Please read this page thoroughly before booking.  Print page  for your convenience.

Please read these rules carefully before booking. Every rental agreement is subject to these rules, as well as rules posted in individual homes; violations can result in additional charges or termination of the booking. We know most of you would regard these rules as a matter of common sense and courteous behavior, but we've learned from hard experience that we need to be very clear about our expectations!

Before booking, please make certain of your plans. We do not hold houses and once you book we are turning down other requests.

1. How to Book: Call us or Book Online. Your reservation is confirmed when we send your booking documents, which must be signed and returned to us within 24 hours. We make every effort to keep the information on our website accurate, but we need to verify availability and price before we can confirm any booking. Please respect the summer turn day designation for July and August bookings and the maximum occupancy for each house, which includes adults and all children over the age of two.

Please make sure you have selected a house that will work for you. We try to be complete in our descriptions, but we would rather have you call us than risk your disappointment with a house that does not meet your needs. We cannot allow you to change houses once you arrive unless there is some reason the house cannot be occupied, like an inoperative stove. If privacy/seclusion is extremely important to you, please ask us if the house you selected is appropriate; few river-front homes offer seclusion, although most have good privacy screening from neighbors.

2. Check-in and Check-out:

Check-in: Check-in time is 3 p.m. or after at our office. For directions to our office, click here.

Keyless Entry: If your house has keyless entry, you will have a six digit entry code on your booking confirmation. The digital code will not work until 3 p.m. You can pick up your check-in packet any time after 1 p.m., with the understanding that you will not be able to enter the house until the code starts working at 3 p.m. We recommend that you change the code to one you and your party can easily remember to reduce the risk of getting locked out. The door will automatically lock every time it is closed. When you enter the code the first time, just press # and then enter your own six digits. If you arrive after hours, you will have a code to retrieve your check-in packet from the security box on our office porch.

Keyed Entry: If your house does not have keyless entry, you can pick up your check-in packet at 3:00 p.m. or later. If you arrive after hours, you will have the code to retrieve your check-in packet from the security box on our office porch. Sorry, but we do not give out check-in packets with keys prior to 3 p.m.

Check-out: Check-out is 11 a.m. Our cleaners generally arrive at the houses promptly at 11.

Keyless Entry: Your code will cease working at 11 a.m. If you want to extend your stay by another night or more, we will issue you a new code. Unless you have a security alarm fob or secondary keys to return to the office, you do not need to come to the office to check-out. We do ask you to fax, email, or mail your feedback form.

Keyed Entry: You must return your keys to the office by 11 a.m. If the office is not open, there is a key drop in the office door.

Late Check-out: From October 1 - April 30, where possible we offer a late check-out of 1 p.m. for a fee equal to 20% of one night's rent. Usually you will need to call the office the day before to make this arrangement since a last minute booking for your check-out day will preclude a late check-out. In this case, we will generally not issue a new code; we ask you to take care not to lock yourself out during this two hour period.

Half-Day Add-On: From October 1 - April 30, we may be able to offer a 7 p.m. checkout for some bookings, for one-half the nightly rent. This half-day booking can be arranged in advance, must be confirmed in writing, and cannot be cancelled once it is confirmed since it precludes a same day booking.

3. Payments and Cancellations:

1. Booking online or by calling the office requires a valid credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover) which we will run within 24 hours for the full amount of the booking. If you prefer to pay by check, you must let us know at the time you book. Once we run your credit card, payment by check is no longer an option.
   
   
2. Payment by check is preferred for bookings at least 30 days distant. If paying by check, the first payment (60% of the total rent), with the signed agreement, is due within five days. The second payment (40% of the rent, plus tax, cleaning, and any extras) is due 30 days before check-in. If we do not receive your check within five days, we will run the credit card you used to secure the booking.
   
   
3. Please contact us if some flexibility is necessary.
   
   
4. Payments for bookings are refundable only to the extent we are able to secure a replacement booking. Although we generally do re-book given a reasonable amount of time, there is no guarantee that we will. All refunds are subject to reimbursement of bank card charges we incur (3%) plus a $50 cancellation fee. Occasionally we may be able to accommodate a change from one house to another for the same dates; in this instance, the $50 cancellation fee applies. Bookings generally cannot be moved to other dates unless the dates are nearer in time. Full refunds are available if flood warnings relevant to the rental are posted within three days before arrival. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance.
   
