Calling all ‘Stranger Things’ fans: New Fresno County AirBnB is inspired by Netflix series

Are you a “Stranger Things” fan? You can channel your favorite Netflix show — and possibly journey into the Upside Down — during a stay at a new Fresno County AirBnB.

The Iconic Stranger Things Getaway in Clovis became available for short-term stays on Nov. 27.

The short-term vacation rental property belongs to Fresno resident Chris Lofing, who runs the AirBnB with fellow filmmaker Travis Cluff.

The two, who founded local production company Tremendum Pictures, are best known for directing the 2015 horror movie “The Gallows.”

“I want people to have memorable experiences” at the house near Old Town Clovis, Lofing said, ones that inspire them to tell their friends, “You’ve got to check this out.”

What is Netflix show ‘Stranger Things’?

Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, “Stranger Things” transports viewers back in time to the 1980s — the era of Van Halen, “The Shining” and neon spandex.

The Emmy Award-winning streaming series follows a group of young friends who uncover a series of mysteries involving secret experiments and supernatural forces.

Lofing said he and his co-host wanted to create an immersive experience for fans of “Stranger Things,” which premiered in 2016.

The show’s fifth season will premiere in 2025.

“We want it to feel like you’re actually stepping into Hawkins, you’re actually stepping into the show.” Lofing said.

What was inspiration behind Fresno County vacation rental?

Lofing bought the 1,100-square-foot house on Bullard Avenue close to Bullard Donut and Bakery when he and his wife, Andrea, got married.

The pair immediately noted that the house, which was built in the 1920s, had some retro vibes.

Inspired by one of Chris Lofing’s favorite shows, “Stranger Things,” he, his wife and Cluff started to transform the home room by room.

“We just kept going and going, and eventually it became something a little bit bigger and more immersive than we originally thought,” Lofing said, adding that he and Cluff treated the house “like a movie set.” “Honestly, that’s what we want it to feel like for guests that stay there.”

Lofing said he and Cluff both wanted to make sure the house and its decor looked believable.

“There’s a lot of handmade props and set decoration in the house,” he said, as well as things he and his partners found at thrift stores.

What’s the ‘Stranger Things’ home in Clovis like?

The “Stranger Things”-themed house in Clovis, which can host up to four guests, has two bedrooms, two full bathrooms and one half-bath. There’s free parking on the premises, according to AirBnB.

“It’s not super big. It’s cozy, but it’s got a lot of character,” Lofing said.

In addition to amenities such as a kitchen, laundry facilities and air conditioning, the home features several details that will be instantly recognizable to “Stranger Things” fans.

For starters, there’s a wall with Christmas lights and an alphabet similar to the one used by Joyce Byers (played by Winona Ryder) in the show to communicate with her son Will (Noah Schnapp).

Lofing’s favorite room resembles the fictional Starcourt Mall shopping center featured in “Stranger Things.”

“That room is pretty fun,” he said. “When we started, it was just plain, white walls, but we turned it into something that’s like, totally ’80s.”

Another room offers a glimpse of the Upside Down, the mysterious alternate dimension existing in parallel to the human world in “Stranger Things.”

Guests can also listen to 1980s music, watch movies including “The Goonies” and “Ghostbusters” on VHS and play retro video games including “Pac Man” and Dig Dug.”

“I think it’s pretty awesome,” Lofing said. “I’m biased, but I think it’s pretty cool.”

What else can guests expect?

Those aren’t the only treats in store for “Stranger Things” aficionados, according to Lofing.

Photographs of the show’s characters are “sprinkled throughout the house,” he said, as well as artwork by Will Byers.

You can also find a roller skate similar to one used by Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) to smack a bully and a nail-studded baseball bat inspired by the one belonging to Steve Harrington (Joe Keery).

“Then there’s one big detail that’s not on the listing that I’m excited for guests to see, because it comes as a surprise,” said Lofing, who wouldn’t share any additional information.“When you ... come through this one room, it’s just right there in front of you. I think people are really gonna dig it.”

How much does it cost to stay at Clovis home?

A one night-stay at the Clovis home costs about $219 before taxes, according to AirBnB.

The price of a one-week stay is $1,352 before taxes.

However, the first three people who book the Fresno County property can get $39 off per stay.

What’s next?

Lofing said he’d love to create more themed AirBnB properties in the Fresno area, adding that designing the “Stranger Things”-themed property was “a lot of fun.”

“I’m excited for folks who are fans of pop culture and the ‘80s and ‘Stranger Things’ to come check it out,” he said.

According to Lofing, people are on the lookout for stays that offer special experiences.

“Hotels are great, but I think people are eager to find places that are memorable and unique,” he said, with “things that stand out in their minds.”

This story was originally published December 6, 2024 at 5:00 AM.