find us online and contact us directly. Thanks you. :) **

Kitchen: Fully-equipped gourmet kitchen, coffee, tea, spices, and more.

Entertainment: Wi-Fi, flat screen TV and DVDs, lots of board games and lawn games.

Outdoors: BBQ, patio, upper and lower porches for chillin’, lots of room to hang out (inside and outside), including hammock in the garden. Beach on Tomales Bay literally a 30-second walk from the house. Enjoy a bonfire and an incredible night sky (with no light pollution), which Michael will setup for you.

All in incomparably-beautiful surroundings. Seriously, this place is magical.

For hosting events at our ranch, please inquire, as there may be additional fees.

Eating: West Marin is a foodie Mecca, including Nick’s Cove, Hog Island Oyster Company, Marshall Store, Rocker Oysterfellas, Osteria Stellina, Cowgirl Creamery, Heidrun Meadery and so much more. Pick up some pastries at Route 1 Bakery (Tomales) or Bovine Bakery (Point Reyes Station). Or, cook at home with our terrific kitchen. Shuck and BBQ oysters on our patio. Or … ask us about having an incredible local private chef prepare a glorious meal.

West Marin is a slice of paradise – kayaking on the Bay, hiking in the Point Reyes National Seashore, home to artisan cheeses, fresh local oysters and a serene country escape (but still only an hour’s drive to SF or Wine Country).

Want to know more about Marin County's rich environmental, sustainable agriculture and organic food history? Just ask siblings Vivien and Michael Straus - we can share stories about the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) - co-founded by our mother Ellen; stories about launching Straus Family Creamery (owned separately by our brother) and the local artisan cheese scene (Vivien created the CheeseTrail map and app). Want to talk about psychic phenomena? That's Michael's department :)

Come out to Marshall - the only town where the population minus the elevation equals the speed limit.

Pets: Sorry, NO pets allowed.

Property manager

Vivien & Michael Straus (siblings)

Languages

English, Russian

Amenities

Free WiFi
Parking available
Laundry

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No additional daytime guests (gatherings, parties, events, etc.) without prior approval; additional fees may apply.
Quiet hours: 10pm - 9am
Please refer to our Rental Agreement for other rules, terms and conditions.

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
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

Frequently asked questions

Is Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay located?

Nestled on the beach, this Marshall farm stay is within 1 mi (2 km) of Pelican North Beach and Tomales Bay State Park. Marconi Conference Center State Historic Park and Tomales City Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Straus Home Ranch on Tomales Bay Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 94 out of 94 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 94 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 94 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 94 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 94 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

John C.

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

Reconnecting with the Land

We have stayed at a number of wonderful places in the Tomales Bay area over the years, mainly in Inverness. But the Straus Family Ranch experience gave us the deepest experience of the land and its history. The deep personal connection that the owners, Michael and Vivien Straus, have with the place and their warm enthusiasm for sharing it make the place exceptional.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

jamis m.

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

The best ever

We travel a lot and this was simply the best for our big family. No negatives at all. Even the placement of the toilet paper dispensers was perfect which is basically how I grade a place These were A+.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelly K.

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

Very Special & Spectacular Property

We stayed here with family from out of town and found the Straus family’s historic home to be both beautiful and comfortable. Vivien and Michael both made a point to warmly welcome us and make us feel right at home. While at the ranch we enjoyed the beach, pretty garden, bonfires with s'mores, and colorful sunsets from the living room. We had a wide variety of age groups with us and everyone had a wonderful time. Breathtakingly gorgeous Dillon Beach is nearby and we also enjoyed Route One Bakery, Nick’s Cove, and Due West restaurants. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to stay at this ranch with my family and made such nice memories. Thank you, Straus family!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jackie G.

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

Wonderful

We had a wonderful time during our stay. The property is beyond beautiful and absolutely exceeded our expectations. We would all be lucky to come back! Thank you Straus Home Ranch!!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Barbara W., Lafayette

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

Delightful family vacation

We highly recommend the Strauss Home Ranch. We grandparents arranged the rental for us and our daughter's family, which included an infant and a high-energy toddler. The house itself is a charming and lovely farmhouse; sparkling clean, comfortable and well-kept, with a great modern kitchen and views of the water. The location in the Pt Reyes area was perfect for us and we were content for a few days not to get into the car at all, though Pt Reyes Station and the National Seashore were within easy reach for shopping and hiking. The 2-year old loved the resident chicken, the cows, the yard, the calm little beach on Tomales Bay just a stroll across Highway 1, all the wildlife (fox, deer, turkeys) and picking blackberries near the house. A very short walk up Highway 1 one day took us to Nick's Coves where we had an outstanding oyster/seafood lunch in the little cabin at the end of the pier. Heavenly! Michael, the co-owner, gave us a personal tour of the ranch and was readily available if we needed him (but we didn't, as everything was so well thought out). The Straus Home Ranch seems to encompass all the best of West Marin, which is high praise!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Claire K.

