House in Berkeley, CA
Reasons to book
About this house rental
Make yourself at home in this tranquil getaway, within easy reach of downtown and UC Berkeley. Enjoy coffee with Bay views, wander the peaceful gardens, or unwind in the sauna or seasonal pool. And if you feel like doing absolutely nothing, soak in the tub with sunset and Golden Gate Bridge views.
The host lives in a fully separated part of the house with their own entrance. All these spaces and amenities are yours alone to enjoy.
The Space
Tucked into the Berkeley Hills among towering redwoods, this peaceful retreat feels a world away — yet you're just minutes from UC Berkeley, North Berkeley's gourmet corridor, and many parks within walking distance.
Step outside to your private resort: unwind in the cedar sauna — perfect year-round — or gather under the pergola's string lights for dinner with a sweeping Bay sunset as your backdrop. In the warmer months (typically May–October), take a dip in the sparkling pool. On clear days, the Golden Gate Bridge shimmers on the horizon. Lush front and back gardens offer quiet corners to read, sip morning coffee, or simply listen to the trees.
Inside, sun-filled living spaces invite you to slow down — a bright, spacious living room, a formal dining room, and a well-equipped kitchen with high-end appliances, ready for anything from quick breakfasts to relaxed home-cooked dinners. A dedicated workspace nook makes remote work effortless.
Two tranquil bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom, promise restful nights. Bedroom 1 has one king bed and a couch for lounging. Bedroom 2 has two single beds and a sofa bed for additional sleeping space for groups of five or six. Both bedrooms frame bay views and overlook the gardens — wake up to birdsong, soft morning light, and the Bay shimmering through the trees.
Perfect for families, friends, or couples seeking a calm, private escape — with easy self check-in and room to truly breathe.
Guest Access
You'll have the entire unit to yourself, including:
- Two bedrooms, each with a private bathroom
- Bright living room, dining room, and a fully equipped kitchen
- Dedicated workspace nook
- Washer and dryer
- Free parking for two cars in the driveway
- Private back garden with pool (seasonally, typically May–October), deck and pergola with outdoor dining and gas grill — for your private use (Brief visits are needed to operate the pool cover and perform routine pool maintenance, as described in "Other things to note")
- Cedar sauna in the basement with its own bathroom
Please note: the host lives in a separate, self-contained part of the house (behind a locked door, no shared indoor spaces) and uses the front yard walkway to come and go, so you may occasionally see them passing through.
Other things to note
Hillside access
The home sits on a hillside, so there are stairs between the street, the house, and the garden levels — please keep this in mind if anyone in your group has limited mobility, is traveling with a stroller, or has heavy luggage.
Pool availability and heating
The pool is open seasonally, typically May through October, weather permitting. Heating is optional and costs $160 for the initial heat-up, plus $50 per day to maintain the temperature. Outside the regular season, please contact us before booking to confirm availability and winter heating rates.
Pool cover and maintenance
When the pool is in use, our team briefly accesses the backyard each morning and evening to operate the safety cover. Routine pool maintenance takes place on Friday mornings. We’re mindful of your privacy during these visits.
Pool and sauna safety
Each adult guest wishing to use the pool or sauna must review and sign our Pool & Sauna Safety Acknowledgment and Liability Waiver before use. The full terms are provided through Rental Agreement. The sauna is for guests aged 18 and older.
Our Four-Legged Visitors
One of the charms of staying in the Berkeley Hills is the occasional visit from our wild neighbors, including raccoons, coyotes and foxes! Spotting one can be a memorable part of your stay. Just remember, they're wild animals, so please admire them from a safe distance and never approach or feed them. For everyone's safety, children should ALWAYS be supervised outdoors, especially near the pool.
Amenities at Above the bay - A Berkeley Hills Retreat with Sauna & Seasonal Pool
Map of Berkeley, CA
