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…
Must-see hotels in Northern California
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,…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
Berkeley
Near downtown, this budget motel has a couple dozen good-sized rooms with platform beds, plus free parking. It's a good balance of budget and proximity to…
Redding & Around
East of I-5 in Lakehead, at the north end of the lake, this very popular, family-oriented campground has cabins, a country store and a marina renting…
Limekiln State Park Campground
Big Sur
In southern Big Sur, this quiet state park has two-dozen campsites huddled under a bridge next to the ocean. Drinking water, fire pits and coin-op hot…
Donner Memorial State Park Campground
Lake Tahoe
Brace yourself to camp near Donner Lake: this family-oriented campground has 138 campsites with flush toilets and hot pay showers.
Napa
Impeccably kept rooms with generic furnishings in soft pastels. Ideal for conservative travelers. It's a 15-minute walk to downtown and has easy highway…
Redding & Around
Nice but tightly packed campground near the shore of Whiskeytown Lake. There's a parking lot for tent campers and you have to walk in a short distance to…
Sacramento
It's a kitschy treat to sleep aboard the Delta King, a 1927 paddle wheeler docked on the river in Old Sacramento. It lights up like a Christmas tree at…
Yosemite & the Sierra Nevada
A first-come, first-served campground 15 miles east of Groveland. Each site has a picnic table and a campfire pit, and potable water and vault toilets are…
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park Campground
Mt Shasta Region
The park campground has hot showers, bunk-bed cabins (bring your own sleeping bags) and campsites. It's open year-round, even when there's snow on the…
Lake Tahoe
The closest campground is this nine-site, tent-only spot set among ponderosa and fir trees; amenities include flush toilets, picnic tables and fire rings.
Tuolumne Meadows Campground Reservation Office
Yosemite National Park
Go to this office near the Tuolumne Meadows campground entrance to check in or inquire about available sites.
Big Lagoon County Park Campground
North Coast & Redwoods
This county-run campground in a cypress grove beside Big Lagoon has first-come, first-served sites with flush toilets and coin-operated showers.
North Coast & Redwoods
A reliable low-budget option with spacious rooms, although they could do with a lick of paint. That said, the inn has the added plus of a pool.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yosemite National Park
Utilitarian and crowded 105-site campground at 4900ft; reservations required mid-April to mid-October.
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