   
5. For bookings more than a year away, you may opt to pay an initial deposit by check now, with a delayed date for payment of the balance by check or credit card. For bookings under $1000, the initial deposit is $200; for bookings over $1000 and less than $3000, the deposit is $500; and for bookings over $3000, the deposit is $1000. If you want trip cancellation insurance, the premium must be added to the initial deposit.

4. Damage Waiver Fee: The non-refundable Damage Waiver Fee covers up to $1000 of unintentional damage to the rental property and its furnishings. This fee is $40. The fee will be included in your rental agreement unless you opt out. If you opt out, you will need to sign an agreement allowing your credit card to be charged for any damage. Please let us know at the time you book whether you want to opt out of this fee.

The Damage Waiver Fee does not include intentional damage, hauling of excess trash, excess cleaning charges including washing of dirty dishes or violation of dog rules, loss of a boat due to negligence, or draining of an excessively dirty hot tub. The damage waiver fee is not available for Casa Panama, Highland Manor, Lark Manor, Powder River Ranch, River Queen, and Sanctuaire bookings. There is a $1,000 security deposit against damage required for Lark Manor and River Queen bookings.

If you cause any damage, please let us know before you leave.

5. Telephones: You must have an 800# calling card unless the Property Fact Sheet indicates unlimited toll/national long distance. All non-local calls and calls to our emergency cell phone number require an 800# calling card. Most cell phones do not work in the Russian River area; Cingular works in some areas of Guerneville, Forestville and Monte Rio. There is no cell phone service in Cazadero or Duncans Mills.

6. Household Furnishings and Supplies: Every home will have the following items.

• Stove, refrigerator, blender, microwave, coffee-maker, toaster, complete cookware, dishes, glassware, and flatware
• An initial supply of toilet paper (one roll and a spare per bathroom)
• One roll of paper towels
• Trash bags
• Dishwashing detergent
• Dishwasher detergent
• Laundry detergent
• Dish towel (sponges not included)
• Dishwasher detergent
• Gas or charcoal barbecue (charcoal and lighter fluid not included)
• Television with satellite or cable reception
• DVD player
• Telephone
• CD player
• Bed linens
• Bath towels (one set per person; if you do find more towels or spa robes at the house and you use them, you must launder them and put them away before departure) Please bring beach/spa towels.

Some owners provide other cleaning and kitchen supplies and condiments, but, if these are present, they are compliments of the owner. There is a 24-hour Safeway store in Guerneville where additional supplies and groceries can be purchased. If your house has a charcoal barbecue, you will need to bring briquettes and starters. Some houses provide firewood, but you will need to provide your own kindling or starters.

If you want kitchen sponges, beach/spa towels, a hair dryer, and bath soap, please bring them. Bath towels may not leave the house so if you want to take towels to the beach or out to the hot tub, you need to bring your own. Bathrooms have liquid soap containers, but do not have bars of soap.

7. Adjustments: Please check your home carefully when you arrive. If you should discover any problem with the house, please report it to us immediately. We do not generally issue refunds for any condition beyond our control, such as power outages, water or plumbing system breakdowns, TV cable black outs, appliance malfunctions, and the like, and in no event will we issue a refund for a problem we had no opportunity to resolve. We maintain our homes in the best-possible operating condition and if a problem should occur we will make every effort to rectify the situation and, if necessary, move you to a comparable home. If you decide to leave earlier than your departure date, there is no refund unless we can re-rent the nights.

8. Cancellation Insurance: To protect against unexpected events that might cancel or interrupt your travel plans, we offer C.S.A. Guest Cancellation Insurance (view with Adobe Reader^TM - free download). We automatically include the insurance premium in your booking confirmation. The cost of the insurance is 6.5 percent of the booking (on non-refundable costs only, generally rent and tax). We strongly recommend you purchase this insurance, especially since it covers far more than the cancellation of your trip. CSA offers many benefits, including Identity Theft assistance, a 24-hour medical advice hotline, arrangements for the transportation of mortal remains (yes, people do die on vacation), and numerous other benefits oulined in the link above. Imagine one of these scenarious:

• Your 3-year old daughter develops severe ear pain and a myserious rash while on your vacation. Will you know how to get immediate medical advice?
• You spent over a year planning your vacation. Two days into the trip you're forced to leave because your father has a stroke. Who's going to pay for the unplanned expenses to get you back home? Will you get your money back for the unused travel arrangements for which you've already paid?
• Your luggage never showed up at baggage claim and you just discovered you may not get it for another 24-48 hours. Now you must buy necessary personal items and clothing you'll need until it's returned to you. Can you get reimbursed for this?
• You're driving on a scenic road in the mountains en route to your vacation home when your car breaks down. How will you get it towed?
• You're hiking and suffer a serious injury. How will you get to the nearest hospital to get the medical attention you require? Who will pay for the high costs involved in the evacuation if you're outside of your health plan's coverage area or have a high co-pay? If you have children with you on vacation and no other adult, how will they get cared for and transported? (CSA will send a bonded escort or transport a relative to the children).

