The Inn on Knowles Hill

After a long flight from the East Coast and then a long drive to Sonora, my wife, family, and I were absolutely amazed from the moment we passed through the gates of the Inn. The grandeur of the estate, the view from the summit, the delightful garden scents and sounds of the animals were enchanting. And then we were embraced by Rhonda's loving attention, caring, and charm. The Inn and our room were extremely comfortable. We enjoyed every inch of this historic inn, complete with generations of family antiques and history. The morning breakfasts were truly gourmet and we laughed because none of us had ever taken pictures of our morning meals! As a professional photographer with a Studio that has won national and international awards in wedding photography, I was very impressed with The Buess's plans to expand the grounds of the Inn to include an area for outdoor wedding ceremonies and receptions. Their artistic vision, attention to details, and ability to "take care of us" will certainly make the Inn a destination point for many celebrations. So, we would highly recommend that you take advantage of this Gem in Sonora, but we also hope that there will always be a room available for us! John and Marge Gardner and Family

A wonderfully run bed and breakfast located in the hills of Sonora, CA. The palce is beautifully furnished and well staffed.

Everything about this place is fabulous! The beds, food, flowers, and view. Don't stay anywhere else. It is totally worth it.

This was a wonderful place to bring the whole family, icluding my six month old. The Inn keeper was very accomadating and made our stay magical. The kids claim they'd rather come here then recieve presents for their birthday or Christmas.

It's hard to say enough good things about this new B&B. This historical house has been re-furbished exquisitely with amazing attention to detail - reflecting Rhonda's background in graphics design and Fred's in automobile restoration. Rhonda is an amazing cook - the snacks and breakfast were first-class. The Inn is situated just out of town on top of a hill and the grounds are quite beautiful - complete with a set of welcoming dogs & cats. As an added bonus, you may get a chance to see one of the classic old Rolls Royce cars that Fred restores. Go treat yourself - you won't regret it!

My husband and I loved our recent weekend getaway at The Inn on Knowles Hill and are already looking forward to the next opportunity to visit again. From making the reservations, to our departure, Rhonda was most gracious and welcoming. Driving up to the property, we were blown away by the beauty of Knowles Hill--an elegant and lovingly restored historic home situated on a site offering gorgeous views of the Sonora area. We were first greeted by the Inn's 2 friendly collies, who kept us company as we enjoyed the grounds during our stay. Rhonda's friend Robyn gave us a very warm welcome, and we were thrilled to find out that Rhonda had upgraded our reservation. We stayed in the Earl Warren room, which was simply luxurious, with its rich decor, tranquil sounds of the fountain below, and amazing view of lights twinkling on Sonora's hillsides in the evening. We enjoyed the sunset while sitting on the porch swing--and watching the collies playfully chase each other on the sweeping lawn. Rhonda struck the perfect balance of being an extremely friendly and personable innkeeper without making us feel uncomfortable. She was very accommodating about the breakfast arrangements, allowing us to sit on the back terrace while thoroughly enjoying the gourmet meal she prepared--mascarpone-stuffed poached pears with raspberry coulis to start, followed by crisp turkey bacon and perfect french toast with peaches and a delicious rum sauce. She even packed us homemade cookies for the road! A departing guest had told us Rhonda's breakfast was to die for, and it really was absolutely sumptuous. From start to finish, our experience with The Inn on Knowles Hill was first rate--the best bed and breakfast stay we have had! Cannot wait to return!

Our stay at the Inn on Knowles Hill was the most restfull we have had in years. Rhonda was sooo attentive! Mary Ann & Kevin

If you want the ultimate experience of today's amazing comforts coupled with the rarest pearls of yesteryear you must plan a stay at The Inn On Knowles Hill. The new proprietors have lovingly restored this historic home to its original grand self....attending to every one of its details. The resulting warmth and beauty you'll experience is so special, you'll feel like you've been transported back to a time when there wasn't the rush to keep moving, but instead the desire to smell the roses, watch the sunset, and enjoy the company of fellow travelers. Rhonda's exquisite breakfast menu is just the start to a day that is always memorable, whether you're planning to hike in Yosemite, antique shop in Sonora, explore a nearby lake, or perhaps enjoy a local theater performance. We are so fortunate to celebrate birthdays, engagements, and anniversaries at The Inn On Knowles Hill. Our family considers this inn to truly be our very favorite "home away from home"

Our recent visit at the Inn at Knowles Hill was sudden yet beautiful and I can only say great things about the Inn at Knowles Hill...this B&B is a perfect place to spend a quiet and relaxing vacation, i just love everything about it! rooms are very well maintained w/ a very nice view of the garden and overlooking Sonora! I also love the quietness and peacefulness of the location plus the hosts,Fred and Rhonda are just amazing and very accommodating! I'm glad my boyfriend brought me there:)

We loved the Inn on Knowles hill so much that my fiance and I are thinking about having our wedding there! The owners are amazing and the food was wonderful.

