Beautiful and Lush Hidden Wisteria Getaway

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 270 sq m

Popular amenities

Fireplace

Kitchen

Barbecue grill

Outdoor space

Explore the area

Alameda, CA

RingCentral Coliseum7 min drive
Jack London Square7 min drive
Oracle Arena7 min drive
Oakland, CA (OAK-Oakland Intl.)13 min drive

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

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

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen

Outdoor space

Barbecue grill

Fireplace

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

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

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Alameda

Located in Alameda, this cottage is in the city centre. 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.

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, CA (OAK-Oakland Intl.) - 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

Frequently asked questions

Is Beautiful and Lush Hidden Wisteria Getaway pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Beautiful and Lush Hidden Wisteria Getaway?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful and Lush Hidden Wisteria Getaway?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Beautiful and Lush Hidden Wisteria Getaway located?

Located in the heart of Alameda, this cottage is within 6 miles (10 km) of San Francisco Bay, Jack London Square and USS Hornet Museum. Lake Merritt and Oakland Museum of California are also within 6 miles (10 km).

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

PHILIP B.

21 Oct 2019

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

Our holiday in Wisteria Cottage

We loved this quirky cottage ! John and Arthur could not have been more welcoming or helpful, and we found the cottage very comfortable and spotlessly clean. The kitchen provided everything we needed to make our simple meals with bought things, and we spent 8 happy days exploring San Francisco and relaxing in the cottage in its garden setting. Very highly recommended.

Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Robert T.

7 June 2018

Excellent holiday within the beautiful surroundings of Wisteria Cottage

We have had a great week thanks to our marvellous hosts Arthur and John. After a 13 hour flight from Australia we were allowed to check in early which we were very grateful. The garden surrounding the cottage is extremely peaceful and beautiful. The cottage is very close to public transport so if you wish to explore the lovely city of San Francisco every thing is easily accessible. The cottage is very clean and well equipped if you wish to do self catering.

Stayed 7 nights in May 2018

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Dan O.

8 Oct 2012

No hesitation to recommend

This is a belated review (apologies John/Arthur). My wife and I arrived in SF during the school holidays and we wanted somewhere with easy access to the hustle-n-bustle of SF and an easy escape for the evening. Wisteria Cottage was it. John and Arthur were wonderful hosts. The proximity of the cottage to the main house was never an issue. John and Arthur have that amazing knack of being available for a quick chat, providing tips for sight-seeing etc, then melding into the background so you feel completely alone in their amazing garden. And what a garden. Cooking facilities are excellent so plan for at least one evening dining in their back garden, enjoying a bottle of California wine they will have no doubt left for you. The cottage itself is a delight. Comfortable bed (my wife is a 'princess and the pea' type and she slept with no problems. Very clean (I'm almost Howard Hughes clean). Wisteria Cottage is the epitome of a home away from home. The Alameda suburb has a great range of shopping, ranging from hip coffee shops to mainstream supermarkets for groceries. The only consideration i would recommend is a car is essential and (coming from Australia) beware of the tolls in and around of SF. I have no hesitation in recommending Wisteria Cottage if you're planning a trip to San Francisco.

10/10 Excellent

Denise M.

25 Apr 2024

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

Peaceful

Quiet & lovely

Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tom R.

23 Apr 2024

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

Wisteria Retreat

Lovely, serene and restorative

Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

About the host

Hosted by Melissa Burnley at Bella Bay Vacation Rentals

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!