Family-friendly vacation rentals in Lake Merritt

The home is very lovely. It felt safe in the neighborhood. I failed to read information about a resident cat however, and I'm allergic to cats. The cat was not there at the time and thanks to the cleaning that preceded our stay, I did not have an allergic reaction. Thank you, Lisa

Had a lovely stay at Annette and Fred’s place - the location was great, the house was fully stocked and the hosts were extremely responsive when we had questions. Having a hot tub and gas fireplaces were an added bonus for spending the evenings admiring the views.

We loved this home. The area was great and near everything and the street was nice and quiet for the area. The home was immaculate, the care to maintain this home is obvious! Next time we are in San Francisco, this will be our first choice for lodging.

Quiet, peaceful, beautiful garden, responsive host, ample street parking. Definitely worth the price. Plus there's a hot tub you can use after the end of a long day or before the start of one like how we used. MINUTES away from bars, restaurants, and shopping in Oakland. Great location. Thank you so much for the comfortable stay!

I'm tempted to only say horrible lies about this place, because I want to keep this gem all to myself. But I can't think of a single negative thing to say about this place. The location was gorgeous, the interior design was beautiful, and the hot tub in the middle of the redwoods was just the cherry on top.

My daughter and I enjoyed our stay at Laura’s place. The place was super cute and it was along a creek. We loved the eucalyptus trees and the greenery surrounding the cottage. We both enjoyed hot tub after a long day of exploring Berkeley nearby.

Danielle’s home was cozy and sweet. It was very clean and she responded quickly to our questions.

My daughter and I had a fantastic stay! The place was spotless, well-equipped with great amenities, and exactly as described. The garden and backyard truly stand out as it provided such a peaceful and safe atmosphere in a larger city. The host was also very friendly and made everything easy and comfortable. If we ever come back to the Bay Area, we will definitely stay again! ☺️

Ramil's place was located in a beautiful, quiet neighborhood, yet still close enough to San Francisco that traveling back and forth throughout the day was easy to do. This location was also only 15-20 minutes away from the Oakland airport. If we return to the Bay area anytime in the near future, I'll definitely be looking at Ramil's place again!

Nancy's place was beautiful and perfect for a family vacation! She was very communicative, providing recommendations for local eats, and very responsive whenever we needed help with anything. Her home is very comfortable with lots of amenities (tea, coffee, snacks, water bottles) and a fully stocked kitchen. The home is in a peaceful neighborhood and nearby to lots of restaurants. A wonderful stay overall!

I enjoyed my time at Audrey’s place. They are centrally located and the backyard is a beautiful place to work or unwind. Audrey, Jordie, and the pups were very friendly and hospitable. I would highly recommend their place for any guest visiting Oakland.

This house is an absolute gem! It’s so cool, fantastic environment, beautifully decorated with everything you’ll need. It’s smack in the middle of amazing redwood trees, walkable to town and close to so many activities. The hosts are equally great, so friendly and helpful. I wouldn’t have changed a single thing. Our kids are already asking when we can go back!

I stayed here for a month and it was great, I highly recommend! As described and seen in the pictures. Annie was helpful and ensured I had everything I needed. I think this apartment is perfect for 1-2 people with a child or small/medium-sized pet. Clean and cozy with nice, warm lighting. The bed was comfy, kitchen was small but well-equipped, living room was roomy with a medium-sized couch, and bathroom more than sufficient. I loved relaxing on the deck as well! The neighborhood is hilly and beautiful, close to bus/ferry/restaurants/stores. Touristy downtown, but not as much in the immediate vicinity. I walked A LOT with my dog and enjoyed it, but the hills can be steep! Definitely a very safe area. The only “con” is, in my opinion, it’s just a bit expensive for the size. However, I understand it’s in a pretty wealthy neighborhood and am sure Airbnb fees/taxes account for a decent part of the cost. Suffice to say, this is a once-in-a-long-while stay for me. Hopefully that’s fair.

I was in Danville to visit friends. I had time and easy opportunity to walk Iron Horse trail out their back gate to the downtown area and to enjoy the shops, restaurants and ambiance. The area is desirable for so many reasons and John's home and guest house is another pleasant part of that attraction. Thanks.

It was the perfect place for our family to gather over the holidays. Cozy but spacious with that back cottage providing a separate space for separate couple.

Absolutely delightful. I highly recommend this place. The home is lovely and well equipped. Excellent location. I have zero complaints! This place is something special and you will not regret booking.

I had a magic few days at Lori and Mike's. I drive a VW passat and I found the drive up the mountain to be non-challenging and even very fun by the end. The hosts are cool and easy to get along with. A+ doggo. Hot tub was great. Pool was fun. I usually stay in SF when I'm in the Bay Area. This was much more lovely and relaxing, with SF close enough that going in for dinner or a show felt like it wasn't a big deal. 100% would recommend this place. I brought my cat and had my lady friend with me for a night. Everyone loved it.

If you’re looking for a few nights tucked away in the hills of Northern California, this is a great spot. It feels like a true retreat, but you’re still just a short drive from Sausalito, Mill Valley, Stinson Beach, downtown San Francisco, and more. The space is wonderfully designed—it has a real vibe—and our hosts were kind and helpful throughout.

Nancy was the nicest and most accommodating host we’ve had at a rental so far. We arrived late one evening when I realized I misplaced the dinner I’d packed to eat when we arrived and when I asked Nancy (who was greeting us when we first arrived) about pizza delivery options, she offered us a nice frozen cornbread pizza to cook in the rental. My hungry young son was so relieved. The backyard overlooks an incredibly green and peaceful hillside and we had such a relaxing time. Also downtown Fairfax is so close by and so adorable. Would love to come back!

This was our 3rd stay here and as always it was amazing! Jenny is the most thoughtful host and we can’t wait to be back again soon!

Had an amazing stay at Gina’s house for a girls retreat weekend. The house is amazing with really good vibes! Kitchen was fantastic for cooking group meals and overall could not have asked for a better place!

Everything was perfect the house was amazing with its pool and hot tub… Everything mentioned was there but unfortunately the Air-conditioning wasn’t available for the first floor and the fans in the rooms where not enough for cooling. Lastly, Rahel the host was very welcoming and we had an easy check-in. Great communication she was very responsive to our notes…

I rented Polina’s place for my daughter and toddler grandson during their visit to the area because my husband and I did not have room for them to stay with us. It was an excellent choice - a lovely well maintained unit on the grounds of Polina and her family’s home in the hills above Walnut Creek. Very peaceful area, yet close to downtown and transportation options. Polina was so kind and helpful, the unit has everything one would need for a short stay in the area. Highly recommended and a good value for the area.

If I could give a rating of 6 stars, I would. This is my go-place when I have to be in the Bay Area.....if it is available. Peaceful is amazing to work with. It has a great location, gated parking, very comfortable bed and more