Tag Archives: romantic

Bracebridge Dinner, Yosemite

Ahwahnee Dining Room

Bracebridge Dinner
at The Ahwahnee Hotel

Yosemite Valley, California

Celebrated annually since 1927, the Bracebridge Dinner transforms The Ahwahnee Dining Room into a Old English-era hall boasting Christmas cheer, beautiful music and a gourmet seven-course meal. The inspiration for this yuletide ceremony was Washington Irving’s Sketch Book that described Squire Bracebridge and English Christmas traditions of that period.

The Bracebridge Dinner is an elegant and artistic four-hour pageant of classic carols, Renaissance rituals and entertainment of the Middle Ages. More than 100 players create the roles of the Squire and his family, their servants, the Lord of Misrule, minstrels and other performers. The Ahwahnee Dining Room serves as the Great Hall and stage for the festivities and is decked with magnificent wreaths, an elaborate squire’s table, large banners and traditional Yuletide decorations.

Annual event, multiple nights: December

Yosemite National Park, CA

travelyosemite.com/things-to-do/specialty-events/holiday-events

 

Winter Wonderland. _DSC1280

Tent Cabins in California

tent cabin rentals
Merced Lake is one remote destination along the High Sierra Camp Loop, Yosemite Wilderness.

Tent Cabins & Yurt Rentals
around California

Tent cabins are made up of wooden floors, canvas walls & a canvas roof – a combination between a tent & a rustic cabin. Most have sleeping cots for beds; some have heaters, wood burning stoves or electrical outlets. A shared community bathroom is often close by.

Yurts are round versions of this same concept, with a wooden floor, real beds and usually nicer decor. Often these places request that you bring your own bed linens and towels, but each resort is different, so check the web links for detailed info.

Hike-in locations in the wilderness, rural river resorts or an easy drive to campground right off the freeway. These popular lodging accommodation are often marketed as GLAMPING, as in Glamour Camping – for the (luxury loving) princess who likes to try out nature – in a very controlled setting. Just watch out for mountain lions and bears.

Below are unique places in California that offer tent cabins, tree houses and yurt rentals.

 

Big Basin Redwoods Tent Cabins
Boulder Creek, CAhiker
408-338-8860
Santa Cruz mountains
WILDFIRE 2020
CLOSED INDEFINITELY

Cachuma Lake County Park
Yurt Rentals & Campground
Lake Cachuma, CA
805-568-2460
Santa Barbara Mountainscanoe

Costanoa Coastal Lodge
Pescadero, CA
650-879-1100
Santa Cruz Coastline

coloma river resort

Coloma Resort
Highway 49 @ American River
Coloma, CA
800-238-2298
California Historic Gold Country

Creekside Yurt Retreat
near Mt Shasta
Single Vacation Rental
Weed, CA
NorCal Mount Shasta

El Capitan Canyon
N of Santa Barbaraumbrella
Hwy 1 @ El Capitan
866-352-2729
805-685-3887
North Santa Barbara Coast

Fallen Leaf Campground
6 Yurt Rentals @ Campground
Lake Tahoe Basin, CA
Sierra Nevada Mountains

Hat Creek Resort
Yurts near Fishing Creekfish
12533 Highway 44
Old Station, CA
530-335-7121
Lassen National Forest

Hotel Nipton
Tent Cabins & Teepeesdirtbikes
Nipton Road @ NV stateline
760-856-2335
Mojave Desert
SUMMER 2020
CLOSED INDEFINITELY

Keough Hot Springs Resort
Hwy 395, Bishop, CA
Eastern Sierra High Desert

Lewiston Lake Yurt Rentals
@ Mary Smith Campground
Trinity River, Lewiston, CA
530-275-8113

Lupin Lodge
Clothing Optional Resortshowers
20600 Aldercroft Heights Rd.
Los Gatos CA
408-353-9200
Santa Cruz Mountains

Middle Fork Ranch
NorCal Smith River
15 acre retreat, Hwy 199
Crescent City, CA
707-457-3477
Northern California Coastal Mountains

Mother Lode River Center
6280 Hwy 49, Lotus, CAcanoe
530-626-4187
California Gold Rush Country

Mount Baldy Resort
8401 Mt Baldy Rd
Mt Baldy, CA 91759
909-982-0800

Oz Farm Retreat
41601 Mountain View Rd
Point Arena, CA
707-882-3046
Mendocino Coast

Premier RV Resorts
Cabin & Yurt rentals (in town)
Redding, CA
888-710-8450
Northern Californiaranger

River Park Resort
River Rafting Trips w/
Yurts next to American River
Coloma, CA
530-622-0553
California Gold Rush Country

Santa Margarita Lake KOA
Santa Margarita, CA
805-438-5618
800-562-5619
San Luis Obispo Backcountry

Shasta Lake Yurts
Lakeshore East Campgroundmountains
Lake Shasta, CA
530-275-8113
Northern California

