The Foothills Oasis is just as Michal describes it in the listing — a lovely urban oasis in Altadena, which is just up the road from sophisticated and bustling Old Town Pasadena, but still retains a lot of semi-rural small-town charm. In the midst of quite a busy urban neighborhood, Michal has crafted a remarkably tranquil retreat, with beautiful furnishings, and rich plantings in a very peaceful garden.

Pasadena Arts Council rented the Oasis for a visiting guest musician who needed a peaceful place to relax, rehearse and prepare for his solo viola performances. The Oasis worked perfectly for him. Michal is a musician himself, and he was very kind and friendly and personally very helpful to the artist — went out of his way to make him feel instantly at home, with just the right mix of attention and privacy — even loaned him a music stand!

The Foothills Oasis and Michal as host are both wonderful. Highly recommended.