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Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House

Family-friendly stay near Black Oak Casino

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Photo gallery for Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House

Outdoor dining
3 bedrooms, free WiFi, bed sheets
Exterior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 61600 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Sonora, CA
  • Place, Sierra Repertory Theater
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, Twain Harte Lake
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Twain Harte Miniature Golf
    ‪12 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Sonora

On lake.Within 6 miles (10 km) of this Sonora vacation home, you'll find Black Oak Casino and Sierra Repertory Theater. Also within 9 miles (15 km) are Twain Harte Lake and Regal Sonora.
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What's nearby

  • Sierra Repertory Theater - 7 min drive - 4.1 miles
  • Twain Harte Lake - 9 min drive - 5.5 miles
  • Twain Harte Miniature Golf - 12 min drive - 7.0 miles
  • Veterans Memorial Hall and Military Museum - 12 min drive - 7.4 miles
  • Mother Lode Fairgrounds - 13 min drive - 7.9 miles

Getting around

  • Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) - 141 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Revive Coffee Drive-Thru - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬11 min drive

About this property

Entire place

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

Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House

Beautiful modern straw bale earth house in the heart of gold country. Light-filled and full of gorgeous design touches. This home resides on a seasonal pond and creek. Sit outside by the fountain and enjoy a glass of wine or coffee as you watch the turkeys and deer stop by. Perhaps catch a glance of the river otters that live in the pond, or catch a fish. Animals we have seen include coyotes, deer, turkeys, foxes, bobcats, rabbits, fish, mt lion, heron, bald eagle, snakes, salamanders. We are up against federal land and our pond supports an abundance of life. Kayaks are available. Relax in the hammocks and watch the stars.

A straw bale home is a environmentally sustainable type of architecture. The walls are over 18" thick and this home is built to passively heat in the winter and cool in the summer. There are solar panels and the beautiful concrete floors have radiant heat in winter and naturally cool the home in summer. We consider this house to be a piece of art. We are so happy to share it with you and hope you will make many happy memories.

****If you are bringing small kids; this is a fragile home. Strawbale is covered with breathable lime plaster which some small hands may want to gouge, pick or otherwise destroy.
****There is a large fountain with over two feet of water outside the back door. There are several steep cliffs, drop offs and areas to fall. There are wild animals all around. It is a magical home and surroundings but we have cliffs, ponds- you get the idea. Kids will need to be closely supervised. If you have questions please reach out before instant booking.

****We welcome well behaved dogs. Please clean up after them inside and outside. Keep them leashed outside. They should not harass or chase the wildlife. Do not leave them unattended in the house. If you leave, crate them. There is a $50 charge per dog.

House has shades that can be drawn in the summer and we have added window air conditioners to cool it off on very hot days.

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Property amenities

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing nearby
  • Snowboarding nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

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

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

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

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Location highlights

  • In the mountains
  • Near a hospital
  • On a lake
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Boat
  • Kayak
  • Water sports equipment
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Spelunking nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing 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)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,600 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

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 and start the dishwasher
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 2 (weight limit: 50 lbs per pet)
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Note from host: $80 per dog. Leashed outside.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Note from host: Water, cliffs, rocks, wild animals. SUPERVISE

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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

Frequently asked questions

How close is Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House to the airport?

This vacation home is 114.6 mi (141-min drive) away from the Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

Does Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home, but Black Oak Casino (10-min drive) is nearby.

What time is check-in at Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House have a pool?

This vacation home does not have a pool.

Does Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this vacation home.

How close is Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House to downtown Sonora?

This vacation home is 5.3 mi away from Sonora.

Beautiful, Modern Straw Bale House Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 24 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 24 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 24 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 24 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 24 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Mary E., null

Liked: Cleanliness
We loved it here!!! Such a cute property with a beautiful yard! My son wanted to stay on the snow covered grass all day long 3 we didn't have to leave the house at all, since there was plenty of snow with little hills for my kids to slide down. Very convenient too since they kids could nap in the rooms, then go right outside to play again. The house was very well equipped, and has a drinking faucet on the kitchen sink. We very much enjoyed our stay and will return again!!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Phil B.

Liked: Cleanliness
This property is wonderful. The home is beautiful inside and out. The property is fantastic, with plenty of options for enjoying time in the hills. This location has room for six and options for all ages. Enjoy the outdoor seating with a variety of views or sit around the fire pit and enjoy your favorite beverage. Hammocks, tire swing, rope-slide, or a closet full of games, there is plenty to do for all ages. Bird feeders throughout the grounds attract birds of all types, and a herd (8) deer wanders the grounds in the evening hours. The kitchen is a chef's dream come true. Cooking utensils, pots, pans, dishes, cutlery, and knives are easy to find and plentiful. The TV and entertainment systems are excellent, unobtrusive, and conveniently placed. Highly recommend this property for adults and children. Literally, something for everyone to relax and enjoy. The hosts are most responsive to messages, making us feel welcome.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Alexa A.