Strawhouse Resort
31301 State Hwy 299
Big Flat, CA
530-623-1990
NorCal Trinity River

Treebones Resort
Ocean view yurts
Big Sur Highway 1 @ Gorda, CA
805-927-2390butterfly
877-424-4787
Big Sur Coastline

Vermillion Valley Resort
via Kaiser Pass Road
Edison Lake, Lakeshore, CA
559-259-4000
High Sierra, John Muir Wilderness

Virginia Creek Settlement
70847 Highway 395camptruck
Bridgeport, CA
760-932-7780
Eastern Sierra Nevada

Yosemite Lakes Resort
Cabins & Yurt Rentals
South Fork of the Tuolumne River
31191 Hardin Flat Rd
Groveland, CA
209-962-0121
800-533-1001
Western Sierra Nevadapinetree

Yosemite Pines RV Park
20450 Old Highway 120
Groveland, CA
209-962-7690
Western Sierra Nevada

tuolumne cabins

HSC: HIGH SIERRA CAMP

Yosemite National Park Tent Cabins:hiker
(advanced reservations required)

DustMites and AllergiesALLERGY NOTE: Most tent cabins are constructed out of heavy canvas material (fabric), which can mold when exposed to moisture (rain, fog, snow). Often they get dismantled, cleaned and stored properly over each winter season, sometimes not; All depends on weather, terrain difficulty and individual resort practices. If you suffer w/ allergies, moldy tent walls and dust mites can trigger asthma or other allergic reactions. If in doubt speak to the innkeeper or caretaker ahead of time.

Central Coast California
San Simeon SP. Central Coast of California

Rent a Treehouse

Post Ranch Inn
Tree-House Rentals in California
Big Sur, CA
Big Sur Coastline

Gold Lake California

lilgoldlake
Hike-in only Gold Lake, Bucks Lake Wilderness.

California has more than one Gold Lake!

goldsign

Gold Lake, CA

(Sierra Co)
6409′ elev.

The biggest Gold Lake, California is the well-known one, along the Gold Lake Highway in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area. Plumas meets Tahoe National Forest. North of Gold Country Hwy 49, Downieville & the Yuba River. Right where the Sierra Nevada granite meets the volcanic lava rock of NorCal.

Packer Lake

Lakes Wilderness Map

Impressive jagged spires known as The Sierra Buttes (8591′) tower above the stunning lake scenery. This big Gold Lake is surrounded by a dozen smaller alpine lakes which make up the popular region called Lakes Basin. Easy access paved highway, which closes in winter for deep snow and winter recreation. The Gold Lake Highway is also referred to as Plumas County Road #S620

sierra buttes
the sierra buttes

Sardine Peak Fire Lookout lodgeranger rentals
NFS fire tower – no more overnight rentals!
overlooking the Sierra Buttes and the serene Lakes Basin, Yuba River, Northern Gold Country California

see CalPine Lookout near Sierraville, CA

driftwood

USFS

LAKES BASIN RECREATION AREA
Cabins, camping, lake fishing, backpacking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, off-roading, snow-mobiling.

lakesbasinhikers

snowmo

California Lakes

mini gold lake

Mini Gold Lake

(Plumas Co)
6000′ elev.

Another smaller Gold Lake exist on the granite slopes in Bucks Lake Wilderness – E of Oroville & W of Quincy, CA.

gold lake trailheadThis hidden gem is a hike-in only lake – and well worth the effort. A somewhat short hike, great ridge line views to the east, although the last half mile of this route is a doozie (moderately strenuous).

The main trailhead departs from Silver Lake and climbs a ridge line that heads over to the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail). An off-shoot trail goes another mile to the miniature Gold Lake, a granite bowl of sheer beauty. A great day hike for those wishing to see the backcountry. Pack your picnic lunch, camera, and make a whole darn day of it!

Swimming & skinning dipping seem quite natural at this alpine lake, since it is a pretty remote location (without a lot of visitors) and there is absolutely no swimming allowed at neighboring Silver Lake.

bucks trailhead

The steep, overgrown, rocky shoreline leads one to bush whack through old trails, only to be met by a rock slide. Many dead ends and obstacles to climb around, or over. Some way… maybe, or maybe not!

Boulder and rock scrambling is the key phrase to remember, once you reach this lake. Knees may be sore from climbing, up and over the boulder ledge surrounding the lake bowl.

goldshore

Bucks Lake Wilderness Map

A few primitive camp sites are scattered about on the edge of the lake for those backpacking in, but be warned – they can be very difficult to reach. Much more suitable campsites can be found scattered throughout the area.

