"Dear Elizabeth,
Thank you very much for letting my family and I stay on your farm. We had a joyous time full of happy moments and amazing adventures. We are so grateful for your kindness towards us and cannot express how much it meant to us, and how much it brightened our weekend.
With Happiness,"
Isabel age 11
September 2020
Sustainable Lodging near
the Sonoma Coast, California
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about
Shanti Permaculture Farm
on Sonoma County Tourism website
September 25, 2019
"Elizabeth's place was one of my favorite farm stays of all. 5 thumbs up. Great place, location, and wonderful produce and eggs! We will be back!"
Anya ~ June 2018
"We had a lovely stay. Elizabeth was welcoming from the start, and was so nice to provide food for our dog Brutus when we realized we had forgotten it! The farm is beautiful, the animals friendly, the hot tub glorious, and Bodega Bay very close by. Come and enjoy a great place with a great vibe with a great host. Healing in nature at its finest. OH, and take a hike out to see the Yurt! :) Thanks, Elizabeth!"
Jeni ~ January 2018
"We had such a beautiful and uplifting experience. We felt like home and enjoyed everything. Elizabeth is a lovely and wonderful host and we are so happy to have a new friend. The Hot Tub under the beautiful Redwood Tree was a glorious treat. We had everything we needed and more. The house is perfect and very clean and comfortable. It was so nice to be in a very beautiful environment, friendly, hospitable and at the same time very caring of our privacy. Elizabeth had beautiful flowers in the house and also a dozen red roses to celebrate our engagement. We will be back. We hope next time with our children. Also, LOCATION is Incredible!! Nature and bird lovers this is a jewel.♡♡♡♡"
Sonia ~ December 2017
"Great spot and even better host, Elizabeth showed amazing hospitality and was a pleasure to meet and interact with. I would highly recommend her spot to anyone who is looking for a unique spot in Northern California!"
Garrett ~ May 2018
"The farm feels secluded and is quiet, peaceful and magical, but it's close to town and easy to get to as well. The hot tub under the redwoods, private yard and cozy cottage were all perfect. Oh, and a llama! Highly recommend."
Sarah ~ September 2017
"We had a fantastic stay. Elizabeth had great suggestions of local things to do that were perfect for our family. We all loved meeting the llama, Cosmo, as well as all of the other animals. The hot tub was a great luxury. Elizabeth shared duck eggs and some delicious smelling sage and beautiful flowers with us too. Thank you!"
Amber ~ December 2017
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"Elizabeth was a delight; we loved this place. It is homey and peaceful. The cabin unit (which shares a roof with the pictured house) has a private backyard and is thoughtfully decorated. There's a wholesome and meditative quality to the whole place. A small organic garden plot is uphill from the house. This was a wonderful and restorative place. I would like to go back."
Angela ~ December 2015
"Elizabeth was such a great host. She was always there to help out when we needed it, but gave us privacy as well. Her property and her house are beautiful – we loved the expansive grounds and the animals at every turn! Although we never made it into the llama pen, we hear that it is a must do. We even left with a handful of duck eggs that we couldn't get enough of, which Elizabeth was courteous enough to give us. She had the hot tub on and ready for us when we arrived, and was always just a short message away. We'll definitely be recommending this spot to our friends!"
Taylor ~ April 2018
"Elizabeth was fantastic. Very friendly and welcoming and excellent communication. The cottage is set back on the property with access to the hot tub. Elizabeth has animals that you can interact with and a huge garden. The cottage has its own backyard and was fully stocked. We had an amazing stay. Just wish it was longer!!!"
Jill ~ August 2017
"The Yurt and outdoor shower were unbelievably charming. The surrounding plot of land is beautifully maintained and has furry and feathery residents roaming the area. Getting a chance to interact with the baby sheep and feeding the llama was a total treat. Elizabeth was extremely accommodating and it was an absolute pleasure to chat with her about the permaculture design systems she uses, the goofy personalities of some of her animals as well as the general fun facts about the neighborhood. I would come back to visit in a heartbeat, just to be able to take another shower under the canopy of beautiful redwoods. Such a memorable experience!"
