Interested in meeting world travelers? Want to socialize with active, like-minded travelers during your trip? Then California 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.
for more inexpensive lodging options in California, check out –
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Oldest hotels in California, West Coast & Sierra Nevada Mts
Imperial Hotel in Amador City, CA – Gold Rush Country
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.
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
Hotel Del, Coronado, CA
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
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
Wawona Hotel
golfing on mountain meadows Wawona, California South Yosemite NP
Highway 41 (CA SR 41) in operation since 1918
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
Didjeridoo Inn
44860 Main Street
Mendocino, CA 95460
707-937-6200 1881 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
Mill Creek, CA 96061
530-595-3383 Lassen National Forest original resort established 1864
stagecoach stop
Fire Lookouts: 100 years
Many US Forest Service Fire Lookout Towers and Cabins inside California are considered historic, many being built prior to 1940.
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
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
hostels may be worth checking out.
