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Northbound Whale - Beautifully restored turn of the century charmer

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TV, fireplace, DVD player
Interior
Interior
3 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Dining
Perched above Van Damme Beach, this beautifully restored 1863 gem offers a tranquil retreat. The sun room's wicker chairs invite you to sit and watch the waves roll in, while the impressive masonry fireplace warms both levels of this charming home. A spacious kitchen with an island for intimate dining and a large bathroom/laundry room are just some of its amenities.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6172 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

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About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Northbound Whale - Beautifully restored turn of the century charmer

Perched above Van Damme Beach, just outside the village of Mendocino, this light filled beautifully restored 1863 gem, will delight you. There are two bedrooms upstairs (1 king, 1 queen) along with a Captains bed (full) and a half bath. The master bedroom provides a great ocean view, with sounds of the Pacific to lull you to sleep.

On the main floor is the kitchen, living room, large bathroom/laundry room and the sun room.

The kitchen is spacious with a 9' table that comfortably seats 10. There is also an island that provides for more intimate dining. The downstairs bedroom has two twin beds that look out to the ocean with honeysuckle and rose bushes at your windows. There is a large bathroom/laundry room with a claw foot tub bath/shower combination.

The living room is light and bright with an impressive masonry fireplace that warms both the downstairs and upstairs.
The sun room is at the front of the house, facing the ocean with wicker chairs to read, knit or watch the waves roll in.
Just behind the house, is a trail that leads to some of the most beautiful bluffs and views, along the Pacific. Just down the lane, is a short trail to Van Damme Beach. The location, along with the recent beautiful restoration of this coastal gem, provide for a magical get-a-way.



Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • DVD player
  • Games
  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,850 square feet

Policies

Check-in

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

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

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

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
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

Property is also known as

Northbound Whale Beautifully Restored Turn Century Charmer House
Northbound Whale Beautifully Restored Turn Century Charmer
Northbound Whale Beautifully Restored Turn Century Charmer House
Northbound Whale Beautifully Restored Turn Century Charmer House
Northbound Whale Beautifully Restored Turn Century Charmer

About the neighborhood

Map
Little River, CA

What's nearby

  • Van Damme State Park - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Mendocino Headlands State Park - 4 min drive - 3.2 km
  • Big River - 4 min drive - 4.6 km
  • Mendocino Art Center - 6 min drive - 6.0 km
  • Agate Beach - 6 min drive - 6.3 km

Getting around

  • Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County) - 125 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Goodlife Cafe & Bakery - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Little River Inn - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Brickery Pizza - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Flow Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Frankie's - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Northbound Whale - Beautifully restored turn of the century charmer pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Northbound Whale - Beautifully restored turn of the century charmer ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Northbound Whale - Beautifully restored turn of the century charmer ?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Northbound Whale - Beautifully restored turn of the century charmer located?

Situated in Little River, this vacation home is steps from Van Damme State Park, and within 3 mi (5 km) of Mendocino Headlands State Park and Big River. Ford House Visitor Center and Museum and Friendship Park are also within 3 mi (5 km).

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Northbound Whale - Beautifully restored turn of the century charmer Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 47 out of 50 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 50 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 50 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Rosemary C.

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

Wonderful Women’s getaway

Northbound Whale House was the perfect place for for 5 women friends, who have been friends from college days since 1976! The house was beautiful, comfortable, and had everything we needed in amenities and plenty of bedrooms, including comfortable beds! We will definitely rent from Lori and Dan again!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Irene & John S.

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

Charming home beautifully maintained and stocked with everything we needed for an enjoyable stay.

We loved staying in this beautiful home. Mendocino is a great town with a lot to offer. Hiking, restaurants and beaches.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly D.

