Cottages that Capture the Magic of Summer Vacation
Savor the magical, nostalgic appeal of vacationing at a summer cottage. Ranging from rustic retreats to luxurious hideaways, our roundup of cottage getaways checks all the boxes for summertime fun in California.
The Cottages of Napa Valley
A stay at The Cottages of Napa Valley has the air of a luxurious summer camp for adults. Nestled beneath the towering trees and string lights, eight thoughtfully renovated vintage cottages feature gas fireplaces, well-stocked kitchenettes, soaking tubs, and heated tile floors. Each also has its own wood-burning chiminea on a private patio for roasting s’mores. A communal space with sliding barn doors houses local art and a vintage canoe suspended from the rafters. A rustic farm table in the center offers space to spread out with board games and puzzles. With a barbeque grill just outside, it’s also a great space for hosting a summer cook-out and sharing a bottle of wine. In addition, guests can play croquet or bocce ball on the lawn or pedal to wine tasting rooms on complimentary cruiser bikes.
San Ysidro Ranch
Myth and history swirl at the legendary San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito. This secluded hideaway on 550 acres in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains has been a vacation destination for discriminating travelers since 1893. The ranch has drawn notable guests over the years with a tranquil blend of natural beauty, romance, and luxury. Bungalow-style cottages are situated for privacy among meticulously tended gardens, and are elegantly appointed with a long list of amenities including stone fireplaces, radiant-heated floors, oversize sunken spa tubs, outdoor rainfall showers, and private patios or terraces. The stately Kennedy cottage is named for John and Jackie who honeymooned here in 1953. Specially curated pursuits elevate summer at the ranch. Guests can enjoy everything from guided hikes and bike tours to private wine tastings, yoga, and lawn games. Yacht rentals are available and guests can book tee times at the exclusive Montecito Club.
Circle Bar B Guest Ranch
In a remote coastal canyon north of Santa Barbara, Circle Bar B Guest Ranch offers scenic horseback riding and a charming collection of cabins. The family-owned guest ranch was originally founded as a summer camp in 1939 and has remained in the family for four generations. Horseback trails climb through 1,100 acres of private, rugged terrain offering stunning ocean views. Options for overnight stays include the newly renovated Canyon Cabins, which blend rustic ranch style with a modern aesthetic. The cabins feature private decks, wood-burning stoves, king beds, and modern baths with sliding barn doors. All stays include complimentary breakfasts and dinners served in the historic main lodge. Guests can gather around the lodge fireplace in the evenings or belly bar up to the bar for a nightcap. An outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, and rec room provide additional spots for relaxing after a day on the trail.
Mar Vista Farm + Cottages
Nestled on nine bucolic acres along Mendocino County’s “secret coast,” Mar Vista Farm + Cottages is a place for travelers to slow down, forge stronger connections with nature, and replenish the soul. The small working farm off Highway 1 offers 11 charming vintage cottages scattered around the property, most with ocean views. The cottages also feature cozy furnishings, fireplaces, and well-stocked kitchens. The hosts deliver farm-fresh eggs to the guests’ doors each morning and offer an array of delightful provision add-ons like breakfast baskets, dinner baskets, s’mores baskets and more. Guests can also harvest veggies, herbs, and fruit from the farm’s edible gardens for preparing their own meals. Daily “goat gabs” and “chicken chats” provide the chance for guests to bond with the farm’s Nubian goats and flock of 175+ chickens. Guests can also wander an enchanting trail through the redwoods and enjoy private access to a secluded beach.
The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern
In historic Los Olivos, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern has a fabled history on the California Central Coast. It opened as a popular stagecoach stop in 1886 and served as a surreptitious hangout through Prohibition. The beloved landmark has been painstakingly restored and reimagined as a laid-back yet luxurious wine country resort in the Santa Ynez Valley. Cottages are appointed in rustic sophistication that blends timeless features with modern comforts. Outdoor living spaces are equally detailed with porch seating, garden patios, and fire pits. Guests can fully immerse in summer vacation under a shaded chaise or private cabana at the resort’s outdoor pool area. In the evening, a large fire pit with cozy seating is an inviting atmosphere for sipping craft cocktails or local vintages under a starry sky. Guests can also enjoy the greater Los Olivos experience with dozens of wineries and trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding nearby.
