beach, bed&breakfast, cabin, historic, hostel, hot springs, romantic, wilderness

Romantic Inns

September 14, 2022 danamite

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

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 36E horseback
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

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

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

cabin, fishing, high sierra, historic, romantic, wilderness

Secluded Cabins

September 14, 2022 danamite

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

fish

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.

cabin

Gold Country Foothills:
Cabins & Cottages

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

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.

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

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.

HUNTINGTON LAKE, CA

SHAVER LAKE, CA

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.

BOULDER CREEK, CA

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.

group at cabin

historic

Historic California Lodges

September 14, 2022 danamite

Historic Lodges in California

Oldest hotels in California
West Coast & Sierra Nevada Mountains

amador2021 — Imperial Hotel in Amador City, CA – Gold Rush Country

lodge While the well-known explorers Lewis and Clark were both freemasons and the first white men to walk across the continent; We are not interested in ‘Masonic Lodges’ of the West Coast. Nor any Worshipful Masters that came after.

The most interesting Historic Lodges of California are the ones located deep within nature, surrounded by grandeur and real wild beauty. The historic hotels in which we list have been accommodating guest for over 100 years.

Ideal locations, from rustic mountain cabins to impressive beach resorts, gold country inns to a desert oasis – this is Total Escape, California off the beaten path.

amargosa

California Deserts

Amargosa Hotel
Amargosa Opera House
Death Valley Junction, CA
760-852-4441
Historic mining location; Mojave Desert, east of DVNP

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

Southern California Mountains

The Julian Hotel
Julian Gold Rush Hotel
2032 Main Street
Julian, California
800-734-5854
760-765-0201
East San Diego Mountains
Oldest continuously operating hotel in Southern California

julian porch

California Cities

Hotel Del Coronado
1500 Orange Ave
Coronado Island, CA
800-468-3533
619-435-6611
West of downtown San Diego
Wooden Victorian Beach Resort, facing the Pacific
Oldest lodge on the West Coast, established 1888

U.S. Grant Hotel
326 Broadway Avenue
San Diego, CA
800-237-5029
619-232-3121
Downtown, directly across from Horton Plaza

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

The Beverly Hills Hotel
Beverly Hills, CA

Biltmore Hotel
The Biltmore
downtown Los Angeles

Chateau Marmont
8221 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90046
323-656-1010
West Hollywood iconic, since 1927

The Fairmont Hotel
San Francisco, CA

The Queen Anne Hotel
1590 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
415-441-2828
A grand Victorian built in 1890

The Queen Mary
Historic Cruise Ship
Long Beach, California
Port of Los Angeles, busy harbor w/ seaside village

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

Stanford Court
905 California Street, Nob Hill
San Francisco, CA 94108
866-576 5550
accommodating guests for over 100 years

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

Mountain Lodging

Sierra Nevada Mountains

The Ahwahnee Hotel
Yosemite Valley, CA
559-252-4848
granite walls of Yosemite Valley

Bridgeport Inn
US Highway 395
Bridgeport, CA
760-932-7380
Eastern Sierra
built in 1877

Bucks Lake Lodge
16525 Bucks Lake Rd.
Bucks Lake, CA
530-283-2262
established in 1929
burnt down in 2010
rebuilt/reopened 2013

Camp Nelson Lodge
Camp Nelson, California
559-542-0904
Western Sierra Nevada
near Giant Sequoia National Monument

Cary House Hotel
300 Main Street
Placerville, CA 95667
530-622-4271
landmark 1857 hotel offering free breakfast

Clair Tappaan Lodge
19940 Donner Pass Road
Norden, CA
530-426-3632
Hostel on Donner Pass w/ PCT access
built in 1934 by the Sierra Club

Dardanelle Resort
Highway 108, Sonora Pass
209-965-4275
established in 1923
burnt down in 2018
working on rebuilding 2021

Elwell Lakes Lodge
6200 Gold Lake Forest Hwy
Gold Lake, CA
Lakes Basin Recreation Area
530-836-2347
lodge and cabins, built in 1920

Evergreen Lodge
Groveland, CA
800-935-6343
West of Yosemite National Park
Hwy 120 (CA SR 120)
88 cabins w/ historic mountain lodge,
built in the 1920s

