Northern California offers some of the best experiences in the U.S. including vineyards, rolling hills, coastal views and colossal redwoods. Think outside the hotel room walls and consider one of these alternative (and affordable!) accommodation options in this beautiful area.
Glamping
Shorthand for glamorous camping, glamping provides the natural experience of outdoor camping combined with the more luxurious amenities you may get at a hotel.
Get your fill of glamping at Treebones Resort at Big Sur. Nestled along the California coast, Treebones offers a rich experience for individuals as well as families. The resort features yurts — tent-like circular fabric structures with wooden frames — where lodgers can enjoy queen-sized beds, a couch, tables and chairs, heat, electricity and a sink all while being in the middle of nature. The yurts also come with their own decks, giving glampers the chance to take in panoramic views.
Treebones also offers a “human nest” perched above the Big Sur campgrounds. Anyone can sleep in the wooden nest-like structure, but it’s not waterproof so make sure you have a tent near by.
One yurt will set you back about $200.
State Parks
If you aren’t looking for all the bells and whistles of glamping, consider state parks your best friend. With rangers always around and cleanliness a priority, these parks are a great place to grab a cabin or campsite with a grill pit or picnic table.
The Hendy Woods State Park in Anderson Valley offers many opportunities for exploration on a shoestring budget. Close to farmhouses, apple orchards, vineyards and redwoods, the park is a good jumping off point for plenty of daily outings. It’s also close to the largest town in the area, Boonville, which has its own folk language called “Boontling.” This thousand-word dialect originated in the 1800s, and was once taught in the area’s schools. A nearby brewery also offers daily tours. You can rent a cabin at Hendy Woods State Park for as little as $50 a night. If you have your own tent camping is even cheaper than getting a cabin. Many other state parks even offer camping lots for about $25 per night.
Lost Trail Lodge
For an off-the-grid experience, head to Lost Trail Lodge in Tahoe. Two wells supply the water to this cozy hideaway, and the lodge generates its own electricity by using solar panels and hydroelectric turbines. Just because the lodge is off the grid doesn’t mean it only has the essentials. You’ll find many of the same amenities offered at hotels, but in a space that lets you disconnect from your cell phone. If you wish to go during the winter months, make sure to bring skis or snowshoes as the lodge is completely cut off from roads by snow. Nearby trails and waterfalls make this the perfect getaway for more adventurous types.
Room rates start at $89 per guest, or you can rent the whole lodge starting at $1,380 per night.
The Hotel Burlington
In continuous operation since 1883, The Hotel Burlington offers Victorian history in the small town of Port Costa. Rumors of haunted halls, and a stint as a bordello give this hotel an old world charm. Each room contains Victorian antiques and magazines from the 1940s and 1950s. The 19 Victorian-style rooms are simple, but beautiful. Prices range from $45 to $80 per night.
VW Camper
If road tripping, and seeing where the wind blows you is more your thing, consider renting a VW Camper from California Campers. Smaller than an RV, these mini roadhouses come with a sink, stove, fridge, mattress and small dining tables. Rentals are available in the San Francisco area, and start at $100 per day during the off-season.
Written by Angie Picardo. Angie is a writer at TravelNerd, a NerdWallet blog dedicated to making travel easier and cheaper by helping travelers set financial goals to save for trips.
All photos by Michael Pope.