Liked: Cleanliness
This place was just as peaceful as the photos made it seem, even on a rainy weekend in January! We were so cozy and enjoyed the swings and attention to detail. We also appreciated the hosts readily available and generous help whenever we needed it.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Traveled with partner, Traveled with pets
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was one of my favorite vacation rentals anywhere I've travelled. The property was beautiful and well kept. The house itself was also gorgeous.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jessica / Michael B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great home and attentive host. Comfortable and very well appointed home. Not funky at all. Nice and clean. Safe and quiet neighborhood. Pretty close to everything. Don’t hesitate on booking this one.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ann S., Stephens City, VA

Liked: Cleanliness

Birders Paradise in Sonora

The Straw Bale House is a beautiful home and perfect for bird and nature lovers. The owners were exceptionally responsive and made us feel welcome and at home. The gentle water fountain was a star attraction for birds and was soothing to drift off to sleep as it is right outside the main bedroom. Best of all, the owners are bird lovers and have many seed feeders and hummingbird feeders set up. For nature photography this is a super setup. The pond is a five-minute walk down the hill on the trail and does pass by their other rental home but not a problem at all. There are eight wide stone steps down to the house from the parking area but there is a sturdy rail and lighting at night. The house is all on one level, which is convenient as my husband has mobility issues. We only used the main bedroom with the king bed, and it was very comfortable. The wifi was great and I was able to check emails and grade papers with no problem for my summer class. The clawfoot tub has a shower in it and there is a step stool to help you over the high edge. The large, beautiful kitchen has nice quality pots and pans and a good knife set. The house is in a quiet subdivision but is at the end of a gravel road so there are no neighbors in sight except for the second smaller rental home down the hill and mostly out of sight. We have stayed in many VRBO homes, and this was one of the nicest with rock-star owners.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Troi C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Inspired Spaces

Coming from a family of artists, this home inspired all of us and had so many unique places to visit with family, have space for yourself of bond with your favorite person.Had us all dreaming of building our own straw bale house. The books on the process answered our curiosity.Beds were comfortable and every room had its on AC, fan, and sound machine. The kitchen was well equipped and the house beautiful!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Scott S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful, peaceful stay

The property is gorgeous. Lots of places to sit and relax and unwind. Very quiet. The kitchen is very large and open. Bedrooms are cozy. Bathroom isn't ideal, but it's still a good size.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Harry M., Reno, Nevada

Liked: Cleanliness

location

nicest location compared to prior stays
Stayed 11 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Adam M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Peaceful stay in Sonora

Had the pleasure to stay at this beautiful spot in Sonora with my family of four. Beautiful grounds, clean and well laid out interior. Would highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Sylvia P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Weekend Getaway

Spacious home, good layout for the most part. The home has one bathroom, which is on the other side of the master and living area. If we would've come with more people (we didn't use two of the bedrooms), it would've been challenging with one bathroom. We missed that when searching for a home in the area. The outside of the home is beautiful with many different seating areas. The outside dining area is on the side of the Master bedroom, which is an odd choice and more cumbersome to get to. The house is a little too cluttered for us with lot's of decorations. We were supposed to get our deposit back within a certain amount of time, and that ended up not happening. That was a disappointment.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie F.

Liked: Cleanliness

Peaceful escape

This property was even better than the listing made it seem! Manager was very communicative a the location was perfect. We spent hours down along the pond and creek enjoying the water and beautiful fall colors. The house was cozy and had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary Beth B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Magical

The property is magical. The host, Lisa, could not be sweeter, more responsive or more accommodating. We had a fabulous time just relaxing in the beautiful surroundings of StrawbaleHouse. The touches of hammocks, Adirondack chairs and other little sitting niches around the property make is super relaxing to sit back and watch nature go by...quite literally. The house itself is well appointed. Lots of cozy blankets, games, stocked kitchen. We didn't want for anything. We will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Matt M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great

Beautiful house and grounds. Just be aware there's a second bookable house on the property as you go down to the pond!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shelby E.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful Home and Location

Our family of 6 had a wonderful get away at this beautiful and peaceful home. Lisa was wonderful to work with and very attentive and responsive. We really appreciated all the extra amenities that made it feel like home.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Toni Y.

Liked: Cleanliness

Ski week and Yosemite visit

Beautiful inside and out! We had a great stay and property/house even better than photos show. Well stocked kitchen and beds/pillows super comfy! We needed more days and less rain to enjoy everything- so we’ll have to go back!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michelle T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful getaway from the city!

