LOVE DOGS & DISC GOLF!
SOMEWHERE SPECIAL! Fairy Tale Cottage is situated in the lovely twin hamlets of Alta and Dutch Flat. This is Gold Country & the I-80 gateway to the High Sierra. Great nearby fishing, hiking, disc golf, swimming, boating, and ski resorts 35 min. away. You’ll love my place because it's a 1,000 sq ft. house with charming details (wood fireplace, deep soaker tub) in a beautiful forested acreage with easy 3/4 mile access to I-80, at 3,500’ elevation. Kids and Dog friendly.
The space
THE COTTAGE is nicely nestled between both hamlets. Walk or drive east to Alta’s town center (about 1/4 mile) where there is a convenience store and/or walk or drive west to the charming historic town of Dutch Flat which is a delight to visit.
I built this home with friends and family in 2002. Much of my own forest wood has been incorporated into the dwellings. This was truly a labor of love. The cottage is filled with personal art from myself, friends and family. The wrought iron work and special exterior clothesline come from a previous home in Australia. I have lived in various places internationally, yet, this remains, my favorite place in the whole wide world (smiling).... I hope you will find this property as special as I do.
INSIDE- The cottage has a large master bedroom with a desk and nice recliner for working or relaxing. Wi-Fi is AT&T excellent and great for on-line courses or distance learning , communications, or multi-purpose or business zooming. There is a king size bed with plenty of room for a baby bed (crib) or cot. The never ending backyard of forest gives a feeling of escape and privacy. The upstairs room, which is aptly called the "tree house loft" has 2 full size beds. This house is perfect for two couples or a familly, (a couple with 2 or 3 children). The cottage is fully equipped, just bring yourselves. All bedding and towels are supplied. Kitchen has cookware, dishes, utensils and even some non-perishable food items if you are hungry or need a snack. The house has a central heating furnace plus a wood fireplace to keep you cosy and warm (wood supplied). There is a closet filled with extra linens (sheets, blankets, towels, etc.) Bathroom has bath salts, bubble bath, shampoo, soap, etc. Everything touchable is cleaned and sanitzed between guests. I clean the house myself which takes from 4 to 6 hours to satisfy to my standards and commitment to cleanliness.
The house/cottage is set/situated in the middle of the property of 3.5 acres. There are trails throughout the forest, to walk/hike upon and plenty of forest to explore. There is also a fenced yard for your dog to enjoy. I love sharing this property and welcome you wholeheartedly!
ON and AROUND the COTTAGE - The cottage is situated on a few acres (3.5), of a beautiful conifer (evergreen) forest filled with Pine, Cedar, Fir, Manzanita, Madrone and Oak Trees. There are WALKING TRAILS throughout the property, a 9 BASKET DISC GOLF course for your enjoyment, and a CAMPFIRE PIT with seating area. The property is very private and you can rarely or barely see sight of a neighbor’s home. It is truly nestled into the forest. There are forest trails throughout the property for your enjoyment. Across the street, from the private winding drive way, there is easy and lovely access to trails and walks that run alongside the irrigation creeks (canals)... which are definitely serene and enchanting.
The CLIMATE and forest is referred to as a “Mediterranean Style Mountain Forest” with long warm dry summers and wet winters filled with rain and snow.
WILDLIFE - There is wildlife in abundance. A family of deer call this home plus numerous other forest creatures that are non-threatening. In summer, you might see bears. What a treat that is!
For SWIMMING and WATER PLAY - In summer, the Dutch Flat swimming pool is a wonderful and refreshing local attraction. It is a large walk-in pool set amongst tall conifers in a forest park setting offering picnic tables, a volleyball court, and lifeguards to watch over you and your young ones. It is a mere 1/2 mile walk or ride from the cottage. This is an absolute gem to discover and enjoy on warm summer days.
For SNOW PLAY - In winter, the summit Ski Resorts are 30-ish miles away. With a quick 3/4 mile entry onto I-80 then 30 miles to the resorts, it can be a quick (weather permitting), and absolutely beautiful drive to Sugar Bowl, Royal Gorge, Boreal, and Soda Springs Ski Resorts. For winter Ski Resort Towns, Truckee and Lake Tahoe Towns are filled with Resort atmosphere and ambience. You’ll find Restaurants, bars, and shopping a-plenty. For sledding, try the Nyack off Ramp 10 miles east along I-80 or Kingvale further east or Donner Ski Ranch which is off the Norden/Soda Springs exit. All three of these places have snow parks with fees attached..... or better yet, if we have snow during your stay, feel free to use my sleds and enjoy the sledding hills on the property.