Beata ~ November 2016
"Great place! Beautiful cottage in the woods with private backyard. Elizabeth is very good host. Loved the farm animals and fresh eggs. We would definitely come back. Very peaceful and quiet. Our dog enjoyed it as well."
Ekaterina ~ June 2017
"Our stay at Shanti was more wonderful than I could have expected! We had drinks on the back patio and made snacks using the tomatoes and basil growing in the garden, played horseshoes, relaxed in the hammock, picked blackberries and cape gooseberries with our friends and even took a dip in the hot tub under a sky full of stars. Everything is so beautiful and Elizabeth was such a hospitable host. The weekend was so much more fantastic because of the Airbnb we chose. Thank you so much Elizabeth!"
Nestor ~ September 2017
"This place is absolutely perfect. Off the beaten path in a beautiful peaceful area that is still close to Hwy 1 and a spectacular drive at that. The host was amazing and very personable. She gave many recommendations of places to go see and let us spend time seeing her beautiful animals on her farm. The sheep just had babies and it was wonderful seeing them and feeding them as well. The place was perfect size for two people and had everything we needed. The bed was super cozy. We definitely would recommend and come back!"
Crystal ~ July 2018
Our stay at Shanti was truly an experience to remember and not your run of the mill Airbnb. We loved meeting Cosmo the llama and his band of sheep. They were especially amused by our pug, as were Elizabeth's super friendly dogs. Shanti is as pet-friendly as it gets. Elizabeth even offered to have our dog hang out with her and her pets while we went out to dinner! Late nights relaxing in the hot tub under the giant redwoods were just as amazing as they sound, and the farm fresh eggs for breakfast beat anything I ever got at a farmer's market. Be sure to grab a fresh plum off the tree in the fenced in backyard!
Mike ~ August 2017
"Such a wonderful getaway! My boyfriend and I decided to bring in the New Year glamping in Elizabeth's genius and beautiful yurt setup. The location was perfect being only 2 minutes away from downtown Occidental and 5-10 minutes from the beautiful Grove of the Old Trees. The yurt sits near a farm of chickens, goats, and a super rad llama all of which are super friendly. Electricity in the yurt made it cozy warm for the cold weather and the lighting was perfect. Upon arrival, Elizabeth kindly showed us around the farm and really made us feel at home. As a bonus, we were also able to bring our dog with us and she absolutely loved it! I highly recommend this location I promise you will not be disappointed."
Allysha ~ January 2017
"Shanti is a peaceful and relaxing get away from the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley. Perfectly situated near the beautiful charm of downtown Occidental, hospitality and a sense of genuine thoughtfulness really added to our experience. Elizabeth has a extensive knowledge of the community and recommendations for things to do and eat. Her volunteers on the farm were respectful, friendly and always busy working on the property. The colorful space is perfect for a couple or a small group of four friends looking to take a self care weekend. Hot tub was relaxing, the night sky was impossibly clear and the stars were so bright. There is a cute little honor system farm stand in front offering duck and chicken eggs and squash. Elizabeth even sent us off with some fresh duck eggs before we left! The animals were fascinating, especially her two sweet pups and her friendly cats. Cosmo the llama is so huge! He's like the personal body guard for the sheep! Also, though it was raining most of the trip, the flowering trees and bushes around the private backyard were magical, and I would love to see everything in full force in Spring or Summer! Hope to visit again soon!"
Carlo ~ March 2018
"Shanti is an amazing place to stay. The grounds are well kept and full of amazing plants and creatures. Elizabeth is a friendly and gracious host. The cottage is cozy, well kept and full of charm."
Stefanie ~ July 2017
"Elizabeth's farm is a quiet, convenient place to stay near Occidental and Sebastopol. It is very pet friendly which is essential when we are traveling with our dogs. It was fun to visit with all her farm animals and we were even able to purchase chicken eggs for breakfast from the happy chickens living on the farm. Elizabeth responded quickly to inquiries and the place was clean and comfortable. I would definitely stay again when in the area."
