Thank you for considering a Russian River Getaways rental home for your vacation! Whether you’ve already booked or are planning to book, please read this page carefully so that your stay can be as wonderful as possible!.

Choosing the Right House | top
Please take care to book a house that will work for you; call or email if you need help. If privacy/seclusion or no road noise is extremely important to you, talk to us. This is a resort area. Few river-front homes offer seclusion, although most have good visual privacy screening from neighbors, and many homes have some degree of road noise and neighbors because most homes are built along the roads that run along the river and creek which have hills on both sides. If you have dog allergies, look for a home which doesn’t allow dogs; none of our homes allow cats (there are a few homes where the owner brings a cat occasionally, so if you're very allergic, ask about this). Because it is rarely excessively hot here, most homes do not have air conditioning, but if you are heat sensitive, check with a booking agent. Please visit homes in advance to determine wheelchair accessibility; our staff cannot make this call. Some homes are fairly level-in, but none have ramps, and most of the bathrooms and bedrooms are too small for a wheelchair to maneuver easily.

Your Booking Agreement | top
You will receive a Booking Agreement when you book. Please read this document carefully, as it outlines the rules which apply to your booking. Many of our rules are determined by County Ordinance governing vacation rentals. Others exist to keep things running smoothly for all our guests. Signing the Agreement means you also agree to abide by the rules laid out on this web page and the House Instructions for the home you have booked. These are located at the home, in the House Binder, or can be emailed to you upon request. You must be 21 to book.

Cancelling & Changing Homes | top
• We can only offer refunds to the extent we can re-book the house*. Although we generally do re-book given a reasonable amount of time, there is no guarantee that we will.
• Cancellation charges include bank card charges we incur (3%) plus a $50 cancellation fee.
• If we allow a change in homes for the same dates, the cancellation fee applies.
• If flood warnings relevant to the rental are posted within three days before arrival, you can cancel and receive a full refund.
• If a home becomes unavailable after you book, we will move your booking to the most comparable house available. If you opt for a more expensive replacement house, you will need to pay the difference for the upgrade. Only if we can’t move you to a comparable home will we issue a full refund.
• We strongly recommend that you purchase travel protection - more info.

*The weekly rate is seven nights for the price of six. If we re-book part of a seven night booking, you will not receive a refund for that free night. For example, if you rent seven nights, then use four nights and have us re-book three of those nights, you will receive a refund for the two nights you actually paid for.

Minimum Stay Requirements | top
• No one night bookings.
• If you’re booking a week or more Sept-June, your booking can start any day other than Saturday.
• 2 Night Minimum EXCEPT:

-Summer: 7 nights in July and August, subject to Summer Turn Days. For some homes, this will start the last week of June. We have a short bookings list starting in March, so please call to inquire.
-Extended Summer: 3 nights in June and September (Memorial Day Weekend-End of June and Labor Day Weekend-Columbus Day Weekend)
-Other Holiday & Event Weekends: 3 Nights for Christmas and New Year's; 4 Nights for Thanksgiving

Summer Turn Days | top
Our homes have assigned summer turn days in July and August, meaning all check-ins and check-outs will occur on that day. Some homes have a Variable turn day, which means we generally can accommodate whatever turn day you want except Friday. To see homes listed by Turn Day: www.rrgetaways.com/turndays.htm

Maximum Number of People | top
• Each home has a strict maximum occupancy, which includes all people 3 years and older.
• No additional overnight guests allowed.

Day Guests | top
• You may have 2 day guests, with our OK in writing, free of charge.
• You may have 3-6 day guests, with our OK in writing, for a fee.
• County Ordinance prohibits more than 6 day guests in addition to maximum occupancy in a vacation rental.

Events & Parties | top
• County Ordinance prohibits loud parties, events (including weddings), and amplified sound at vacation rentals, even if the number of people does not exceed the number the house can accommodate.
• Guests of events and parties held at other locations are welcome to rent one of our homes; check out our Homes Close Together. The Monte Rio Community Center is a popular local venue.

Rates and Fees | top
Your Booking Documents provide confirmation of the Rental Rate. We will charge your credit card when we receive your signed Booking Agreement, due back within 24 hours to avoid cancellation of the booking. In addition to the Rental Rate, the following fees may apply:

• Required 9% hotel tax plus 2% County Business Improvement Assessment (BIA) for all rentals less than 31 days.

• Required Damage Waiver/Security Protection Fee: All our homes require either a $40 non-refundable Damage Waiver Fee or $75 non-refundable Security Protection Fee, covering accidental* damage to the rental property and its furnishings. In a few cases (generally short bookings at small homes with $40 Damage Waiver; never for the homes with the $75 Security Protection), we can allow you to opt out, but we have to know at the time you book and you’ll need to sign an agreement allowing your credit card to be charged for any damage. Once your credit card has been run, it’s too late to opt out.

