The Featherbed Railroad Bed and Breakfast in Northern California is a unique collection of luxuriously refurbished Railroad Cabooses - most with in-room Jacuzzi tubs for two and all featuring our luxurious featherbeds. The cabooses are nestled among giant native trees in Northern California in a park-like setting right on the shores of Clearlake. We feature our own boat ramp and dock. There is also a 100-year-old historic Main Station house featuring the Grand Dining Room which you can access during the day.
The Featherbed Railroad was the vision of Kelly and Sherry McClean and Len and Lorraine Bassignani. Kelly found the property, the former Johnson's Resort, and decided he could turn it into something quite unique. After finding the cabooses in various places he had them dismantled and trucked to their present site.
For almost 20 years Len and Lorraine Bassignani ran the Featherbed Railroad creating a place that many people came back to year after year. While Len kept things running smoothly, Lorraine created the breakfasts that guests still rave about. Fortunately, they now live next door and are the best neighbors you could possibly want. Many guests today are still very excited to say hello to Len and Lorraine!
The cabooses had to be gutted of their railroad paraphernalia and completely refinished inside so they create that ambiance that makes this such a popular resort in Clear Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Is The Featherbed Railroad?
The Featherbed Railroad Resort is located on the shores of Clear Lake in Northern California in the City of Nice (pronounced "niece" even though it's really nice here). You can find us on Mapquest - click here. The address is 2870 Lakeshore Blvd, Nice, CA 95464.
Warning: DO NOT use Google Maps to find the Featherbed Railroad, even though the address is correct the location isn't and there are two incorrect listings as well. Also, only Toyota (also Lexus) in-car navigation systems seem to get the location of the Featherbed Railroad correct - all the other use NavTeq software that has the wrong location.
How Big Are The Cabooses?
Each caboose is approximately as about as big as a typical bedroom - somewhere around 400 sq. ft. With all the windows and the very high ceilings - some as high as 20 feet! - they feel very open.
Are The Cabooses Climate Controlled?
Yep - each caboose suite has its own heating and air conditioning system.
How Did The Cabooses Get There?
We wiggled our nose and the caboose fairy brought them one night. Okay, we're kidding. Click Here for a description of how this unique resort came to be.
What's There To Do on Clearlake?
There are so many activies, trails, wineries, antique stores, restaurants and more up here that there are several web sites detailing it all.
Click Here to go to the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce Web Site.
Click Here to go to the Lake County web site (It's really thorough!)
Our own community activities calendar has a glimpse at upcoming local events also. Click here for activities on Clear Lake and its surrounding communities.
Are The Cabooses Family-Friendly?
The cabooses all feature one queen-size bed and all the ingredients for a romantic getaway. One of our guests said that the cabooses are a terrific way to make a family, but not necessarily a great place for one to stay. Still, some people bring their children but with a Jacuzzi tub right in the middle of the caboose, there's not a lot of privacy for people unaccustomed to seeing one another in the altogether.
What Time is Check-In and Check-Out?
Check in is from 3-6P.M. and check-out is at noon. You'll know it's check-out time, we blow the noon whistle around here which the neighbors set their clocks by.
Cancellation Policy
If something comes up, we are happy to accommodate you. Our cancellation policy is that we offer a full refund when you cancel 72 hours or more before your stay with us. Due to the popularity of our resort, cancellations made within 72 hours of check-in will be charged in full.
What's The Featherbed Railroad Mailing Address?
Post Office Box 4016, Nice, CA 95464
Your Innkeepers - Peggy & Tony Barthel
Peggy Barthel got her Master's in Geology on almost the same day as she and Tony bought the Featherbed Railroad. While she had worked for Earth Tech on the project of cleaning up Edwards Air Force Base, today she enjoys meeting wonderful people like yourself. Peggy also is a big fan of the desert and did her Master's Thesis on the source of the groundwater in Zzyzx. At Zzyzx, there is a small groundwater pond about as big as the Jacuzzi at the Featherbed Railroad and there are native Mohavi Tui Chub fish there. Why the water remains at the same level and at almost the same temperature year-round is what Peggy figured out.
Tony Barthel had an event planning business, Sounds Like Fun! Multimedia, for 22 years before moving north to the Featherbed Railroad. He continues to write his popular Curbside Automotive Column and is also really enjoying the experience of running the Featherbed Railroad. Tony's a huge computer nerd so you might talk tech with him, or talk cars.
Meet Jessica
Jessica is Tony and Peggy's 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Van. Jessica isn't bad, she just drives that way. On occasional weekend outings, you might see this unusual and completely restored machine roaming the streets of Lake County getting a fair amount of attention. People love her or don't. You can be sure that Jessica won't be voting for Ralph Nader, although she is Unsafe at Any Speed.
The Four-Legged Staff
There are three-six dogs on the property at any given time. Tony & Peggy's dogs, Zora and Ginger, keep the squirrels at bay. Joe, our restoration guy, also has a dog - Widow. Widow is calm as a cucumber but his 125+ lbs. sometimes surprises people. Then there are T-Bird and Brenda, Jim the groundskeeper's dogs. They usually just follow Jim around. Lastly, Stella moseys over from next door. To obey our own rules and for your comfort, none of these pets is allowed in our suites.
In addition to dogs, there is also a desert tortoise on property - Pippin.