Warning: there are no flat, lush meadows to lounge in up at the lake, so pick yourself a side route (on the walk in) to find real seclusion and privacy.

view to Quincy

This mile-long-ridge hiking trail to mini Gold Lake has some amazing views down to the east side – Jacks Meadow right below; then Meadow Valley & Quincy off in the distant hills. RURAL CALIFORNIA – Plumas County from above.

jacks meadow
jacks meadow, way below

Sierra Nevada Lakes

High Sierra Gold Lakes in California

hike-in only lakes

hike

Golden Bear Lake
(Tulare Co)
12,000′ elev

High Sierra – Kings Canyon National Park
Center Basin / Center Peak 12,760′
PCT – Pacific Crest Trail
North of Mount Whitney
Eastern Sierra, Independence, CA

hike

Golden Trout Lake
(Inyo Co)
11,500′ elev

Trail #3306 from Onion Valley Campground
North of Mount Whitney
Eastern Sierra, Independence, CA

goldentroutlakecanyon
onion valley trail views
Eastern Sierra Lakes
Alpine Lake above Onion Valley, Eastern Sierra

Where is your favorite place to camp?

tent camping

This is one of those silly questions that has no real definitive answer from DanaMite. If you have camped California at all, you know it can be awe inspiring around every corner, especially the Sierra Nevada & the Coastline.

Most California transplants get so wrapped up with city life, college & new careers, that they rarely venture past the county park, much less the county line.

When they finally do break away, they are often misled to crowded campgrounds with steep reservation fees and too many RVs, walking distance to a mini mart. Often they assume camping in California is not what they thought it was going to be. Not like the photos they once saw, not the dream-like places of wildness, not the privacy they had envisioned. They may even give up on the whole ‘camping experience’ all together.

It does not have to be like this. Information is power. This web site Total Escape was made for YOU, the avid Escaper, who desires the best camping options available. One who will respect the land & care; Those that will teach their children to clean up litter & respect our precious public lands.

The California deserts are just as magnificent as the alpine meadows; The mountain peaks, the hot springs, coastal cliffs to the forests, and the river canyons!

It’s all good.

There cannot be one favorite camp spot, when you find yourself camping every month. Each site is a new destination, a place to explore, with usually a reason to return. Each season your favorite spot will change & be more desirable some months over others. From aspen trees changing color in the Eastern Sierra to wildflower meadows of the High Sierra, every place has its own unique flavor.

Drive further for less people and more nature!

National Forest Service

California National Forests are a great place to start.

Highland Wildflowers

Collections of California Camping Lists

sierra camps

Specific Places to Camp in California

Sierra Nevada Campground

California Romantic Resorts

Ahwahnee Yosemite Valley
The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley

Favorite romantic places in California. Stay overnight, have dinner nearby & make a night of it, or perhaps a whole weekend. Certain places may require a 2-night minimum stay, especially on weekends or any holiday weeks. A wide variety of destinations are listed below, from rustic mountain cabins, to palm oasis hot springs, to historic lodges located in a spectacular scenic setting.

Neighboring lodges or nearby small towns could have equally as nice accommodations, perhaps still affordable, quaint, uncrowded, and “undiscovered” by the masses. Call the innkeeper and ask questions. They should be thrilled to hear from you.

SnowMo CaliforniaWINTER NOTE: Some of these remote locations may not be open year-round, due to snowy weather, so please confirm by phone before you make the drive. Tioga Pass Resort may require a snow-mobile to access.

romantic holiday vacations

mid-winter escapes

valentine romance ideas

California Romance (starts here)

desert California

Hotel Del Coronado near San Diego

Julian Historic Hotel, Julian CA

Beachcomber Motel, San Clemente, CA

Benton Hot Springs, N of Bishop, CA

Blue Lantern Inn in Dana Point Marina

Cambria, on Moonstone Beach, Central Coast

Camp Nelson Lodge, Giant Sequoia NM

Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey Bay California

Downieville River Inn, N Yuba River, Downieville CA

Furnace Creek Inn, historic Death Valley NP

La Fonda Hotel, Baja California

Laguna Beach – all of it, pretty much

Lantern Inn, hiking trails, Paradise, California

Lido Palms Resort Spa, Desert Hot Springs, CA

Lucia Lodge, Cottages on cliffs, North Big Sur

cottages miranda

Miranda Gardens, Redwood Cottages, NorCal

Panamint Springs Resort, Death Valley, CA

Rainbow Lodge, granite/river near Donner Pass

Sardine Lake Resort & Cabins, North Sierra

Tioga Pass Resort, Eastside Yosemite

Treebones Resort, Yurt Camping in Big Sur

Wine Country Towns $$$ – Napa Co / Sonoma Co

sardineresort

see also –

California Lighthouses

Lodge Resorts

NFS Rental Cabins & Fire Lookouts

Redwood Hotels

This new California Lodge List will grow as DanaMite finds more ideal places, deep in wilds of California.

Sierra Nevada Lakes

Shopping Villages in California

Gold Country Village

Shopping Towns and Downtown Villages

Men bored shoppingListed on this page are California cities and towns that are well known for their shopping – downtown villages, boutiques, art galleries, gift shops, antique stores, shopping plazas, factory outlets, malls and restaurants.

Road trip weekends, all local – for super unique Christmas presents or romantic Valentine’s gifts.