Many people envision golden beaches when they picture California, but the state offers everything from gorgeous sands to mountains. A cabin rental here might mean the perfect lake getaway, a place to stay near one of its spectacular parks in the mountains, along the coast or in the desert. Whatever your idea of the perfect escape, you’re sure to find it among the state’s best cabin rentals.
Yosemite Valley Cabin - Yosemite National Park
This cabin is located right inside Yosemite National Park and sleeps up to 10 guests. It includes three bedrooms, all of which have a flat-screen Smart TV, and those who take the upstairs bedroom will have a beautiful view of Wawona Dome. Other highlights include a stone fireplace in the living room, a jetted spa tub, heated tile floors in the kitchen and bathrooms, and large picture-framed windows that showcase the views. The top-of-the-line kitchen includes two ovens, and you’ll have a washer/dryer too.
Modern Cabin with Spa, Fire Pit and BBQ - Big Bear
This one-bedroom cabin for four is ideal for a lake retreat, located at Big Bear Lake, close to trails that bring beautiful forest and water views. In the extra-spacious living room, you’ll have floor-to-ceiling windows and a wood-burning stove with the wood included. Other amenities include a cable TV with premium channels, a wrap-around deck with a grill, and an outdoor hot tub.
The Enchanted Lookout - Julian
One of the most popular cabin rentals in the U.S., this Airbnb is a nature lover’s paradise. Located just over a mile from downtown Julian, a former gold mining, this cabin was converted from a fire lookout into a luxury vacation rental. Nestled in a peaceful, private sanctuary with panoramic views of the forest and Volcan Mountain Reserve, it even has its own large hot springs spa. It includes two bedrooms, sleeping up to six – with high ceilings and picture windows, it feels extra spacious. There’s a long list of amenities, just a few of which include a welcome gift of red or white wine and dark or milk chocolate, a Jotul Norwegian wood-burning stove, a high-end grill, a collection of vintage records, art, classic books and antiques.
Goat Farm and Ocean Views - Big Sur
If you like animals and want to enjoy the beauty of the Big Sur coast, this is your place. A two-bedroom cabin for four, it sits on a private working ranch with horses, cows, sheep, goats, and chickens in the heart of Big Sur. You’ll even have a spectacular ocean view, while Pfeiffer State Park is just 1.5 miles away, home to a world-famous purple sand beach. There are scenic walks throughout the property and along the coast too. It comes complete with a full kitchen and bathroom, washer /dryer, and Wi-Fi.
Luxury Log Cabin - Mariposa
Just 10 miles from the southern entrance of Yosemite National Park this luxurious log cabin sits on 40 private acres with scenic trails, bringing practically endless opportunities to hike. The original log Great Room has a century-old history, but it includes plenty of modern comforts throughout. You’ll have Wi-Fi, three flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, complimentary Netflix movies in the living room, a stone fireplace and a kitchen that’s fun to cook in with an old-style farmhouse feel. A fire pit, picnic table, and grill are all included too.
Cozy Log Cabin Near Lassen National Park - Shingletown
For easy access to Lassen National Park, this log cabin is ideal. It sleeps up to four, but it’s absolutely perfect for a romantic retreat. The master loft has a balcony where you can breathe in the fresh mountain air while gazing out at the picturesque surrounding views and the wildlife that wanders by. It includes a wood-burning stove, a TV with a DVD player and a selection of movies, board games and reading material too.
Donner Lake Cabin - Truckee
The “Squirrel’s Nest” is a two-bedroom lake cabin nestled in the woods just two blocks from West End Beach right across the street from Donner Lake. It sleeps up to eight and comes with a wood-burning stove (firewood is supplied), as well as beach furniture, a grill, and hammocks. Sleds are included for your winter visits too. The loft/master bedroom has its own private balcony, and there’s a deck for multiple options when you want to relax outdoors. There’s a full kitchen, a TV with a DVD player, and a washer/dryer too.
Rustic Cabin in Dry Creek Valley - Healdsburg
Located in California wine country, this rustic cabin is ideal for a wine-loving couples’ getaway. It offers scenic views overlooking the rolling vineyards in West Dry Creek Valley and sits on an 18-acre Old Vine Zinfandel vineyard. It has a full kitchen with a Keurig coffee station that includes coffee, hot cocoa and tea, along with some starter beverages in the fridge, like beer, wine, soda, and water. Direct TV, free Wi-Fi, and a printer are also included. Outdoors you can relax on the deck which includes a propane grill with propane supplied.
