Entire home

Big Lovely House in the Fresh - Inverness Original

Waterfront vacation home with kitchen and balcony

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

Beach - Big Lovely House in the Fresh  - Inverness Original (Inverness)
Outdoor dining - Big Lovely House in the Fresh  - Inverness Original (Inverness)
Exterior - Big Lovely House in the Fresh  - Inverness Original (Inverness)
4 bedrooms, WiFi, bed sheets - Big Lovely House in the Fresh  - Inverness Original (Inverness)
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop - Big Lovely House in the Fresh  - Inverness Original (Inverness)
Nestled next to a leafy stream, Brook Ness offers an enchanting escape amidst the natural beauty of Point Reyes National Seashore. Unwind in the toy room, hot outdoor shower or hammock by the stream. Enjoy al fresco dining under a huge oak tree and cozy dinners with loved ones.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms3 bathrooms251 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Outdoor Space
  • Parking available

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.

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 amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Stereo
  • TV
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Office

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

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

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • No carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 2,700 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 30

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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load the dishwasher
Strip any used beds
Take out the trash
Turn off the lights and return the keys
Please double check that all heaters and lights are turned off, and shut all windows to keep forest animals out:)
Please remake easy beds if have a few minutes.
No need to lock up house, safe out here:)
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Rules

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 dog allowed.
No smoking inside or outside due to California fire problems. My neighbors are very strict about this.

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
1 total (up to 50 lbs per pet)
Note from host: Quiet dog under 20 lbs/ meticulous clean up

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: It's magic for kids here.

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 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 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

This property does not have elevators
A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Big Lovely House Point Reyes National Seashore
Big Lovely House - Point Reyes National Seashore Inverness

About the neighborhood

Located in Inverness, this vacation 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. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching. Visit our Inverness travel guide
View more Vacation Homes in Inverness
Map
Inverness, CA

What's nearby

  • Unusually calm day at beautiful Tomales Bay State Park, Inverness CA.
Nestled in the protected Point Reyes National Seashore and Tomales Bay Area. Lots of hiking, fishing, boating and nature watching. 
#HikingTheGlobe
#CAStateParks
#BeachBound
    Tomales Bay State Park
    8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • San Francisco featuring a bridge
    Golden Gate Bridge
    50 min drive - 65.9 km
  • Stunning view of the Presidio under vibrant sunset skies near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California
    Presidio of San Francisco
    53 min drive - 69.8 km
  • Sonoma Plaza showing flowers, heritage elements and a park
    Sonoma Plaza
    60 min drive - 75.0 km
  • Conservatory of Flowers which includes outdoor art, heritage elements and flowers
    Golden Gate Park
    60 min drive - 76.2 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • Hog Island Oyster Farm
    24 min drive
  • Toby's
    9 min drive
  • Inverness Park Market
    6 min drive
  • Bovine Bakery
    9 min drive
  • Tony's Seafood Restaurant
    22 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 50 lbs per pet.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

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?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

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

Situated on the waterfront, this vacation home is 0.5 mi (0.9 km) from Tomales Bay State Park and 2.8 mi (4.4 km) from Shell Beach. Point Reyes National Seashore and Point Reyes Hiking Trails are also within 6 mi (10 km).

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Big Lovely House in the Fresh - Inverness Original 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.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 149 out of 158 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 158 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 158 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 158 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 158 reviews

9.6

Cleanliness

10

Location

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Cherrie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A quiet and beautiful stay in Inverness. We really enjoyed our stay. Short drive to nearby hiking trails.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Naomi G.

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

Fantastic stay!

Perfect for our family, from grandparents to toddler. Such a cozy and comfortable base for exploring the surrounding nature.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Devi S.

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

Amazing family trip

Came here with my friend and daughters and our dogs! Had the best time and went for lovely walks and enjoyed the beautiful windows and quiet woods. Loved our stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

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

Brian Y.

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

Large Family Home - comfortable

There is a large dining/family room/kitchen which is ideal for enjoying conversation while preparing large family meals.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

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

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

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

Verified traveler

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

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

Jana K.

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

Lovely Stay in the Big Lovely House

The Big Lovely House feels like visiting the home of a beloved, generous friend or family member. It’s exceptionally comfortable with plenty of room to spread out and for everyone to have space. The beautiful, lovingly worn hardwood floors, charming decor, forest views, and peaceful surroundings make it a wonderful retreat. Our family of four adults found everything we needed to make our stay completely enjoyable: from a well-stocked kitchen to the most amazing book collection to jigsaw puzzles we enjoyed while catching up over the evening bottle of wine. Close to hikes, beach walks, and little markets and restaurants in Inverness and Pt Reyes Station. But also the perfect place for cozying up with a cup of tea and a stack of books. Highly recommend this magical, peaceful retreat in the woods of Inverness.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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