If you do not want the insurance, you may simply initial the declination and subtract the premium.

9. Boats and Docks: Use of boats and docks is seasonal; the river is too swift for boating in the winter and many docks and beaches are under water until late spring. Some boats are available only from June 15 - late September when the summer dams are in. In order to use any boats, you must sign a waiver of liability with regard to the boats, which will be included with your contract. All houses with boats have some life vests. If you want more vests or different sizes, inexpensive life vests are available at King's Sport & Tackle in downtown Guerneville.

10. Emergencies: You will be provided with an emergency cell phone number to be used only outside office hours.

• If the emergency is related to electricity issues, please see item 22 below.
• If the emergency is a blocked toilet, see item 21 below.
• If you request an emergency service call that turns out to be unnecessary, there will be a $35 charge.
• If you lock yourself out of your house and require a service call, there is a $35 service call charge during office hours and a $75 service call charge between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.

For any of these charges, we will charge your credit card if we have one on file. If we do not, we will invoice you unless you pay cash at the time.

11. Trash: When you leave your rental, please remove all food (except condiments), place all trash in the trash cans, and make sure the trash cans are placed in the appropriate place for pick-up.

• The trash pick-up day is noted on the Property Fact Sheet in your booking documents.
• If trash pick-up occurs during your booking, you must put the trash cans out the evening before the pickup day.
• Make sure the cans are pointed in the right direction; if the cans are backwards they will not be picked up and you will be charged for excess trash.
• If you fail to recycle, you will likely exceed the trash capacity of the cans. If you exceed the capacity of the trashcans, you will need to take excess trash with you. If you cannot do so, please advise us before you leave so we can arrange for hauling. The charge is $45 or more, depending on quantity, and this will be billed to your credit card or will be invoiced for payment by check.
• Never leave trash outside the cans; animals will scatter it.
• If your Property Fact Sheet specifies that the owner hauls trash, then place the trash in the cans and leave the cans where they are.

12. Gas Grills: As an accommodation, we try to keep propane canisters full for gas grills, but if you do run out during office hours, you can bring the empty canister to our office and we'll exchange it for a full one. You can also exchange them for $19.95 at any Blue Rhino dealer and we will reimburse you. And you can refill the canister at Aaction Rents, 15950 River Road in Guerneville, and at Casini Ranch, 22855 Moscow Road, in Duncans Mills.

13. Boats and Docks: Use of boats and docks is seasonal; the river is too swift for boating in the winter and many docks and beaches are under water until late spring. Some boats are available only from mid-June until late September when the summer dams are in. In order to use any boats, you must sign a waiver of liability with regard to the boats, which will be included with your contract. All houses with boats have some life vests. If you want more vests or different sizes, inexpensive life vests are available at King's Sport & Tackle in downtown Guerneville. You can also rent kayaks there.

14. Dogs: We are very dog-friendly, but we can remain so only if dog owners strictly adhere to our rules. Violation of any of these rules will mean additional charges and in all likelihood you will be barred from future bookings. You must have written approval for your dog and abide by these rules:

1. No dogs on furniture unless on a blanket you provide.
2. Dogs must be crated if left alone in the house.
3. You must clean up after your dog.
4. Please keep your dog on leash outside the house grounds except at beaches where non-aggressive dogs can run leash-free.
5. Do not allow dogs to bark and annoy neighbors. Dogs left alone in strange houses or in strange yards will almost always bark or engage in destructive behavior.
6. Please groom your dog if your dog is a shedding type and make sure there is no dog hair on the furniture when you depart.
7. Sorry - no cats: too many people are allergic to them.

15. Condition of Home on Arrival and Departure:

• Your home will be clean upon your arrival, although occasionally there may be some overlap. We run a tight cleaning schedule and if a party delays leaving a house, this may cause the cleaning crew to finish cleaning your house a bit behind schedule. Although we rarely have this situation, we ask for your patience if it does occur.
• Please leave the home in good condition. Our agreement with housekeeping is that they do not have to wash your dishes! Please make sure all dishes are washed and put away before you leave. There's a minimum $15 charge if you leave dirty dishes (and the housekeeper will be mad at us!). We ask you not to move the furniture during your stay; if you do, please replace it. Otherwise, we have to send staff to move it back and we will have to charge you for the service call.
• The one-time cleaning fee covers cleaning and use of linens and is never waived or refunded. For bookings of more than 2 weeks, the cleaning fee is doubled.