*Accidental damage is knocking over a lamp or walking through a screen door. It does not include intentional damage (including intentional acts likely to cause damage even if damage was not intended), hauling of excess trash, excess cleaning charges such as washing of dirty dishes or violation of dog rules, loss of a boat due to negligence, or draining of an excessively dirty hot tub. It also does not cover damage resulting from a violation of the Rental Agreement or House Instructions.

How to Pay | top
• You can pay by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover). You must use a credit card to secure the booking, even if you plan to pay by check.

• You can pay check, if your booking is more than 30 days away; check box during electronic signature process. You must let us know at the time you book; once we’ve run the card, it’s too late. If we do not receive your check within five days, we will run the credit card you used to secure the booking.

• Installment Payments: For bookings more than six months distant, you may opt to pay an initial deposit equal to one-half the total cost, with the balance due 30 days before the arrival date. For bookings more than a year distant, three payments are possible; the deposit is due on booking, the second payment is due halfway between booking and arrival, and the third is due 30 days before arrival. 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 protection insurance, the premium must be added to the initial deposit.

How to Book | top
• Call us or Book Online.
• Your reservation, including availability and price, is confirmed when we email your booking documents, which should be be signed and returned to us within 24 hours.

Confirming Your Reservation | top
Soon after you complete the reservation online or on the phone, you will receive 2 emails from us with your Booking Documents. Please return your signed documents within 24 hours, or we may cancel your reservation. You cannot check in unless we have your signed documents. For last minute bookings, make sure we have them before the office closes the day you check in.

Print & Bring Your Booking Documents | top
Once you've made a reservation either online or with a booking agent, you'll receive two emails from us:

Email #1 includes:
-Booking Confirmation with Check-In and Check-Out Times, Keyless Entry Code & instructions, Lock Box Code for retrieving keys/remotes after hours, and Directions to our office
-Booking Agreement
-Check-Out Checklist

Email #2 includes:
-Property Fact Sheet with Directions* to the House, house access info & alarm code, house & amenity info
-Keyless Entry info
-Concierge Services order form

*For security reasons, we do not provide the address, phone number, or directions to the rental house to anyone other than the booking party; you must supply others in your group with directions. Please use our directions; online directions and GPS do not work well in this area.

Check-In/Early Check-in | top
• Check-in time is 3pm.
• No early check-ins.

Arrival/Keyless Entry | top
• 6-digit entry code is on your Booking Confirmation.
• Code will not work until 3pm check-in day.
• The door will lock automatically every time it is closed.
• Don’t get locked out! Change the code to an easy one to remember. When you enter the code the first time, just press # and then enter your own six digits.
• If your home requires a remote (noted on your Property Fact Sheet), follow directions on Property Fact Sheet.

Arrival/Keyed Entry | top
• You can pick up your keys at the office after 3pm.
• After hours, your keys will be left in the security box (code on your Booking Agreement) on our office porch - only if we have your signed documents.

Problems at your Home | top
• Check house immediately for any obvious problems, including hot tub.
• Report any problem or damage you find or cause at the house immediately, any time during your stay.
• Call the office during business hours.
• After hours, call the emergency phone number (noted on Property Fact Sheet).
• You'll need to fix your own blocked toilets*, check the breakers if the power goes out**, and reset your modem/router to gain Internet access (see below under Internet).
• We will not refund for a problem we could have solved but weren’t told about or for issues beyond our control.

Noise at Our Homes | top
• By County Ordinance, your neighbors should not be able to hear you between 10pm-9am, and no outdoor amplified sound is allowed anytime.
• Neighbors have our phone number and will call to complain to us and/or the Sheriff. We deal with these complaints by calling and/or sending staff to the house. If we receive a second complaint, your booking may be terminated.

Trash | top
• Each home has barrels for trash and recycling. Please recycle!
• For many homes, we ask you to take the trash out to the street for pick up. Follow the instructions on your Property Fact Sheet. If your Property Fact Sheet says that the owner hauls trash, you don’t have to put the cans out.
• When taking trash to curb, please make sure all trash is in the cans with lid firmly closed, and that cans are facing the street.
• Take any trash that doesn’t fit in the cans with you when you leave. Your cleaning fee does not include hauling more trash than fits in the outdoor cans.

Amenities We Provide | top
These are our Standard Amenities. Any amenity not on this list is subject to change without notice. We try to keep our website, Property Fact Sheets and House Binder information up to date, but if that Additional Amenity is very important to you, please check with the office before you book.

o Stove, refrigerator, blender, microwave, coffee-maker, toaster, complete cookware, dishes, glassware, and flatware
o An initial supply of toilet paper (two rolls and a spare per bathroom)
o One roll of paper towels
o Trash bags
o Dishwashing detergent
o Dishwasher detergent (if there is a dishwasher)
o Laundry detergent
o Liquid hand soap in dispenser in bathrooms & kitchen
o Dish towel (sponges not included)
o Washer and dryer (except Luv Shack)
o Gas or charcoal barbecue
o Television with satellite or cable reception (except Starlight Retreat which has TV with DVD & VCR only)
o DVD player
o Telephone
o Stereo and/or Boombox
o One set of bed linens per bed/sleeper. Beds will be made up with fresh linens.
o One set of bath towels per person.

Amenities We Don’t Provide | top
There is a 24-hour Safeway store in Guerneville where additional supplies and groceries can be purchased. You may find some of these items at the house, provided courtesy of the owner. If so, feel free to use them. If the owner provides beach towels, hot tub towels, bath robes please wash and dry before you leave; they are not included in your Cleaning Fee. Likewise with any sheets or towels you use in excess of the one set of bedding per bed and one set of towels per person.

• Briquettes, starters, lighter fluid for Charcoal BBQ
• Firewood and/or kindling or starters
• Kitchen sponges
• Hair dryer
• Beach towels
• Hot tub towels
• Bath robes
• Bars of soap or soap in shower/bathtub

Pets in Our Homes | top
• We can’t allow cats due to widespread allergies.
• You'll need to notify us in writing, in advance, of the number, breed, age and weight of visiting dog(s). • Most of our homes welcome dogs, and we’d like to keep it that way, so please follow our Dog Rules: Keep furniture clean; use a dog blanket. Clean up after your dogs. Dogs must have flea and tick protection. Obey local leash laws*. Don’t let dogs wander onto neighboring properties**. No dogs in pools & hot tubs. Dogs left alone must be crated inside the house. County Ordinance prohibits barking dogs left in vacation rentals, and Animal Control will respond to complaints. Please be sure all guests with dogs know and abide by our Dog Rules.
• See our list of dogsitters: www.russianriverdogs.com.

*6ft leash in all public places, except those designated leash free.
**Many of our homes have some fencing, some are fully fenced. Even if a yard is fully fenced, we cannot guarantee the escape proof qualities of the fencing for any particular dog.

Smoking Policy | top
• No smoking inside our homes.
• Smoking is okay outside, but be very careful with disposal, especially in dry, wooded areas. Smoking is not allowed outdoors at Inn Kohutes.

Air Conditioning & Fans | top
• A few homes have air conditioning; it’s rarely needed here.
• Most homes have ceiling and/or standing fans. We don’t provide additional fans.
• During a heat wave, close the doors, windows, and any blinds during the day and then open up the house, and turn on any ceiling fans, as soon as the cooldown begins. This should bring comfortable temperatures for the night and well into the following day.
• Homes in the redwoods do not suffer from heat waves as the redwood trees themselves moderate the temperature in their environment; this includes most of the homes in Cazadero.
• If you are heat sensitive, ask for help from office choosing a house.

Internet Access | top
• Internet is Cable or DSL, unless noted as satellite. Satellite is less reliable and often slower than cable or DSL.
• Only homes with WIFI listed have wireless. The password is noted on your Property Fact Sheet. No password listed = No password.
• If you have a problem accessing the Internet, try re-setting the modem and/or router before calling us (unplug both for 2 minutes, plug in again and give 5 minutes for starting up).
• If you are still unable to connect once the modem and router have been re-set, and we have confirmed that the Internet connection itself is working, the problem is almost certainly in your laptop settings. We are unable to assist with this problem, although we will try to find a local computer tech whom you could hire to help you.
• We do have free Internet access in Guerneville – try Coffee Bazaar, Nexus, the Public Library.

Telephones | top
• For your convenience, most homes have free unlimited domestic long distance (noted on your Property Fact Sheet). You are responsible for any international calls you make.
• If the home does not have unlimited domestic long distance, you will need an 800# calling card for any non-local calls and calls to our emergency phone.

Cell Service | top
Verizon has the greatest range; AT&T/Cingular works in some areas. As far as we know, no other services work at all here. We cannot guarantee cell service at any location.

Gas Grills | top
• We try to make sure each home has at least one full canister of gas.
• If you 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 (Dada’s or Union 76 station by Safeway) or refill the canister at Pit Stop Gas in Forestville or Casini Ranch in Duncans Mills, and we will reimburse you (bring/mail a receipt to us).

