Between the iconic California shoreline and the old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest, America’s left coast is home to an array of diverse ecosystems, offering solitude-seeking travelers room to breathe without the crowds.
Whether your style is traditional or contemporary, rustic country or luxe minimalist, there’s a vacation rental to fit the bill. From California to Alaska, here are 12 show-stopping cabins across the region.
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1. Mt Hood View Tiny House – Sandy, Oregon
Perspective is the name of the game at this Mt. Hood tiny house, set on 23 private acres in Sandy, and it’s one the early-morning crowd in particular should appreciate. The structure’s wall of eastward-facing windows completely opens up onto the deck, which means spectacular, unobstructed sunrise views from the comfort of both couch and bed. The space is tight, but the cabin’s stylish, clean-lined furnishings fit together neatly, and the wood accents – reclaimed floors and doors, live-edge countertops – bring the outdoors in nicely. $126 per night.
2. Wolf Ridge cabin – Seward, Alaska
On the whole, Alaska is a pretty remote place, but Wolf Ridge cabin takes the concept to another level. Ensconced in the rainforest overlooking Resurrection Bay, the custom-built property requires a trek of its guests, first by boat or helicopter and then by foot, via a steep 20-minute hike to its mountainside perch. (Rolling suitcases are not recommended.) But once you’re on the deck, taking in the panoramas, or cuddled up in front of the fire, reveling in the solitude, the journey will have been well worth the effort. $250 per night.
3. Modernist Cabin – Joshua Tree National Park, California
A contemporary treasure on the outskirts of Joshua Tree National Park, the Ron Radziner–designed Modernist Cabin may have a tiny footprint, but its style is outsized, with an open floor plan, lustrous wood accents, and local artists’ work on display. There’s outdoor space for dining, lounging, and bathing, a stainless-steel kitchen with all the essentials, and the air conditioning and heating necessary for comfort on those hot desert days and cool desert nights. $400 per night.
4. Kindred Spirits cabin – Applegate Valley, Oregon
Near Oregon Caves National Monument and the Rogue River, on the grounds of a horse farm in the Applegate Valley wine region, Kindred Spirits cabin is a colorful glass-fronted structure overlooking trees and greenery, with the occasional equine thrown in for good measure. Riding sessions are available for an extra fee, but visiting with the horses is free, and pets are welcome – as long as they steer clear of the resident chickens. Yes, that means fresh eggs for breakfast; there’s also fruit and veg ripe for the picking, straight from the owner’s garden. $90 per night.
5. Yosemite Hilltop cabins – Yosemite National Park, California
As of November 1, reservations are no longer required to drive into Yosemite for the day, but even so, staying within the park gates – but away from the scrum – puts you in pole position to see the sights sans crowds. Private and homey, the Lupin and Sage cabins are tucked away in the enclave of Foresta, just 15 minutes from the valley floor, with satellite wifi, easy access to hiking and running trails, and, of course, some stunning mountain vistas. $185 per night.
6. Alpine River Hideaway – Leavenworth, Washington
Less than half an hour from Leavensworth on four private acres on the Chiwawa River, the Alpine River Hideaway cabin is perfectly placed for outdoor adventure. On the property, there’s plenty of wide-open space, plus a deck with a grill, a hot tub that holds six, and a footpath to a firepit on the river; nearby, there are opportunities for hiking in the Cascades, floating and fishing on the Wenatchee River, and winery-hopping in Leavenworth, all just a short drive away. $226 per night.
7. Pacific Mists – Albion, California
Eight miles south of Mendocino via Highway 1, this oceanfront cabin doesn’t look like much from the outside, but once you cross the threshold it’s a stunner, with crisp white paint, wood-beamed ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace, and most impressively, walls of windows looking out over the Northern California coast. And that’s before you hit the mist-kissed deck, which wraps around the property’s Pacific-facing sides and comes complete with a telescope for whale watching and stargazing. $296 per night.
8. Rustic cabin – Paso Robles, California
Equidistant from Los Angeles and San Francisco, Paso Robles is home to hundreds of wineries, small mom-and-pop operations and award-winning labels alike. Formerly a military bunker, this rustic-chic one-room cabin is removed from the masses but not far from the action – a bucolic bolt-hole with restaurants and tasting rooms just a stone’s throw away. It’s not super-fancy, but there’s indoor plumbing, air-conditioning, and a fully functional kitchenette, not to mention a trio of friendly farm pups known to pop by for pets. $220 per night.
9. Cozy Alaskan log cabin – Fairbanks, Alaska
If roughing it is more your speed, Fairbanks is the place to be. The central Alaskan city is home to a practice known as dry-cabin living (read: no running water or indoor plumbing), and this cozy log cabin on the outskirts of town gives newbies an opportunity to give it a try – without committing to a completely water-free experience. There are faucets in the kitchen and an RV-style shower outside, but you’ll have to brave the elements and visit the outhouse when nature calls. Just be sure to book when it’s not too cold if you want to be able to bathe, as the shower isn’t operational when the mercury dips below freezing. $85 per night.
10. Burnt Mill Canyon Cottage – Lake Arrowhead, California
Located on a half-acre rife with soaring old-growth cedars in the self-proclaimed Alps of Southern California, the one-bedroom Burnt Mill Canyon Cottage is nestled off a quiet street in a quiet canyon and reachable via footbridge alone. It’s close enough to Lake Arrowhead Village and San Bernardino National Forest to take advantage of the area’s outdoor offerings, and the rental comes complete with owner-approved recommendations for walks and hikes in the vicinity. $196 per night.
11. Alpine Woods cabin – Winthrop, Washington
Nordic skiers, take note: if you’re heading out in Washington, this two-bedroom property near Winthrop is ski-in ski-out to Methow Trails, an extensive system boasting more than 120 miles of groomed powder. The cabin itself is well-appointed, with a full kitchen, a home entertainment system, and a gas fireplace great for cozying up at the end of a chilly day. You’ll find it in the upper Methow Valley community of Liberty Woodlands, where the roads are plowed throughout the winter, so getting there is a breeze – even when it snows. $145 per night.
12. Muirs Muse Retreat – Tahoe National Forest, California
To experience the redwoods the way a renowned naturalist might have done, off-grid accommodations are in order, and Muirs Muse Retreat fits the bill: There’s no electricity, no running water, and it’s situated off a dirt road you’ll likely need four-wheel drive – and in the winter, snowshoes – to navigate. A few minutes from the hiking and biking trails of Tahoe National Forest and a little further to Donner Memorial State Park, with a selection of crystal-clear mountain lakes nearby for swimming and boating, this tiny green gem is all about location. $85 per night.
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