Location, location, location! Welcome to Birdwatch Cottage, part of Rio Sierra River Resort, at the base of Sequoia National Park, in Central California's Sierra Nevada foothills. Birdwatch Cottage is located just a couple of minutes' walk or drive from the resort's amazing Kaweah River beach and hotel. The cottage makes a great lodging choice for a larger family needing plenty of space or for anyone desiring the privacy of fully dedicated quarters, while still enjoying full guest privileges at Rio's beach. Inside Birdwatch Cottage, guests enjoy modern comforts and furnishings thanks to a stylish remodel of one of the first homes built in our town of Three Rivers, California, a century ago. Outside, the cottage's leafy yard features picnic table, barbecue grill, birdwatcher seating and even a small waterfall. The cottage is your home away from home. No lobby, no greeters, no daily housekeeping. We set a comfy stage. You create the adventure. With a few groceries, you can snug in happily for days at a time, or venture out into our town for yummy food at the best eateries we'll help you find. Chances are you plan to explore nearby Sequoia National Park while you're here, to experience its giant trees, rushing waterfalls and protected wildlife. Grab your map and get out there. The adventure of a lifetime awaits. Plus, as cottage guests, you enjoy the exclusive bonus of your beach privileges at Rio Sierra's nearby main resort property, including parking, changing room and restroom while you relax by the river. The property's 2.5 acres of riverfront is a park-like setting with lots of outdoor seating, paths, cabanas, umbrellas, beach loungers, picnic tables and hidden conversation spots. After a day of exploring and hiking in Sequoia National Park, the river will be waiting for your return. Splash down here, or choose a spot to chill. Let nature do the rest.

Mars, Rio Sierra’s owner, personally handles bookings and guest relations. Got a question now, or while you’re a guest, she’s just a text away. You might even see Mars for a friendly hello. She’s onsite many afternoons feeding Clue, the hotel cat, or tending her favorite flowers. Mars’ background spans years in journalism and television production. She broke one of the nation’s first major death-row innocence cases, which exonerated a wrongly convicted man. She later helped launch Fox TV’s "America’s Most Wanted" as the true crime show’s first news director, and followed that with "Strange Universe," her own television series about paranormal phenomena. With a name like Margaret, nicknames were bound to follow. But strangely, while on "Strange Universe," Mars stuck. By then, it was time to escape from LA. She headed to Three Rivers, California, the land of big trees, big water, and big starry night skies. That’s how Mars the traveler came to create real life outdoor vacation fantasies by discovering a hidden gem of a place, one she never wants to leave. “They’re not making any more rivers,” she says with a smile.

Three Rivers, California, is a quirky little mountain tourist village with a population of about 2,000. Arts, crafts and music thrive here. Restaurants and bars are locally owned. No corporate chains yet. The southern gate to Sequoia National Park is just 5 miles north of the town center, making Three Rivers the gateway to one of the most prized tourist destinations in the American West. But despite the traffic of sophisticated visitors from all over the globe, our town somehow retains its under-the-radar mountain charm. Take a drive up one of our leafy country roads and you might see a llama, or an ostrich or some other rare creature. (The oldest operating post office in America is just a couple miles up North Fork Drive.) Do a little shopping at our thrift store (aptly named "The Thingerie"). You might even get hooked on our country way of life here in Three Rivers, and decide you'd like to come back and stay a while longer.