Category Archives: cabin

Open Sky Destinations

luxury in lassen
Cottages at Highlands Ranch Resort

Places to go see the Night Sky in California

Benton Hot Springs

Big Sur, CA

Blue Lake Campground
Modoc NF

Bodie Ghost Town

Bridgeport, CA

Cambria, CA

Eastern Sierra Lakes

Elk Creek, CA

Ferndale, CA

Gold Lake, CA

Kennedy Meadows, CA

Lake Cuyamaca

Lassen Volcanic NP

McCloud, CA

Mercey Hot Springs

Mineral, CA

Mineral King Canyon

Mono Lake, CA

Lake Almanor, CA

Lake Tahoe, CA

Silver Lake @ Bucks

Tuolumne Meadows
Hwy 120 @ Yosemite NP

Walker, CA

Wilbur Hot Springs

horseback

California Meadow Locations

Wild Land Ranches
Wild Land Ranches

Meteor Showers & Stargazing

 

lodge

Best Lodges with Sky Views

Lodge @ Blue Lakes
Hwy 20, Upper Lake
Clear Lake, CA

Caples Lake Resort
Carson Pass Hwy 88
Kirkwood, CA

Cardinal Village Resort
Eastern Sierra
Aspendell, CA

Gold Lake Cabin Rentals
Lakes Basin Recreation Area
E of Quincy, CA

Highlands Ranch Resort
Lassen NF @ Hwy 36
Mill Creek, CA

Hunewill Ranch
US 395
Bridgeport, CA

Kit Carson Lodge
Silver Lake @ Carson Pass
Hwy 88
Kirkwood, CA

McCloud Mercantile Hotel
241 Main St
McCloud, CA

Quiet Mind Retreat Lodge
Lake Cuyamaca
Julian, CA

Rock Creek Lodge
Eastern Sierra US 395
Rock Creek Canyon Rd
Toms Place, CA

Tioga Pass Resort
Hwy 120 @ east entrance
Yosemite NP

Mineral California
Battle Creek Meadows, Mineral, CA

Romantic Inns

Romantic Lodges & Cabin Resorts

Avila San Luis Obispo
Avila, San Luis Obispo

SoCal Favorites

Hotel del Coronado, Coronado Island, West San Diego, CA

Julian Hotel, Julian, CA (San Diego Mountains)

Lido Palms Resort Oasis, in Desert Hot Springs, CA

Pioneertown Motel, Yucca Valley, CA

stonewalls

 

hiker

When visiting a place for the very first time, sometimes with the right person, the whole town seems magical. Restaurants, sidewalk shops, parks for picnic, flower lined streets, wine tasting and live music.

Small California towns that have – walkable downtowns, historic buildings and museums, and/or hiking trails nearby – are top picks among active road trippers.

Most California National Parks are open for winter!

Often a few good overnights in a wonderful lodge can make the whole vacation totally worth it. Certain settings, like rivers, wilderness locations, or anything situated near the ocean is always top picks for Valentine’s Day.

Romantic Inns

most romantic towns: California

ANY hotel in Cambria
Moonlight Beach was made for Lovers

ANY hotel in Coronado
Historic seaside neighborhood, San Diego

ANY hotel in Laguna Beach
Cliffs, Beaches, Walkable Village

ANY hotel in Yosemite Valley
Iconic National Park, open during winter

ahwahnee

more romance: overnight

Benbow Historic Inn
445 Lake Benbow Drive
Garberville, CA 95542
707-923-2124
Mendocino US 101

Highland Dell Lodge
21050 River Boulevard
Monte Rio, CA 95462
707-865-2300
Russian River
Wooden Retreat w/ Restaurant, since 1906

Imperial Hotel
14202 Old Highway 49
Amador City, CA 95601
209-267-9172
built in 1879

Gold Country Foothills
Gold Country Foothills

The Inn at Furnace Creek
Inn at Death Valley
The Oasis at Death Valley
Furnace Creek, California
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley, CA
Palms and poolside resort with luxury, opened in 1927

Inn at Schoolhouse Creek
7051 North Highway 1
Little River, CA 95456
707-937-5525
Mendocino Coast
coastal farmhouse, built in 1862

Joshua Grindle Inn
44800 Little Lake Rd
Mendocino, CA
707-937-6022
1879 Victorian

Klamath River Lodge
34395 Highway 96
Orleans, CA 95556
707-499-0901
fishing lodge built in 1930’s

Sonora Inn
160 S Washington St
Sonora, CA 95370
209-532-2400
Gold Rush Country
built in 1896

The Mission Inn
3649 Mission Inn Avenue
Riverside, CA
909-784-0300

missioninn courtyard
Riverside Mission Inn, downtown

The Union Hotel
1915 Main Street
Quincy – La Porte Rd
La Porte, CA
530-675-2860
established in 1855

