7 Mi to Yosemite Nat'l Park: Riverfront Getaway!

Reviews

• Secret gateway to Yosemite

  5/5

  We had a lovely time at this residence. So much character in this home!

  All the kitchen appliances were spotless.

  We call this place home as we spent three days in Yosemite. A wonderful and easy drive to the park. Super convenient location.

• Home in Groveland

  3/5

  Pros: beautiful back yard at creek. Total privacy, many lazy chairs, even nice couch bed I would call. So natural.Now cons: Big issue with communication with property manager. Did not get lock box code untill just few hours in advance. Knowing phone signal issues, sbould have sent early.Same with scheduled repair work. Manager said he sent message about hour in advance but again he must be aware of phone signal issue throughout Yosemite, should have notified early. You do not want to see someone in the house as surprise. Mattress and bed in one room is in extremely bad shape. Lucky we were less people so used another bed.

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

• Close to Yosemite but issues that need addressed

  3/5

  Unfortunately, our stay at this rental was disappointing, especially given the potential the property has with a few much-needed improvements.

  While the location near the Yosemite entrance is great and the interior is spacious with decent WiFi and kitchen basics, the overall condition of the property left a lot to be desired.

  There were serious cleanliness and maintenance issues. We found mouse droppings in the kitchen drawers, and dirty diapers were left outside on the ground—completely unacceptable and unsanitary. The downstairs bedroom had ripped-up carpet exposing cold cement floors, and the tack strips by the door were not covered, which we ended up stepping on—very painful and dangerous.

  The outdoor stairs leading to the house were crumbling and felt like a major hazard. The yard was full of fallen trees, making it unusable and uninviting. Despite the listing saying there was a fire pit, we couldn’t find one. There was also supposed to be coffee and cooking spices provided, but the coffee was nonexistent, and the spices were old, dried out, and unusable.

  Adding to the frustration, there’s no cell service at the property, and it was difficult to contact the owner when issues came up. Although the roof had a tarp from recent damage, thankfully there were no leaks, but it didn’t add to the feeling of a well-kept place.

  This home could be a fantastic rental with better upkeep, attention to detail, and accurate listing information. Until then, I’d be cautious about booking unless you’re prepared for a very rustic and hands-off experience.

  Manager's Response:

  From the owner:
  "Hi Morgan, we’re sorry to hear your stay didn’t fully meet expectations. As mentioned before check-in, a severe winter windstorm brought down several tall trees from the adjacent Stanislaus National Forest, including from the opposite bank of the river, causing a roof leak in the third bedroom and damage to its flooring. Roof repairs were completed, and although the new flooring was delayed by a day due to a Lowe’s delivery issue, we disclosed that the carpet wasn’t wall-to-wall and placed three large area rugs covering most of the room. That work is now finished, and the bedroom features bright, beautiful maple laminate flooring.
  
  Keeping mice out of mountain homes is an ongoing challenge, especially in winter, but we’ve taken extensive measures. Our pest control provider thoroughly treated the house in February and will return in May. We’ve spent over $10,000 sealing the crawlspace and reinforcing other areas, and all doors and new Milgard windows have full screens. Still, if a door is left open, they can find their way in.
  
  The downed trees are being milled into fence boards to preserve their presence on the property, and the Forest Service has assessed the surrounding forest. The storm was a rare and record-setting event for Tuolumne County.
  
  We also want to highlight that our housekeepers have improved their process and now check even less-used areas like unstocked drawers and exterior spaces. Secret Rivers Retreat is now better than ever for spring and summer guests, with 300 feet of riverfront, Wi-Fi, unlimited long-distance calling, and DISH TV, all for added comfort. We invite you to read our other reviews to see the full experience when not recovering from a very rare natural disaster."

• 5/5

  We loved our stay here. The owner was very acommandating. Had everything we needed and fast wifi and still able to enjoy the lovely wilderness. We will be staying there again. Cant wait to go back.

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

• Yosemite Gateway

  5/5

  The house was the perfect spot for our family whose goal was to spend most of our time inside Yosemite. The house had a great cabin feel that was comfortable and all we needed. There was also a great spot set up by the river bank in the back to have a seat and take in nature or read a book. We had a great stay.

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo