We live in the small village of Glen Ellen, a one hour drive north of San Francisco. The valley we are in is the Sonoma Valley, just on the west side of the mountain range bordering the bigger Napa Valley.

Our modest but comfortable home includes two bedrooms (queen, double), a sunny sitting room, two bathrooms - one with a shower and the other with a bathtub, a modern kitchen with eating area, a living room with fireplace (central heating also), dining room and upstairs loft with Basic cable TV and Internet WFi. In the backyard we have recently added a small "garden" room that has a sofa bed in it for extra guests. The house is surrounded by trees, oak and redwood as well as fruit trees, that provide some privacy from the neighbors. I usually plant a vegetable and flower garden and everything is watered on a timer. We have a variety of peaceful sitting areas in the small yard and in the summer, spend many hours outside.

Our house is located at the top of a quiet dead-end street. Across the street is the volunteer fire department which is where my husband runs to when the emergency pager goes off. A short walk takes you to the center of the village with two grocery stores, a bank, the post office, an art gallery, friendly tavern and four excellent restaurants. Continuing a mile up into the mountainside gets you to the Biodynamic Benziger Winery, a local family business with a beautiful view, a tram tour and wine tasting. Just a bit further up at the end of the road is Jack London's ranch, now a state park and museum. Trails abound that take you to various structures and exhibits including the majestic Wolf House ruins.
Back in the center of the village is a county bus that regularly travels into Sonoma in one direction, and in the other, heads into the bigger city of Santa Rosa.

We are Christina and Chuck, retired teacher and telephone technician, respectively. We have completed six house exchanges (seven weeks in East Anglia, England, three weeks in Honolulu, Oahu, three weeks near Vancouver, four weeks in Florida, and six weeks in Australia) and had positive experiences every time. We also have experience a cat/boat sit in Greece and another cat/house sit in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. We have a close circle of friends here in Glen Ellen, and they ave often included our exchangers to take our place in our monthly "Soup Group" social. Our friends as well as relatives living close by are more than happy to offer assistance.

Have two kayaks and two bicycles for guest use. Also possibility of a car as well.