We just finished an absolutely fantastic stay at The Inn on Knowles Hill. I have never seen a hotel, B&B or resort receive such amazing reviews online (not a single review below outstanding, 5/5, etc) and after staying there this weekend can honestly say it deserves every one them. From the service, to the atmosphere, to the breakfast and the warmth from the owners, this is the kind of place you don't see too often anymore. Sure, you can stay at a fancier hotel or resort, but the combination of the comfort of this place with the attention from Rhonda, Fred and the rest of the family/team make this place shine.

We just returned from a trip to the California gold fields. The highlight of the trip was our stay at the Inn at Knowles Hill. The owners have beautifully restored an elegant 1928 home on a hill overlooking Sonora. Not only are the house and grounds spectacular but Rhonda serves a gourmet breakfast on period china and silver. We watched Fred meticulously work on restoring a 1913 Rolls. An afternoon tea with homemade cookies awaited our arrival. This B & B is not to be missed!

We really enjoyed our stay at The Inn on Knowles Hill. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. The hosts were very hospitable and the Inn was gorgeous with so much history surrounding it. Highly recommended!

The attention to detail is unsurpassed with this fully restored mansion on the hill! To be expected from a family who is famous the world over for Rolls-Royce restorations, I suppose! Simply amazing when you gaze over the surroundings from the lush landscape of the 360 degree view overlooking Sonora...and the history...if these walls could talk! Having stayed in three of the rooms, I plan on staying in the Herbert Hoover room next; all so very beautiful. No better hosts to be found...no better food to be had. This IS the place. This IS the mansion on the hill. Five-star in every respect.

My wife and I have visited this site twice now. The rooms are totally awesome. The service is better than five star (I hope that they can keep this up; I know it must exhausting). Staying here is a pleasure not to mention the fact that we slept peaceful and well and the accommodations and environment superb. Treat yourself to an excellent experience. I can't imagine anyone walking away from this place with a negative comment, unless someone is prone to be impossible to please. Avinoam and Dina Israel, traveling through the USA

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to The Inn on Knowles Hill! The view from the front yard, overlooking the cozy city of Sonora, was beautiful. We slept comfortably in the plush bed, and loved the decorations and the way this old home has been restored. The house is huge, but it felt like a home away from home. The caretakers were incredibly friendly and were full of suggestions of local attractions to take in. Sonora restaurants were within walking distance, and we were able to spend a day hiking around in Yosemite. It was a memorable and relaxing weekend!

We have stayed at numerous B&B's but none can compare to the Inn at Knowles Hill! The attention to detail in the restoration of this property is unsurpassed...from the amazing panoramic view of Sonora & the meticulously groomed gardens to the impeccably decorated interior to the gourmet fare at every meal…is exceeded only by the loving hospitality of the proprietors, Fred & Rhonda Buess. The Inn is conveniently located near charming downtown Sonora & the surrounding vineyards & wineries...a wonderful place to spend the weekend or the week! We highly recommend & will most definitely return! Thank you so much Buess family for fond memories of our visit. Karen Bixby

I have stayed at the Inn on Knowles Hill a number of times, and found the ambience and decor perfectly satisfying and comfortable. The hosts, Fred and Rhonda, are knowledgeable of historical places of interest around Sonora, as well as many of the area's restaurants and other attractions. I highly recommend this bed and breakfast, and plan on returning in the near future.

We had an enjoyable stay at the beautiful Knowles Hill Inn. This B & B has all the comforts of home. Each room is dressed to the nines. The food is fabulous. The wonderful and friendly atmosphere puts a lasting impression on all who visit here. We are looking forward to another visit to Fred and Rhonda's beautiful Knowles Inn. So happy to find this jewel in Sonora CA!!

All I can say is I love this place. I have been there several times in the passed to years, the staff is wonderful, the service is exceelent, and the food will knock your socks off!

a friend recommended we stay at the inn on knowles hill. my husband and i knew nothing about sonora or the inn on knowles hill, but what a blessing and delight our experience turned out to be. the architectural detail, the craftsmanship, the elegance, the gardens, the attention to details and the respectful restoration was such a WOW factor. the innkeepers, fred and rhonda buess are such warm and personable hosts. rhonda's cooking and food presentation are of a 'celebrity chef' quality. fred is a virtual historian/tour guide who can probably answer any question you might have. now, let me tell you about the room(s). lush cotton bed linens; thick turkish towels and bath mats; soft, comfy bathrobes. high rise beds and the old fashioned bathtubs that are long enough and deep enough to soak in added to the 'grand luxury' experience. i recommend the inn on knowles hill to all my family and friends and anyone who wants a truly grand experience.