Gina ~ December 2018
"Shanti is a wonderful getaway. My 14 year old daughter and I had a wonderful time getting to know the animals, shopping and dining in Occidental and driving out to the beach. Elizabeth is a wonderful and welcoming host. And she gave me a great massage!"
Kate ~ October 2018
"We had a beautiful relaxing Thanksgiving weekend at Shanti cottage. Our dog had a blast exploring the private fenced in backyard and we loved getting to meet/play with the other dogs on the property. We visited the incredible beaches and small towns along the water when it wasn't raining. Elizabeth even provided us with a delicious pie grown from pumpkins right at the farm! A perfect escape from the city!"
Hannah ~ Novemver 2018
"Elizabeth is amazing. She really couldn’t have been more hospitable. We had a magical time playing with the chickens, ducks and sheep. Cosmo the llama is a trip and totally watched us the whole time. The hollow tree shower was so incredible and warm. We would love to go back when time allows."
R.S. ~June 2018
"This yurt was surprisingly more spacious then we expected. It was my husband, dog, and myself but the space easily would fit 2-3 more people comfortably. We went out expecting a few days getaway from technology and chaos of everyday life, and that is what we received. The service is spotty in the yurt which made it easy to put down the phone and explore the great outdoors. It was a pleasant space for experiencing nature and reflection. The yurt is just a short walk up the hill from the farm and home of the host. This allows for convenient access if any assistance is needed but still feels as if you are secluded in a forest away from all other human life.
The amenities provided were far beyond what we expected with running water, sink, refrigerator, lighting, comfortable bed, pull out couch, private toilet and running shower with warm water just outside. We were there over Thanksgiving weekend and it was pretty cold out. The yurt provided warmth although it was still pretty chilly. We brought warm sleeping bags that we used on the bed and layered up in clothes.
The location is not far from more activity then we could even get to. The host Elizabeth is happy to provide suggestions for the area if you want to go off property to explore the area. It was only around 8 miles on a breathtaking drive with views of rolling mountains to the most majestic beach I have ever encountered. Some of the cutest little down town areas were also not a far drive off. And of course there is unending hiking among gorgeous redwoods.
If you get the chance to stay here you won't regret the experience and entertaining farm animals that include a llama named Cosmo!"
Bethany ~ November 2016
"Elizabeth provided a very comfortable cottage. We loved being surrounded by the garden and lots of trees in a very quiet location. The wall colors were vibrant and harmonious, along with the decor, love of good colors were evident everywhere. The farm animals are a treat, as Elizabeth took us on a tour of the farm and allowed us to feed the sheep, chickens and llama. Write down the gate code before you get there as there is limited cell coverage at the farm! This is actually a plus for disconnecting with the outside world so you can be with what is around you and within you. We used the hot tub one evening, but were so relaxed we didn't need it the other night we were there."
David ~ September 2018
"My wife, dog and I had a delightful time at Shanti. Elizabeth was friendly and responsive. We loved relaxing and recharging surrounded by the sheep, fowl and llama and the beautiful redwoods. The place was clean and quiet. We cooked a lovely meal one night and explored Occidental another night. Only regret was not buying eggs!"
Kiel ~ November 2018
"From the fresh cut flowers Elizabeth leaves in your cottage, to the bubbling hot spa, there are multiple things to rant and rave about this Airbnb delight. Elizabeth puts a lot of love and energy into her environment and that flows down to her guests. My favorite moments at Elizabeth's were being able to pick fresh veggies right out of the back door, fresh eggs left on our door step, being able to drive a short distance to the ocean and especially to find a peaceful place to sleep. We can't wait to go back!"
Danika ~ September 2016
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"Elizabeth's cottage was a perfect stay for us. It was great to unplug from the everyday world and enjoy the peace, quiet, and nature. Elizabeth was very welcoming and a great host."