We had SUCH an amazing time at the straw bale house :) The house itself had everything we needed for a Thanksgiving holiday away from the city. The kitchen was well-appointed and had everything we needed to cook many delicious meals, and comfortable seating for our group of 6 (and 2 dogs!) The bedrooms and living spaces were comfortable and cozy - plenty of blankets, plush towels, even candles and holiday decor all across the house to make us feel at home - they even had dog bowls, toys, and dedicated towels for the pups ready to go! The outdoor space is beautiful - we made great use of the firepit and seating area overlooking the lake, the hammocks, and even had warm enough weather to take the kayaks out on the lake itself to float in the sun. The location is so peaceful and quiet, and we loved taking in some local deer and turkeys walking through the property! Lisa was super responsive, providing recommendations for our stay and timely responses to any questions we had. We would definitely recommend her home and would love to come back again!!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Connie R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Short getaway

We had an amazing stay! This place is a great getaway. My husband and I work from home and just needed a different scenery. We got there and you felt transported to a calming and soothing area. There's so many areas to just sit and relax and enjoy the day. The area was very hot, but each area had shade at certain times of the day which made it very enjoyable to sit outside all day. We enjoyed watching the turkeys and the deer’s out at dusk. My husband caught sunfish, in the pond which was a treat for him considering he loves to fish. (catch and release of course). My favorite thing was having dinner outside and listening to the waterfall outside of the bedroom. Thank you again Lisa for this place, we would definitely stay again.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gia H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Magical Retreat

Our recent stay at the Strawbale House was wonderful. The house is spacious and completely stocked for a full family experience from all the cooking items and appliances a home chef could need to family games (indoor and outdoor)! The property is quintessential California foothills, with amazing oak trees and a pond that attracts deer, fox, and other creatures! Great for adventuring or just relaxing in the shade in one of the two hammocks. Nothing better than an afternoon nap under the oaks! We will return to this treasured spot soon and highly recommend if you like natural beauty and serenity. Thank you Lisa for creating such a wonderful respite!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Trudi M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect getaway from city life (just a few hours from SF)!

My husband, son and I thoroughly enjoyed our 4-night stay the week of July 4th at the straw bale house. We got lucky with the weather (high-70's/low-80's), so could take full advantage of the numerous outdoor seating and dining areas as well as the swing and all of the fun games. It was like a non-stop nature reality t.v. show, with turkeys, deer, lizards, a fox, frogs, squirrel, peacock, and many, many birds visiting the property. The pond, though not ideal for swimming or fishing at this time, was tranquil and lovely to float around in using the provided kayaks. We expected a ton of mosquitos given all the water, but only saw a few :) The house remained cool and has all of the amenities one needs to make themselves feel perfectly at home. We'll be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kelsea B.

Liked: Cleanliness

AMAZING STAY!

We had the best time staying at this property. Every little detail down to the welcome bottle of wine was perfect. The host communicated with us concerning our needs constantly. The host also recommended tons of activities for us. She basically planned our trip! Would stay here again for sure.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kadia M., Modesto California

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing Home

This house was amazing!!!!! The property is beautiful the house is gorgeous!!! It has every thing you could ever want from a instant pot to children toys including art supplies. The only thing is the hike down to the pond is a little rough but totally worth it. We actually discussed booking this house a few times a year because we fell in love with it!!!!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Anan C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Property for a Getaway

The house was situated on a very private lot with a very inviting large backyard. Pictures of the outdoor area is even better in person, with numerous sitting areas and fun activities for kids to keep busy with. Kitchen was well stocked with pots, pans, dishes, cups, etc. for cooking family dinners. Spices, cooking oil, saran wrap and foil was available as well. The house was very clean and in a very quiet neighborhood with afternoon visits from turkeys and chirping frogs/toads in the evenings. Dog friendly home with toys and a dog bed for them too. The bathtub is a bit high but wasn’t a problem for me and my BF to get in and out of. Kids and challenged adults will need to be extra careful when using the stool and handrail available. Host, Lisa, was great. She was in communication from start to the end of booking. Would love to come back and enjoy this beautiful property with friends and family.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rick S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Absolutely Wonderful And Tranquil Stay at the Straw Bale House

We had a wonderfully peaceful stay at the Straw Bale house and recommend it highly for couples/families/reunions, etc. Lisa was great in responding to questions and Waze GPS took us straight to the property. The drive to the house was an easy breeze of 2 hours from the Bay Area. The house was immaculate when we arrived. I love the cool cement floors throughout. The kitchen has awesome appliances and all you need to cook a great meal. The living room with its large Smart TV (which we were not expecting) was nice to indulge in when we came in for the night. WiFi works great. We enjoyed some of these highlights: - the peaceful small pond and the soothing sound of running water. We slept with windows opened to enjoy this relaxing feature. -stars are magnificent at night -the birds! With feeders located throughout the property, birdwatching was another relaxing way to spend time at the house -our two small dogs slept outside all day and enjoyed bird watching too and slept in their cozy beds at night -a good long soak in the claw foot bathtub We are so happy to have found a vacation spot we hope to return to again and again. The owner also sent us a good list of activities around Sonora. Try the pickle pizza at St. Charles Saloon - delicious! Also check out the Standard Pour for yummy snacks and beer. Thank you, Lisa for offering your beautiful home to us for some rest and respite. We will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022