Fern Creek Lodge
4628 Boulder Dr.
June Lake, CA
760-648-7722
800-621-9146

Georgetown Hotel & Saloon
6260 Main Street
Georgetown, CA
530-333-4428
in operation since 1856

Glacier Lodge
Big Pine Creek
Big Pine, CA
Eastern Sierra
lodge burnt down; cabins remain

Gold Lake Lodge
Gold Lake, CA
Lakes Basin Recreation Area

Granlibakken
725 Granlibakken Road
Tahoe City, CA
800-543-3221
530-583-4242
Tahoe ski resort, since 1927

Groveland Hotel
18767 Main Street
Groveland, CA
209-962-4000
Gateway to Yosemite; built in 1849

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

Kings Canyon Lodge
67751 East Kings Canyon Road
Kings Canyon National Park, CA
559-335-2405
built in 1937
destroyed in wildfire 2015

Kit Carson Lodge
32161 Kit Carson Road
Kit Carson, CA 95644
209-258-8500
Silver Lake @ Carson Pass Hwy 88

restsaloon — Lakeshore Lodge, Restaurant & Saloon

Lakeshore Resort
Huntington Lake, CA
West Sierra National Forest
established in 1922

Montecito Sequoia Lodge
63410 Generals Hwy
Sequoia Kings Canyon NP
Recreation Camp w/ small lake
877-282-1440

Murphys Historic Hotel
457 Main Street
Murphys, CA
800-532-7684
209-728-3444
Gold Rush Country

Historic National Hotel
Bed and Breakfast
18183 Main Street
Jamestown, CA
209-984-3446
800-894-3446
Gold Rush Country
since 1859

National Hotel & Restaurant
18183 Main Street
Jamestown, CA
209-984-3446
800-894-3446
Gold Rush Country
continuous operation, first built in 1859

The National Hotel
211 Broad Street
Nevada City, CA
530-265-4551
Oldest continuously operating hotel in California, built in 1852

Rainbow Lodge
at Royal Gorge
Interstate 80, west of Donner Pass
Sierra Nevada

Rankin Ranch
Working cattle ranch w/ cabins & meals
Caliente, California
661-867-2511
Kern Co. / Southern Sierra Nevada
stagecoach stop 1870

Saint Bernard Lodge
44801 Highway 36 East
Mill Creek, CA
530-736-6188
Lassen National Forest
built in the 1920’s

Silver City Resort
Mountain Cabins
Mineral King, CA
Southern Sequoia National Park
historic cabin community

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

Strawberry Lodge
17510 US Highway 50
530-659-7200
Kyburz Pass
Eldorado National Forest
* closed due to 2021 Caldor Fire

Sugar Bowl Ski Resort
629 Sugar Bowl Rd
Norden, CA
530-426-9000
Donner Pass
opened in 1939

Tioga Pass Resort
Tioga Pass, Hwy 120 (CA SR 120)
East Yosemite National Park
Oldest resort in Inyo National Forest, established in 1914
(ongoing construction)

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

Truckee Hotel
10007 Bridge St.
Truckee, CA
530-587-4444
Donner Pass
established 1873

Washington Hotel
15432 Washington Rd
Washington, CA
530-265-4364
W of Donner Pass
established 1857

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

tiogacabins

Northern California

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

Blair House Inn
45110 Little Lake St
Mendocino, CA 95460
707-937-1800
1888 Victorian

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

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

Tallman Hotel
9550 Main Street
Upper Lake, CA 95485
707-275-2244
Clear Lake
built in the 1870s

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

ranger

Fire Lookouts: 100 years

NFS USFS

Many US Forest Service Fire Lookout Towers and Cabins inside California are considered historic, many being built prior to 1940.

>>> find all California National Forest Cabin Rentals and Fire Lookouts

Crocker Guard Station
Plumas National Forest
constructed in 1912

Big Meadows Guard Station
Sequoia National Forest
constructed between 1933 – 1935

Girard Ridge Lookout
Shasta Trinity National Forest
constructed in 1931

Harvey West Cabin
Eldorado National Forest
constructed in early 1930s

McCarthy Point Lookout
Lassen National Forest
constructed in 1936

Robbs Hut
Eldorado National Forest
constructed in 1933

Sly Guard Cabin
Eldorado National Forest
constructed in early 1940s

fire lookout tower

hostel

California Hostels

September 14, 2022 danamite

Hostels in California

Interested in meeting world travelers? Want to socialize with active, like-minded travelers during your trip? Then California hiker hostels may be worth checking out.

