Category Archives: fishing

Open Sky Destinations

luxury in lassen
Cottages at Highlands Ranch Resort

Places to go see the Night Sky in California

Benton Hot Springs

Big Sur, CA

Blue Lake Campground
Modoc NF

Bodie Ghost Town

Bridgeport, CA

Cambria, CA

Eastern Sierra Lakes

Elk Creek, CA

Ferndale, CA

Gold Lake, CA

Kennedy Meadows, CA

Lake Cuyamaca

Lassen Volcanic NP

McCloud, CA

Mercey Hot Springs

Mineral, CA

Mineral King Canyon

Mono Lake, CA

Lake Almanor, CA

Lake Tahoe, CA

Silver Lake @ Bucks

Tuolumne Meadows
Hwy 120 @ Yosemite NP

Walker, CA

Wilbur Hot Springs

horseback

California Meadow Locations

Wild Land Ranches
Wild Land Ranches

Meteor Showers & Stargazing

 

lodge

Best Lodges with Sky Views

Lodge @ Blue Lakes
Hwy 20, Upper Lake
Clear Lake, CA

Caples Lake Resort
Carson Pass Hwy 88
Kirkwood, CA

Cardinal Village Resort
Eastern Sierra
Aspendell, CA

Gold Lake Cabin Rentals
Lakes Basin Recreation Area
E of Quincy, CA

Highlands Ranch Resort
Lassen NF @ Hwy 36
Mill Creek, CA

Hunewill Ranch
US 395
Bridgeport, CA

Kit Carson Lodge
Silver Lake @ Carson Pass
Hwy 88
Kirkwood, CA

McCloud Mercantile Hotel
241 Main St
McCloud, CA

Quiet Mind Retreat Lodge
Lake Cuyamaca
Julian, CA

Rock Creek Lodge
Eastern Sierra US 395
Rock Creek Canyon Rd
Toms Place, CA

Tioga Pass Resort
Hwy 120 @ east entrance
Yosemite NP

Mineral California
Battle Creek Meadows, Mineral, CA

Wilderness Lodges

California Wilderness Lodges

Childs Meadow Lassen
Childs Meadow @ Lassen

These accommodations listed below are located on the edge of Wilderness.  Northern California, Sierra Nevada mountains, rural coastlines or even in the vast Deserts; the terrain is always front and center and the main attraction.

Some are large resorts with dining and other amenities, others are small and intimate, historic and cozy. Open year round or closed during winter months, each place is different. Follow links to find out more details and tell them Total Escape sent you.

Stay overnight surrounded by nature, right next to the Wilderness

lodge

various types of Wilderness lodging

wilderness camps – horseback or hike-in access only
rustic cabins – big snow country, carry snow chains
fishing lodges – river front and very popular
historic forest lodges, inns & resorts
lakeside resorts – often closed in winter
hot springs resorts – located in remote areas

Overnight accommodations are pretty scarce in the wilderness areas and high country locales of the golden state. Wilderness accommodations can be reserved up to a year in advance, with a hefty fee, of course. Often open during winter months, but not always.

mountains

Wilderness Lodges & Cabins in Calif

elevation: 4000′ – 9800′

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

Benton Hot Springs
Benton Hot Springs, N of Bishop, CA

The Inn at Benton Hot Springs
Highway 120, Benton, CA
High desert inn, E of US 395

Big Sur Lodge
47225 Highway 1
@ Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Big Sur, CA 93920
800-424-4787
831-667-3100

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

The Inn at Death Valley
Highway 190
Death Valley, CA 92328
Death Valley National Park

Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn
48865 Highway 1 @ Castro Canyon
Big Sur, CA
831-667-2377
19 cabins & cottages

Original Glacier Lodge
Big Pine Creek Glacier Lodge burned down in1998; only the cabins remain

Glacier Lodge
elevation 8000′
(closed for winter)
Glacier Lodge Road
W of Big Pine, CA @ US 395
Eastern Sierra – Palisades Glacier
John Muir Wilderness
Inyo National Forest

