The guest house was wonderful, nestled in plush, luminous green hills overlooking the valley below and San Jose. It reminded me of a monastic retreat, surrounded by nature and wildlife: wild turkeys, mountain quail, doves, and song birds filling the fresh air with with a symphony of sounds. Anne and Mike were lovely hosts and interesting people who could converse about fine wines and had solar panels on their roofs to supplement electrical power. I often saw them working in their gardens or citrus trees and taking hikes on the winding mountain road where their house and the nearby guest cabin sat. I felt at home and that I was sharing time, brief as it was, with kindred spirits.
The guest house itself was very clean and bright, with modern, energy efficient utilities and appliances. Anne had clear directions for how to use the amenities and appliances posted so that it was easy to find one's way around without asking for help, that of course, was always available. The place had been fairly recently remodeled and had what seemed travertine or porcelain tile floors throughout. It would be a lovely place for a couple to spend special time and to take walks up and down the hilled-roads in a refreshing natural environment. And despite being about a three mile drive up a two-lain mountain road, the guest house was easily accessible and close to amenities and shopping in the San Jose suburbs below. Overall the guest house reminded me of places I have stayed in Italy.
It was a pleasure to meet Anne and Mike and I highly recommend them and their lovely guest house.