Often called Traveler Hostels, Youth Hostels or Backpacking Hostels, these budget accommodations have been renovating and recreating themselves in the past decade. More bedding selection, more privacy options and additional outdoor lounging areas.

Several historic buildings and lighthouses have been turned into hostels. Often located in the city center, or other prime locations near bus routes, beaches or attractions, hostels offer temporary lodging for young, flexible, budget minded adventurers.

These popular overnight places can book up months in advance, are usually located in well-known tourist destinations and offer much better pricing than traditional hotels.

If you’re not comfortable with sleeping in a strangers apartment with an AirBNB, nor paying top dollar to stay in a pre-parked motorhome – then hosteling is an alternative choice.

Community kitchen, bunk beds, storage lockers and shared bathrooms are the norm, but many hostels now offer private rooms, tent cabins or other unique sleeping arrangements. Every hostel is different and has a unique setup, so you’ll want to do your research ahead of time and choose carefully.

lodge

for more inexpensive lodging options in California, check out –

Budget Lodging

Farms Stays & Ranches

NFS Cabins Rentals
& Fire Lookouts

Tent Cabins & Yurt Rentals

high sierra

High Sierra Lodges

September 14, 2022 danamite

The phrase ‘High Sierra’ commonly refers to the highest mountain peaks in the U.S. Located in the Eastern Sierra region of California, as seen all along US Highway 395. The tallest granite ranges protected by Wilderness Areas. No roads, no building, no development.

Vogelsang HSC

various types of Sierra lodging

wilderness camps – hike-in access
rustic cabins – big snow country
fishing lodges – river front
historic forest lodges, inns & resorts
lakeside resorts – often closed in winter
tent cabins – summer months only

Listed below is a small selection of Sierra lodges in Calif. The list will grow over time as we add more recommended stays. Follow the links and call ahead for reservations, cuz some of these remote places close seasonally, or they can get damaged during winter storms.

Vaulted ceilings, large windows, huge wooden beams and granite rock fireplaces are typical of interiors inside the large, historic lodges. Hotel rooms, log cabins, maybe a huge dining room and even a bar. Usually no swimming pools; since alpine lakes and rivers abound.

Sierra Lodges can be found on paved access roads, along busy highways or interstates, near railroads, in neighboring small towns, close to hiking trailheads, and always near mountain destinations. Often open during winter months, but not always.

GenevieveLake

Lodging is super scarce in the wilderness high country. Rustic cabins, community dorms, bunk houses or tent cabins are typical overnight shelter. Daily meals may be provided (when requested in advance). Much desired time frame: June through September, wilderness accommodations can be reserved up to a year in advance, with a hefty fee, of course.

Most popular mountain areas could have seasonal outfitters that provide access to the remote backcountry; usually by horseback, snowmobile, or cross-country skiing. Reservations are needed for such services.

High Elevation Lodges & Cabins in the Sierra Nevada Mountains

elevation: 4000′ – 9000′

Overnight lodging in California; alpine country, located high in elevation. Mountain peaks, fire lookouts, cabins, historic inns, guard stations.

tiogacabins

The highest of elevations – cabins, lodges, small inns, all in perfect locations, totally immersed in alpine wilderness. Many of these are accessible only half the year, due to deep snow. A few can be reached by snowmobile or snowshoe in winter months. Some also have snow ski resorts nearby.