Gray Eagle Lodge
5000 Gold Lake Road
Graeagle, CA
Lakes Basin Recreation Area
Plumas National Forest

hiker

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

luxury in lassen
Highlands Ranch, Lassen National Forest

Highlands Ranch Resort
elevation 5000′
Village Inn @ Childs Meadow
Hwy 36 E, Mill Creek, CA
(open year round)
Lassen National Forest
Lassen Volcanic National Park

restaurant

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

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

elwell lodge

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

Lucia Deck Dining

Lucia Lodge
62400 Hwy 1
South Big Sur Coast
Lucia, CA
831-667-2391
10 cottages

Mill Creek Resort
Cabins & Campground
(closes for winter)
Hwy 172, Mill Creek, CA
Lassen National Forest
Lassen Volcanic National Park

laporte_union
LaPorte Union Hotel

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

panamint springs motel

Panamint Springs Resort
40440 Highway 190
Darwin, CA 93522
Death Valley National Park

Rock Creek Lodge
Rock Creek Canyon Rd
elevation 9373′
John Muir Wilderness
Inyo National Forest
Eastern Sierra, W of US 395

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

Tree Bones Yurt Resort
Treebones Resort & Restaurant
71895 Highway 1
Rural Central Coast
Big Sur, CA
877-4-BIG SUR
877-424-4787
16 yurts

hiking maps

Ventana Inn & Spa
48123 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA
831-667-2331
800-628-6500
60 rooms & suites
243 acres
Ventana Wilderness 

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

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

stonewalls

National Forest Cabins
& Fire Lookout Towers

NFS

fire lookout tower

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.

snow

more recommendations coming soon….

Arizona Wilderness Lodges

Grand Canyon (cabins on the rim)

Jacob Lake Inn
7925′ elevation
AZ Hwy 67 @ US-89A
Fredonia, AZ 86022
928-643-7232
cafe, cabins & motel
North Kaibab National Forest
Grand Canyon, North Rim

pinetree

Nevada Wilderness Lodges

Mount Charleston

Utah Wilderness Lodges

Zion & Bryce National Parks

Secluded Cabins

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

FORT JONES, CA

McCLOUD, CA

MOUNT SHASTA, CA

WEAVERVILLE, CA

WEED, CA

WILLOW CREEK, CA

fish

sorensens
Cabin rentals @ Hope Valley

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.

BIG PINE, CA

BISHOP, CA

JUNE LAKE, CA

LEE VINING, CA

MAMMOTH LAKES, CA

MARKLEEVILLE, CA

TOM’S PLACE

TWIN LAKES, CA

cabin

Gold Country Foothills:
Cabins & Cottages

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

ANGELS CAMP, CA

DOWNIEVILLE, CA

MURPHYS, CA

NEVADA CITY, CA

SIERRA CITY, CA

TWAIN HARTE, CA

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.

ALTA SIERRA, CA

KERNVILLE, CA

LAKE ISABELLA, CA

WOFFORD HEIGHTS, CA

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

pinetree

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.

HOPE VALLEY, CA

HUNTINGTON LAKE, CA

LAKE TAHOE LODGING

LA PORTE, CA

MARKLEEVILLE, CA

SHAVER LAKE, CA

TRUCKEE, CA

YOSEMITE BASS LAKE

YOSEMITE GROVELAND

YOSEMITE MARIPOSA

YOSEMITE OAKHURST

YOSEMITE VALLEY

yosemite
photo by Skip

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.

BEN LOMOND, CA

BIG SUR, CA

BOULDER CREEK, CA

CAMBRIA, CA

CARMEL, CA

PINE MOUNTAIN, CA

cabin homes

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.

ANGELUS OAKS, CA

BIG BEAR LAKE, CA

BORREGO SPRINGS, CA

IDYLWILD, CA

JOSHUA TREE, CA

JULIAN, CA

LAKE ARROWHEAD, CA

MOUNT LAGUNA, CA

PALOMAR MOUNTAIN

PIONEERTOWN, CA

group at cabin

Places to Paddle

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

paddle

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

Long Beach, CA

canoe

Mad River, Northern Cal

Ruth Lake Campground, Six Rivers National Forest

McCloud, CA

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

raftfish

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

lodge

Yuba River, Sierra Nevada

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