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

Wonderful trip

We loved the property!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sarah M.

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

Wonderful experience

We highly recommend this beautiful property and home. Michael was a delight to visit with and was more then helpful with any needs we had during our stay. The bonfire, visiting the cows, walking the property and hearing about its history was magical. We cannot wait to visit again!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

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

Fabulous Farmhouse

Perfect gathering place for family and friends
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Stacey F., San Rafael, CA

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

Lovely weekend

We had such a great weekend at the Strauss Home Ranch. Our kids (ages 4 and 6) loved playing outside and visiting the chickens. Vivien gave us an incredible tour, which we all loved. The home is so comfortable and well-appointed. It had everything we needed. We ended up spending much more time at the house than originally anticipated. Our kids just wanted to play in the yard and at the beach across the street. Our only wish is that we could have stayed longer!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly G.

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

A Charming Family Getaway

My fiancè and I booked a weekend stay at the Straus Ranch sight unseen for our immediate family only - covid friendly wedding. WOW--we felt so blessed staying at this property that was a welcoming home and bucolic dream wrapped up in one. After pushing up our spring wedding we had already had a bit of heartache in not having all of our loved ones there, but we couldn't have imagined what a lovely gift this place would be--it's pure magic! Vivien and Michael were wonderful in helping us troubleshoot some of the details. The kitchen was fully equipped with all the essentials to whip up a family meal and the rooms were cozy and quiet enough to please our toughest critics (my 2 and 4-year-old nephew and niece). The property is a quick drive to Pt. Reyes Station/several hiking spots and don't miss the fresh oysters (book ahead) down the road at Hog Island Oyster Co. Thank you Straus Siblings~We hope to return to the ranch in the future to relive the magic!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Michelle M., El Dorado Hills, CA

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

Perfect COVID wedding venue!

I cannot say enough kind things about Vivian and Michael. They were kind, communicative and welcoming. Their family house was truly as beautiful as the photos, and made for a lovely weekend with those closest and most important to us!

10/10 Excellent

Carla P.

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

Safe family get together

We wanted to find a property large enough to allow for social distancing and with outdoor space for the same reason (even though all in the same circles). The property was beautiful and as described if not better. The hosts were accessible and gave us our space. The house is very well equipped which was great for our culinary adventures! We loved being right by the water and close to great food to enjoy tomales oysters. We would recommend this to others and would come again!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kurt L.

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

Wonderful getaway

Our family was looking for a place to get away in the midst of all the 2020 craziness and the Straus farm ended up being exactly what we were looking for. The farmhouse is lovely and well-appointed; we particularly loved the fact that the kitchen was stocked with just above everything we could have wanted and more. Vivien and Michael were fantastic hosts, with Vivien going way above and beyond what we could have expected by giving us a tour of the cow pasture and even meeting up with us to deliver a forgotten suitcase (long story which involved an emergency appendectomy for one of our daughters :)). Michael did his part as well by giving us some tomatoes out of his garden. Highly recommended.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Shabnam F.

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

Loved our stay

Fantastic
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Mark Y.

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

Peaceful getaway

We had such a wonderful stay during our house remediation and it felt like a home away from home in this relaxing setting. Michael and Vivien were quick to answer our questions and help us with anything we needed. The house has so much character and was beautifully attended to with soft beds comfortable linens and fully stocked kitchen. The barn, bay and outdoor games were enjoyed by all. Thank you for having us stay!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen G.

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

Charming

Lovely historical home. Perfect location for a family gathering.

10/10 Excellent

Bonnie M., San Francisco Bay Area

Three generations - one Happy Mother's Day

The space was perfect for two grandparents, two couples and three little ones (6, 4 & 1). The children enjoyed the cows, fun toys, and the yard -- the adults enjoyed the well supplied kitchen and comfortable beds -- and we all enjoyed the peace of West Marin. I read my grandchildren Vivien's book about talking to cows (and even the adults learned something about bovines). Best was being licked by a young cow when they visited us at the back gate.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

amanda s.

West Marin Done Perfectly!

This house, this home, this land. Such a beautiful place for our gal-get-a-way. The beds are super comfortable (let's be honest this is vita) the kitchen is wonderful and well stocked with all the accoutrements for stay-in meals. Michael and Vivian were amazing hosts helping us with restaurant and hike recommendations. I cannot express enough what a lovely stay visit we all had.

10/10 Excellent

Miye T., Piedmont CA

Perfect bucolic getaway in an historic ranch!