Lodging in Aspendell, California
elevation 8500′
Bishop Creek, Eastern Sierra
Highway CA SR 168
West of Bishop, CA

Lodging in Lone Pine, CA
elevation near 4000′
Mount Whitney Motels
Bishop Creek, Eastern Sierra

Lodging in Mammoth Lakes, CA
elevation 7860′
Mammoth Mountain ski resort
Mono Divide, Ansel Adams Wilderness
Eastern Sierra

Lodging in Bucks Lake, CA
Bucks Lake Resorts
Plumas National Forest

Chalet View Lodge
Highway 70 @ Graeagle, CA
Plumas National Forest
East of Quincy, CA

Gray Eagle Lodge
5000 Gold Lake Road
Graeagle, CA

Kit Carson Resort
Silver Lake CA
Carson Pass, Hwy 88
(closes for winter)

Tioga Pass Resort (TPR)
elevation 9000′
Tioga Pass, Highway 120
East Yosemite NP

High Sierra Camp (HSC)
(horseback or hike-in only)
Giant hiking loop in high country = Tuloumne Meadows, Vogelsang, Lake Merced, Sunrise Camp, May Lake
elevation 9000′ – 12,000′
Tioga Pass, Highway 120
Within Yosemite NP

Rainbow Tavern & Lodge @ Royal Gorge
Interstate 80 @ Old Route 40
West of Donner Pass
Soda Springs, CA

Lodging in Sierra City, California
elevation 4187′
North Yuba River
Northern Gold Country, Hwy 49

Lakes Basin Recreation Area
elevation 6400′
(closed in winter, sno mo ok)
Gold Lake, CA
Packer Lake Lodge
Sardine Lake
Elwell Lakes Lodge
Bassetts Station
North Gold Country, Hwy 49

Lodging in June Lake Loop, Hwy 158
June Mountain ski resort
Double Eagle Resort, Whispering Pines
N of Mammoth Lakes, CA

Lodging in La Porte, California
elevation 5000′
La Porte Road
East of Yuba City, CA

Montecito Sequoia Lodge
Montecito Lake Resort & Cabins
open year round
Sequoia National Park

Sequoia High Sierra Camp
elevation 8282′
(hike-in only)
Sequoia National Park

Wylder Hope Valley
formerly Sorensen’s Resort Cabins & Cafe
elevation 6000′
South of Lake Tahoe
Hope Valley, CA

Lodging in LAKE TAHOE, California
elevation 6229′
many lodges, inns, condos and resorts
located at Calif & Nevada state border

Truckee Hotel
Donner Lake Inn Bed & Breakfast
Donner Pass I-80
Truckee, CA

Twin Lakes
elevation 7092′
Eastern Sierra @ Bridgeport, CA
Hoover Wilderness access
Toiyabe National Forest

Vermilion Valley Resort
elevation 7643′
(closes for winter)
John Muir Wilderness
JMT = John Muir Trail access
Sierra National Forest
Lake Edison, CA

Washington Hotel
15432 Washington Rd
Washington, CA
530-265-4364
W of Donner Pass
established 1857

Whitehawk Ranch Golf Resort
Vacation Rentals
Plumas National Forest
Graeagle, CA

National Forest Cabins & Fire Lookout Towers

NFS

hiker

Snow melts from MAY into JUNE. Expect closure or mud on dirt back roads. Wildflowers bloom APRIL through AUGUST in the Sierra Nevada, above 3000′. Autumn arrives with aspens and fall colors in the Eastern Sierra, through OCTOBER.

cabin, fishing, high sierra, romantic, wilderness

Places to Paddle

September 14, 2022 danamite

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.

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

Bassetts Station
Ellwell Lakes Lodge Cabin Rentals
Gold Lake Resort Cabins
Lake Basin Campgrounds

Long Beach, CA

canoe

Mad River, Northern Cal

Ruth Lake Campground, Six Rivers National Forest

McCloud, CA

Fridays RV & Fly Fishing Retreat, Squaw Valley Road
McCloud River, Shasta National Forest

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

Coronado
La Jolla
Mission Bay / Mission Beach
Ocean Beach
Pacific Beach
Point Loma
San Diego Bay

raft fish

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

Bass Lake, developed resorts
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
Merced Lake HSC, tent cabins (hike-in only)
Merced River
Saddlebag Lake Campground
Tuolumne River

lodge

Yuba River, Sierra Nevada

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

bed&breakfast, historic, romantic

Wine Country Inn

September 14, 2022 danamite

California Wine Country Inns & Lodging
Wine Country Camping

zerodust winery stays

Romantic California Wine Country

Harmony Chapel, Central Coast, N San Luis Obispo

Wineries with Lodging

lodge restaurant

These lush resorts listed below cater to crowds, offering food, wedding venue, party space, luncheon, gift shop and overnight accommodations. These huge wineries are popular places with large facilities, parking lots, golfing nearby and restaurants.

