Tucked into the rolling hills of Poway, Barrel & Crest is a private estate built for the kind of gathering you’ll be talking about for years. Six bedrooms, room for twenty, and a backyard that earns its keep — this is Southern California group travel without compromise.
Arrival sets the tone. A circular drive with parking for up to eight cars curves past a centerpiece fountain, and the grounds unfold from there: swaying palms, sculpted hedges, and a few playful surprises (yes, those are dog-shaped topiaries) that signal the estate doesn’t take itself too seriously. Inside, ceilings are tall, light pours in, and the floor plan moves easily between formal and lived-in.
The backyard is where most of the day will happen. A resort-style pool anchors the space, with a water slide for the kids — and the adults who won’t admit it — and a rock waterfall feature that turns the whole setup into something more like a lagoon than a swimming pool. A hot tub sits steps away for slower hours and stargazing nightcaps. The thatched-roof palapa bar comes loaded for entertaining: built-in BBQ grill, barstool seating, and just enough shade to keep the afternoon going. Nearby, a private half-court invites pickup basketball, a putting green handles casual rounds, and cornhole rounds out the lawn games. The yard stretches further than you’d expect — plenty of room to spread out, kick around, or simply find a quiet corner.
Inside, two living rooms give the group options: a relaxed, TV-anchored main lounge for movie nights and post-pool wind-downs, and a more polished sitting area filled with natural light, ideal for coffee or quieter conversation. The dining room frames the grounds through wide windows, and the chef’s kitchen handles everything from pancake mornings to multi-course dinners with ease.
For rainy stretches or late-night energy, there’s no shortage of options. A dedicated game room comes loaded with ping pong, air hockey, and board games, while a converted garage adds a pool table for even more room to spread out. The garage also houses a SincMill home gym — a smart functional trainer setup that keeps workout routines easy to maintain between activities. Need to step away for an hour of work? There’s a dedicated workspace, plus in-home laundry for longer stays.
Six bedrooms sleep up to twenty, with thoughtful configurations across the home. The primary suite is the standout: a king bed, a TV, an architectural fireplace, and a spa-style ensuite anchored by a generous oval soaking tub built for slow mornings. Three additional bedrooms each offer two queen beds and ensuite baths, ideal for couples or families sharing space. A fifth bedroom adds a queen bed and a private work area, and a separate casita rounds things out with a queen bed, TV, kitchenette, and its own ensuite — perfect for guests who want their own footprint. A queen-bedded office offers flex sleeping for the twentieth guest.
The location pulls its weight. Bernardo Winery — a hundred-plus-year-old estate with an Italian eatery, tasting room, and weekend farmers market — is essentially a neighbor. Lake Poway is a short drive for hiking the loop trail, paddle-boating, or tackling the climb to Potato Chip Rock. For a lazier afternoon, Old Poway Park hosts the volunteer-run Poway-Midland Railroad, a charming weekend steam-train ride paired with the local farmers market. Add in nearby golf, more wineries in Escondido and Ramona, and you’ve got a weekend that builds itself.
Whether it’s a milestone celebration, a multi-family reunion, or a long-overdue group reset, Barrel & Crest gives twenty people room to actually enjoy each other.
AvantStay provides a personalized hospitality experience to elevate your stay. With our Concierge Service, guests have access to our tech-enabled services like fridge stocking, private chefs, massages, transportation, special occasion celebrations, baby gear rentals, ski gear, beach gear, and more. For anything you need, we’re at your fingertips.
Poway offers the perfect blend of scenic hills, outdoor adventure, and laid-back inland charm—just a short drive from San Diego. With Lake Poway Recreation Area, the nearby Poway Train Station and Poway-Midland Railroad, plus local wineries and golf courses, it’s an ideal escape for nature lovers, families, and weekend travelers alike.
Local Attractions: Lake Poway, Old Poway Park and Railroad, Bernardo Winery, Uvas Winery & Vineyard, Old Coach Vineyards & Winery, Mia Marie Vineyards, Campo Creek Vineyards, Domaine Artefact Vineyard & Winery, Bastian’s Vineyards.
Home Truths:
- Our home is in a rural area where wildlife and insects are common. While the property is regularly serviced and inspected, occasional encounters may occur indoors or outdoors. Please supervise children and pets, especially at night. Refunds will not be issued for such occurrences.
- This home allows up to 2 pets for a fee; undisclosed pets brought without AvantStay’s approval may result in a $500 fine per pet.
- The pool heating rate (which includes spa use) is $350 per day, while spa-only heating is available at $100 per day. Please note that pool heating is unavailable from May through September; however, spa heating is available year-round.
Parking Details:
- Parking is available for up to 8 cars.
- There is no garage access.
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All bookings over 30 days require a security deposit to be charged after booking.
This is a smoke-free property. Violation of the no-smoking policy will result in forfeiture of the security deposit, a $300 smoking fee, and liability for any fire or property damage costs.
As part of our commitment to being good neighbors, occupancy limits and quiet hours (9pm-8am) are strictly enforced. No speakers or sound systems will be provided for use in our properties. Violation of any noise ordinances will be subject to fines that can reach up to $10,000 per violation.
Events or parties are not allowed without prior written approval and an additional fee. Any unauthorized parties or events will be shut down and a fine will be assessed. Please inquire for more information about our event policies and fees.
There is nothing more important to us at AvantStay than the health, safety, and experience of our guests & staff. We’ve enhanced our cleaning and sanitation protocols and are taking extra care to disinfect all surfaces between reservations with hospital-grade disinfecting solutions.
As a reminder, we do work with 3rd party vendors to maintain the property, and although we adhere to the strictest CDC guidelines and advise all contractors to wear PPE equipment, we can not always enforce. We strongly advise guests to please deny access if any vendors fail to meet and adhere to these standards.
IDs will be requested for verification after booking. All bookings over 30 days require a security deposit.
We report and prosecute all Credit Card Fraud.