Upham Hotel
1404 De La Vina Street
Santa Barbara, CA
805-962-0058
Victorian in downtown; built in 1871

lassen snow

Village Inn at Childs Meadow
41500 Highway 36Ehorseback
Mill Creek, CA 96061
530-595-3383
Lassen National Forest
original resort established 1864
stagecoach stop

Wawona Hotel
golfing on mountain meadows
Wawona, California
South Yosemite NP
Highway 41 (CA SR 41)
in operation since 1918

Wylder Hotel, Hope Valley
Sierra Nevada, south of Lake Tahoe

sorensens
Cabin rentals @ Hope Valley

On the Cheap: Romantic

hiker

Youth hostels have come a long way in recent years. Often referred to as backpackers hostels or travelers hostel, these are budget friendly accommodations – set up for those who don’t mind roughin it. While bunk beds and dorm rooms are typical, these facilities also have private room rentals for couples or solo travelers.

Monterey Hostel
778 Hawthorne St
Monterey, CA
831-275-0067

Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Hosteling International
210 Pigeon Point Road
Pescadero, CA
650-879-0633

Point Montara Lighthouse
8800 Cabrillo Highway
Montara, CA 94037
650-728-7177

Sacramento Hostel
925 H Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-668-6632
Victorian in old town; built in 1885

Santa Cruz Hostel
321 Main Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-423-8304
Victorian cottages w/ gardens

stonewalkway

Rural & Romantic Small Towns:
(with lodging)

Amador City
Borrego Springs
Bridgeport
Coloma
Downieville
Dunsmuir
Fallbrook
Ferndale
Fort Jones
Garberville
Idyllwild
Mariposa
McCloud
Mendocino
Miranda
Murphys
Nevada City
Olema
Panamint Springs
Randsburg
Sea Ranch
Sutter Creek
Weaverville
Wilbur Springs
Winters

idyllwildbnb
Idyllwild Bed & Breakfast Inn

Secluded Cabins

aframes

Total Escape has been focusing on the back roads of California for over 3 decades. We have researched, found and stayed over at some of the coolest cabins in the Golden State. Private vacation homes to fishing cabins, we have pretty much all of them listed.

Northern California is a well sought destination for secluded vacations.

“cheap cabin rentals in northern california”

Rustic fishing cabins, luxury on the lakeshore, cedar forests, romantic or remote hideaways, tent cabins, yurts and historic fire lookouts. We list mountains and rural locations.

SUMMER VS. WINTER

Not all cabin rentals are open for business during the winter months. Often the snow is too deep and the remote location may be inaccessible. Call ahead and talk to the innkeeper; know the weather forecast, before you make the drive. Always carry chains when driving in winter months.

USFS fire lookouts and historic cabins

dardanelle

Northern California Cabin Rentals

northern california mountain cabin rentals
cabins in northern california
remote cabin rentals california
rustic cabin rentals northern california
secluded cabins in northern california

DUNSMUIR, CA

COFFEE CREEK, TRINITY LAKE

FORT JONES, CA

McCLOUD, CA

MOUNT SHASTA, CA

WEAVERVILLE, CA

WEED, CA

WILLOW CREEK, CA

fish

sorensens
Cabin rentals @ Hope Valley

Eastern Sierra Cabin Rentals

Highest Sierra peaks are the tallest on the Sierra range and located along the eastern side of California, bordering near the state of Nevada. US Highway 395 runs the length. We advise staying overnight as far from the pavement as possible.

BIG PINE, CA

BISHOP, CA

JUNE LAKE, CA

LEE VINING, CA

MAMMOTH LAKES, CA

MARKLEEVILLE, CA

TOM’S PLACE

TWIN LAKES, CA

cabin

Gold Country Foothills:
Cabins & Cottages

Highway 49 spans from the gates of Yosemite north to the Sierra Buttes @ Lakes Basin Area.

ANGELS CAMP, CA

DOWNIEVILLE, CA

MURPHYS, CA

NEVADA CITY, CA

SIERRA CITY, CA

TWAIN HARTE, CA

snow

Sequoia Cabin Rentals

Kernville on the Kern River and Lake Isabella have some rentals, but the best bet around here is Alta Sierra, a cedar forest located above the lake. Paved Highway 155 winds up from Wofford Heights to the snowy ridges above. Shirley Meadows has family ski fun.

ALTA SIERRA, CA

KERNVILLE, CA

LAKE ISABELLA, CA

WOFFORD HEIGHTS, CA

Rental homes and rustic cottages can be found on the western slopes, near the historic location called California Hot Springs.  Expect oaks and pines with shady conditions in densely wooded neighborhoods.

CALIFORNIA HOT SPRINGS, CA

Giant Sequoia is the southern most groves, close to the Kern River, located on the Western Divide Highway. The NFS runs rental cabin at Quaking Aspen Campground.

CAMP NELSON, CA

PONDEROSA, CA

SPRINGVILLE, CA

pinetree

Sierra Nevada Cabin Rentals

From Tehachapi to Truckee, the Sierra Nevada mountains have hundreds of towns and canyons to explore. Fishing, hiking and mountain biking. Snow skiing, snow shoeing and sledding.