Bacara, Santa Barbara
8301 Hollister Ave
Goleta, CA 93117
855-968-0100

Carneros Resort and Spa
4048 Sonoma Highway
Napa, CA 94559
707-299-4900

Fess Parker’s Wine Country Inn
2860 Grand Ave
Los Olivos, CA
805-688-7788
800-841-1104

Inn at Churon Winery
33233 Rancho California Rd
Temecula, CA

Solage
755 Silverado Trail N
Calistoga, CA 94515
866-942-7442

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
34843 Rancho California Rd
Temecula, CA
951-587-9463
866-994-6379

Vintners Inn
4350 Barnes Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
707-575-7350

davybrown

Wine Country Camping

Central Coast California

Los Padres National Forest

Big Sur Back Roads
Big Sur Campgrounds
Big Sur Camping

Davy Brown Campground
Figueroa Mountain Campground
Lake Cachuma, CA
Los Osos RV Ranch
Pozo, California

Northern California

Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
Ritchey Creek Campground

Calistoga RV Park

Clear Lake Campground RV & Fishing

Clear Lake State Park
Cole Creek Campground
Kelsey Creek Campground
Lower Bayview Campground
Upper Bayview Campground

Lake Berryessa
Putah Canyon Campground
Steele Canyon Campground

Petaluma KOA, San Francisco

Skyline Wilderness Park

Sonoma Coast State Park
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Valley Ford, CA – Doran Park

Southern California

Agua Tibia Wilderness
Dripping Springs Campground NFS
Julian Camping
Palomar Mountain Campgrounds

see more –

Wine Country Accommodations

wilderness

Utah Lodging

September 14, 2022 danamite

Bryce Canyon, UT

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon Lodge
aka The Lodge at Bryce Canyon
877-386-4383
Steps from the canyon’s rim, inside the National Park
114 rooms

Bryce Canyon Resort
3 miles from Bryce Canyon on the corner of Hwys 12 & 63
58 rooms

Bryce Valley Inn
10 scenic miles from Bryce Canyon National Park
65 rooms

Marianna Inn
Panguich, Utah
Gateway to Bryce National Park
34 rooms

Cedar Breaks, UT

Cedar Breaks National Park

Cedar Breaks Lodge
Brian Head
Minutes of Zion, Bryce, Cedar Breaks; autumn aspen groves, snow skiing, summer biking & hiking trails.
130 rooms

snow

Moab, Utah

Arches National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Desert Chalet Bed & Breakfast
off Holyoak Lane, on San Juan
5 rooms

Rustic Inn Motel
third traffic light & 1 block east
33 rooms

Sleep Inn Moab
Newer hotel, on the main drag
61 rooms

4x4

Saint George, Utah

Red Mountain Resort
Adventure & Fitness. Health Spa. Red Rock Therapy & spa facilities at a full service resort with impressive mountain views.
116 rooms

Salt Lake City, UT

Willow Glen Inn Bed & Breakfast
Located in Cedar Valley in a very quiet, rural location.
10 rooms

Torrey, Utah

Capitol Reef National Park

Chuckwagon Lodge
12 W Main St
Torrey, UT 84775
435-425-3335
showers, laundry, motel & cabins

Motel Torrey
415 West Main St
Torrey, UT 84775
435-425-3800

Zion, Utah

Zion National Park

zion waterfalls

Zion Lodge
1 Zion Lodge
Springdale, UT 84767
435-772-7700
Beautiful lodge in the middle of Zion Valley inside Zion NP
121 rooms

hiker

Zion Mukintuweep

historic

Mike’s Sky Ranch

July 20, 2022 danamite

Baja Resort Off Road

A rare gem: a rustic river ranch in Baja California Mexico. Fully operational, clean hotel with great rates & home-cooked meals. Open year round. dirt bike trails

This historic place is a living legend; well known throughout the tourists circles. A quaint, family run, secluded backcountry lodge – in the middle of nowhere. A motorcycle haven, well known w/ crowds. Hundreds of bikes, buggies, sand rails & jeeps each year make it to this lovely destination.

