Tag Archives: lodge

Historic California Lodges

November 19, 2021 danamite

Historic Lodges in California

Oldest hotels in California, West Coast & Sierra Nevada Mts

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

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

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

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

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)

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
built in 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

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

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

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

wilderness

Utah Lodging

March 20, 2021 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

Austin’s Chuckwagon Motel
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

GUIDED TOURS in UTAH
Moab Adventure Tours
Canyonlands Guided Tours
River Boat Tours & Sightseeing
Moab 4×4 Tours Sightseeing

high sierra

High Sierra Lodges

April 10, 2018 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

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

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.

Total Escape Lodging

Tag Archives: lodge

Historic California Lodges