11 Remote California Hotels Surrounded by Nature
There’s getting away, and then there’s really getting away. California’s most remote hotels trade bustling streets and crowded attractions for redwood forests, rugged coastlines, sprawling ranchlands, alpine lakes, and star-filled skies.
Some sit at the end of long, winding roads. Others occupy hundreds—or even thousands—of acres where neighbors are few and nature sets the itinerary. A handful achieve the same sense of seclusion on surprisingly intimate properties, using gardens and forests to make the outside world feel wonderfully far away.
Best of all, there’s little reason to get back in the car once you arrive. From horseback riding across coastal mountains to hiking along ocean bluffs and paddling across a glassy Sierra lake, these 11 remote California hotels put some of the state’s wildest landscapes right outside your door.
Inn at Newport Ranch | Fort Bragg
Few California hotels offer a greater sense of splendid isolation than the Inn at Newport Ranch, set on 2,200 private acres along a ruggedly beautiful stretch of the Mendocino Coast. 20 miles of trails wind through ancient redwood forests, climb ridgelines, and trace coastal bluffs above the Pacific. The hotel was custom-crafted from materials on the land, including fallen redwoods and massive stones. With just 10 rooms, a weekend here feels less like a hotel stay and more like having your own private corner of Northern California.
Circle Bar B Guest Ranch | Goleta
Civilization quickly falls away on the road to Circle Bar B Guest Ranch, a historic dude ranch tucked into Refugio Canyon on the Gaviota Coast near Santa Barbara. The family-owned property encompasses more than 1,100 acres of coastal mountains, with trails threading through canyons and climbing to ridgelines with views of the Pacific, Channel Islands, and the Santa Ynez Mountains. Explore the trails on foot or, better yet, in the saddle on a guided horseback ride. With just 18 guest rooms and cottages, solitude is easy to find.
Highlands Ranch Resort | Lassen Volcanic National Park
Near the southern entrance to Lassen Volcanic National Park, Highlands Ranch Resort occupies 175 acres where a forested backdrop meets the broad expanse of Childs Meadow. Mountain peaks rise beyond the meadow, wildlife wanders through the grasses, and exceptionally dark skies take over after sunset. Spend the day exploring Lassen’s stunning geothermal features, or opt to go hiking, horseback riding, or fishing. Afterward, retreat to a private cottage with a fireplace and catch spectacular sunsets.
Alisal Ranch | Solvang
At Alisal Ranch, 10,500 acres provide plenty of room to disappear into the landscape. The historic luxury dude ranch sprawls across oak-studded hills and valleys outside Solvang, with more than 50 miles of horseback riding trails and a private spring-fed lake reserved for ranch guests. Take a horseback ride through the foothills in the morning and then spend the afternoon fishing or paddleboarding on the lake. With so much California country contained within the ranch gates, there’s no need to venture anywhere else.
Howard Creek Ranch | Westport
Along the northernmost stretch of Highway 1, the 60-acre Howard Creek Ranch sits on a remote swath of Mendocino coastline. Waves crash against the rocky shoreline hemmed with tide pools and secluded beaches. Densely forested hills rise from the beach with trails leading to old-growth redwoods. Originally established as a homestead in the 1860s, the ranch offers rustic hideaways scattered between the historic farmhouse, carriage barn, and vintage cabins. The accommodations reflect the free-spirited vision of an artist-builder and flower child who purchased the property over 50 years ago.
Timber Cove Resort | Jenner
Highway 1 twists along a sparsely populated stretch of the Sonoma Coast before arriving at this dramatic retreat perched high above the Pacific. Timber Cove Resort occupies 25 acres of rugged coastline, with more than two miles of trails wandering across windswept bluffs to overlooks, picnic spots, and the towering Peace Obelisk. Spend an afternoon exploring the coast and the neighboring parklands, then settle in beside the oceanfront fire pit and watch the sunset over the ocean.
Historic Requa Inn | Klamath
The Historic Requa Inn is nestled in the heart of Northern California’s most remote swath of redwood coast. The simple, Arts-and-Crafts-era inn stands above the banks of the Klamath River just a mile from the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by wilderness. With no televisions or phones, the inn offers a distraction-free way to disconnect from the world while reconnecting with nature. Redwood National and State Parks extend both north and south from the inn. The parks are home to the Earth’s tallest trees and abundant wildlife.
Kit Carson Lodge | Silver Lake
At 7,300 feet in the Sierra Nevada, Kit Carson Lodge offers a historic mountain retreat along the pine-rimmed shoreline of Silver Lake. Rustic cabins and a lodge sit at the lake’s edge, surrounded by granite peaks and dense forests. Guests can step outside to fish, kayak, paddleboard, or hike, then return for dinner overlooking the lake as the sun sets. With little city light to compete overhead, clear nights reveal a spectacular canopy of stars. The summer resort welcomes guests from June to October each year.
Eden Vale Inn | Placerville
Nestled on 10 acres in Gold Country, the Eden Vale Inn is a quiet sanctuary with just seven rooms surrounded by verdant gardens. Each room features a deep soaking tub on a private deck overlooking the gardens. The property is home to abundant wildlife, including deer and more than 50 types of birds. Viewing is best from the tranquil pond, where guests can relax in Adirondack chairs or row a small skiff across the water. At night, gather around the fire pit to roast s’mores and gaze up at the stars.
Mar Vista Farm + Cottages | Gualala
Located on the “secret coast” of southern Mendocino County, Mar Vista Farm + Cottages is a place to slow down and forge stronger connections with nature. The small working farm offers 11 charming vintage cottages scattered around a bucolic meadow. Unwind in a hammock or the redwood soaking tub. Enjoy private access to a secluded beach. Bond with resident goats, bunnies, and chickens. Harvest veggies from the gardens and enjoy farm-fresh eggs delivered to the cottage door each day. At night, the sky is a blaze of stars.
The Brambles | Philo
Nestled beneath towering redwoods deep in the Anderson Valley, The Brambles feels like a secret forest hideaway. Reached by a long gravel drive off Highway 128, the property offers just five rooms in a collection of enchanting cottages. Wander the trails through the forest, laze in a sunny meadow along the creek, and climb to a wooden deck built atop a massive redwood stump to enjoy a wine picnic beneath the canopy of trees. Despite the remote feeling, Anderson Valley wineries are a short drive away.