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
Oldest hotels in California, West Coast & Sierra Nevada Mts
While the well-known explorers Lewis and Clark were both freemasons and the first white men to walk across the continent were 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
Furnace Creek, California
Death Valley National Park Death Valley, CA Palmed 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
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 the Inyo National Forest, established in 1914
(under construction 2017-2020, due to storm damage)
Truckee Hotel
10007 Bridge St. Truckee, CA 530-587-4444 established 1873
Wawona Hotel
golfing on mountain meadows Wawona, California
South Yosemite NP,
Highway 41 (CA SR 41) in operation since 1918
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.
While the well-known explorers Lewis and Clark were both freemasons and the first white men to walk across the continent were not interested in ‘Masonic Lodges’ of the West Coast. Nor any Worshipful Masters that came after.
