Payment

All reservations must be prepaid in full by credit card. We accept all major credit cards and prepaid Mar Vista gift certificates. Group payments require a separate agreement.

Check-in/check-out

• Check-in (3-6 p.m.): Please email, call or text our guest-only text line prior to arrival for time confirmation. We will meet outside of the Red House for a brief but required orientation.
  • After 6 p.m., we will text you instructions on how to get to your cottage. Orientation should be arranged first thing the following morning.
• Self-check-out (11 a.m.): Please leave the key in the door or on the table.

Housekeeping Cottages

These are housekeeping style cottages which means we will not service your cottage until you check-out.  We do ask that youy tidy up and clean any dishes used before checking out.

Rates

The rates displayed in our online calendar are the best available rates for that specific cottage and date. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Occupancy

The maximum number of guests per cottage are outlined below; any violation of maximum occupancy may result in removal from the premises without any refund or credit. No camping or RVs allowed. For the safety of our registered guests, only registered guests are allowed on property unless previous written allowances are made with the proprietors.

Maximum cottage occupancy

• The small one-bedroom cottages (1, 2, 5, 7, 8) accommodate a maximum of two guests. Infants and toddlers count as a guest.
• Cottages 3 and 4 can accommodate two adults and one infant (still in arms).
• The two-bedroom cottages (9-12) accommodate a maximum of four adults, or two adults and up to three children depending on age.

Dogs

• An advance reservation is required for your dog.
• Your dog must be a mature dog, well trained, and a minimum of three years old.  We are unable to accommodate puppies.
• Our per-stay pet fee is $85 for one dog, $110 for two dogs.*
• No more than two dogs per cottage.
• Do not let your dog into any other cottage OR that cottage will also incur the dog fee.  (especially important for those coming with family or friends in other cottages).
• Dogs must be kept under the direct control of their owners at all times.
• Dogs must not under any circumstances be left unattended in a cottage. They should be trained to stay off of all furniture.
• Please keep your cottage door closed at all times if your dog is loose inside your cottage.  This is especially important for “protective” dogs  that may get alarmed when they see staff delivering eggs.
• No other types of animals or pets are allowed.

*If you have a trained service dog, please let us know at the time of reservation and we will waive the fee.  In situations where a service dog’s function is not readily observable, the owner should be prepared to disclose that the dog is a service dog required because of a disability and what work or task the dog has been trained to perform.  Emotional service dogs (ESA) are not considered trained service dogs and will still require a pet cleaning fee.

Reservations and cancellations

All reservations are subject to our cancellation policy. If a reservation is canceled after the minimum notice period shown below, the guest will charged for any nights we are not able to rebook.

• At least two weeks’ notice (14 days) to cancel winter/spring and non-holiday reservations
• At least one month’s notice (30 days) to cancel summer/fall and minor holiday reservations (see below)
• At least two months’ notice (60 days) for major holiday reservations (see below)

Winter/spring is December through May. Summer/fall is June through November.

To avoid errors and for your protection, any notice for modifications or cancellations must be delivered to Mar Vista via email during regular business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time); if received outside of business hours, the notice will be considered received the next business day. We highly recommend replying to your confirmation email to confirm receipt; our systems are the only official record of receipt, and we cannot be responsible for server/filter errors.

We are sensitive to the reasons that may cause a late cancellation; however, we cannot make exceptions to this policy. We are a very small and remote establishment, and our cottages are reserved well in advance.

Please note that required notice for reservations of multiple cottages is on a per-case basis, depending upon the number of cottages reserved and the time of year reserved. We reserve the right to change your cottage assignment to an equal or better class up until the time of arrival, based on availability.

Holidays and minimum stays

Exact holiday dates are not listed here, as some dates, days off work, and school calendars change from year to year. Reservation confirmations will contain specific policies.

Major holiday weekends

• 3-night minimum stay | 60 days’ notice for cancellation
• Presidents’ Day weekend
• Memorial Day weekend
• Independence Day weekend
• Labor Day weekend

Major holiday periods: Generally include longer vacations and school breaks. Depending upon the holiday, policies apply to the week or weekend before and after the holiday. We reserve the right to adjust dates.

