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.
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.
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
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
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 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
Village Inn at Childs Meadow
41500 Highway 36E
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
On the Cheap:Romantic
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.
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.
northern california mountain cabin rentals cabins in northern california remote cabin rentals california rustic cabin rentals northern california secluded cabins in northern california
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
California Paddling Destinations Canoe, Kayak Rental, Float, Boat, Fish
River Resorts & Cabin Rentals
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.