Ryan ~ July 2017
"Elizabeth's description of her cottage and land is far too modest. Her home and the detached cottage in back are just minutes from Occidental, but in a world of their own. Right when we arrived, we were able to feed the animals. There were five one-week old lambs and dozens of sheep, chickens, ducks, geese and of course, Cosmo the llama. Elizabeth was so relaxed and open and friendly. We met the volunteers who help with the farming. Occidental has an amazing Farm to Table restaurant - Hazel's (chef used to work at Boulevard in SF), and on the evening we dined there, they were serving lamb from Elizabeth's farm. The next morning they were serving eggs from her chickens. Elizabeth has a permaculture farm and is mindful about tending the land in a sustainable and respectful way. Our cottage had a private backyard with a nice hammock and sitting area. The hot tub under the grandmother redwood was steps away. The decorations all over the place and in the cottage reflect the places Elizabeth has traveled, and have a peaceful Buddhist sensibility. We enjoyed going to Osmosis spa, which is around 12 minutes away in Freestone (great bakery across the street), had wonderful meals at Howard Street Station in Occidental, Backyard in Forestville, and Lowell's in Sebastopol (all farm fresh meals), and enjoyed the Russian River and the Redwoods. We wish we had time to drive down Coleman Valley Road to the ocean! Next time. I highly recommend staying in this area and relaxing at Elizabeth's."
Elaine ~ August 2018
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"Elizabeth's cottage was by far the most comfortable, clean, and well-appointed farm stay cottage that I've experienced. Everything about this place is magical from the wonderful garden to the friendly cats, beautiful setting, fresh eggs, birds, butterflies, etc. I highly recommend this place and Elizabeth in general to anyone coming to the area. It's just outside of town and you can be at some incredible restaurants in "downtown" Occidental within just a few minutes drive."
Damon ~ October 2017
"Elizabeth is a lovely person and a great host. Her farm is a wonderful place to go camping. The animals are fun to watch and Cosmo (the llama) is my new best friend. Our 4 year hold had a great time as will most kids. The cooking setup is very convenient. There's a grill arm that you can use over the open fire which makes cooking over the fire easy. There's also a propane hob. The outdoor shower in the tree trunk is a real treat (it even has hot water.) Definitely going back."
Liza ~ June 2018
"We loved the place, the people, the animals, the light, the hot-tub, the location, the conversations. Place is great, near a lot of really nice restaurants, beautiful nature, and some nice insight into permaculture farm living. Elizabeth and her staff very welcoming. Cabin, very clean and comfortable. We loved the whole experience, we will be back!"
Karen ~ April 2018
"Elizabeth and Shanti Vacations are awesome! It's a Permaculture Farm and just overall awesome property. The actual cottage is completely detached from the main residence so Elizabeth will give you as much space as you need. It is dog friendly and there is a mini dog park behind the cottage. Plus Elizabeth allowed us to walk around the six acre property, partially wooded, so our dogs could meet her dogs, goats, chickens and other farm life. She gifted us the most tasty winter chard and greens that she grew right there on the farm. If you want to visit the area, and want to get away from the city/suburb life, this is the place. So relaxed and laid back. I will definitely be visiting again. Thank you again Elizabeth."
Robert ~ December 2015
It was a peaceful stay and what I needed. Elizabeth and volunteers Nicole and Dynene immediately made me feel comfortable and welcome and at no point did I feel like a stranger. I was able to interact with the animals as much or as little as I wanted; there was never any pressure to do so, yet if I walked by, I was always invited by Elizabeth or Nicole to participate in what they we’re doing. It felt more of a an invitation to spend time with them or have an experience not engage in a chore. I had my dog, Penelope, with me and she had fun. She was able to roam and play with the other dogs and the cabin has a fenced back yard. You need to be careful when the Alpaca and sheep are let out, though. Then it’s doggie leash time. The hot tub was relaxing and private. Elizabeth gave me a full body massage that was heavenly. I suggest you opt for one. My advice is to do it the day before you check out as you will be sore the next day from all the muscles she’s worked out. As I was leaving, Nicole blew me a kiss goodbye. I left with the biggest smile. I fully intend to return. Next time I’m booking the yurt!
Jennifer ~ November 2020