Nestled in the Sierra foothills, this charming cottage offers a serene escape with a private patio and fire pit. Enjoy evenings surrounded by tall pine and oak trees, or explore local wineries, micro-breweries, and art studios just minutes away.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 4105 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor Space
Add dates for prices
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Heron Cottage - Tranquil Retreat
Quaint cottage in the Sierra foothills, features 2 bedrooms (one with murphy bed), 2 baths (one shower, one tub), 1 compact car garage (attached), washer/dryer, wood burning stove, full kitchen. Enjoy a private weekend in a beautiful natural setting with tall pine and oak trees. Take in the cool evening mountain air while sitting around the fire. Hardwood flooring throughout, composite deck, back patio with fire pit. Local area offers wineries, micro-breweries, art studios, kayaking, gold panning, running and hiking trails in the area. Ten miles from Auburn State Recreational Area and Western States Trail, linking Auburn and Lake Tahoe. Enjoy a quiet weekend or the many recreational opportunities of the Sierra and foothills. The owners live on the 5-acre property and are available for advice or assistance. Just 10 minutes to Old Town Auburn, 10 minutes to Colfax, less than one mile to I-80, and one mile to Meadow Vista. 50 miles to Boreal Ski Resort.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the cottage: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Car required
Onsite parking options include a garage
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Ice maker
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Spices
Stovetop
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
2 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
2 bathrooms
Bathtub
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Living room
Wood stove
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
Games
Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Firepit
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washer/dryer
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Cobblestone flooring in public areas
Smoking not allowed
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Phone
Location highlights
In a rural location
In the mountains
Near a health/beauty spa
Near a hospital
Things to do
Birdwatching nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Winery tours nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
This property does not allow children
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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
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
We should mention
A car is required for transportation to and from this property
About the neighborhood
Located in Applegate, this cottage is in a rural area and in the mountains. The Statues of Ken Fox and Placer County Museum are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Black Oak Golf Course and Ridge Golf Club. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and motor boating nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain biking and hiking. Visit our Applegate travel guide
What time is check-in at Heron Cottage - Tranquil Retreat?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Heron Cottage - Tranquil Retreat?
Check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Heron Cottage - Tranquil Retreat located?
Situated in the mountains, this cottage is within 3 mi (5 km) of Meadow Vista Park, Lake Combie, and Auburn State Recreation Area. Codfish Creek Trail and Placer County Visitor Information Center are also within 9 mi (15 km).
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Heron Cottage - Tranquil Retreat Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
We enjoyed staying here so much. It was truly relaxing and peaceful. Highly recommend to anyone needing a getaway. Very clean and has everything you could ever need.
The cottage was beautiful, well appointed, great outdoor areas, comfortable bed, and in a very quite location. I look forward to staying again in my next trip to the area.
This place was so clean, cozy, and in a great location. Check-in and check-out were super easy. We had everything we needed. They thought of everything: coffee bar, extra throw blankets, stacked wood ready to be used inside and for the outdoor firepit. The outdoor patio area was beautiful and private.The beds were very comfortable too!Thank you for a great place to get away!
The cabin was immaculately clean and well-appointed. It was comfortable and had everything I could have wanted. I would definitely go back next time I am in the area.
Matt E.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Gregory
1 August 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
It was a beautiful, clean and we'll maintained cottage in the middle of the woods amongst the foothills of the Sierra Mountains in Northern California. We have traveled the world and rarely had such comfortable accommodations anywhere.
Amazing property! Cottage with well thought out amenities throughout. Immaculately clean, with many kitchen and bathroom essentials. Excellent communications with the hosts and quiet location. Wish we could have stayed longer.
Heron Cottage is truly a tranquil retreat! Chris and Rick are experts in the hospitality department. They have made Heron's Cottage a very special place that is warm and welcoming. Like the other reviews, we found the cottage to be very clean with much attention to detail. Heron's Cottage is by far the most enjoyable rental we have stayed in. If you need a place to stay in this area, this is the place!
Susanne C.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Katie
30 April 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Absolutely the perfect spot. The hosts Rick and Chris are very sweet and communicative. The house itself is well thought out and has all the things you could possibly think of. Sitting out on the back patio, drinking a cup of coffee and listening to the birds was perfect!
We had such an amazing time at this peaceful little stay! The pictures don’t do it justice, the home was clean and in such an amazing location! We loved the wrap around patio looking out into the woods and all the lovely touches our host had. Everything was well stocked and everything we needed was stocked in the kitchen! Rick and Chris were great host and even reached out to us when we forgot something from our stay. We will definitely be back next time we are in the area!
Beautiful, cozy, and very well cared for property, inside and out. Rick and Chris made the cottage very warm and welcoming, giving attention and thought to every detail. My wife and I had a relaxing and refreshing time during our stay. The surrounding area of Meadow Vista, and the whole Sierra foothills, are an idyllic setting. We hope to return for another stay in the future!
Greg S.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jack
6 January 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This property was amazing!! Even better in person then the pictures ! This home shows pride of ownership it is impeccably clean and has absolutely everything you could possibly need for your stay and more . A relaxing retreat!! Beautiful scenery all around the property and deer right in the back yard . We highly recommend!! I will definitely stay again my next trip out to California.
