The house sits on the Bolinas Lagoon with stunning views of the water and Mt. Tamalpais. It started its life as a summer retreat on the SF Bay around the turn of the century. These little houseboats were called Arks and they were moored near Belvedere and Tiburon. At some point in the mid-20th century, they were towed out to Bolinas and a number of them now sit on piers along Wharf Rd.
The Bothy is a 30-second walk to the beach and a 2-minute stroll to our downtown shops and restaurants where you can grab a delicious pizza at 11 Wharf or an Acai Bowl at Bovida.
The cottage features 1 bedroom and a comfortable living area with built-in seating and expansive views of the lagoon. There is a nice deck overlooking the lagoon with an outdoor shower. The galley kitchen has a small electric range with oven and has a lovely view of the breakers. There is no dishwasher.
There is parking on the street but there is no assigned spot. On the weekends in the summer, it can get crowded and it might take a few minutes to find a space and require a short walk (30 seconds..). Otherwise it’s typically easy to park in front of the house.
Laundry facilities are available in town at the local laundromat if needed.
Property manager
OPMG Inc.
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Water view
Outdoor space
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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 deadlock
Property Registration Number 078949
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Bolinas
Located in Bolinas, this holiday home is on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Point Reyes National Seashore and Muir Woods National Monument. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Marin Bocce Federation or San Rafael Pacifics Albert Park.
Bolinas, CA
What's nearby
Bolinas Beach - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
Bolinas Lagoon - 7 min drive - 6.7 km
Stinson Beach - 26 min drive - 11.1 km
Muir Woods National Monument - 29 min drive - 24.3 km
Upton Beach - 33 min drive - 13.5 km
Getting around
San Francisco Station - 50 min drive
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) - 103 min drive
Restaurants
Parkside Cafe - 12 min drive
Mountain Home Inn - 24 min drive
Breakers Café - 12 min drive
Coast Cafe - 3 min walk
Parkside Snack Bar - 12 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is The Bothy on the Bolinas Lagoon pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at The Bothy on the Bolinas Lagoon?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The Bothy on the Bolinas Lagoon?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is The Bothy on the Bolinas Lagoon located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is steps away from Bolinas Beach and Bolinas Museum. Bolinas Lagoon is 1.4 mi (2.3 km) away.
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Rustic but charming cottage, cannot beat the location, very comfortable. Other than a very noisy group of 6 couples staying at the cottage next door on our last night, we thoroughly enjoyed the cottage. Surprisingly good food in Bolinas too!
We so enjoyed our stay at the Bothy in Bolinas. The property is described well in the VRBO listing. It reminded us of a houseboat without the rocking around. Because it is like a houseboat, it is small, and the kitchen and bathroom are tight, but if you are OK with that, it is delightful. You are right ON the lagoon, and able to watch the wildlife up close. There is a great view of the ocean and sky. The place was filled with light and so relaxing. Super comfortable bed too. It is a very short walk to the beach and to the downtown area, so ideally located. We had the pleasure of meeting the owner, who was very responsive and concerned about making our stay as good as it can be. We highly recommend the Bothy.
Such a cozy little place, perfect for two people. Loved the location, the way it was decorated and the ease of the rental process. The bed was comfortable, there were plenty of towels, there were lots of books and magazines and basic necessities were supplied. We spent three nights and hope to return in the winter for a different experience.
Just what the Dr ordered. Relax, unwind and conect with nature. Loved watching the seals, birds and tide come in and out. Thank you for sharing your little piece of heaven.
The place is quaint with priceless views. The space is small, perfect for a couple. There are lots of windows to be able to take in the view as well as to keep track of the tides and countless bird activities. You are also less than 50 steps away from the beach.
One major issue with this place is parking. There is NO designated parking for this location and the parking gets full VERY fast during daytime. So if you drive away during daylight, even if it is for short period of time, keep in mind that you will struggle to find parking. Also sheriffs are out and many cars received parking tickets. Beware.
Because this place is designed like a tiny home, there are certain challenges to plan ahead. I would not plan to rely on cooking for food as the kitchen is tiny, but at the same time, restaurants close very early. Plan ahead. Also due to the piping being very bare, there are a lot of water drips after water use. If you are sensitive to this type of sound, I highly recommend bringing ear plugs or white noise machine. One amenity that was missing is body soap / hand soap (they provide only cheap shampoo and conditioner). Lastly, it can get a bit cold even in June, so bring thick clothing, but they provide two space heaters.
I would absolutely stay here again, though parking really was a bit of a mess. Absolutely gorgeous!
What a magnificent surprise our stay at The Bothy was for us. Unique to have the ocean meet the bay at the close of each day and the timing of the full moon’s light glimmer on the water which rose at high tide an easy 6 feet made our time most memorable. Thank you
Our stay in the bothy was just what was needed after loosing our beloved dog. There's comfort in watching the tide come in and out along with the wildlife that accompanies it. The cabin is clean, comfortable and has everything you need. So unique also! The history of the ‘arks’ that line this part of the lagoon is interesting and it's easy to imagine being out on the water when the tide surrounds you. Everything is easily walkable - the ocean just down the road with its long stretch of beach and the tiny town a couple blocks away with several restaurants and 2 markets. If it's misty you can curl up on the window seats and not miss a thing. If it’s clear you get a beautiful sunrise or can watch the full moon reflected in the lagoon as it rises. Magical! Jeff, the property manager is responsive and even brought us salt when we needed it (thanks Jeff!). We will return!
A truly magical spot - situated literally
in (above) the flow of the tides between the lagoon and the open sea. Clean, comfortable accommodations, stunning location, birds and seals galore, only two skips to town. An amazingly remote feel for a place just an hour from SF. Thank you - a great place to turn 60. We'll be back.
2nd time here, this time my husbands bday. We loved it even more this time than last ( which was a lot )
Beautiful to watch the tides, the seals playing, the light, wonderful walks on the beach right down the street. The beautiful spacious deck had us spending our last full day just lounging while right in the middle of the wildlife action. Such a sweet place to be. Also super comfy bed and fabulous shower!!
Absolutely 5-stars. Place is amazing - nice big living room with decks overlooking Bolinas lagoon. Incredible location to watch the ocean, tides and wildlife. Steps to town for coffee/pastries, groceries and the local library.
Was there on a stormy weekend and it is the perfect place to watch Mother Nature do her thing.
Cannot say enough good things and will definitely book again. Magical spot!
We were fortunate enough to get this spot for a special birthday, it was spectacular, so cosy, gorgeous, romantic. Very thoughtfully and artistically designed. Truly a treat in the variety of weather we had, sun, rain, etc. magical sunrise one morning over the lagoon. We can hardly wait to come back to this beautiful place, and the hosts were gracious and communicative. ☺️
So much fun to relax and watch the tide. This bothie is located perfectly to where you won't have others blocking your view. The locals are great too.
My wife and I plan to reserve another stay
Perfect for a solitary, peaceful, weekend on the water. Perfect sunrises from every angle and you can see the stars from your bed. So very peaceful and steps to everything.
easy and convenient: short walk to beach, equally short to 'town'
small size didn't bother us – it felt bigger with smart solutions and stylish interiors; we liked the maritime styling.
enjoyed watching the seals swimming in the lagoon.
thanks!
Accommodations were excellent. The location is convenient to the center of town and the restaurants. We really enjoyed our stay and would recommend it to a friend.