Also a popular destination for campers with the horses, 4×4 clubs, SUV travelers as well. No motorhomes, caravans of clueless, nor RVs should attempt this remote Baja location.

Baja Ranch Inn
Mike’s Sky Ranch rests on a hillside overlooking the Arroyo San Rafael, which is a somewhat wooded river valley with steep, brush-covered mountains. The ranch offers motel-type accommodations for a very reasonable price: family-style meals, a swimming pool, horse-back riding, sycamore-shaded campsites. The individual hotel rooms are adequate with a bathroom, plus a variety of bed sizes & combinations.

The price is right. Mike’s Sky Ranch charges on a per person basis. The rental includes a bed, plus two meals:

dinner the night you arrive
breakfast the next morning
bring cash for bar drinks
bring snacks, lunches & own ice chest

Camping also available; inquire for rates

Mikes Sky Ranch Reservations
write a letter:
667 Twining Ave.
San Diego, CA 92154

Call during the week Mon-Wed
phone # 011-52-664-68-15514

Ask about information regarding nearby day-trips to – the Oberservatory by vehicle or, on foot, into the rugged country to the east. A nice watrerfall is only 1 mile hike up the canyon. Depending on the year and waterflow, this may or may not be impressive. Small rainbow trout sometimes can be found in the river next to the ranch. Hunters may find deer, rabbit, & quail.

Imagine the remote, dirt, back roads of Baja Mexico. Dusty, bumpy, undeveloped & adventurous. Some areas may require 4 wheel drive depending on the rainfall & erosion at that time. Road conditions can change from year to year, so come prepared. Although a 2WD truck or SUV can easily make it all the way out to the infamous Mike’s Sky Rancho, it may not always be the case. Let’s just say on a heavy winter rainy season, beware. You may wanna see just how deep that river crosing really is before attempting that last obstacle.

Poolside MSR Baja

The swimming pool is clean & the properties water source is straight from the mountains via the year round flowing river next door. Camping out is an option down by the river.

There is a small bar that is open nighly; but please don’t expect poolside Palm Springs style service. This is a rustic place that caters more to the ‘roughin’ it’ types.

Getting there is half the fun. I wouldn’t try your first visit arriving at night, since the small dirt roads can get confusing with limited signage. There are no telephone poles out here, or even electricity wired this far out, so the small ranch uses a generator every night from dusk until 10pm.
“Man, when that generator goes off. Poof … the stars come on!”

MSR Baja California MX

Located approx. 50-60 miles; south east of Ensenada, Baja south off MX Hwy 3

DIRECTIONS: From Ensenada & Hwy. 3 East bound: This road to Mike’s begins at signed junction 10-11 miles south east of Valle de Trinidad. High-clearance vehicles are necessary; 4WD is not required. The entire route is on rough dirt roads. The first part rises over rural dry brush landscape & then decends down into a wooded river valley – where the resort is located. The overall mountainous region has few large trees & plenty of dust. The road becomes rougher as it winds down & approaches a junction at mileage 13.8. Bear left to continue 8 miles to the ranch. Creek crossings and river crossings, slow down!

MAPS:
NatGeo Baja Map Set
North BAJA Norteoverview MAP

The BAJA ALMANAC is by far the best back roads guide to Baja California MX. Numerous versions span from 1990-2001. May be difficult to find cuz it is out-of-print. Fast becoming a collectors item, since so few can be found on the ‘used book market’

Baja Roads

Bar Crew in 2003 — 2003 Bar Crew @ Mike’s

homes, wilderness

Prefab, Not Bad

November 23, 2021 danamite

TINY HOME – MODULAR – MOBILE – PRE FAB

From motorhomes to mobile homes, California has vacation and retirement appeal. Weather is a prime reason for the large population.

Pre-fabricated homes, steel building barn-homes and custom builds can be found all Northern California. New luxury homes, geodesic dome homes, with a moldy-oldie cabin, all right next to each other. Plenty of 1970-something mobile homes still in use.

The tiny home revolution may take California by surprise, as more people choose to downsize their life and amount of belongings. Yurts, cabins, ranch homes, cottages, kit cabins, log cabins and tiny house communities. Shipping container homes, double wide, single wide with roof awning, 5th wheel with slide-outs – and woodstove?

