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California is home to some of the country’s best cities, wine regions, coastlines, national and state parks, deserts, and road trips. So I’ve rounded up the best vacation homes in California for your next trip.
The Ultimate California Travel Guide
This state has an adventure for everyone, so I’ve rounded up the most incredible vacation homes for your trip. Pro Tip: booking vacation homes is one of my top ways to save money on a California trip.
Here are the best vacation homes in California!
Villa Nel Bosco
Napa Valley
8 guests3 bedrooms5 beds2.5 baths
Transport yourself to Italy at this Tuscan-inspired estate in the heart of wine country. Inside, the home has old-world furniture, high ceilings, European decor, and luxurious bedrooms. Outside, you’ll have vineyard views, manicured gardens, a fire pit, pool, hot tub, and al fresco dining.
Discover more incredible vacation homes in Napa Valley
Urban Oasis
San Diego
2 guests1 bedroom1 bed1 bath
This “urban treehouse” is an industrial penthouse with 180-degree city and bay views. The furnishings are vibrant and cozy, you’ll love the succulent-filled private patio, and the feature wall of multi-colored spirits and liquors is Insta-perfect.
Check out all the best vacation homes in San Diego
Aerial Ascent Yosemite
Yosemite National Park
10 guests3 bedrooms7 beds2 baths
This chalet is located inside Yosemite National Park just seven miles from Badger Pass and 16 miles from Yosemite Valley. You’ll also be close to Glacier Point Road, one of my favorite scenic drives in the park!
Browse more of the top vacation homes near California’s National Parks
North Coast Sanctuary
Trinidad
6 guests2 beds bath
Get ready to fall in love with this home’s architecture, views, and hot tub! Perched on four acres above the Pacific Ocean near the seaside village of Trinidad, this retreat is close to the Redwood National and State Parks. The interior design combines wood, glass, and slate to create a peaceful setting for you to reconnect with nature.
All-Glass Modern Villa
Joshua Tree
8 guests3 bedrooms4 beds3 baths
This home is a true desert oasis, with a saltwater pool and spa, an outdoor shower, and a fire pit. Plus, all of the home’s exteriors walls are floor-to-ceiling glass, so you’ll have stunning views from every room.
See all of the incredible vacation homes in Joshua Tree
Cottage and Casita on a Vineyard
Sonoma
6 guests3 bedrooms3 beds2 baths
This home gives you the most Insta-perfect, iconic Sonoma experience by letting you stay on a working vineyard. The property has a cottage that sleeps four, an outdoor living and dining area, and a casita that sleeps two. Your small furry friends can stay with you here, and you’ll be on a quiet, oak-lined country road that is perfect for walks, runs, and bike rides.
Discover more incredible vacation homes in Sonoma
Romantic Cottage
Monterey
2 guests bedroom bed bath
If you’re looking for a romantic getaway that’s close to wineries, beaches, hikes, and the famous Refuge Spa, then this home is for you. You’ll love the outdoor fireplace and seating area, pergola, and coastal decor.
Check out all the best vacation homes in Monterey, Carmel, & Big Sur
Heaven On Hollywood Vine
Los Angeles
2 guests bedroom bed bath
This modern apartment is ideally located near the Walk of Fame, Dolby Theatre, and some of the city’s best restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. You’ll love the high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, modern design, views, and balcony.
MTV Real World House
San Francisco
10 guests bedrooms beds baths
You can book one or both of this famous home’s floors, and you can also rent just the rooftop for parties and events. This house has panoramic views from every window, lots of parking, modern decor, and is conveniently located near many of the city’s best attractions.
Mid-Century Oasis
Palm Springs
6 guests beds baths
Get ready to fall in love with this home’s architecture, decor, pool, and hot tub! Located in one of Palm Springs’s most desirable neighborhoods, this retreat is close to some of the city’s best restaurants, bars, theaters, galleries, and shops.
Shop My California Essentials
What are your favorite vacation homes in California? Share with us in the comments!
Plan The Rest Of Your Trip
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The Best Vacation Homes in California
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best cities to visit in California?
1. Anaheim
2. Lake Tahoe
3. Los Angeles
4. Monterey
5. Napa
6. Palm Springs
7. San Diego
8. San Francisco
9. Santa Monica
What is the best time of year to go to California?
Fall is a fantastic season to visit Northern California because the temperatures will be cooling off, but the days are still long and sunny. The foliage will be changing into vibrant colors, and prices and tourist numbers will be decreasing from the peak summer season.
This is Napa and Sonoma’s grape harvest season, all of the National Parks and roads will still be open, and you can experience the Monterey Jazz Festival.
The north will start to see snow and rain in late October and November, but Southern California will still be sunny and dry.
In Winter, you can head inland to the mountains for snow. Or you can head to the deserts for mild weather. The coasts will be cold, but snow is rare.
Winter is the low travel season for California, so prices and tourist numbers will be at some of their lowest. The exceptions to this are during Christmas and New Year’s.
Some National and State Parks will have trail or road closures, so make sure you check in advance whether a hike or scenic drive is open.
Spring is a beautiful time to visit California. The warm, pleasant days and refreshingly cool nights make these months an excellent time to visit, and the wildflowers will be in full bloom.
Most roads and trails will re-open, and as long as you avoid the peak Spring Break weeks from mid-March to early April, the crowds and prices will still be relatively low.
Summer days are sunny and hot. Daytime temperatures can be in the 90s (24-28°C), and temperatures will be even higher in the deserts. The nights will be pleasant, especially for camping.
The higher elevations can still be chilly in the mornings and evenings, so bring layers with you. Big Sur, Monterey, Carmel, and San Francisco have microclimates, making them surprisingly cool in the summer. Spring and Fall give you drier and warmer weather in San Francisco, and Monterey is known as the “perpetually chilly city.”
This is prime beach season. But be aware that, like most places in the U.S., summer is the peak travel season because of school breaks, so crowds and prices will be at their highest.
What are the best national and state parks to visit in California?
1. Channel Islands National Park
2. Death Valley National Park
3. Emerald Bay State Park
4. Joshua Tree National Park
5. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
6. Lassen Volcanic National Park
7. Pinnacles National Park
8. Redwood National and State Parks
9. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Is LA or San Francisco better to visit?
LA and San Francisco are both incredible destinations, and they will each give you very different experiences. So I highly recommend visiting both of these cities!
What are the best scenic drives in California?
1. Napa Valley’s Silverado Trail
2. Palms to Pines Scenic Byway
3. The Pacific Coast Highway
4. The Rim of the World Scenic Byway
5. Sierra Vista Scenic Byway in California
6. Sunrise National Scenic Byway
What should I not miss in California?
1. Drive through Death Valley National Park
2. Sample Wine in Sonoma or Napa
3. Visit the Point Reyes Lighthouse
4. Kayak the Channel Islands
5. Hike in Big Sur
6. Spend a day at Disneyland California
7. Surf
8. Visit Mammoth Lakes
How many days do you need to visit San Francisco?
Give yourself at least 4 days to explore San Francisco. This will give you plenty of time to explore the city, enjoy the food scene, and take a day trip.
What are the best foods to eat in California?
1. Razor Clams
2. Geoduck
3. Dungeness Crab
4. Sushirrito
5. Oysters on the Half Shell
6. California Burrito
7. Açaí Bowl
8. Shrimp Tacos
9. Sushi
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This article about the best vacation homes in California is not a sponsored post, and the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Some of the links in this post about the best vacation homes in California are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
