A space rooted in nature, wellness, and conscious living
You know this place—or perhaps it just feels like you do. Mar Vista Farm + Cottages instills that sense in nearly everyone who visits our magical site on the “secret coast” in Mendocino County, where life slows down so you can forge stronger connections with nature and the ones you love. Here, the everyday fades away, replaced by a more conscious, simpler way of life.
Life slows down in the charming cottages of Mar Vista
Just across Highway 1 from the Pacific Ocean, Mar Vista offers vintage cottages, the Glass House events space, a redwood soaking tub, and nine acres of natural areas—forested trails, farm animals, harvesting gardens, spaces for family play, even private access to a secluded beach. Ideal for solo travelers, couples, families, furry friends, and gatherings, it’s as if you have your own private country getaway.
At Mar Vista, you’ll feel restored, reinvigorated, ready for whatever’s next. And you’ll realize that you did, in fact, know this place all along. Because ultimately, it is a reflection of you at your best.
Celebrating 90 Years of Memories
2026 marks 90 years of Mar Vista Farm and Cottages. We’re planning celebrations throughout the year, and you’re part of the story.
Share your favorite memories with us, photos from that magical sunset, stories from your family traditions here, moments from stays past or recent. Every memory helps tell the story of these 90 years, and we can’t wait to celebrate them together.
Email us your memory or historical moment directly at hello@marvistafarmandcottages.com
Travel With Intention—
Regenerating The Local Community & Environment With Every Booking
In partnership with Kind Traveler’s Every Stay Gives Back program, your travel dollars directly support Redwood Coast Land Conservancy. The mission of Redwood Coast Land Conservancy is to preserve, restore, and share the natural wonders of coastal southern Mendocino and northern Sonoma Counties. Through our community impact program, $2 per stay will fund Redwood Coast Land Conservancy. Additionally, Mar Vista will match every $2 collected, doubling the positive impact we will make together. 100% of funds are given to Redwood Coast Land Conservancy.
Our Amenities
HARVEST FREELY IN OUR ORGANIC GARDEN
PLUS-enjoy complimentary farm-fresh egg deliveries each morning.
NEARBY BEACH ACCESS
Explore the many local beaches nearby-ideal for picnics, tide-pool fun, sunset chasing, and whale spotting.
ROOTED IN CONSCIOUS LIVING
We are powered by 100% renewable energy. On-site, find EV charging, composting, and plastic-free swaps.
DOG FRIENDLY
With nine secluded coastal acres, Mar Vista is the perfect play land for your furry friend.
CHARMING HISTORIC
FISHING COTTAGES
Our Scandinavian-style fishing cottages feature a fireplace, plush bedding, and a well stocked kitchen
FOR A WELL WAY OF LIFE
Restore with forest bathing, on-site yoga, meditation, massage (available upon request).
The Cottages
Our 11 bright and airy cottages each feature a fireplace, antique furnishings, plush bedding, and a well-stocked kitchen.
The Experience
From forest bathing to farm activities, Mar Vista is a mindful escape designed to bring you closer to the land and one another.
Gatherings
With coastal views and serene forests, Mar Vista is perfect for weddings, retreats, milestone occasions, and celebrations.
This Is Us
We consider ourselves the stewards of Mar Vista, rather than the owners. It is our dream to share this wonderful place with you.
Photo by Pauline Chatelan for The Panafold.
Rooted in conscious living
Mar Vista is a place for people to be present and act with intention—and we act with intention as well, with sustainable farming and gardening practices, responsible water use, and more.
A place that feels good alone
Solo travel is better when the place feels like it was made for it.
At Mar Vista, your cottage sits on nine acres of open grounds with plenty of space to roam, rest, and be as social or as still as you want. Seclusion here is a feature, not an accident.
Celebrating Ongoing Commitments to People and Planet
A Tribute to Kurt Ritter Jr. 🕊️Some families don’t just visit Mar Vista, they become part of its story.
Kurt Ritter Jr. first came to this coast as a small child, following in his father Kurt Sr.’s footsteps — a good friend of our founders, Louis and Eschen, and one of the hands that helped build the original fishing cabins still standing here today.
Kurt Jr. carried that tradition forward for the rest of his life, returning every year. We had the privilege of getting to know him starting in 2022, alongside his wife Ellen, daughter Valerie, and granddaughter Ella. Over the years, they shared stories and memorabilia with us that have become part of Mar Vista’s own history; if you’ve seen the historic photos we’ve posted, many of them came from the Ritter family’s own albums.
Kurt passed away this past October, and we are so grateful to have known him and to have been trusted with these stories. This spring, Ellen and the family made their annual visit once again — and they plan to keep returning, to the place Kurt loved most.
Families like the Ritters remind us what an honor it is to care for a place that has meant so much, to so many, for so long.
Thank you, Kurt. You will always be part of Mar Vista. 🤍
Just another day in the garden 🤷♀️ at least there’s food at the end!
What if we just pretended that phones don’t exist?
Now is the time - send this to the road trip chat.