Thanks so very much Chris and Rick .
Hosts show pride of ownership in every aspect of the property. Looks like new, super clean, nicely decorated. Their attention to detail in providing for their guests is extraordinary. Property includes fully equipped kitchen, multiple tables and chairs on the expansive deck, a fire pit, a propane BBQ, and even hiking gear. Wonderful stay.
Absolutely Fantastic Experience with Tremendously Kind Hosts
Chris and Rick were attentive to every single need of ours to make this the most enjoyable family reunion/vacation ever! They were more than accommodating. We loved every second of our stay. We enjoyed the beautiful cottage with every single thing we needed stocked, and the backyard BBQ, sitting out by the firepit, enjoying conversation with family members. We cannot say enough great things about what a wonderful experience this was. We will definitely return! Pat and Tim
Pat C.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
CR
13 July 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Heron Cottage was a true retreat! Rick and Chris were amazing hosts. The pictures don't do Heron Cottage justice! It was a lovely home with so many special touches, fresh flowers on the table and a wonderfully stocked kitchen. Everything from the linens to the dishes was excellent quality. We are trying to find another time to get back there.
This place was far better than expected. It is immaculate (unbelievably clean) and peaceful. Bedrooms have a beautiful view of the trees. Everything is high quality, and you will find attention to detail where you least expect it, I could write a list.
The best of all are the hosts. They are friendly and always looking for the best for you.
We had a great time here.
This was the second time few co-workers from Sacramento meet for a few days on a working business retreat away from daily interuptions. One of us wanted to go home to his family at night which worked well since it was only about a 40 minute commute.
The place is very well furnished and clean. There is lots of natural light inside and nice outdoor seating areas. I suspect we will be back.
This is my second time staying at this home and it won’t be our last. The house is immaculate, the location is so beautiful and peaceful and the hosts are the nicest ever! I asked about a floor fan for the sake of white noise and they made sure there was one there when we arrived! They’re flexible and gracious and I can’t wait for trip #3! If you’re thinking about this place, you won’t regret choosing it
This place is as peaceful as it gets. The pictures don’t do it justice. It’s the cleanest vacation rental I’ve ever stayed at. The home feels very cozy and inviting with every single thing you could need/want. The location is very easy to get to but you feel in the middle of nowhere in the best way. To make it even better, the owners are the sweetest and most accommodating hosts I’ve ever worked with. Communication was wonderful and they were so friendly and warm themselves. I will be back very soon and if you’re even debating this home, you won’t regret it!
My husband and I came to the Sacramento area to visit friends. Staying at the Herron Cottage provided us with a restful oasis after very full days of sightseeing. I especially loved having coffee on the deck in the mornings - very quiet with occasional bird sounds (you can hear some traffic noises but they are muffled by all the trees). Sitting in the recliners in the living room at the end of the day was so comfortable.
I love how the home is decorated- lots of wood accents make it very warm. The artwork is lovely with carved wooden plates from Germany to colorful paintings.
I'm not sure when we'll be back in the area but, when we are, we will definitely try to rent this home again.
I like to travel with any free time I can squeeze out. Ive stayed a lot of places and this one will be on the top list for me. The house is secluded in the pines of the Sierra foothills. In terms of stocking the home with essentials, they thought of everything. Just bring your own groceries to make a meal in this well equipped, modern kitchen. Or eat out in one of the many close restaurants. There is a deep bath lots of outdoor space. Do yourself this favor. Dont pass up on this house if searching for something in the area.
Heron Cottage was the best VRBO experience we have had to date. The house was immaculate as and up to date. We usually feel like we have to clean the dishes before we use them in most rentals, but Heron Cottage was so well maintained that we didn’t think twice about using the right of the shelf. The home was extremely comfortable. The A/C is efficient and super quiet. There house is extremely quiet. We slept with the windows open and were never bothered by noise. It truly is a wonderful experience. The owners have thought of everything and have taken great care to ensure that everyone needed was on hand!
After our stay at Heron Cottage, I tried to find a word to describe our experience there. Shangri-la? Nirvana? Bliss! Heron Cottage is a stunning get-away, a great combination of rustic cabin and modern technology. Kitchen has all the essentials, there is a propane grill on the patio, recommend taking advantage of that. From the wrap-around deck you can watch the sunrise with a cup of coffee, then enjoy a spectacular sunset with a glass of wine. A myriad of wildlife, birds, deer, and much more, towering pines, oaks, shrubs, herbs, and flowers surround the cabin. The interior has gorgeous hardwood floors, splendid wooden cabinets in all rooms, plenty of storage, all the modern comforts of home. Investigate every cabinet and drawer, chances are if you need something, it’s there. I love the lighting, especially the heron lamp–we also saw Great Blue Herons as they flew by! Comfortable beds, plenty of towels, well-stocked laundry, a lovely garden tub, and a big screen TV with all the streaming services completes the package. Above all else, I want to thank our most generous and thoughtful hosts, Chris & Rick, for all the hard work, care, and forethought you put into this extraordinary mountain retreat. It shows how much you want your guests to enjoy every moment. This cottage captures the tranquility that made us feel like we were able to hit the reset button after a long stressful year. Heron Cottage became the destination rather than just the place we were staying. Thanks again!