Hot Tubs | top
• Our hot tubs are professionally maintained at least weekly, and will remain sanitary for maximum occupancy with reasonable usage.
• Hot tubs are maintained weekly so regular maintenance may fall on a day when you’re there.
• Guests use the hot tub at their own risk. We cannot guarantee sanitary conditions if the hot tub is overused or misused. It’s important to follow the Hot Tub Rules posted at house and in the Booking Agreement.

River Info & River Beaches | top
• Roughly May 1-October 31, the River is gentle, with very little white water, and warm enough to swim. Water levels vary greatly, depending on rainfall and the summer dams.

• Roughly Nov 1-Apr 30, the River is very swift, deep, and muddy, not safe for swimming or boating. Depending on rainfall, beaches are more or less under water.

• River levels depend upon a complex integration of upstream dams at Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma, summer dams at Healdsburg and Guerneville, and tidal influences, especially Monte Rio and west, along with Country water flow decisions and drought conditions. Many beaches are under water until late spring/early summer. Homes with beach access will generally have a longer season for river access. We cannot guarantee river levels, river access or frontage conditions at any time of year.

• River water is clean and safe to swim in, tested frequently by the County. Beaches tend to be gravel, with some sandy areas. We recommend water shoes to protect feet (can be purchased in Guerneville).

• Private, Shared, and Neighborhood Beaches: Some homes have access to a public neighborhood beach, some to a shared “private” beach, and some to a “private” beach. A private river beach is a beach which cannot be accessed by land from any homes other than those we list, at least not without trespassing. By federal law, river beaches are open to the public up to the "high water mark" if they are accessed by water. So a group of canoeists may pull up to "your" beach and enjoy a picnic. They are completely within their rights to do so. The same applies to Austin Creek, but not to the seasonal creeks.

More info on the river and river-related activities:
www.russianriveroutdoors.com

Docks | top
• Docks are generally in place from mid-June/early July to mid-September, depending on when the summer dams are installed. The summer dams raise the water level to where docks can be used. We don’t have control over or advance notice of this process. Each home has a custom dock system which requires the water level to be within a certain range, so not all docks go in at the same time.
• We cannot guarantee dates for the installation or removal of docks.

Boats | top
• Boating conditions are generally safe May 1-Oct 31.
• At homes with docks, boats may only be available as long as the dock is in, which varies. Other homes may offer boats when it's generally safe for boating.
• Homes with boats should have two adult and two child life vests. Additional vests can be purchased at King's Sport & Tackle in Guerneville. Many homes with boats have seasonal docks (see below).
• All watercraft should be returned to their locations and secured after each usage.
• Boat rentals are available in Guerneville, Monte Rio, and Duncans Mills. More info on boating.

Creeks | top
• Austin Creek is a large year-round creek that runs through Cazadero and feeds into the Russian River. In drought years, the creek may go underground in some places.
• A seasonal creek runs strong in the rainy season, with diminishing flows into early summer. Generally by mid-summer, these creeks will be dry and will remain so until the rains begin again in the fall or winter.
• We cannot guarantee creek water levels at any location.

Check-Out Checklist | top
For your convenience, we’ve included a Check-Out Checklist with your booking documents. Using this form can help you avoid any extra charges.

Check-Out | top
• Check-out is 11am.
• Cleaners generally arrive promptly and will start cleaning.

Departure/Keyless Entry | top
• Your keyless code stops working at 11am.
• If you want to extend your stay, we will issue you a new code.
• Unless you have to return a remote, there’s no need to come to the office.

Departure/Keyed Entry | top
• Please return all keys and remotes to the office upon check-out.
• Before or after hours, drop keys through slot in office door.
• If the stairs are too difficult, ring the bell at foot of the stairs.
• If it’s more convenient to leave keys/remotes at the house, call us to gain permission before check-out.

Please Give Us Feedback | top
We value your opinion! Please do fax, email, or mail your feedback form to us. You may also receive an invitation from FlipKey to post a review. We welcome your candid observations of your stay. These reviews are posted on Trip Advisor.

Late Check-out | top
• We don’t offer late check-out during our high season (June-Sept).
• October 1–April 30, we do offer a 1pm check-out for 20% of one night’s rent and a 7pm check-out for half one night's rent.
• Call the last business day before you leave, during office hours (weekdays 9-5; Sat 10-4; closed Sundays Oct-Apr and most bank holidays), as a last minute booking or maintenance could preclude a late check-out. You must speak to someone in the office who can confirm and run payment; emergency line personnel cannot grant a late check-out.

Left Items | top
We will try to help you get your lost items back, so call the office ASAP if you forgot something at the house. There is a fee for retrieving and shipping lost items.