Take a trip through time in this 1970s California tree house

Perched in the limbs of a gorgeous, 33-metre-tall (110 feet) eucalyptus tree, this rural home is just five minutes from the nearest town, Petaluma, and is a short drive to many coastal attractions including San Francisco, Napa wine country and the famous redwood forests. Built in the '70s and used as a famous artists cooperative, the lofty cottage is full of folksy influence and focuses on utilizing outdoor space. Multi-tiered decks and a simple tree swing are the perfect accents to this majestic home.

The tree house sleeps two adventurous, semi-agile adults—no kids, no pets—who will get around the house by using three levels of exposed, solid wood staircases that wind to accommodate limbs and branches.

Upon entering the treehouse, guests are welcomed to a cozy, two-tiered space that shows off stained-glass windows and a structure crafted from strong redwoods. The main floor includes a living area with lots of lights, neutral colours, and a couch that easily converts into a twin bed. A ladder leads to the loft above and houses a canopied queen-sized bed.

This photo—taken from the inside, looking towards the front entrance—shows a large limb that the builders accommodated into the design. The limb breaks through the floor and goes straight through the ceiling, and apparently offers a soothing, rocking lullaby at night as it sways gently in the wind. A rustic Dutch door, frames black-and-white photos and a storage trunk pick up the cozy dark wood accents, and there is no shortage of natural light beaming through those windows. A small, portable-style toilet is hidden to the left, behind a door of knobs for hanging outerwear.

If the port-o-potty style accommodations aren't enough, a barn on the property houses a full bathroom, complete with shower (and skylight) that can be used at any time. When this 2-acre property was an artists hangout in the 1970s, The Grateful Dead practiced and performed in the barn, and their manager lived just down the street.

With sweeping views of the Californian countryside, this treehouse has decks on three of four sides that offer panoramic views of nearby vineyards, horse farms and rolling hills. Perched 9 metres (30 feet) in the air, the treehouse deck is the perfect space for taking in a good book (the shelves are stocked) or sipping a glass of local wine as the sun fades.