Entire home

Beautiful and Lush Hidden Wisteria Getaway

Beautiful and Lush Hidden Wisteria Getaway

Photo gallery for Beautiful and Lush Hidden Wisteria Getaway

Exterior
Exterior
Property grounds
Property grounds
Room

Overview of Beautiful and Lush Hidden Wisteria Getaway

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 270 sq m

Popular amenities

  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Outdoor spaceOutdoor spaceOutdoor space

Check out the area

Map
Alameda, CA
  • Popular LocationRingCentral Coliseum7 min drive
  • Popular LocationJack London Square7 min drive
  • Popular LocationOracle Arena7 min drive
  • AirportOakland, CA (OAK-Oakland Intl.)13 min drive

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Beautiful and Lush Hidden Wisteria Getaway

Things to note.....
- we have a MAXIMIUM STAY of 8 nights
- we are a studio cottage with one queen sized bed
- we have a maximum stay of 8 nights
- Unfortunately, due to California's historic drought, we no longer offer laundry services but there is a clean and well appointed laundromat just a 10 minute walk away.
- In our compact but fully amended bathroom, the toilet is in the shower for space saving reasons.

The island of Alameda is considered by some as the hidden gem of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Your hosts have turned their circa 1890s detached carriage house and stable into a welcoming garden getaway. This tastefully appointed guest spot is perfect for a quiet escape or extended academic or corporate visit.

Nestled in a quiet neighborhood, you are just walking distance from Park Street, Alameda's central shopping district. Here you'll find everything you need....antique shops, cafes, restaurants, boutiques and the newly renovated Alameda Theatre. Less than a mile away you'll find a pristine beach park with stunning views of the San Francisco skyline.

Want to head into 'The City'? You are just 25 minutes away from all SF has to offer. We are close to the Alameda ferry, AC Transit and BART. A quick drive over the Bay Bridge drops you right into the heart of downtown San Francisco.


The owners have spent decades collecting antiques and designing interiors and have used their talents to create a comfortable,quiet vacation space for those who appreciate a green way of living.

Virtually every item, from floor to ceiling is recovered or recycled in some way.

The Garden: The bungalow is covered by a gorgeous and legendary Wisteria tree that is the star of the spring season.

The practice of 'Living Green' extends to the lush surrounding gardens. Old San Francisco cobblestones, recovered copper downspouts and perfectly placed architectural elements create a serene garden so creative you'd think you were on a movie set.

A Koi pond that is sometimes visited by elegant egrets, sits just outside the bungalow door. The garden is surrounded by three small aviaries that house small families of canaries. Their song and the sound of flowing water will lull you while you read a book in the sun on your own private patio.

The Neighborhood & Beyond: Developed in the late 1800s as a beach resort community, the modern day version still holds much of it's charm from the early 20th century.

Take a drive through the different neighborhoods and you'll see beautiful examples of California architecture. Perfectly restored Victorians share the same street with cute California Bungalows and Craftsman style homes.

Property manager

Melissa Burnley at Bella Bay Vacation Rentals
Premier Host
Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen
Outdoor space
Barbecue grill
Fireplace

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Adults only
There is a non-childproof pond on the property.

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
You will be asked to leave with no fees refunded

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

About the area

Alameda

Located in Alameda, this cottage is in the city center. Berkeley Marina and Ferry Building are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Pier 39 and Embarcadero Center. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at RingCentral Coliseum or Oracle Arena. Discover the area's water adventures with windsurfing and sailing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain biking and hiking.
Map
Alameda, CA

What's nearby

  • RingCentral Coliseum - 7 min drive
  • Jack London Square - 7 min drive
  • Oracle Arena - 7 min drive
  • Fox Theater - 7 min drive
  • Oakland City Center - 7 min drive

Getting around

  • Fruitvale Station - 3 min drive
  • Oakland-Jack London Square Station - 6 min drive
  • Oakland Intl. Airport (OAK) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • Burger King - 12 min walk
  • Applebee's - 12 min walk
  • Lucky 13 - 6 min walk
  • Jack In The Box - 6 min walk
  • Sidestreet Pho - 5 min walk

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. 270 out of 280 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 280 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 280 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 280 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 280 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Katherine F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing stay in a slice of heaven!
What a wonderful time we had at John and Arthur studio! We were so impressed by the place when we arrived, it felt like a dream :) The garden is soooo beautiful and relaxing, I adored giving treats to the koïs every morning. The studio has everything you need, the bed is really comfy and there was small gifts left in the kitchen for us that we appreciated a lot. There's a lot of products in the kitchen (oil, vinegar, spices, salt, sugar, etc.) to help you cook if you want - wich was our case. No noise at night, so we were top shape in the morning to go and explore the City. With the buses, it is very easy to reach a BART station to go to San Francisco, and it was so nice to come back at the studio at night, to relax in the garden and reset. John and Arthur are amazing hosts, we enjoyed talking with them and wished we had more time to talk ! Thank you John, for all your helpful tips and for the time you took, looking a the maps and telling us what not to miss for the rest of our trip - we did stop at Point Lobos and it was marvellous!!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Denise M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful
Quiet & lovely
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tom R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wisteria Retreat
Lovely, serene and restorative
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Renelda S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
An Urban Oasis
The property was even more beautiful than expected. The yard was overflowing with colorful plants, singing birds, and Koi fish swimming in the pond.The cottage was small but it fit our needs perfectly. Uniquely furnished and stocked with just about anything you could need. Excellent location making it easy to get around the island, or over to Berkeley or San Francisco. We would definitely recommend this spot.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wisteria Cottage
I felt as though I was on a relaxing retreat. The grounds were lovely and peaceful. The hosts were wonderful and paid attention to the details that make a stay magical. I will book this cottage again for my Bay area stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

About the host

Hosted by Melissa Burnley at Bella Bay Vacation Rentals

Host profile image
Your reservation will be manged by Melissa but John and Arthur live in the Main House and will be your hosts.

The talents of your hosts, John and Arthur, have appeared on HGTV’s Curb Appeal and in a series of books on Arts & Crafts bungalows by Paul Duchscherer – The Bungalow, Inside the Bungalow and Outside the Bungalow. Their business, House of Orange, specializes in European Arts & Crafts furnishings, and some of their most outstanding pieces are now in the homes of local collectors who have become close friends over the years.

Why they chose this property

Their carriage house – circa 1890, has been turned into a garden guest getaway – and except for a few planks, tiles and a sofa bed, the space and its contents are all recycled in some way. The wood interior and exterior siding are bits and pieces from old projects, and with their creative eye, all the pieces work: as ceiling and wall sections, windowsills, door jambs, storage closets - you name it!

Their recycling even extends to the surrounding yard. Reclaimed copper downspouts from the roof divert rainwater into the koi pond and an existing well. The outdoor lighting is on a sensor to save energy, and old lanterns were rewired as lamps. Chimney liners were turned into water features and pulley hooks into sturdy plant hangers. All plants need little to no watering and bloom beautifully.

Wisteria Getaway – a name given to it by friends and guests – may be small, but every idea John and Arthur used was big on result and can easily translate on an even grander scale. They provide decorating, remodeling and landscaping services and advice.

What makes this property unique

John and Arthur are called the “Green Giants” because they are all about reducing, reusing and recycling in a BIG and BEAUTIFUL way. Whether shopping at thrift stores for clothing, repaving their driveway with old cobblestones from a San Francisco street, or resurfacing floors with reclaimed wood, they make mindful and creative use of materials with spectacular results!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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