California has some amazing waterfalls. Why not take advantage of the Bay area and go camping near a waterfall. And while you're looking for waterfalls, you should visit a magical tide fall. Explore this campground near the magical beach waterfall in Marin County.
Wildcat Campground is located at 1 Bear Valley Road, Point Reyes Station, 94956
advertisement
Alamere Falls is a rare "tidefall", a waterfall that flows directly into the ocean.
Wildcat offers coastal camping that is hard to come by so close to San Francisco. You can sleep on an open meadow on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Wow!
Before heading back to your campground, make sure to enjoy Alamere Falls as well as the other smaller waterfalls in the area. This is a beautiful part of California.
If you're feeling the tension of city life then sneaking away to a remote and cozy cabin sounds like a perfect getaway. While some of our favorite locations tend to close up for the season, there’s still a ton of picturesque cabins that stay open through the fall to give us that ultimate retreat away from it all. If you’re looking for an amazingly cozy cabin getaway near San Francisco, these rentals fit the bill!
We're never mad about a getaway to Lake Tahoe, and this cozy cabin rental is sure to take your Tahoe experience to the next level! This lakefront home is located in Brockway Vista on the north shore of Lake Tahoe. The owner just completed a nice remodel of the kitchen with new gas stove, solid surface counter tops and a flagstone floor. New lighting and bathroom update as well with heated floors in the bath. Located close to skiing, hiking, beaches, restaurants, shopping, and all Tahoe has to offer. This home includes a rocky beach and buoy. One of Tahoe's best sandy beaches is within walking distance, including restaurants and shopping. The cabin also features a lovely deck with a great outdoor dining space, built in gas BBQ and a fire pit to keep you toasty as you watch the sunset over Lake Tahoe.
This is an awesome spot surrounded by redwoods and near the Pacific Ocean. The 12 cabins at this Big Sur hideaway are among 16 acres of old-growth forest and just 10 minutes from hiking trails.
Costanoa is an eco-friendly spot with a wide variety of cabins. This is one site that offers "glamping" possibilities. There is an on site restaurant and spa, as well as endless miles of hiking and biking trails.
Editor's note: Please note that, due to the 2020 wildfires, this campsite is closed. Basecamp Hospitality, with direction from California State Parks, intends to reopen Big Basin and Little Basin. The park remains closed due to dangerous conditions caused by the fire damage. Big Basin has tent cabins, which are basically a cabin with a tent roof. The wonderful thing about these cabins is that they are in the middle of the redwoods; your cabin is in a small clearing in the middle of giant redwoods.
Located about an hour north of Fog City, the Sandpiper Stinson Beach offers a number of lodging options including four well-appointed cabins with great views.
This KOA is rated one of the top cabins/campgrounds in California and is the premier cozy getaway in the San Francisco Bay area. The proximity to Fog City makes this place very appealing too. Visit the San Francisco North/Petaluma KOA page for more information.
Tucked away in peaceful, sheltered coves of Tomales Bay, the cabins at Nick’s Cove combine rustic charm with luxurious comfort. Each unique cabin is an elegant, cozy hideaway.
Lodging options in Yosemite National Park range from simple tent cabins at the High Sierra Camps to more upscale if desired. This is a very popular place to rent a cabin, so you need to plan many months in advance.
These cabins are in a gorgeous part of Mt. Tam, and are bare bones, but they are the Bay Area’s least-expensive way cabin. Also, as a bonus you have insanely amazing ocean views when you book a stay at the Steep Ravine Cabins in NorCal!
Coming out to San Francisco? Lucky you! Of course, your first order of business is picking your ideal accommodation, a feat that can seem pretty daunting given the myriad options in our little 7x7 town. So, here we offer some of the more unique places to stay in San Francisco to make your trip here that much more unforgettable.
We'll admit the location of this hotel is not totally optimal, but it's certainly a sweet oasis in the heart of the Tenderloin. Many San Francisco residents know this as the famous rock 'n' roll motor lodge, which has been known to host big rock stars, from Pearl Jam to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Inside, you've got sleek, clean digs with a retro-chic vibe and a great restaurant and bar. Cross your fingers for a warm, sunny day so you can take advantage of the pool!
2. The Red Victorian Commune & Hotel: 1665 Haight Street (temporarily closed)
Since 1904, this spot in the Upper Haight has been a refuge for many travelers and artists. It was a major gathering place for the hippies, where political protests and talks of peace, love, and rock 'n' roll helped galvanize many young, inspired souls. The hotel was renovated in 2014 and offers both hostel and private rooms. They bill the spot as a "collaborative community space," and continue to uphold the ideals of the hippies by offering a safe spot for all. You can even stay in the "Summer of Love" Room.
This historic spot is the first and only hotel in the beautiful Presidio, a national park on the edge of the Golden Gate. Built in 1903, it was once used as a home for unmarried officers when the area was a U.S. Army post. It's now a gorgeous, country-chic boutique hotel that features just 22 accommodations. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings (with several trails nearby), the outdoor deck with a fire pit, and the evening wine-and-cheese reception.
The location here is also not so ideal (the Bayview-Hunters Point district is far from any attractions and is one of San Francisco's most dangerous areas—though there is a growing artist community in the area, in its very near the freeway), but, hey, you can stay in a 19th-century castle! In San Francisco! This 2,000-square-foot home is being rented out on VRBO for roughly less than a grand per night. Learn more about it here.
Up for seeing and meeting a little slice of San Francisco history? This 1890 Victorian mansion located in the posh Pacific Heights 'hood has all sorts of antique touches—including a purported ghost. The house was once home to a school for girls run by Miss Mary Lake, who may be found lurking in her room, #410. But ignore all that, and relax in the piano salon, cozy up by the fireplace, and feel like you're living the high life in San Francisco, as it once was.
This Union Square hotel's motto? "A San Francisco hotel that's as unique as you." That bold statement can be backed up by its playful, modern design (some influenced by Jack Kerouac's "On the Road), and rooms that include the Haagen-Dazs "Sweet Suite" for ice cream fanatics, Kathy Griffin's "D-List Suite" designed by the comedian, and Jerry Garcia's "J. Garcia Suite" for the true Deadheads.
Since its location in Bernal Heights is a bit away from the typical tourist hot spots, this cozy cottage is reserved for travelers looking for that truly local experience. As proclaimed on Airbnb, it's owned by "two well known artists" who suggest you even can write a book in their lovely, quiet garden. That's right, live your literary fantasies right here in San Francisco.
8. Hotel Rex: 562 Sutter Street (Now, the Hotel Emblem)
Flash back to the 1930s at this hip boutique hotel near Union Square, perfect for art and literary buffs. Their rooms have a retro-bohemian vibe, featuring original artwork and hand-painted lamps. You can also enjoy a large library, a free nightly wine hour, live music and poetry readings at the in-house Library Bar. Though the name has changed to The Hotel Emblem, it still looks much the same.
