The Olde School Trail Residence

berkeley, san francisco & bay area
3 bedroom - 2 bath
(2 reviews)
Travel dates:
$826 - $944 per night (USD)
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Perks for the Parents

A Bay Area getaway unlike almost any other, with an iconic mid-century design and sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. It sleeps 6. Located on a quiet road adjacent to the Berkeley Hills, down a private driveway, this house will take your breath away with its panoramic views from every window. The layout creates an excellent flow of indoor/outdoor play via floor-to-ceiling doors that open onto the front and back patios, and being on level ground helps parents keep an eye on kids as they play. There’s also a separate office for any parents needing some space for work or phone calls. With the Bay on one side, and Tilden Regional Park just up the road, daily hikes are always tempting, while the city is just a short drive away.

Why Kids Love it

This unique home is fun for kids aged zero to teens, filled with toys, kids books and also give-away books from previous grown-up guests. For outdoor fun there is a mini trampoline, balance bikes, bubbles, lacrosse sticks, frisbees and kites. The very private and secluded driveway allows for safe outdoor games, protected from street traffic. For indoor play they’ll find games, washable markers and paper, plus toddler tunnels and parachutes. There’s also 4 toddler-sized chairs around the coffee table that kids love to have their own tea parties! The children’s room also has a bonus Pack-n-Play along with black-out curtains to make it easy for kids to sleep well.

Things to Know

Minimum stay: X nights. Please note that you will be sharing this property with several deer who think it is their home. They are elegant and beautiful, and a welcome addition to the home. We do not use the fireplace due to the proximity to Tilden Park, but it’s still beautiful to behold. Car rental is recommended and there is ample parking at the house.

About the Location

The home is located right next to Tilden Regional Park, just outside Berkeley, California. It’s a perfect hike from (or a short drive away from) the famous Tilden Merry Go-Round and the Steam Train. It's a 15-minute drive from Albany Waterfront Park, which is a sweet beach that looks onto the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, and similarly close to many other of the best things that Berkeley has to offer for families, such as the popular spots of Solano, Shattuck or Telegraph Ave, as well as the city’s Children’s Fairyland theme park and the Museum of Children’s Arts. Oakland international airport is around half an hour away by car.

Accommodation Details

This residence has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms plus an office with sofabed, all set over 1 floor. It’s fully equipped with everything you could wish for in the kitchen - including a milk frother and the host’s favorite matcha blend, with a breakfast bar and a wonderful family dining area to gather at for meals as you enjoy the view. This open plan space also includes a cozy living area, perfectly positioned in front of large sliding doors and around the fireplace. The children’s room is filled with toys and games plus 2 twin beds, and the primary bedroom (with a queensize bed) is airy and spacious with views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The 3rd bedroom is used as an office with a double sofabed sleeping an additional guest.

Style Notes

Mid-century modern. Designed in the genre of Eichler and Henry Hill, this stylish home has been immaculately maintained since it was built in 1958. Mid-century connoisseurs will delight in the original built-in sofas, credenzas and fireplace - it even features the original iconic twin beds dating back to that magical era. Bright, light and airy, this iconic property has only been owned by 1 other family since it was built, and almost everything in the home is original. We love the beautiful blue and orange retro kitchen, the traditional stone flooring and the warming exposed wood textures throughout.

  • Air Conditioning
  • Baby Bath
  • Baby Monitor
  • Babysitter / Nanny
  • Backyard / Garden
  • Balcony
  • Bathtub
  • Bed Rails
  • Bicycles
  • Cabinet Locks
  • Changing Table
  • Chef / Catering
  • Children's Dinnerware
  • Corner Guards
  • DVD Library
  • DVD Player
  • Dishwasher
  • Elevator
  • Fireplace Guards
  • Game Console
  • High Chair
  • Housekeeper
  • Outlet Plugs
  • Parking
  • Pet-friendly
  • Pool
  • Pool Gate
  • Stair Gates
  • Television
  • Toys / Children's Books
  • Washer / Dryer
  • Wifi
  • Window Guards
SLEEPS 5
1 queen
1 sofa bed (single)
2 twin / single
sleeps 1
1 travel crib
Danielle L.
Member since September 01, 2022
As a family that travels a lot (and loves to travel) we know how wonderful it is to find a special home along the journey. We hope this magical oasis can be just that for your family on the go. Erez is a Bay Area native, born and raised not far from this house, and we both went to college nearby and feel like this area is home.

Berkeley, San Francisco & Bay Area

Spirit, culture and a green soul

Berkeley is a fantastic family holiday destination. Best known for its flower power and free speech 1960s vibe, as well as UC Berkeley, it's a great place to live and visit. Imagine: a city where walking and cycling are truly popular and safe ways to get around. A city where 'regreening' the urban area are key priorities. And that's before you mention the family-friendliness, the green spaces, the great food and the unique cultural attractions of the city. This is the site of juggling and unicycling festivals, a place with farmers' markets and kid-designed playgrounds, and all within half an hour of San Francisco. The USA's most liberal city is also one of its most liveable.

2 reviews

Valerie K.
Visited in August 2023
The Olde School Trail Residence is one of the most spectacular and welcoming places we have ever stayed anywhere. The sense of ease and welcome starts with host Danielle's gracious, responsive, and attentive correspondence. She went way out of her way to make our stay feel incredibly special from the moment we pulled into the driveway to checkout. The magic of this house is its mindblowing setting. Perched high above Berkeley, the Bay, San Francisco and the islands, it disposes of one of the most arresting and unforgettable views on earth. Our kids will never forget the experience of watching the afternoon marine-layer fog roll in from the Pacific, eventually curling its tendrils up and over the house and enveloping us in its mist by dark. But the house itself is also a masterpiece of midcentury modern design. Every detail is ingeniously thought through and placed. Floor to ceiling windows admit light into each space with the almost theatrical focus. Furnishings are at once comfortable and stylish, inviting lounging with a book, taking the view with a glass of wine, or beckoning to explore the seemingly limitless surroundings. We adored the location. Serene and silent. But also steps from the eucalyptus-scented beauties of Tilden Park. Perfectly situated for the welcome challenge of serious hill runs. A short drive from our favorite shops and restaurants in Berkeley as well as the Cal campus. We cannot wait to return as early and often as possible!
Heather M.
Visited in January 2023
What a magical home! The pictures do not do this gem justice. The home is very spacious and the view is incredible! You can’t beat the location-minutes from great restaurants, museums and shopping but tucked away in a private getaway overlooking the city. Danielle was also a wonderful host who has thoughtfully added touches that make it feel like you’re staying at a friends guesthouse. This was a perfect spot for my family with a fenced in backyard, swings, toys and space for my children to roam and relax. Highly recommend!