16. Noise: Our houses are located in very quiet areas and we ask that you respect the tranquility of our area. If you play loud music, especially at night, neighbors are likely to call the sheriff.

17. Additional Guests: No guests are permitted at our homes, other than the number specified in your rental agreement, without prior approval. In general, you can have two additional day guests with prior approval, without charge. Occasionally, we will permit a few more day guests for a fee, but only with prior approval. Occupancy for each house is strict and absolutely no parties with excess guests are permitted. If excess overnight guests, or more than two day guests, are discovered, we will terminate the booking without refund. If we make the discovery after the booking is over, we will assess a $1000 fee.

18. Smoking: There is absolutely no smoking permitted in any home. If you or your guests violate this rule, you will be banned from future rentals!

19. Hot Tubs: You and your guests use hot tubs at your own risk. Each hot tub is maintained weekly, sanitized, and set at 102-104 degrees. Sometimes power outages lead to malfunctions in hot tubs. You should check the hot tub upon arrival and notify us of any problem. If a hot tub cannot be made useable, we will move you to a comparable house if possible or, if not possible, will refund $25 per night for the malfunction. The hot tub should remain sanitary for a week. NEVER TURN OFF THE HOT TUB!

You may request a mid-stay service call, generally at a cost of $25 to be paid to the technician, if the water smells, becomes excessively cloudy or foamy, or has excessive grit or sand. Any use of the hot tub is at renter's own risk. Anyone who is pregnant, has a heart condition, or is intoxicated should never use a hot tub. Children under the age of six are not permitted in hot tubs.

20. Loss or Damage: In renting a home, you are agreeing to indemnify and hold harmless the owner of the vacation home, Russian River Getaways, and its employees and agents, for any injury or loss to any member of your party unless the injury or loss was due to gross negligence of the owner or Getaways. You must promptly report to us any unsafe or hazardous condition at the home.

21. Blocked Toilets: We test all toilets prior to arrival to ensure they are in working order. Sewer/septic systems are fragile at the River; feminine hygiene items and large amounts of tissue will tend to block the toilets. In the event your party creates an overflowing toilet that you cannot unblock with a plunger in the house, you will need to call a plumber at your expense. Plumbers like Rooter Express (888-UNPLUGU) and Roto-Rooter, with 24 hour emergency service, can often respond faster than local plumbers, but the local plumbers, like River Plumbing 869-0660, cost less. If you leave a house with a blocked toilet, we will charge your credit card or invoice you for the cost of unplugging it. (back to emergencies)

22. Electrical Issues: We are in a heavily forested area here and electricity is not as reliable as in the cities. We get occasional power outages. Your home will have an emergency information sheet which will give you the PG&E number to call to report or learn the status of an outage. The number is 800-743-5000 for customer service and 800-743-5002 to get information on the status of outages.

Sometimes circuit breakers will trip. If you note a partial outage, please go to the breaker panel and check the breakers. If one or more is slightly out of alignment, you need to click the breaker firmly to the off position, then click it firmly back on. It should click into place. If this does not restore power, then call us. (back to emergencies)

23. Left Items: Please check the closets, drawers, and under the bed for your personal belongings; check for any battery chargers in outlets. If we have to retrieve items to send back, there will be a $20 service charge, plus the cost of the postage. Items will be held for one week after our first attempt to contact you. If we receive no response within the week, items will be donated.

24. Commercial Use: Commercial use of our homes is strictly forbidden without a contract for the specific use.

25. Rental of More than One Home: If you rent houses in close proximity to one another, the following rules apply:

1. No items will be moved from one house to another.
2. Guests moving between the houses will respect the quiet of the neighborhood and refrain from loud noise and boisterous behavior on the street, particularly at night. Neighbors treasure their peace and quiet, they value access to their driveways, and they are quick to complain if our guests create problems on either account.
3. Guests from two or more houses will not spend the bulk of their rental time at a house other than the house in which they are sleeping. Having people from one house spend most of their time at another house unfairly burdens that house, creates a risk of sewer or septic backup, and creates a risk of neighbor complaints.