Nick’s Cove
Hugging the shoreline of a sheltered cove in Tomales Bay, Nick’s Cove is a collection of meticulously restored cottages poised for connecting with nature. Birding, kayaking, and paddleboarding are available right outside the door. Inside, the cottages are cozy sanctuaries appointed with handsome furnishings, lofty beds, heated bathroom floors, and vintage soaking tubs. Wood-burning stoves add a touch of crackling comfort on foggy summer nights. Waterfront and water view cottages are available. Nick’s also features a newly revamped restaurant and bar specializing in coastal cuisine with ingredients sourced from local purveyors. Other resort amenities include SUP and kayak rentals, a garden bocce ball court, corn hole boards, and a fire pit for snuggling up on cool evenings. For a pampered touch, guests can book in-room massages. Hiking trails and scenic walking loops are easily accessible nearby and Point Reyes National Seashore is a short drive away.
Highlands Ranch Resort
Near the southern entrance to Lassen Volcanic National Park, Highlands Ranch Resort sits on 175 acres at the edge of a bucolic meadow with views of towering mountain peaks. Seven spacious cottages are situated along the meadow for maximum viewing and feature upscale touches like oil-rubbed bronze fixtures, gas fireplaces, heated tile floors, and natural stone showers. Two of the cottages feature a private outdoor hot tub for two. The resort’s rustic chic restaurant and bar are full-service, and outdoor dining is available throughout the summer on the sprawling view-inspiring deck. Complimentary made-to-order breakfast is served daily to resort guests. In the evenings, guests can relax around the outdoor fire pit and plan the next day’s alpine adventures. The resort places guests within easy reach of the park’s stunning geothermal features along with options for hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, birding, and more.
Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages
Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages is one of Santa Cruz’s hidden gems. This former ranch is now a charming series of guest rooms and cottages hidden away on a side street overlooking gorgeous Sunny Cove Beach. It’s an ideal spot for families and getaways with friends. Cottages feature fully-equipped kitchens, BBQs, and private outdoor seating. There’s also a large shared deck with shaded picnic tables and BBQ grills that overlook Sunny Cove. The property is walking distance to the beach, a number of eateries, and the festive Live Oak farmers market which is open on Sundays and features local purveyors and delectable produce from area farms. Also nearby is the landmark Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk which boasts the 100-year-old Giant Dipper rollercoaster, and features a full lineup of free evening entertainment through the summer including live music and family-friendly movies on the beach.
Kit Carson Lodge
Kit Carson Lodge, situated on the pine-rimmed shoreline of Silver Lake in the High Sierra, has been hosting generations of summer guests for nearly 100 years. The historic lodge’s rustic cabins are constructed of cedar and feature knotty pine interiors, fully equipped kitchens, cozy mountain furnishings, private decks, and outdoor grills for summer barbeques. Most cabins feature lake views and all are within walking distance to the shore. Paddlers and boaters can explore the lake’s seven miles of shoreline or venture out to Treasure Island in the center of the lake for an idyllic picnic spot. The lake is also a fishing paradise teeming with rainbow, German brown, and Mackinaw Lake trout. The lodge rents kayaks, canoes, and SUPs by the hour. Guests can also explore Silver Lake on foot. Hiking trails meander directly from the resort and nearby Carson Pass offers an extensive trail network and access to alpine lakes.
The Atlas
At The Atlas in Calistoga, wine country living is a sophisticated blend of modern aesthetic, historic charm, and tranquility. The property’s 1890 Queen Ann Victorian and three private cottages were designed with intention to create private hideaways for guests seeking wellness and refuge in Napa Valley. The cottages feature fully-stocked kitchens, cozy fireplaces, curated artwork, designer furnishings, and luxurious bed and bath amenities. The footprint extends outdoors to private, sun-dappled seating areas that are perfect for afternoon naps, summer reads, or dining alfresco. Guests also have access to a shared gas barbeque and cruiser bikes for exploring town. The Atlas is just four blocks from downtown Calistoga shops, tasting rooms, and restaurants, and within close proximity to historic geothermal hot springs and mud baths, world-class wineries, and extensive trail systems for hiking and biking.