• 3-night minimum stay | 60 days’ notice for cancellation
• Easter week
• Thanksgiving week (arrival must precede holiday)
• Christmas week (arrival must precede holiday)
• New Year’s week

Minor holidays

• 2-night minimum stay | 30 days’ notice for cancellation
• Valentine’s Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• Indigenous Peoples Day
• Veterans Day

Special Event Cancellations

Mar Vista Special Events are subject to a minimum of 45 days notice for cancellation and will be determined based on each individual event.

Glasshouse Event Space

Our Glasshouse event space can be rented by registered guests staying on property only.  Rental fees apply. Contact us via email or phone for inquires.

Groups/events

We would love to host your event at Mar Vista, and invite you to speak with our proprietors to further discuss packages, pricing, and services offered. Guests or groups planning events and weddings must contact us directly before booking any rooms. Guests are not allowed to use our property for a group event, retreat, wedding, or other event without prior permission and planning. Depending on your group size and needs, you may be required to buy out the entire property. We do this to protect the expectations of the group, as well as the enjoyment of other guests who would otherwise be on the property at that time. We are a small property, not a large hotel, and want your event to be special!

Reservations for multiple cottages

Reserving a block of three or more cottages, made individually or as a group, requires permission of the proprietors. We love groups and are happy to arrange special gatherings. Please call to discuss your needs. Additional fees, special terms and conditions may apply. We reserve the right to change terms and conditions and cancel reservations if prior permission is not granted in writing. Please contact the proprietors for group reservation policies and costs.

Cancellation/modification notice

To avoid errors and for your protection, any notice for modifications or cancellations must be delivered to Mar Vista via email during regular business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time); if received outside of business hours, the notice will be considered received the next business day. We highly recommend replying to your confirmation email to confirm receipt; our systems are the only official record of receipt, and we cannot be responsible for server/filter errors.

Other terms and conditions

• Parking: We have a small country road with unpaved driveways and grassy parking spaces. We are not responsible for any damages. Only one vehicle per cottage is allowed. Additional vehicles should be parked in front of the Office/Red House unless parking elsewhere is authorized by the proprietors. No oversized vehicles, large trucks, RVs or campers are allowed. No trailers of any kind are allowed. Use of our electric vehicle charging stations is at the guests’ own risk and on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Visitors of Registered Guests : No visitors are allowed on property without prior permission from us in advance of your stay. We are delighted that you want to share your experience with your friends but we discourage non registered guests on property due to safety and liability issues. Under no circumstances are you to share your private access to the beach with anyone NOT registered with Mar Vista.
• Lost keys/damage: Any keys missing after your stay may result in a $50 fee. Any damage to furnishings, grounds or other areas will be billed to the card on file for the actual cost to replace, repair or remedy.
• Smoking: As a courtesy to staff and guests, smoking is not allowed anywhere on property. If you smoke, vape, or burn any substance in a room, a minimum damage charge of $500, and any consequential lost revenue, will be charged to the credit card on file.
• Gift certificates: Gift certificates are available on our website. All certificates are based on dollar amounts, rather than “good for one night,” etc. Certificates of any kind cannot be combined.

Policy enforcement

At the proprietors’ discretion, violation of any of these policies can be grounds for immediate eviction, forfeiture of lodging fees, and liability for damages, depending on the severity of the infraction.

Caution and release of liability

The ponds, beach stairs, beach, redwood trail and other natural elements—including but not limited to a misstep in a gopher hole or encounters with domestic and wild animals on Mar Vista Farm + Cottages premises—can create certain inherent risks to human and animal life and property, up to and including death. Guests and his or her entire party, including pets, must use ordinary care when walking near or around the ponds and other natural elements on the premises. Guests agree to assume the risks, and to release and hold Mar Vista Cottages harmless from any and all claims and injuries to guests and guests’ real and personal property arising from or near aforementioned areas or other natural elements at the property, including those claims caused or alleged to be caused by a negligent act or omission by Mar Vista Cottages. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Mar Vista Cottages remains liable for any injury caused by its unreasonable act or omission arising from any non-delegable duty as provided under California law.