Winter Way Cabin - Strawberry
If you’re looking for an unplugged experience where you can simply enjoy the peace and quiet along with breathtaking views and a wealth of outdoor adventure, this three-bedroom cabin may be ideal. It’s located in the town of Strawberry near Pinecrest Lake and Dodge Ridge Ski Area in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains. You’ll have great access to hiking trails, skiing, and the South Fork of the Stanislaus River too. From the large deck, you can enjoy the view of the river, or even cast your line in to catch your evening meal. There’s also a hot tub for relaxing with the view – the only downside is you may not want to come back to the reality of the “real world” afterward.
Ski In/Ski Out at 7,300 Feet - Bear Valley
This cozy ski chalet sits on a ridge above Bear Valley Village offering a pristine ski-in and ski-out environment away from the Tahoe crowds. It’s also ideal in the summer, only 150 yards from Bear Lake and scenic trails. In the spring you’ll see colorful wildflowers While autumn transforms the landscape to gold. After a day of skiing, hiking, or anything else, the perfect finale is enjoying some of the local wine in the private year-round hot tub – you can pick up a bottle in Murphys on your way in, with discounts provided for guests at Val du Vino winery. The cabin comfortably sleeps six and includes a fireplace, Roku home theater with Netlfix, and a piano. The views are beautiful in every season, and listed as one of National Geographic’s “dark spots,” you can expect some incredible stargazing too.
Ski-In/Ski-Out with Spa and Game Room - Big Bear Lake
This 3,000-square-foot cabin is an ideal pick for Southern California skiing. Located at Big Bear Lake it’s a ski-in, ski-out rental that includes lots of luxuries. It sleeps over a dozen guests in three bedrooms, all of which have flat-screen TVs with cable channels, Blue Ray/DVD and Netflix. Plus, there’s a hot tub for soaking under the stars – there’s almost nothing better than that after a day on the slopes. It also features a chef’s kitchen, a large Smart TV, an indoor fireplace, and a grill. Other indoor entertainment options include an assortment of video games, board games, books and puzzles, ping pong, air hockey and foosball tables.
La Cabana Carmelita - Kings Beach
This cozy pet-friendly cabin sleeps up to three and is located in the Tahoe area’s funky beach town of Kings beach with lots of hiking trails nearby along with options for renting kayaks or paddleboards to get out on the water. It offers a beautiful lake view and includes a large furnished deck with a gas grill.
The Emerald Outpost: Off-Grid Gateway to SRNF - Del Norte County
This cozy cabin sits on 12 forested acres, surrounded by the Six Rivers National Forest. You’ll have lots of privacy with not one neighbor in sight and your own private swimming with crystal-clear water in Jones Creek is just steps away. It’s an off-grid glamping type experience allowing you to forget about all of your electronic gadgets and immerse yourself in nature. Some camping items are included, like a composting toilet, an outdoor hot water shower system, and a propane camp burner with propane and matches, but you’ll need to bring an ice chest, food, drinking water, bedding or sleeping bags.
River Edge Retreat - Duncan Mills
Located right along the Russian River just five miles inland from the Sonoma Coast, this cabin is ideal for those who want to enjoy the river, the Pacific, and perhaps wine tasting at the region’s many wineries. It accommodates up to three and has an open-floor studio-size layout with a wood-burning stove, a compact but fully equipped kitchen, and a stereo system with a collection of vinyl for your listening pleasure inside or out. Guests can look forward to sipping their morning coffee while enjoying spectacular sunrises from the large deck which includes a fire pit along with a floating dock for easy access to the water.
Luxurious Mountain Cabin with Master Suites, Jacuzzi & Views - Lake Arrowhead
This luxurious four-bedroom cabin sleeps up to 10 and provides magnificent unobstructed views of a ravine in the San Bernardino National Forest from an outdoor deck. There are multiple decks, with the top deck furnished for alfresco dining and cookouts with a gas grill. The Master Suites have direct access to a middle deck with more privacy while the lower deck has a two-personal swing, seating, and a soothing hot tub for relaxing with the picturesque views. All rooms have HDTV with premium cable channels while a game loft includes a stand-up arcade console with the classics, a shuffleboard table, games, puzzles, and books.
Upscale Cabin with Dramatic Views, Minutes From Hiking at Humber Park - Fern Valley, Idyllwild
Nestled in an evergreen forest in the Mount San Jacinto area, this beautiful cabin offers unbeatable views and easy access to Humber Park hiking trails. Enjoy glorious sunsets to the west and a view of Tahquitz Peak, which soars over the cabin to the west. Here the silence is broken only by the songs of the birds and the wind that rustles through the trees, providing a perfect spot to destress and recharge. The cabin features a long list of high-end perks, including floor-to-ceiling windows, a wood-burning fireplace, a 4K 49″ Roku TV, board games, and a very well-stocked kitchen that even comes with a fondue set.
