Veterans Memorial Park Campground
Monterey
Tucked into the forest, this municipal campground has 40 grassy, non-reservable sites near a nature preserve's hiking trails. Amenities include coin-op…
Must-see hotels in Northern California
South Lake Tahoe & Stateline
This rustic, nay, primitive forest-service campground has 13 no-reservation sites and vault toilets, but its potable water supplies are often exhausted…
San Luis Obispo
The folksy, nothing-fancy motel rooms here are inviting, especially those right by the creek or with rocking chairs on wooden porches overlooking grassy…
Yosemite & the Sierra Nevada
More of a generic motel, the simple, well-kept Mariposa sports clean, quiet rooms with triple-sheeted beds and friendly staff. It earns extra marks for…
Napa & Sonoma Wine Country
Right off Hwy 101, this brand new hotel gives you easy access to the wineries of north and west Sonoma County. It feels corporate cookie cutter throughout…
Russian River Area
In quiet Duncans Mills, set on riverfront ranchlands, Casini is an enormous, well-run campground that's good for families but can feel a bit crowded…
Sonoma
Long on charm, this good-value, vintage hotel was built in 1872 and is decorated with country-style willow-wood furnishings. It sits right on the plaza…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
This standard-issue, two-story motor lodge at the Wharf has clean, nothing-special rooms, ideal for kids who make messes. Some rooms are loud; bring…
Central Coast
At this remarkably dog-friendly motel, even the doors have special peepholes for canine companions. Big rooms look bland, but grassy picnic areas and…
Napa Valley
Rooms at this ivy-covered country inn are in a century-old home and carriage house, decorated in French-provincial style. Big breakfasts, afternoon wine…
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Campground
Big Sur
Two small walk-in campsites sit up on a semi-shaded ocean bluff, with fire pits and vault toilets but no water. All campers must check in first at…
Sequoia National Park
Built by a lumber baron, this atmospheric 1901 Colonial Revival–style home offers three cozy guest suites with private sitting areas and gorgeous details,…
Yosemite & the Sierra Nevada
Tent campsites include water, electric hookups and free showers. There's a snack-and-supplies shop, laundry and pay phone on site. Reservations are…
South Lake Tahoe & Stateline
A good-value choice near the Heavenly Gondola, these ample motel rooms have the core amenities: microwave, refrigerator, coffeemaker and flat-screen TV,…
Wawona Campground Reservation Office
Yosemite National Park
This tiny campground office handles last-minute availability for the Wawona campground. It's located in a parking lot for utility vehicles and just below…
Sonoma Valley
An old-fashioned wood-sided motel with well-kept rooms decorated with antique repros, this is a weekday bargain. Outside there’s a pool and hot tub; next…
South Lake Tahoe & Stateline
Rooms here are rather nondescript, although a bilevel outdoor hot tub, spa suites with kitchens, and bicycles and snowshoes to borrow are nifty. Rooms out…
Central Coast
Revamped rooms have stylish accents, from geometric patterned bedspreads to vanity mirrors. The breakfast buffet is complimentary but it is only basic…
Calistoga
Upstairs from a busy bar, this inn has 17 clean, basic rooms with shared bath, ideal for no-fuss bargain hunters. No TV and no elevator. Bring earplugs. A…
Mt Shasta Region
Chock-full of RVs, with campsites under the trees and a small creek, this is a good option for families. The view of the mountain is breathtaking and…
Lake Tahoe
This developed campground offers 36 reservable sites along the beach, along with flush toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. For pay showers, head to…
Morro Bay State Park Campground
Central Coast
In Morro Bay State Park, more than 240 campsites with firepits, picnic tables and food lockers are fringed by eucalyptus and cypress trees; amenities…
Mono Lake Region
Located in town, June Lake Villager Motel has simple, light and airy rooms, some with kitchenettes and ski memorabilia. Larger suites and cabins have…
Russian River Area
Santa Rosa’s best-value motel, Hillside is close to Sonoma Valley; add $4 for kitchens. Furnishings are dated and service peculiar, but everything is…
Santa Cruz
Perfectly serviceable two-story motel with a garden courtyard, hot tub and complimentary continental breakfast. It's on busy Hwy 1 near the UCSC campus,…
Pinnacles National Park Campground
Central Coast
On the park’s east side, this popular family-oriented campground has over 130 sites (some with shade), drinking water, coin-op hot showers, fire pits and…
Russian River Area
Built in 1906 in grand lodge style, redone in 2007, the inn fronts right on to the river. Above the giant dining room are 12 bright, fresh-looking rooms…
Mt Shasta Region
The friendly, tidy Ellis Motel is 1 mile north of Tulelake on Hwy 139. It's basic and right on the road but it's a good choice if you want to get up early…
Central Coast
Two blocks uphill from the beach, this renovated motel with a small outdoor heated pool lets you sleep peacefully atop deluxe mattresses. Suites have…
Central Coast
A stone’s throw from Moonstone Beach, this ocean-view motel offers pampering amenities for pooches, including a welcome doggie basket. Rates include a…
Mono Lake Region
Located behind a Chevron gas station, it can get crowded at this campground just a block from the highway. On offer are grassy sites for tents, and the…
Montaña de Oro State Park Campground
Montaña de Oro State Park
Tucked into a small canyon, this minimally developed campground has pleasantly cool drive-up and environmental walk-in sites. Limited amenities include…
Russian River Area
Two miles east of Guerneville, Schoolhouse’s well-tended sites lie beneath tall trees across the main road from the river. Coin-operated hot showers,…
Central Coast
A 1950s motor lodge at the east edge of town with simple wooden-floored rooms spruced up by colorful wall art and above-average beds. The outdoor firepit…
Marin County
Basic rooms at this B&B, in a building dating from 1910, each have their own unique style and artsy decor such as crazy quilts and vibrant accent walls…
Mammoth Lakes
Shady campground close to town and near the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center. Has bear-proof lockers, flush toilets, water faucet and campfire rings…
Russian River Area
This 1871 Victorian south of town rents a cottage out back with a separate entrance. It's really an Airbnb-type experience, but if you are traveling with…
Santa Cruz
Ideal for families, these roomy apartments near a kid-friendly beach come with everything you’ll need for a lazy vacation, including kitchenettes. Weekly…
Santa Cruz
No-frills retro hideaway east of downtown Santa Cruz is a staunch surfers' fave. The long-time Santa Cruzian owner rents well-worn rooms and more recently…
The Peninsula
Being on the free university-campus shuttle route is the biggest selling point at this tidy, family-owned motel with contemporary rooms, kitchenette…
