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Watch deer and turkeys wander by, paddle out in a kayak, or stargaze from the hammock. Close to Yosemite, hiking, rafting, historic gold rush towns, and wineries.
This handcrafted straw bale home was designed with sustainability and comfort in mind. The thick, straw bale walls naturally regulate temperature year-round, while large windows fill each room with natural light and views of nature from each room.
The house sits on 5 acres of golden hills, oak trees, wildflowers, a seasonal pond, and a creek. You’ll find several outdoor gathering spots for quiet reflection or group meals, plus lawn games like ring toss, Cornhole, and ladderball.
Whether you’re rafting nearby, hiking Yosemite, or just laying under the stars, the Straw Bale House is a peaceful base for your Gold Country escape.
Book your stay or reach out with questions, we’re happy to help.
The home has three bedrooms: one with a king bed, one with a queen bed, and one with two single beds.
All rooms include soft linens, ceiling fans, extra pillows and blankets, and plenty of storage. Room-darkening shades offer restful sleep after long days exploring Gold Country.






1 king bed




1 queen bed



2 single beds
The large, warm and inviting living space is filled with natural light and features thick concrete floors with solar radiant heating that keeps you warm in the winter and cool in summer.
Outside, you’ll find multiple gathering spots for meals or quiet reflection, plus a gas fire table, hammocks, and lawn games like cornhole, ladderball, and ring toss. The house is nestled against beautiful wooded federal land, overlooks a seasonal pond and creek, with kayaks available for guest use.
Luxuriously appointed Chef’s kitchen thoughtfully outfitted with everything a serious cook could want
Refrigerator, microwave, freezer, dishwasher
Stainless steel bread oven
Slow cooker
Instapot
Filtered water
Cooking basics (Pots and pans, oil, salt and pepper)
Dishes and silverware (Bowls, chopsticks, plates, cups, etc.)
Stainless steel gas stove
Stainless steel oven
Hot water kettle
Automatic drip coffee maker and French press
Wine glasses
Toaster
Baking sheet
Blender
Rice maker
Barbecue utensils (Grill, charcoal, bamboo skewers/iron skewers, etc.)
Essentials (Towels, bed sheets, soap, and toilet paper)
Hangers
Bed linens
Extra pillows and blankets
Room-darkening shades
Iron
Drying rack for clothing
Clothing storage: Armoires and dressers
Washer and Dryer
Large clawfoot bathtub
Hair dryer
Cleaning products
Shampoo
Conditioner
Body soap
Shower gel
Wifi
42 inch HDTV with surround sound speaker system, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, Roku and more digital channels
Bluetooth sound system
Dedicated workspace
Books and reading material
Family board games, card games and puzzles
Night vision goggles
Binoculars and telescope
Children’s books and toys for ages 0-2 years old, 2-5 years old, 5-10 years old, and 10+ years old
Window AC units and ceiling fans
Solar radiant floor heating
Portable fans
Radiant heating
Private backyard
Gas flame table
Outdoor furniture
Hammocks
Outdoor dining area
BBQ grill
Kayaks
Swings
Sun loungers
Exterior security camera on property by the front door
Smoke alarms
Carbon monoxide alarms
Fire extinguishers
First aid kit
Dedicated parking
Self check-in (Keypad)
Dog fee: $75 per dog
Please clean dishes and leave the house tidy when checking out.
Located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac and down a long gravel driveway, the Straw Bale House sits on 5 acres surrounded by rolling hills, oak trees, and protected federal land.
There is water on the property as well as steep drop offs and animals. If you bring children they must be supervised at all times!
Please clean dishes and leave cottage tidy.
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.
The bathroom has a toilet that can be accessed separate from the shower. So someone can take a shower and the toilet is a separate space with a door, often called a water closet. There is only one bathroom but because of this design it is functional for most groups of 6.
If you are bringing small kids; this is a fragile home with lots of opportunities to damage the lime covered walls. Strawbale is covered with breathable lime plaster which some small hands may want to gouge, pick or otherwise destroy. Also, there is a 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 Mt lions, coyotes, cliffs, ponds- you get the idea. Kids will need to be closely supervised.
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.
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 beds, 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.
Posted on Airbnb KatherineVerified Literally the most relaxed I’ve been in years. It was so peaceful, hot, but lovely. We saw goslings and fawn. It was just amazing and Lisa was an incredible host. We will definitely be back…hopefully sooner rather than later.Posted on Airbnb JordanVerified This was an amazing a truly unique stay - would highly recommend as your base for Yosemite and other natural areas in the region. Its exactly as pictured, very clean, and a beautifully custom built home that feels secluded, but is in a nice neighborhood and close to the town of Sonora. Lisa was very friendly and easy to communicate with throughout our stay with great local recommendations. This is one of the cooler Airbnbs you'll ever stay inPosted on Airbnb NidhiVerified We had a lovely romantic retreat. The house and grounds are lovely especially when the weather is nice. Appreciate the excellent wifi in the remote location!A note for tall people: My husband is 6'4" and had to duck around the ceiling beam in the living room.Posted on Airbnb CaseyVerified Fantastic place to stay. The pond and creatures in the area made it feel magical.Posted on Airbnb SanjnaVerified We picked this place bc dogs aren’t allowed in Yosemite. Stanislaus rainforest is a forest next to Yosemite where this bnb is. The entire stretch of forest is very dog friendly! 40 mins from pine crest which is like mini Lake Tahoe. Airbnb is super cute if you are a nature lover! Our husky loved roaming around the property and even took a dip in the pond water (would avoid if your dog is white) but she had fun!!Posted on Airbnb SaraVerified Incredible space! Private, peaceful and clean. Impressed with how equipped the kitchen and bathroom were and as stunning as the photos are, they truly don’t do justice to the beauty and energy at Bird’s Nest!Posted on Airbnb MatthewVerified The bird's nest feels like it came straight out of Lord of the Rings. A really unique place that makes connecting to nature super easy. My girlfriend and I loved the experience and wished we could stay for longer.Posted on Airbnb RyleeVerified The Birds Nest is gorgeous! It is the perfect place for a creative retreat, honeymoon, anniversary trip or even to get out of town. Lisa was so kind and hospitable and had so many restaurant suggestions and fun activities she recommended. The location is fantastic, it’s not too far from town but enough out of the way that it’s so quiet and peaceful. This beautiful little cottage has been one of my most favorite trips!Posted on Airbnb Andrew & NancyVerified This place is totally peaceful, great for recharging the proverbial batteries. The rental truly looks like something out of a fantasy story; it’s like 10 miles beyond cute. Guests should bring binoculars to watch the critters at the pond.Posted on Airbnb DougVerified This place is awesome and the host was great! At first, I was a little bummed when I realized it would be raining majority of the time I was going to be staying here, but it was actually amazing experiencing this place with that weather, and dare I say may have even made it more enjoyable than just having sunny days. The home itself felt cozy and comfortable and there was a family of geese wandering outside with all their little goslings foraging each day which sort of tied the entire picturesque stay together. Would definitely like to stay at this spot again during the warm summer and snowy winter.Load more
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