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Rustic, romantic, and surrounded by wildlife, this one-of-a-kind cob house sits beside a seasonal pond under wide open stars. Unplug, unwind, and fall asleep to the sound of frogs and crickets.
The Bird’s Nest is a hand-built cob cottage, an ancient, sustainable form of construction made from natural materials sourced right from the land.
Set at the end of a quiet road on a 5-acre property surrounded by gardens, oak-covered hills, and protected wilderness, it was crafted with reclaimed windows and flooring and designed to naturally heat and cool.
This soulful, two-story space has the bedroom upstairs and the kitchen and bathroom downstairs, connected by an external, uncovered staircase.
It’s cozy, soulful, and intentionally simple.
Outside, the real magic begins.
The house overlooks a seasonal pond and creek, with hammocks for lounging, kayaks for exploring, and a garden for morning coffee or evening stargazing. You’re in the heart of California’s historic Mother Lode, just ten minutes to town, but close to Yosemite, ski slopes, rafting rivers, caves, and local wineries.
Best suited for nature lovers and deep rest.
Come unplug, slow down, and settle into a different rhythm. We do have strong Wi-Fi, but cell service is spotty, a feature, not a flaw. Bring a book, your journal, or some art supplies. We’ve got puzzles, games, and books on local history to help you unwind.
The upstairs bedroom features a king bed, curved wood ceiling, and reclaimed windows that frame views of the pond and trees. Room-darkening shades, soft linens, and warm natural textures make it the perfect place to unwind.




The bathroom is located downstairs and accessed by an external, uncovered staircase from the bedroom. It features a walk-in shower, natural plaster walls, and hand-picked details that reflect the cottage’s earthy design. We provide essentials like shampoo, conditioner, body soap, fresh towels, and a hair dryer to keep your stay comfortable.
Downstairs, you’ll find a cozy sitting area, reading nook, and a kitchen equipped with a gas stove, refrigerator, and basic cooking tools.
Outdoors, you can enjoy the hammock, garden, gas fire table, outdoor dining area, and seasonal pond with kayaks available. There’s also comfortable outdoor furniture for relaxing under the trees or stars.
Whether you’re sipping coffee, birdwatching, or stargazing, Bird’s Nest invites you to slow down and reconnect.
Kitchen
Refrigerator, freezer and stainless steel gas stove
Cooking basics (Pots and pans, oil, salt and pepper)
Dishes and silverware (Bowls, chopsticks, plates, cups, etc.)
Hot water kettle
Automatic coffee maker and French press
Wine glasses
Toaster
Rice maker
Hair dryer
Cleaning products
Shampoo
Conditioner
Body soap
Hot water
Shower gel
Essentials (Towels, bed sheets, soap, and toilet paper)
Bed linens
Extra pillows and blankets
Room-darkening shades
Wardrobe for clothing storage
Private backyard
Gas fire table
Outdoor furniture
Picnic table
Hammock
Outdoor dining area
BBQ grill: charcoal
Kayaks
Sun loungers
Wifi
Dedicated workspace
Record player
Heated mattress pads
Portable air conditioning
Ceiling fan
Portable fan
Portable heaters
Smoke alarms
Carbon monoxide alarms
Fire extinguisher
First aid kit
Exterior security cameras on property
Free parking on premises
Dog friendly for well behaved dogs. Please let us know you plan to bring a dog. We charge $75 per dog.
Tucked away in the Sierra foothills, the Bird’s Nest is just ten minutes from town but surrounded by nature. From gold rush towns to white water rafting, you’ll find adventure, charm, and quiet all nearby.
-Please clean dishes and leave cottage tidy.
– Gravel driveway- put your car in low gear and drive slow and steady. Don’t stop on the hill. Don’t spin your wheels. If you stop- back down slowly and start again. These are suggestions for driving on gravel.
-No wipes, feminine products, or anything other than toilet paper in the toilet because it’s a septic system.
-Turn off heat/ air conditioning when you leave for the day.
Bird’s Nest is not baby or small child safe at this time.
It’s a two story small cottage. The entire upstairs is the bedroom. The bathroom and kitchen are down stairs and the staircase is external and uncovered.
You must exit the bedroom via an external staircase to get to the downstairs bathroom.
Air conditioner is installed in the bedroom seasonally.
Area is hot in the summer and cold in winter.
This is not a luxury resort. The pond fluctuates in depth. Bugs and wildlife are abundant.
There is no tv. There is no oven.
We will share all our favorite places but you may not want to ever leave.
In the winter check weather as you may need chains.