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

Weekend getaway

The most amazing house for a weekend getaway! This is our second time staying and we were just as impressed as the first.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jon S., Torrey, UT

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

GREAT

Just right!!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Courtney K., Bay area, CA

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

Cute and very comfortable- loved the location

This is such a charming spot to stay! We were super comfortable and enjoyed the fireplace on chilly mornings and the sunroom during the afternoons. It was well stocked with anything you’d need. We also loved the proximity to the beach - a quick walk to little river beach. We also could have easily walked to Vanne Dam park (next time!) It was lovely to hear the ocean from the house and wake up to the birds. Felt very private and quiet. The backyard had great outdoor furniture - lots of spots to relax and grill. Thanks and hope to be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

Randall H.

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

Quiet Location

Charming home tucked off the main road. The kitchen, master and family room/sun room were great. However, we felt that the bathroom conditions were a bit off. One shower/tub for four adults combined with a very ,very small upstairs bathroom with no space for toiletries was the only downside. But, overall we had a great time albeit a short visit.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joshua S.

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

Loved it!!

Overall 5 star rating. Super comfy, nicely decorated, had everything we needed. If I was to split hairs, it would have been nice to have some type of container in the shower to put shampoo, soap, etc…. There was nothing there so it made showering a little inconvenient. When it warms up in the afternoon, it would have been nice if there were screens on the entryways as well as the kitchen window. Just food for thought, but we loved our stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Yvonne H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Wonderful House - But Beware...

We loved the house and our stay. The house was spacious, well equipped and comfortable. BUT, the main bathroom tub/shower is not good for anyone who is unsteady or has difficulty getting in and out of a raised elevated tub. There is no grab bar and the high shower head and hand held shower wand are not the best. The owners should install a new shower head and at least one or more grab bars. Or, better yet, replace the tub. Also, we assume the brown water coming out of the faucets was safe to use for teeth washing but not for other uses. Having the large 5 gallon water dispenser was great but a sign about the water service would have been helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa K.

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

Exceeded our Very High Expectations

I recently stayed in this home with my 90-year-old mother and my three siblings, and we couldn't have been more delighted with it. All five of us had our own private space to sleep in, with my brother taking the lovely little glassed-in front porch. What a bonus that was for five very set-in-our-sleeping-ways oldsters. The clearly new kitchen/dining area offered us the perfect hub -- oversized island, high ceilings, generous dining table, multiple windows with stellar views, and more cooking amenities and than my own home, not to mention any other house I've rented. The quiet country lane that this house sits on is beyond idyllic - in full view of the glorious Mendocino coast. The trail to the bluffs in back of the house is another bonus. And the owner of the house was a gem in every way -- responsive, helpful and generally lovely. I realize this sounds like an ad. I'm just a regular renter who is old enough to have stayed in dozens of rental properties, which I am notoriously particular about choosing. Doesn't get better than this one.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Randall D., San Francisco

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

Beautiful Little River House

My bother and I spent time in this area when we were teen agers, loving the State Park at Van Damme and the lush beaches and headlands around the area. The town of Mendocino is a short two mile drive away for groceries and a charming walk around a beautiful, legendary town. This house would be wonderful for a family or friends to share! Loved it. Was up and down to the beach on the delightful trail across from the house at 7:00 am.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ann E.

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

Perfect Getaway

We loved our stay at The Northbound Whale. There are many VRBO choices in the area. We felt this one felt much more like a friend's home than a rental--very nicely furnished and equipped. The location on a quiet lane above Van Damme Beach and close to Mendocino is great. We also had an opportunity to speak to our host and found her to be charming and helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Brittany S.

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

August 2021 stay

The location is wonderful. You can walk to the ocean or do a 10 min drive to an amazing hike. The house is adorable. Decorated to perfection. It’s very cute. Super cozy and beautiful. There was no key when we arrived. We contacted the owner who did not respond for hours. She stated she was traveling. Which is understandable however in that case since she is running a lucrative business with her rental, she should appoint someone else for renters to contact . I had my baby with me and my fil who has brain cancer. We couldn’t stand outside in the cold for hours waiting for a key. My husband eventually found and open window and crawled through. Thank goodness there was no alarm. Another con was that we wanted to BBQ in her very cute outdoor area but there was no propane. Lastly she let me know after we booked and paid that we weren’t allowed to take a bath because of the drought and she went so far as to remove the drain stopper in the tub. We have a 2 year old who needed a bath. Overall it’s a great place however I do believe those small things could be improved.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Katherine E.

