Good vacation rental where I can roast a pig outside?

Question

I am trying to plan a birthday party. Found a caterer who can roast a pig for the party (thanks, Robert Lauriston) but now I need a venue. I was thinking of renting a house in Stinson through VRBO, but it appears most if not all of them prohibit large outdoor parties. Does anyone know of a vacation rental at Stinson or Pt Reyes/Inverness area or some other cool destination not too far from the Bay Area, where I could have an outdoor party with a pig roast? (The caterer cooks it in a caja china and cleans up completely afterward.) Thanks!

Answer

How many people? And what's the budget? You might try the Druids Hall in Point Reyes Station. A friend of mine rented it for her wedding and some people stayed there over night. It's a really beautiful spot

Answer

Vasona Park in Los Gatos has covered picnic areas with industrial sized BBQ pits that lower by chain. You could easily get a pig in there. Reservations needed.

Answer

maybe a flotilla of houseboats on a 'lost isle' in the Delta. by Latham Slough just off Zuckerman Road

Answer

China Camp State Park in San Rafael has some gorgeous picnic areas for up to 50 overlooking the Bay -- we rented Buckeye for my Mom's birthday last year. I think the rental is $75 for the whole site, including exclusive use of the parking. Facing the Bay, they're more sheltered from wind and fog than sites facing the ocean. One nice feature is that they actually have flush toilets. ;-)

Answer

A couple more things ...

Russian River might be a good place to look (if it isn't too far for your caterer). It seems to be a bit more party-oriented. Also, we rented a house (not locally) last summer that had a limit on the size of a party, but when we talked to them and told them our plans, they okay'd it. Mostly, I think they want to keep a bunch of rowdy under-25's from renting a place to throw a drunken bash and trashing it.

Answer

Any park with bbq pits on the grounds would work. The Bay Area is full of woodsy areas with picnic benches and many of them are reservable. Have you tried the Park & Rec. sites in addition to the State Parks? Pig Roasts are gaining popularity, and it's not uncommon to see families just takeover playgrounds, again reserving the space when possible, and some getting elaborate with tents and all that.

Wouldn't Air BnB would be expensive but have what you're looking for? You can also try short term cabin rentals.

Topics

Locations

Your post has been published!

Good vacation rental where I can roast a pig outside?

Chowhound Recommends

Guides

A Guide to Essential Baking Tools Everyone Should Own

More from Chowhound

Guides

The Ultimate Spring Produce Guide: What's in Season & How to Use It

Recipe Round-Ups

Quick and Easy Instant Pot Breakfast Recipes for Less Morning Stress

Guides

How to Care for Enameled Cast Iron So It Lasts a Lifetime

Home

The Best Tool to Clean a Wood Cutting Board Is Probably in Your Compost Bin

Trending Discussions

Chowhound Recipes That You are Saving

A Final Goodbye for Chowhound

Favorite Chowhound Memories

NY Times: Chowhound Closes After 25 Years of Food Obsession, Wisdom and Debate

January–April 2022 Baking COTM: DESSERT PERSON by Claire Saffitz

Quick Links

Latest Discussions

Cookbook of the Month

Dish of the Month

Weekly Menu Planning

Get fresh food news delivered to your inbox

12 Irish Foods to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day That Aren’t Corned Beef and Cabbage

Chowhound

Policies

Community

Editorial

Content