West of I-5
This clean family-run motel on the outskirts of town is a favorite with Pacific Crest Trail hikers and a good choice for anyone on a budget.
Must-see hotels in California
Yosemite & the Sierra Nevada
This quaint, white-shingled inn has a dozen tidy little rooms with pedestal sinks, high-end mattresses and country quilts covering the beds.
Mt Shasta Region
A good-value, locally owned motel with country charm. This is the best option near Lava Beds National Monument outside of Klamath Falls.
San Diego
Leafy convention-class hotel with a Polynesian theme (koi ponds and waterfalls) and rooms with supercomfy mattresses. Parking costs $13.
Yosemite & the Sierra Nevada
A first-come, first-served campground 9 miles east of Groveland. It has vault toilets but potable water is only available in summer.
Best Western Plus Stevenson Manor
Calistoga
This entry-level business-class hotel feels generic, but has good extras, including a full hot breakfast and upstairs exercise room.
Central Coast
At this small, family-owned, 1950s motor court downtown, ultra-basic rooms mean prices that are almost as small as the outdoor pool.
West of I-5
Great campsite for fishermen since it's right on the Trinity River. Sites have picnic tables and a fire ring but no potable water.
Northern Mountains
Has lake-view cabins as well as RV sites and RV rentals. There's an on-site grocery and you can get fishing licenses here as well.
Big Sur
At Big Sur's southern edge, split-level motel rooms are nothing special, except for those with ocean horizon views. Pet fee $50.
Mono Lake Region
Small shady sites on the other side of the road from June Lake. Campfire rings, drinking water, flush toilets and bear lockers.
Mt Shasta Region
There are six primitive campsites with picnic tables and fire pits about a quarter mile below the lake. Bring your own water.
Russian River Area
Rates vary widely depending on the night for these well-kept motel rooms. Discounts possible for stays of a week or more.
Central Coast
First-come, first-served roadside parking spaces by the harbor have ocean views, but are for RVs only (no tents allowed).
Los Padres National Forest Campgrounds
Santa Barbara Wine Country
Family-friendly campgrounds with drinking water, flush toilets and both first-come, first-served and reservable sites.
Mt Shasta Region
This is a basic B&B serving a hearty breakfast in lackluster Tulelake. The owners are a trove of info on the area.
Healdsburg
This generic midrange motel has good service and an outdoor hot tub. Newer rooms have jetted tubs and gas fireplaces.
Mt Shasta Region
Straightforward, immaculately clean motel rooms make a good, no-fuss option. Great location in the main part of town.
Mt Shasta Region
Basic accommodations available at the springs include a rough-cut lodge, rustic cabins and canvas tipis. Book ahead.
Redding & Around
On the western side of I-5, this lakeside vacation park has a restaurant and tavern, horseshoes and basic cabins.
Coastal Highway 1
An efficient agency that can assist with finding accommodation within private homes in and around Mendocino.
Big Oak Flat Campground Reservation Office
Yosemite National Park
This campground office handles last-minute availability at the Hodgdon Meadow and Crane Flat campgrounds.
Oakland
In the East Bay's forested hills, this 5000-acre park has 75 campsites and hot showers. Open year-round.
Best Western Wine Country Inn & Suites
Russian River Area
Pretty standard midrange chain hotel, off Cleveland Ave. There's a pool and some rooms have a Jacuzzi.
Yosemite National Park
Utilitarian and crowded 105-site campground at 4900ft; reservations required mid-April to mid-October.
Yosemite National Park
Jam-packed and noisy, with 60 sites at 4000ft, some along the Merced River; reservations required.
Morro Strand State Beach Campground
Central Coast
At the north end of town off Hwy 1, Morro Strand State Beach has 75 simpler oceanfront campsites.
Coastal Highway 1
Rents vacation homes at the Sea Ranch as well as elsewhere along the Mendocino and Sonoma coast.
Sonoma Valley
This booking service supports small operations, Bed-and-Breakfasts and cottages in the area.
Northern Mountains
Large wooded campground on the lake. While RVs can camp here, there are no hookups.
Big Sur
Vertiginous clifftop views from an ocean-view deck, and cozy 1930s-era cabin rooms.
West of I-5
Five miles north of Lewiston, this is a woodsy Club Med, and rents boats.
Lake Tahoe
An old-school lodge and casino that has definitely seen better days.
Coastal Highway 1
Rents out vacation homes exclusively at the Sea Ranch development.
Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area
Sacramento & the Central Valley
This shaded campground on the banks of the Sacramento River is popular with anglers. It's surrounded by a dense riparian forest preserve home to bald…
San Diego
Behind the eclectic art-and-crafts-style facade of this inn set back from Camino del Mar, each of the 12 spacious rooms is meticulously furnished in the…
Death Valley National Park
Catering to RVs, this private campground is essentially a large parking lot with no water or hookups, albeit handily located next to Furnace Creek. Fees…
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Sacramento & the Central Valley
Sacramento is a good place for a final gear check before heading into the Sierras. This campground is not ideal – the lake can be overrun by powerboats –…
Sacramento
This Dutch Colonial home in Midtown has been transformed into a B&B, where rooms have Jacuzzis, fireplaces and lots of frill. The Mozart and Vivaldi rooms…