Well-behaved, potty-trained dogs are allowed with prior approval
Dog fee: $75 per dog
Leash required at all times outdoors, to protect local wildlife and your pup
Do not leave dogs unattended inside unless crated
No puppies, and no cats
Keep dogs off furniture and bed, or use provided dog blankets if needed
Clean up after your dog inside and out
Guests are responsible for any damage
Hi, I’m Lisa. I’ve been hosting guests for over 11 years. I’m a massage therapist with more than 30 years of experience in bodywork, and creating nurturing, peaceful spaces is something I truly care about.
My husband Brendan and I believe these homes reflect what we love most: nature, quiet, and simple beauty. We live nearby with our two boys (when we’re in town) and our sweet blue heeler–pit mix.
We’re happy to share all our favorite places, from hikes and swimming holes to quirky restaurants and cider tastings.
Have a question or need a local tip? I’m always happy to help.
JuliaJune 25, 2025Verified This cute little house was perfect for my fiancé and I to stay at for part of our honeymoon! We stayed for 3 nights and regretted not staying for longer! Yosemite park entrance is a little over an hour away and about 2 hours into the valley. We went to Yosemite for a couple days and enjoyed the proximity and beautiful ride it was to there! We loved coming back to this place after a long day to kick back and relax and enjoy more nature. We highly recommend staying here for a getaway with your partner. TimJune 22, 2025Verified We had a great time! This Airbnb was as private as one could want, but not isolated. It was easy to find and get to from the Bay Area. Lisa’s instructions were clear and there were no surprises. We also liked her recommendations for hikes and restaurants - the Standard Pour has some of the best fries that I’ve ever had.There was plenty to do in the area for our weekend trip. We visited George and his llamas at a nearby Airbnb experience which was well worth it. We also made it to Yosemite for a day trip. It was my first time in a national park and I was blown away. We’ll definitely be back.The Airbnb itself was cute. There were so many good spots to have a cup of coffee in the morning and enjoy nature. The starry sky at night was also romantic. It wasn’t too hot but the AC unit seemed like it would’ve held up at higher temperatures.Overall, I would book this place again and recommend it to my friends and other couples. RitaJune 13, 2025Verified We loved our stay at the birds nest! The house was comfortable and I loved how unique it was. It was fun to see all of the animals that visited the pond and the property. My favorite visitors were the toads. I’ve never seen so many! Thank you for sharing your wonderful retreat! CourtneyJune 7, 2025Verified The Bird’s Nest was nothing short of amazing!! This peaceful getaway was exactly what my boyfriend and I needed. The surrounding areas are home to rich history and the Bird’s Nest is within an hour of an abundance of activities to do and things to see. Ending our night looking out at the pond and seeing wildlife in the evening and early morning was magical! We loved Lisa’s recommendations for cider tasting at Indigeny Reserve and dinner at The Standard Pour. Don’t hesitate to book yourself a trip to this GEM! AlexiaJune 5, 2025Verified We had a wonderful stay! Lisa was an incredibly communicative and proactive host — everything was seamless from start to finish. The property is in a beautiful, peaceful setting full of birds and wildlife, which made it feel extra special. The neighborhood was perfect for morning walks: quiet, safe, and tucked away. It was the ideal spot for a weekend away — restful, warm, and easy. Would absolutely stay again! KoryMay 28, 2025Verified We loved our little desert oasis and cannot wait to come back! The house is extremely unique and comes equipped with everything you could need! We loved relaxing outside and watching all the wildlife around the pond. Words cannot due justice to how wonderful the property is. Stop your search now and stay here, trust me! JonathanMay 26, 2025Verified This home is a hidden gem if you are looking for a quiet and peaceful area to unwind and take in nature. 10 out of 10 recommend and will rebook if the opportunity comes up again. ArashMay 19, 2025Verified Words cannot describe how amazing this little fairytale cabin is!!!!! I went to bed with the sound of frogs and woke up with the sound of the birds. Our host, Lisa, helped us the entire time with wonderful recommendations and answered all our questions in a timely manner. I simply cannot wait until I go back to this little cabin in the woods. Thank you, Lisa, and thank you to all the wild animals that made this experience a slam dunk. KaraMay 11, 2025Verified What a lovely getaway for the weekend! It looks just like the pictures- cute, quirky, and peaceful. Thanks so much for a great stay!!! JimApril 25, 2025Verified My wife and I had an INCREDIBLE time at this epic getaway. The deer and geese kept us company and the building was perfect. A unique experience we will certainly visit again soon.
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