The Cottage Inn at Lake Tahoe
Beneath towering pines, The Cottage Inn offers enchanting cabin suites steps from Lake Tahoe’s pristine west shore. The rustic exteriors belie the warm interiors, which feature gas fireplaces, luxurious bedding, exposed wood beams, honey-hued pine walls, and whimsical décor. Complimentary lodge-made breakfast is delivered daily to guest rooms and can be enjoyed in-room, among the gardens, or prepared to-go with advance notice. A guest highlight is free access to the private beach with picnic tables and a small dock located across the street from the inn. It’s the perfect launch spot for SUPs and kayaks, and for gazing across the lake at sunset when the sky fades to a pink alpine glow. The location is also top-rated for easy access to hiking trails in Desolation Wilderness and along the Tahoe Rim Trail, rafting and kayaking on the Truckee River, and visiting popular attractions including Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm castle.
Inn at Schoolhouse Creek
Secluded on six-and-a-half acres of lush gardens, meadows, and forest along the Mendocino Coast, the Inn at Schoolhouse Creek features a charming collection of cottages and guest rooms with majestic ocean views. Among the most unique is the Water Tower Cottage. During World War II, it served as a lookout tower for the U.S. Coast Guard. Now, the base of the tower holds a private hot tub, and a spiral staircase leads to a platform with breathtaking views. All the accommodations are pet-friendly, and the inn will spoil furry companions with a welcome basket, toys, and unlimited treats. Guests can enjoy the full scale of this Mendocino getaway from the inn’s large deck which is perched at the top of a grassy lawn and features sparkling views of the ocean. Down the road is Big River Beach where dogs can play leash-free, and nearby are miles of forested hiking and biking trails.
Downieville River Inn
Nestled along the North Fork of the Yuba River in the quiet, historic gold rush town of Downieville, Downieville River Inn offers a cozy home-away-from-home for outdoor adventures. Each of the 14 cottages and guest rooms features well-stocked kitchens or kitchenettes and porches or balconies, and is perfectly situated for easy access to summer recreation in the Tahoe National Forest. Downieville is regarded among the top Gold Country destinations for trout fishing, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, river rafting, and gold panning. After an adrenaline-fueled day, guests can enjoy lounging at the swimming pool, soaking in the sauna, or grilling a hearty meal on the outside barbeque grills. For cyclists who want to squeeze in a mountain bike ride after checkout, the inn allows guests to leave their car and return later in the day to shower before hitting the road.
Cottages at Little River Cove
Located on the Mendocino Coast, Cottages at Little River Cove offers 11 private, stand-alone cottages, each with full kitchens and thoughtful amenities set against a backdrop of stunning ocean views and beautiful gardens. The cottages are perfect for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, and all are pet-friendly. A stone patio area with a gas grill and fire pit seating serves as an inviting gathering spot where guests can enjoy mingling with others or simply relaxing. Just outside the door, guests will find convenient access to all that Mendocino has to offer. A few summer highlights include shopping and dining in the quaint seaside village of Mendocino, kayaking in Little River Cove, paddleboarding on Big River, and strolling the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens which features nationally recognized collections and specialty gardens.
Carmel Cottage Inn
Nestled a block from Carmel Beach and within a leisurely stroll of downtown, Carmel Cottage Inn is a relaxing summer retreat to a bygone era. The inn’s five historic cottages have been lovingly restored to showcase original details alongside contemporary amenities. The cottages feature inviting living rooms with cozy brick fireplaces and overstuffed couches, beds draped with beautiful quilts, charming kitchens with retro touches, and outdoor patios. One of the cottages, Log Haven, is one of the oldest homes in Carmel. In addition to privacy and relaxed cottage comforts, guests at the inn enjoy easy access to popular Monterey Bay attractions including Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Carmel Valley wineries, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, and Pebble Beach and 17 Mile Drive. To cap off a day of Central Coast exploration, guests can wind down with a sunset stroll along Carmel’s Scenic Pathway which meanders the bluff above Carmel Beach.