The Cetusaurus at Irish Beach is an unusual house, an architectural marvel, on the Mendocino Coast. It's 140 miles from the San Francisco Bay Area. There's a wonderful, sandy, private beach that runs for about two miles. It's a 15-18 minute walk to the sand, or a 3 minute drive, using a magnetic gate card to go past a gated barrier.
The house looks across a fifteen acre meadow to the sea. There are ocean views from everywhere in the house - you can see and hear the water from laying in bed in the master bedroom. There's a fireplace in the master bedroom, and also a TV-DVD/VCR for movie showing (but no TV reception) with a collection of 290 well chosen movies (I chose them). There's a Jacuzzied tub for two in the master bathroom.
There's a fireplace in the living room, and a futon couch that opens into a comfortable full size bed.
There's a second bedroom, two steps up, off the living room but open to it, with a bunk bed that has a full size lower bed and a single upper. There's a half bath off the living room, so if two couples go up, or a couple with children, they don't have to share a bathroom at night. The den/office also functions nicely as a writers' and artists' retreat, and has been the starting point - and midway jump start - for two published novels and three published non-fiction works, and a book of photographs. There are also two fold-out mats that accommodate another two sleepers, and since the house is tiled throughout and has radiant heat (hot water under the floor tile), sleeping close to the floor on the mats is very comfortable. There’s also a chair and ottoman for reading, that also opens up to a single futon bed.
There's a stereo that plays CD's and tapes and a smattering of each. The house is set up so that you can just walk in and occupy. There's dishware, cookware, and I supply linens. Some people want to bring their own, but you'll find the bed made up with fresh sheets and fresh towels available. I ask that you keep the house clean, leave it clean, make the bed with fresh sheets, and wash and dry and put away the linens and dishes that you've used. There is laundry and dishwasher soap there.
There's a patio in the front with great ocean views and some patio furniture. There is another patio in the back, completely private from the street. The front patio is also private because the street is remote enough, and there is almost no one around. There are no houses on either side, in back or directly in front. The nearest house is about 300 or 350 feet away.
But the real miracle is the house itself. It's a series of curves. The ceiling, in cross-section, is a softened bell shape; the centerline, if there really were one, would be like a long slow backwards 'S'; and the exterior shape is curved too. It has an amazingly compelling and satisfying feel to it. It seems to resonate with people, and they feel at home, as though it were their house at the sea, not a stranger's place.
There's a large well stocked supermarket in Manchester, S&B, five miles south of the house. And ten miles south, in Point Arena, there is a very good restaurant and a movie theatre. The Arena Cove Bar and Grill has good food and is very reasonably priced. Seven miles north in Elk, the Greenwood Pier Cafe has been highly recommended.
Rates are as follows: $175 one night (Sunday through Thursday only); $330 two nights; $800 for five, six or seven nights, depending on your schedule and the house's . A non-refundable deposit for 1/2 in advance confirms your reservation. A $75 housekeeping fee is in addition to the nightly rates, to be paid with the second half of the rental amount.
KEY FEATURES :
• Beachfront
• Pet Friendly
• Private Hot Tub
• Panoramic Ocean View
• Ocean View
• Spacious
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