For DINING - I highly recommend the “Monte Vista” Restaurant which is located right off the Dutch Flat exit along I-80 about 2 miles from the cottage. It is open for dinners only and they strongly advise having a reservation made for weekends. The food is delicious and the venue is a rustic log building and very special. It is truly a treat. For breakfast, lunch or dinner, try the “Rustic Table” Restaurant which is off the Immigrant Gap exit 11-12 miles east along I-80. They have a very impressive specialty coffee barista bar as well as good food, beautiful grounds outside with an outdoor patio and a staff that try wonderfully hard to please. Due to the present covid related precautions, these restaurants may or may not be operating at this time. Otherwise, Colfax, is 10 miles to the West and has many eateries as well as a grocery market.
For SIGHTSEEING and day excursions - To enjoy the history and flavor of the gold rush era, consider visiting “Nevada City and Grass Valley” about 20 plus miles away. (Take I-80 west to Colfax, then hwy 174 towards Grass Valley). Auburn Old Town is historically interesting and just 25 miles west along I-80. Colfax, which I consider our Hub, is a charming small town, just 10 minutes west.
For HIKING - Try the “Emigrant Gap” area, offering many great top-of-the Sierra trails such as “Grouse Ridge”. “Euchre Bar” trailhead in Alta is an advanced hike with steep elevation changes to and from the American River. A simple visit to the parking lot trailhead gives a spectacular view of the high Sierra.
For BOATING, FISHING and LAKE PLAY - Alta and Dutch Flat are situated between the Bear and American Rivers. There are Mountain lakes and reservoirs a-plenty. Rollins Lake, about 6-7 miles west along I-80 is a fun recreational Lake for swimming, boating and picnics. They also have boat rentals. I have 2 kayaks which you are welcome to enjoy if your vehicle has a roof rack. There is a pristine and quiet lake to kayak paddle, swim or picnic, a short 2 miles from the property.
Guest access
My guests are welcome to enjoy the property. I live part-time in a separate cabin aways away and down the lane from the cottage. I have a vegetable garden, a greenhouse and a large workshop barn. My living area is very separate from the rental “Fairy Tale” cottage with it’s own driveway. There is another small cabin beside and besides my own where my grown son lives part-time and helps me with the maintenance of the acreage. We are both very quiet and unobtrusive. I also have a small 14 pound Pomeranian dog whom is either in my cabin, on a leash with me or in her fenced yard. She is extremely friendly and loves all humans and dogs. Your privacy will be assured unless you wish for interaction, then I will be pleased to interact. I am often away and work full time and there is a large chance that we will not even cross paths or have the opportunity to meet and greet. I have a booklet set upon the kitchen table filled with information for your interest. Check-in instructions and a welcome message will be given and sent upon booking received.
Other things to note
The Union Pacific Railway runs a close couple of blocks away. There is a railway crossing. The railway is mandated to honk or blow its horn upon crossing. It is noticeable, however, I personally love the train and the thought of passengers and goods being transported across the country from the Pacific to the Atlantic, fills me with intrigue and wonder. Most guests report that they’ve really enjoyed the train!
Campfires are permitted when it is safe to create one. There may be times when we are banned from burning for the safety of the property, town and environment. There are bucked up rounds a-plenty for those interested in testing their lumberjack skills, otherwise, chopped and ready to burn is available for you for camp fires as well as the indoor fireplace.
* Dogs are lovingly welcome. There is a $50 per pet, per stay fee which will be charged separately after a confirmed reservation through the resolution center.
** The Placer County Occupancy Fee tax of 8% is not included in the listing price. This 8% tax will be requested separately and manually through the AirBnB resolution Center.
*** A generous supply of oak and/or pine firewood is offered for the indoor fireplace as well as the fire pit.
**** There are 3 security cameras. None of these cameras point anywhere near the Fairy Tale Cottage. You will receive complete privacy. I will not be able to see any activity of guests whatsoever. They are also very far away from the guest rental. The 1st camera is in my very long driveway to notify me when a car enters the top of the driveway. The 2nd camera is near my small personal cabin to alert me of visitors close to my cabin whom are coming down my own additional and separate driveway. The 3rd camera is behind the barn to alert me of visitors coming down this third driveway. These cameras are to alert me, when I’m here alone, that there are visitors close to my personal areas. If requested, I will gladly turn off all cameras while guests are here.
***** There are 2 no trespassing/private property signs. The 1st is at the entry to the main driveway and the 2nd is halfway down the driveway. These are not intended for guests as my guests have reservations, and are absolutely welcome. So, if you are a guest, please ignore these two postings. These postings are just to discourage solicitors and un-invited guests.