Wild Land Ranches on Road 308, Mendocino

wild land urban inter face

Living in the wild has some disadvantages. Wildland fire is one of them.

HEMP BLOCKS

MOBILE culture: temporary shelter, motorhomes, kit homes, cabins, yurts, inexpensive homes

new modular homes

Build New or Rebuilding options and ideas, some under $200k

kit cabins & log homes

tiny house homes

Small homes are becoming a preferred method of home ownership in California. Most models under $40k

tinyportablecedarcabins.com

ASPIRE – Tiny House on Wheels DIY Kit
Best Tiny House Kits 2018
Tiny House Builders in California

other links of interests:
Best Prefab / Modular Home Builders in US
ConsumerAffairs – Best Modular Homes
Simple Solar Homestead Plans
inhabitat.com
off-grid.net

Why you shouldn’t buy log cabin kits

building materials for erosion control

gladly sharing favorite products, links and experiences.

verdurawall — DanaMite built a 100 foot long retaining wall back in 2005.

Verdura Block

Quite simply, the easiest RETAINING WALL system available. Plant with wildflowers or bushes to ensure stability.

soilretention.com/verdura/professional/product-info/

homedepot.com/p/Verdura-12

best retaining wall

Polystyrene Forms
construction foundations

SmartBlock Twenty 8 inch
Insulated Concrete Forms
Create an energy-efficient and sustainable building with lightweight polystyrene (EPS)

homedepot.com/p/SmartBlock-8

Cabins

Romantic Lodges & Cabin Resorts

SoCal Favorites

most romantic towns: California

more romance: overnight

On the Cheap: Romantic

Rural & Romantic Small Towns: (with lodging)

Northern California is a well sought destination for secluded vacations.

SUMMER VS. WINTER

Northern California Cabin Rentals

Eastern Sierra Cabin Rentals

Gold Country Foothills: Cabins & Cottages

Sequoia Cabin Rentals

Sierra Nevada Cabin Rentals

Central California Cabin Rentals

Southern California Cabin: Mountains & Deserts

Historic Lodges in California

The most interesting Historic Lodges of California are the ones located deep within nature, surrounded by grandeur and real wild beauty. The historic hotels in which we list have been accommodating guest for over 100 years.

California Deserts

Southern California Mountains

California Cities

Sierra Nevada Mountains

Northern California

Fire Lookouts: 100 years

>>> find all California National Forest Cabin Rentals and Fire Lookouts

Hostels in California

various types of Sierra lodging

High Elevation Lodges & Cabins in the Sierra Nevada Mountains

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

American River, Sierra Nevada

Big Bear, San Bernardino NF

Bucks Lake, North Sierra Nevada

Carson Pass, Sierra Nevada

Clear Lake, Northern Cal

Ebbetts Pass, Sierra Nevada

Klamath River, Northern Cal

Long Beach, CA

Mad River, Northern Cal

McCloud, CA

Newport Beach, CA

Redding, CA

Russian River, Northern Cal

San Diego, CA

Salmon River, Northern Cal

Santa Barbara Mountains

Scott River, Northern Cal

Yosemite Area

Yuba River, Sierra Nevada

California Wine Country Inns & Lodging Wine Country Camping

Romantic California Wine Country

Wineries with Lodging

Wine Country Camping

Central Coast California

Northern California

Southern California

see more –

Bryce Canyon, UT

Cedar Breaks, UT

Moab, Utah

Saint George, Utah

Salt Lake City, UT

Torrey, Utah

Zion, Utah

Mikes Sky Ranch Reservations write a letter: 667 Twining Ave. San Diego, CA 92154

Call during the week Mon-Wed phone # 011-52-664-68-15514

MSR Baja California MX

wild land urban inter face

HEMP BLOCKS

new modular homes

kit cabins & log homes

tiny house homes

building materials for erosion control

Verdura Block

California, off the beaten path

Rural & Romantic Small Towns:
(with lodging)

Gold Country Foothills:
Cabins & Cottages

Southern California Cabin:
Mountains & Deserts

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

California Wine Country Inns & Lodging
Wine Country Camping

Mikes Sky Ranch Reservations
write a letter:
667 Twining Ave.
San Diego, CA 92154

Call during the week Mon-Wed
phone # 011-52-664-68-15514