Straus Home Ranch - Marshall, California

Austin B.

When we first stepped onto Straus Home Ranch and met with Michael, it was clear this was a very special place. Michael and Vivien have so much love for their property, and so will you after you spend a weekend on the shores of Tomales Bay. I could talk forever about the wonderful house, the magical barn, and how I teared up after walking down the aisle overlooking the setting sun over the bay. But truly the selling point of this venue is the people, and how helpful Michael was during the whole event. As you go throughout the evening, Michael is the most helpful host, helping with the set up, tear down, and everything in between.
I still remember walking up to the venue at sunset and thinking "this is such a magical place." If you choose to host you wedding here, I'm sure you'll feel that too!

Michael L.

Straus Home Ranch came onto our radar via Airbnb, as I was searching for a fun place for a group stay. While that Airbnb group trip never happened, I tucked the venue away in the back of my mind when thinking of beautiful and interesting places for a wedding venue.

It was immediately obvious after our first visit that Straus Home Ranch was absolutely the perfect place for us to get married, and we would do whatever it took to make that happen, including waiting out the pandemic until things calmed down and putting a date in the sand many months later. Michael and Vivien were so hospitable, gracious, and immediately made us feel so at ease throughout the whole process, and we are so grateful to them for hosting us at their home. They are both such kind people, the type of folks you want to befriend immediately upon meeting them.

We hosted a 100 person wedding in August, and could not have been happier celebrating our special day in such a gorgeous location - from our ceremony up at the top of the hill, to dancing the night away at the barn, we thoroughly relished every moment that we had, including staying a few nights before at the newly built Calf House!

Straus Home Ranch will always hold a special place in our hearts. We look forward to heading up north so that we can enjoy the great outdoors, shuck some oysters, and say hello to our friends for life. Thank you Michael and Vivien for helping make our dream wedding a reality!

Christopher H.

My wife and I recently got married at Straus Home Ranch and it was magic. Michael and Vivien are so helpful, flexible, and supportive. The location is unbelievable and the housing is perfect. We'll be going back as often as we can to relive that special, special weekend.

Stefanie E.

It was my dream to bring people together at the Straus Home Ranch since I had fallen in love with all the lush greenery surrounding the home, its view of Tomales Bay, and the historic charm of the house itself. My collaborator and I chose the Ranch as our destination for the weekend retreat we'd designed for professional women to recharge their creativity. We couldn't have imagined a more ideal location for this kind of personal renewal and communal gathering. It truly felt like an escape into nature, away from the noise and grind of the city. The renovations Michael and Vivien have made to the property are looking lovely and the glimpses of their family history throughout add such a beautiful, human touch. The two of them are wonderful as well and are so personable and easy to coordinate with.

Maddie G.

We got married at Straus in October 2019 and it was the best choice we could have made. The venue itself is incredibly beautiful, with tons of character and charm and plenty of opportunity to make it your own. Michael and Vivian went above and beyond to ensure our day was special and went off without a hitch. If you are thinking of booking Straus for your special day or other event, don't hesitate, just do it!!

A. H.

Our Straus Review

The Straus Siblings: Michael and Vivian are two of the friendliest and warmest souls we have met. As soon as we arrived on Straus for the initial tour, we knew it was the place for us. They made us feel like a part of the family and were extremely helpful and accommodating. On the day of the wedding Michael drove our limited mobility guests up to the Ceremony site and waiting during the portraits after the ceremony to take my mom back down. One of my favorite parts of the wedding was having Michael around and my Uncle had brought down his specialty salmon from Chelan, WA he had caught and smoked for us to share. We made sure Michael was given some as a thank you for all of his generosity.

The Area: if you live in the Bay Area you know how special and beautiful Western Marin is. Straus Ranch encapsulates the natural beauty of the regional plants. The Ceremony site is in the organic pasture with a Cypress and Eucalyptus grove that overlooks Tomales Bay. We highly recommend taking the less efficient root of going through Fairfax, making a stop in Point Reyes Station, and then continuing on the 1 till you hit Straus. There are a ton of outdoor activities in the area: kayaking, hiking, horseback riding. Tomales Bay is known for its oysters – go to Nick’s Cove, Marshall Store (our favorite), or Hog Island Oyster if it isn’t too packed! You’ll tell by how much parking there is on the 1.

The Home Ranch: The house is absolutely stunning. As soon as you walk up to it you see a gorgeous open porch, and green window shutters that tie to the vibrant grass color. Each room upstairs is extremely cozy. You feel transported to a rustic heaven and everything is where it belongs. The décor reflects the historical functionality of the ranch and family history. There is a top deck that was fun to hang out on while the sun is shining.
The Dining room has a stunning wooden farm table that seats 8-10. The kitchen has every amenity you can think of. The morning of the wedding and the morning after we made breakfast in the kitchen and set everything up on the dining room table casually. It was perfect and has a great layout.
The Living Room + TV Room both have ample seating and the Steinway Piano is a bonus. Especially if you have persons who play in your group!
I enjoyed the outdoor table and benches the most in the front lawn. It was a gathering space for the bridal parties in the morning and we were able to eat out side and drink our coffee after eating our food.

The Lawn: We had our wedding set up on the west lawn for dinner with long farm tables and a few rounds with canapes. The ground is flat enough and more functional than we originally thought. That allowed us to have our dance floor next to the wooden floor in the front of the lawn near the house. Since our wedding was in September (summertime in the Bay Area) we wanted our dancing outside! It was the right amount of room and we were able to set up tables and chairs around for our older guests to sit and watch.

Barn and Shed: While we did not use the Shed for any of our wedding, it was used as storage which was great! The Barn was under construction, but it was a joy to go in and see. The next time we go back to Straus we will definitely be utilizing the newly renovated barn!

Accommodations: There are two VBROs across the street that sleep a substantial amount of people (10-12) and give you access to a dock on the Bay. We had our first look photos there. About a 5-minute drive away is Nick’s Cove – these are a little pricey but extremely convenient.

Pricing: you cannot beat the pricing for a venue in the Bay Area. Not only is it affordable compared to other venues, you get so much more than what you pay for. Straus is a very special place with rich history. You can feel it as soon as you arrive.

paul G.

A magical venue with wonderful staff to support it. I had the honor of shooting a wedding here and it's truly a photographer's dream venue. Everything from the majestic barn, grand landscapes and trees, textured interiors, and warm lighting contributes to a fantastic backdrop for capturing memories.

Corina B.

As a Bay Area wedding planner, I consider myself extremely lucky to be a preferred wedding coordinator at Straus Home Ranch. The experience a couple can create with their family and friends is incredibly unique and special here. Nestled next to Tomales Bay, the location is picturesque, filled with sweetness, and unmanufactured. With a history steeped in the Bay Area environmental movement, no other wedding venue parallels its eco-ethos. The connection to family, food, and land is all around you at this special place. And if those are your top values, you will fit right in at Straus Home Ranch!