Jug Handle Creek Farm and Nature Center - Caspar, California

Tracy M.

I planned my family's Christmas getaway in the Bunkhouse and it accommodated us perfectly!

Check in: you receive an email with check in instructions, it is very clear. There are key boxes on each door which issues a key.

Rooms: there are 4 bedrooms with exterior doors that surround/connect to a classroom, 2 of which have doors that also lead into the classroom. The other 2 rooms have only outside access and have to walk outside to get to the classroom (which is a great living room for the kids to play).

The rooms are spacious, clean and have great bedding and pillows. 2 of the rooms have a queen bed with 2 bunk beds (sleeps 6) and they other 2 rooms have a queen bed, a set of bunk beds and a sofa or day bed which can sleep 2 more. Each of the beds have a clean folded towel, trash can and liner, ceiling fan, lamps, dressor and shelving. Plenty of power outlets. We went over December and the heating was excellent. We were able to set the thermostats and sleep wonderfully.

Each room has a name, the lock box code is the same code that gets you into your bathroom. The bunkhouse can be rented by 4 strangers, so each bathroom has a dedicated bedroom and has a shower, sink, mirror and commodes. In order to conserve water, the showers are timed for 15 minutes and I think they gave about $1.50 in quarters to start the water in each bathroom. The larger rooms could have had more quarters, but I'm not sure. We did not run out of quarters, but we only had 2 people in a couple of the rooms. Honestly, 15 minutes was more than enough time for me (with long hair). I even had a few minutes at the end to hand out. I wish i had started a timer though. Only one of the bathrooms had a space heater, so I gave that to my parents. I think we all ended up using that bathroom because of it.
Although the bathhouse is disconnected from the lodging, we weren't inconvenienced by it..... well... maybe in the middle of the night it was chilly to use the bathroom. Also, I felt bad making noise when getting up.

The kitchen is connected to the bath house building, but on the far side. It has lots of pots and pans, plates, flatware, glassware etc. There's an oven, stove, microwave, 2 coffee makers and a very large fridge.

There are no tv's but we didn't miss them. There was no cell service but the internet works well in the bunkhouse.

Parking was ample and hiking trails right out the back porch was a dream. There's a large field in the back where the kids can play and large fire ring with seating. Picnic tables etc.

There are dumpsters and plenty of trash bags.

Marie and Helen were excellent leading up to the trip. Their service was excellent, I emailed a few times and they got right back to me. Helen helped with materials and information on the local flora and fauna.

Each night we walked out to the headlands and watched sunset, each morning we walked to the beach. We went to Russian gulch for a family group hike which was nice.

I couldn't have asked for a better vacation. You wont find anything like it, where a large group can get together, still have their own space and the kids can run wild.

M

Loved this location, we originally had 15 people but ended up being a group of 10. We were able to share two rooms and all have access to the main space. The farm was spacious and the beach trail was really convenient. We ended up going down the 'rough' trail versus the staircase that is farther to the left once the beach/river is to your right. Marie was really responsive and super helpful whenever I had a question. I would not hesitate to rent this location again in the future. It can't be beat!

PS: the stargazing is awesome here.

Alex C.

I've stayed at the campground with a group several times and love this property. The property itself is beautiful, and the trails to the beach and ecological staircase are awesome. We volunteered at the native plant nursery and had a great time. Marie was very friendly and helpful with our reservation, and Helene was very knowledgeable and dedicated about native plant restoration. Excellent choice for a little trip away from the city!

Tina T.

We had a wonderful time here. Perfect for our family! The pictures really can't quite do it justice. Such a beautiful place. Glad we stayed there.

Hayley B.

Stayed here for a weekend and it waws lovely! Marie was extremely accommodating and let us move to another open cabin when our stove wasn't working properly. Everything was clean and quiet and the access to the hiking trails and beach were amazing! Definitely recommend for anyone looking for a quiet weekend away.

Megan D.

We stopped here on our way up the California 1 and stayed in the Eucalyptus cabin. It was a fun and unique experience! Our cabin had a twin bed "downstairs" and a double bed up in a loft. Clean sheets were provided at check-in, and we made our own bed. We also heated the cabin by building a fire in the wood stove. There was no television in our cabin, so my boyfriend and I spent the night talking, reading, and looking at the stars. It was a nice break from the "real world." The coast is just on the other side of the highway, and you can hear the waves crashing on the shore.||Our cabin didn't have a bathroom, but we were able to use the bathrooms in the farmhouse next door. We didn't get a chance to check out the upstairs room, but the downstairs was very cosy and welcoming. There was a kitchen for guest use, an education room full of books and materials about the area, a piano, a dining table, a fireplace, a cabinet of games, and some comfy-looking couches. It was like visiting your favorite great-aunt's lakehouse.||The grounds are cool too. The owners Galen and Sherri (who are super nice) have an herb garden, native plant nursery, and apple trees close to the farmhouse. Apples were in season, and we were allowed to pick a few! There is also a campsite and nature trails further back on the property.||It was a quaint, back-to-nature way to stay, and we were bummed out that we could only be there for one night!

Catherine D.

Jug Handle Farm is located perfectly for exploring both Fort Bragg and Mendocino, nearly half way between them both.||||The Farm is really a step up from hostel accommodation and reminds me more of European pension style accommodation. There are camping spaces available, a large room that sleeps 7-8 I believe, and then a selection of rooms that have either double or twin beds. ||||||The farm house itself is beautiful, it's like walking into a little bit of history. You have use of a full kitchen with all the pots, pans and crockery you could possibly need. There's also a large drawing room area, a library and obviously you have your own room. You share the ground floor shower room and toilets. When I was there the house was not busy but if it's full be prepared to wait a few minutes for these facilities!||||The managers ask that you bring a sleeping blanket or blanket with you for warmth as the historical building is not centrally heated. They provide sheets and towels and just ask that guests sweep their rooms when they leave. Hardly a tough chore!||||The managers are so welcoming and go out of their way to ensure you have the information you need to enjoy your stay. The Farm's main function is as a nature education center and so there are full recycling facilities, composting and wonderful grounds. A major plus is the short and easy trail down to the beach.||||There are no televisions, no computers, no internet access. There is a pay phone - cell phone reception was non existent for me. All of which was great for me but may not be to everyone's taste.||||At a rate of $35 for the double room I had to myself, with all the facilities and the magical surroundings this is really the best bargain I have come across on the West Coast. Best of all, the money raised from accommodating travellers goes towards the nature project.||||Just wonderful and I hope to be back sooner rather than later.

Jennifer D.

I had a great experience here and I would like to visit again. I love the location. It is a five minute walk to a breathtaking beach with trails along the bluffs as well as on the beach. There is also a five mile hike through the redwood forest to a pygmy forest. The grounds are beautiful too. Be aware that you have to share a bathroom, make your own bed, clean up after yourself etc. This is not a hotel experience. It is more like a hostel or like a vacation rental where you are expected to clean up after yourself. They have a large farmhouse, small cabins, and tent camping sites. I stayed in the orchard cabin which doesn't have a bathroom. I had to walk to the main house for the bathroom and shower. We could use the farmhouse kitchen, but not the other common areas inside the main house since a group had rented out the rest of the house for the time I was there. There was no cell phone or internet here and for me that was a plus. It felt good to be unplugged for a while. There is a pay phone, but it wasn't working so the only way to make a phone call is to ask to use the office phone. There isn't always someone in the office. If you don't mind sharing a bathroom and other common areas then this is an amazing location to explore and enjoy nature.