Lake Michigan retreat w/ private beach access, family friendly, solar & gardens

Take the new stairs down to your own sandy private beach and/or enjoy stunning views of Lake Michigan from the high bluff.

Now booking for summer 2026!
Mid-June through August, seven-night stay required (Saturday-Saturday).

This beautiful and spacious four-bedroom, three-bath home on a wooded one-acre lot overlooking Lake Michigan is the perfect location for your family’s vacation. New for summer 2026 are stairs to our private beach below!

Our peaceful natural bluff-top setting is only minutes from public beaches, shopping, golf, wineries and entertainment.

On the bluff, enjoy spectacular views from our home's all-glass sunroom, relax or play yard games on the spacious lawn, make dinner in the airy kitchen or grill on the wraparound deck with the sound of the waves below.

On the sandy beach below, use our chairs, beach toys, umbrellas, cooler, and kayaks for days of fun in the sun!

The house sleeps 8, perfect for a large family or two smaller ones. You’ll always be comfortable here, with central air (powered by rooftop solar panels), ceiling fans, and lots of screened sliders. The primary bedroom features sliders and a panoramic view of Lake Michigan. The kitchen is well-stocked, with an expansive granite breakfast bar that invites conversation while cooking on the easy glass-top stove/oven. The provided sheets and towels are high-quality. Guests appreciate the "five-star lodging" with "personal touches" throughout. Outside, there's comfortable deck furniture and an outdoor fire pit to enhance the sunset enjoyment. The single-floor living space is ideal for small children and anyone with mobility issues; those who venture down to the basement will find a cozy game area featuring a pool table and dart board alongside the laundry facilities.

In addition to private beach access from our high-bluff property, you'll find plenty of nearby public beaches easily accessible by a quick bike or car ride. Closest are Hagar Park (a 3-minute drive, 3.0 miles north on M-63, dog friendly) and Rocky Gap County Park (a 5-minute drive, 3.6 miles south via M-63). You are welcome to take our beach chairs, umbrella, and wheeled cooler along for the day.

Also nearby are several wineries, craft breweries, outstanding golf courses (including Jack Nicklaus-designed Harbor Shores), apple picking, and much more! Enjoy the best of southwest Michigan (one of Travel+Leisure's top 50 places to travel), just a short drive from this great location less than 10 minutes north of St. Joseph, and 20 minutes south of South Haven.

Please note that driveway can accommodate no more than 4 cars.

Here are some sample notes from our guest book:

"We had an amazing week at Sunset Bluff -- your home is beautiful! There is so much to do in this area and as much as we tried, we couldn't do it all. Guess that means we'll have to come again! Awesome vacation for our family."
July 2025 guests

"This has been a wonderful retreat time for our family. The home is beautiful and the view is breathtaking."
July 2025 guests

"Thank you for an absolutely lovely week in your beautiful home... Your home was so well stocked and beautifully decorated. The beds were so comfy. Again, thank you for allowing us this great family time gathering place. The sunsets were absolutely stunning."
September 2024 guests

"Sunset Bluff was such a convenient location for our adventurous spirits... Hagar Beach was the best... Thank you for everything. We enjoyed the hospitality!"
June/July 2024 guests

"We had the best time at Sunset Bluff! It was perfect for relaxing, visiting, and eating -- we couldn't have asked for anything better. We made a day trip to South Haven & Saugatuck, though there's plenty to do right here. Thank you for all the thoughtful touches throughout! We especially loved the portable fire pit."
May 2024

"Great family memories made! What a view! Thank you for creating a special place for others to enjoy. Your home is well appointed and a perfect place to get away."
September 2023 guests

"Our second visit was just as good as our first. We really enjoy spending time with family here. Comfortable and relaxing. Thanks for the experience!"
August 2023 guests

"Magnificent home -- magnificent views -- magnificent time! We truly enjoyed our stay at Sunset Bluff and hope we can return for another stay... The memories we made here will sustain us and make us smile in the days ahead."
August 2022 guests

"One of the best July 4ths ever! Beautiful home, beautiful yard & beautiful memories! Might become an annual event! We love Sunset Bluff! Thank you."
July 2021 guests

“Sunset Bluff was the perfect place for a Fab 50 Fiesta with Forever Friends. Eight lifetime friends came together from all over to celebrate 50th birthdays and the gift of friendship... Sunset Bluff was so beautiful (house and views). The bedrooms, sitting areas and spacious kitchen allowed us to be comfortably together with room to roam. Lovely home!”
October 2019 guests

“What a wonderful week. The weather was perfect, and the afterglow of sunsets made perfect ends to busy days. Our family certainly enjoyed your beautiful retreat--a great place to relax and enjoy each other--a mini family reunion.”
August 2019 guests

“Whole family enjoyed themselves immensely. Great yard for catching lightning bugs! Beautiful view and flowers. Loved the one-floor floor plan for young children.”
July 2019 guests

“Full week of enjoyment, great memories, and splendid sunsets! Joan, we had a wonderful time. Your home was fabulously furnished and well equipped. Our daughter's wedding at Sundance Studio was excellent. Sunset Bluff took it over the top! Thank you for everything!!”
July 2019 guests

“We had a wonderful 90th birthday celebration... The house had a perfect layout for all ages of our family. Loved the sun room; played lots of card games. Went to Silver Beach, had pizza, walked around the beach and downtown. Very clean and inviting home. Thanks for sharing it with us.”
June 2019 guests

“We enjoyed our little getaway here! The weather was beautiful! ... great place to spend time with our family! We look forward to more Michigan visits!”
June 2019 guests

“Just wanted you to know how much we have enjoyed our relaxing stay at your beautiful lakefront retreat... We really enjoyed the shops in St. Joe and had a cozy, delicious meal... on the water.”
December 2018 guests

“We rented this beautiful home for our niece's wedding at the Blue Dress Barn. This home met all our needs... spotless and beds were all comfortable. The view was amazing... Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home.”
October 2018 guests

“We found this house to be a pleasing oasis for our family vacation. The house is beautiful and very well stocked. We enjoyed the view and had a fire and s’mores a few nights. Butterflies and hummingbirds frequented the gardens…. We toured wineries and loved downtown St. Joseph. This house really is a perfect family spot.”
September 2018 guests

“A wonderful family time in a beautiful setting. The division of the rooms worked so well for us. We, the grandparents, got the master bedroom, and it was amazing. A beautiful view and birds singing to awaken us. A small couch where the granddaughters could come cuddle with us first thing in the morning… Thank you for a wonderful home away from home for a week!”
July 2018 guests

“Our friendcation was amazing, and a large part of that was due to the wonderful Sunset Bluff. We loved hanging out in the four seasons room, soaking in the scenic views. Memories were made with the firepit and hammock! The accommodations have been wonderful, and many attractions were so close. We enjoyed our stay here to the fullest!”
June 2018 guests