Michael Straus began our visit with a fascinating, in depth tour of the ranch. He is a "people" person who totally engaged 10 of us, ages 2-83 years old. The home is beautifully decorated and designed to be lived in. It is very welcoming with comfortable furniture, a wide selection of books, games and dvd's. The kitchen is remarkably well equipped and stocked with spices, condiments etc. The bathrooms are also well stocked. There was even nail polish remover in the cabinet! I think every room in the house has breathtaking views of Tomales Bay and of the hills. The grounds are user friendly with comfortable outdoor furniture placed in wide open, well maintained lawn areas. The renovated barn is gorgeous and would be a festive location for events, weddings etc! We brought many snacks and breakfast/lunch food but didn't want to cook dinner. Nick's Cove is across the street and serves delicious food! I would have happily dined there several times but wanted my family to visit Point Reyes Station. I highly recommend Straus Family Ranch for a comfortable yet luxurious stay in the countryside.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Naomi D.

Paradise

We spent Christmas week in this beautiful historic farmhouse and it was absolutely perfect. Waking up with a view of sparkling Tomales Bay, cooking in the fantastically-equipped kitchen or curling up with a book in the cosy den: the whole family was delighted and we are already planning a return visit.

10/10 Excellent

Simran S.

MAGICAL PLACE!

Perfect in every way and I don't believe in perfection. We absolutely LOVED it and feel very fortunate to have been able to stay here with friends. We have little kids but were already envisioning getting them married here. The hosts are absolutely lovely and that just adds to the experience. Point Reyes/Marshall is just about one of the most beautiful/peaceful places in the world. The house is full of character and charm, is well maintained and clean and on one side you see cows and Tomales Bay on the other. It's truly magical. ;)

10/10 Excellent

Susan S.

Just right--a great combination of relaxed and luxurious

Barn swallows, cows, sea-beans to harvest on the nearby beach, trails to walk, oyster places easy to get to nearby, perfect living spaces to gather people to sing, play games and not least eat in, very well-equipped kitchen (and barbecue), comfortable beds, quiet! Exactly what we hoped. We stayed here--8 adults and a two-year-old--very happily. Will return. Thank you, Strauses!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Lori R.

Magical place for a gathering

We were a group of college teammates reuniting 20+ years later to celebrate a one of our friends and stayed at Straus Ranch for the weekend. It was truly magical. The house itself is lovely with high quality kitchen, beds, a handmade wooden dining room table. And the grounds, outdoor lighting, barn, cow neighbors, and location right across from the water make it feel like a real getaway from the bustle of everyday life. We also appreciated the extra-special touches like fresh organic cream for coffee. Thanks so much Michael & Vivien.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Colleen M.

A Dreamy Weekend Retreat

Words cannot express the dreamy weekend we had! I cannot begin to thank Vivien and Michael enough their overly generous hospitality. I booked Straus Home Ranch for my sister's bachelorette party. We were looking for a low-key weekend getaway with plenty of activities and rose. 11 of us arrived on Thursday evening. The home was in pristine condition when we arrived, the front yard was stunning with beautiful yard lights and it was clear the kitchen was fully stocked with spices, tools, and anything else you may need. We booked Stacy, who lives nearby and is available to cater for the whole weekend. She greeted us with the most beautiful charcuterie board and a lovely summer chicken dinner to follow. Friday morning Vivien and Michael were kind enough to open up the big barn for our scheduled yoga class (Michael recommend Trish, a local yoga instructor, she was absolutely wonderful!). Following our class, Michael took us on a tour of the land and gave us insight into the history. So cool! We had the opportunity to meet the cows as well :). If you see cow "1149" his name is Carlos, tell him hi for us! We took advantage of the available yard games - there were tons, the spacious patio, and took a minute walk over to the beach for the rest of our afternoon. Dinner was at Nick's Cover, where we walked to, enjoyed yummy cocktails on the pier and a delicious dinner inside. Saturday we took the cheese tour (Viviene gave plenty of suggestions of the best spots to stop!). Our last stop on the tour was Marin French Cheese, highly recommended! Grab some cheese, honey, bread, and a bottle of rose that you can enjoy by the pond on their property! To finish the night we grabbed oysters from Hog Island Oyster Co. The ranch had all of the tools required for schucking including a bbq for those that didn't want to eat the oysters fresh! We could not have asked for a more beautiful weekend- from every activity being so close to the bsolutely stunning home. We are already planning a trip back! Thank you Vivien and Michael for going above and beyond!

10/10 Excellent

STEPHANIE G.

Beautiful Property and Amazing Stay!

We loved staying at the Straus family farm. What an unbelievable property. Strung lights in the front yard were such a lovely touch. We enjoyed drinking wine and gazing at the water view from the large lawn. The house was well-equipped and the beds were comfortable. The owners were a joy to work with. Highly recommend this place!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018