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

Great stay, would book again!

We had a great time at the Northbound Whale. The house was absolutely lovely. Our 4.5 year old daughter especially loved the captain's bed. We had some hiccups with the home not being ready when we arrived, but overall we had a wonderful time and hope to visit the Northbound Whale again!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
It was charming. Although built in 1863, the house was modernized and decorated beautifully. The sun porch with a view of the ocean was the perfect place for a cup of coffee in the morning!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nancy M.

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

Perfect family vacation

I thank the property owner very much for a most delightful, comfortable stay in a most beautiful setting. We had a family gathering and enjoyed the beauty and charm of the house, which is so conveniently located within a short walk to the beach and so close to the restaurants and shops in Mendocino.. The house was filled with nice amenities and was so clean. We will definitely want to come back!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nichole R.

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

Charming House

We enjoyed every moment in this charming Little River home celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary with our 2 children (12 and 14) and my mom. After a couple nights in a hotel in San Francisco, we were grateful for our own separate spaces with wonderful options to gather for meals and games. A great location for day trips. Evenings were spent making meals and enjoying the peaceful home both inside and out. Thank you for sharing your home with us! We recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sarah H.

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

Fabulous week at the Northbound Whale

My family had a lovely week staying at the Northbound Whale. The house accommodated us beautifully with a large kitchen, comfortable beds, and perfect extras for a relaxing time -- we enjoyed the puzzles and games and movies in the house. Most of all, this house is located within an easy walk of the beach at Van Damme State Park, where we paddled and snorkled and enjoyed quiet beach walks, and bluff trails that overlook a beautiful rugged coastline with oyster catchers and seals and sea palms. My parents, my husband, and my kids all congratulated me on finding such a wonderful place to stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

James D.

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

Perfect Mendo Holiday

Great location for family getaway. Close walk to a tucked away beach and only a two minute drive to Mendocino. Loved it and would come back
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Amon M.

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

Great family escape!

Amazing property with great ocean views (when not bathed in cool morning fog) that has everything for a relaxing and comfortable stay. Short walk to the beach. Very clean. Well stocked kitchen with everything you need for a great stay! We wish we could have stayed longer! We will be back.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tamara R.

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

Long weekend getaway

I highly recommend The Northwood Whale! What a lovely home and beautiful property. The home is in a great location, just a short walk to a secluded beach and a short hike to a bluff overlook. It is a beautifully decorated and well stocked. I am hoping to get back for a longer visit!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sandra A.

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

Ocean Retreat

We had a wonderful time at the northbound whale. The house is beautiful, there is a lovely ocean view from the back side of the house and an awesome trail that leads right down to the ocean front. Could not have asked for a nicer place. My only suggestion is to trim the bushes so there is a better ocean view from the sunroom.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kathy H., Oakland

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

Wonderful!!!

We had a great time staying in this charming house! It was very cozy and had everything we needed. We seriously did not want to leave. The location was perfect and we really enjoyed the trails around the house. My youngest daughter loved the captain’s bed nook and the swing in the yard. We were close to town and many beautiful parks. Cooking was fun and easy in the well-equipped kitchen. Highly recommended!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly D.

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

A Whale of a Time

The Whale Junction property, as its called, was absolutely delightful. The house was perfect in everyway, it ,ade us feel as if we were home away from home. Thank you for opening your home to us. We loved litter River and the Mendo coast. We will be back!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kim C.

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

Absolutely Adorable

We love the house, location and amenities. The perfect house for a small, intimate gathering of family. Well appointed and adorable. We will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

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

Great Location, terrific house right near the beach

We enjoyed our stay in Little River to celebrate my wife's birthday. The house was terrific and nicely redone. Was great to be able to walk to the beach just down the path and walk to Van Damme State Park which is a great park for hiking in the woods.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021