HOPE VALLEY, CA

HUNTINGTON LAKE, CA

LAKE TAHOE LODGING

LA PORTE, CA

MARKLEEVILLE, CA

SHAVER LAKE, CA

TRUCKEE, CA

YOSEMITE BASS LAKE

YOSEMITE GROVELAND

YOSEMITE MARIPOSA

YOSEMITE OAKHURST

YOSEMITE VALLEY

yosemite
photo by Skip

hiker

Central California Cabin Rentals

The Coastal mountain ranges have a few cabin communities worth mentioning, some in the farmlands and others on the pine ridges. Numerous areas have recently been affected by wildfires: Santa Cruz Mountains, Shaver Lake & Huntington, and Mendocino.

The Big Sur Coast is a popular and often crowded destination which has a few cabin rentals. With redwood forests along the rocky and rugged coastline, outdoor recreation and scenic views are top priorities for most visitors.

BEN LOMOND, CA

BIG SUR, CA

BOULDER CREEK, CA

CAMBRIA, CA

CARMEL, CA

PINE MOUNTAIN, CA

cabin homes

Southern California Cabin:
Mountains & Deserts

Since the majority of the population is located in the bottom portion of the state, these ideal locations listed below will book up faster than “all the other cabins” in California. Drive further for a more secluded place and a whole new terrain.

ANGELUS OAKS, CA

BIG BEAR LAKE, CA

BORREGO SPRINGS, CA

IDYLWILD, CA

JOSHUA TREE, CA

JULIAN, CA

LAKE ARROWHEAD, CA

MOUNT LAGUNA, CA

PALOMAR MOUNTAIN

PIONEERTOWN, CA

group at cabin

Places to Paddle

California Paddling Destinations
Canoe, Kayak Rental, Float, Boat, Fish
River Resorts & Cabin Rentals

paddle

California has abundant rivers and lakes located throughout the state and some of them are still flowing. Drought years can effect these waterways, so call ahead to make sure there is indeed enough water to paddle.

We list overnight lodges, cabins & campgrounds that you can enjoy the water up close. Paddle a kayak, river raft, rent a canoe, swim in the lake, or learn to fly fish.

This is by far not a complete list of waterfront destinations, but just a start. We will be adding more locations as we continue to update this page in the near future.

california river list

american river rafting

American River, Sierra Nevada

Camp Lotus Resort
5461 Bassi Road
Lotus, CA 95651
530-622-8672
riverside campground w/ RV & tent camping

Coloma Resort
Highway 49 @ American River
Coloma, CA
800-238-2298
California Historic Gold Country

Big Bear, San Bernardino NF

Bucks Lake, North Sierra Nevada

kayaker

Carson Pass, Sierra Nevada

Kit Carson Lodge
32161 Kit Carson Rd,
Kit Carson, CA 95644
seasonal, open only during summer
Silver Lake @ Carson
California Highway 88

Clear Lake, Northern Cal

Blue Lakes Resort, aka
The Lodge at Blue Lakes, Clear Lake, CA
lakeside guest rooms and kayak rentals

boatramp

Ebbetts Pass, Sierra Nevada

Lake Alpine Resort, aka
Lake Alpine Lodge
Bear Valley, California Highway 4

Klamath River, Northern Cal

Klamath River Lodge
34395 Highway 96
Orleans, CA 95556
707-499-0901
built in 1930’s

Klamath River Resort Inn
61700 Highway 96
Happy Camp, CA 96039
530-493-2735

Sandy Bar Ranch
797 Ishi-Pishi Road
Orleans, CA 95556
530-627-3379

Lake Tahoe Destinations

  • Homewood
  • South Lake Tahoe
  • Tahoe City

Lakes Basin Recreation Area

Long Beach, CA

canoe

Mad River, Northern Cal

Ruth Lake Campground, Six Rivers National Forest

McCloud, CA

Newport Beach, CA

Balboa Island

paddle2

Redding, CA

Redding to Red Bluff Boating Trail, Sacramento River

Russian River, Northern Cal

Highland Dell Lodge
21050 River Boulevard
Monte Rio, CA 95462
707-865-2300
Historic Wooden Retreat w/ Restaurant on Russian River, since 1906

San Diego, CA

raftfish

Salmon River, Northern Cal

Otter Bar Lodge
14026 Salmon River Rd
Forks of Salmon, CA 96031
530-462-4772
Kayak school and lodging

Santa Barbara Mountains

Cachuma Lake County Park
Yurt Rentals & Campground
Lake Cachuma, CA
805-568-2460
Santa Barbara Mountains

Scott River, Northern Cal

Scott River Lodge
19432 Scott River Rd
Fort Jones, CA 96032
530-496-3167

lake merced

Yosemite Area

lodge

Yuba River, Sierra Nevada

Lure Resort, Downieville, CA
river front cabins on North Yuba River