There might not be an official divide marking the beginning of Northern California, but many Americans would be able to pick out some of its most iconic spots.
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From the floating homes of Sausalito to the iconic trails of Yosemite National Park to the sprawling redwoods of Jedidah Smith State Park, NorCal promises to take you on unexpected cultural and natural adventures. (So long as you can afford them, that is.)
Along your journey, you’ll be pulled away on exciting side quests, whether you’re jumpstarting your trip from San Francisco, drifting off the map further down in Monterey, or heading out on a Lake Tahoe excursion.
As you journey from the Oregon border to the upper border of the Central Valley, you’ll need a place to stay that matches NorCal’s big reputation and atmosphere. Don’t miss out on the coolest Airbnbs in Northern California as you build out your itinerary—they’re sure to give you a stay you won’t forget in one of America’s most iconic regions.
[This article is part of TravelAwaits new Airbnb and Vrbo recommendation series. We dig into listings to identify the crème de la crème of Guest Favorites, Superhost listings, and hidden gems to make finding the perfect rental for your next trip a breeze.]
Coolest Airbnbs in Northern California: at a glance
- Oceanfront views: Mermaids View Ocean Front (Whitethorn) or Oceanfront Retreat (Manchester)
- A cottage above the water: Sea Mist Cottage (Marshall)
- A trendy bank loft conversion: Luxury 1920s Bank Loft (Tomales)
- Forest escape with OTT amenities: Private Forest Spa (West Point)
- A spa-like escape to the redwoods: Sunwoods Mountain House (Los Gatos)
- A treehouse you’ll remember: Spyglass Treehouse (Occidental)
- Sausalito’s coolest houseboat: Sanctuary On the Bay (Sausalito)
- A cottage hidden amongst redwoods: An Architects Studio (Trinidad)
- Cargo container standout: Playful Mountain Sunset Escape (Nevada City)
- Glamping in a safari tent: Luxury Glamping Experience (Glen Ellen)
- An Airstream experience in wine country: Napa Sonoma Airstream (Glen Ellen)
- A tiny home in Sonoma wine country: The Sonoma Spyglass (Sebastopol)
Coolest Airbnbs in Northern California
Mermaids View Ocean Front (Whitethorn)
- Guests: Two bedrooms that sleep four guests
- Pricing: Mid-range
- Location: Rugged coastline near Whitethorn, close to King Range National Conservation Area on California’s Lost Coast and steps from Black Sands Beach.
- The cool factor: You’ve got a front-row seat to the Pacific Ocean and some of the best sunsets on the West Coast, along with a soundtrack that includes waves crashing gently against the shore below. You can also whale-watch from the expansive back deck.
Oceanfront Retreat (Manchester)
- Guests: Two bedrooms that sleep up to six guests
- Pricing: Upscale
- Location: Located in Manchester in Mendocino County close to Manchester State Park and Irish Beach. It’s located right on the Pacific Highway.
- The cool factor: You can enjoy endless views of the Pacific Ocean. Once again, it’s ideal for sunset-watching—especially from the exterior hot tub located on the back porch. The beach is waiting just below the cliffs, which you can reach in ten minutes on foot.
Sea Mist Cottage (Marshall)
- Guests: Two bedrooms that sleep four
- Pricing: Upscale
- Location: Set in the heart of the popular Tomales Bay in the small village of Marshall. The area is renowned for its outdoor activities and fresh seafood.
- The cool factor: This is a private, peaceful cottage located on a stilted home in Tomales Bay, offering enviable views at any time of day. The large deck also has a hot tub and private dock. Inside, you can enjoy a wood-burning stove that ups the charm factor during cold months.
Luxury 1920s Bank Loft (Tomales)
- Guests: One bedroom that sleeps up to four guests
- Pricing: Mid-range
- Location: In the small town ofTomales just north of San Francisco, which acts as a gateway to the popular Tomales Bay.
- The cool factor: This unit is inside a converted bank from the 1920s, with dozens of maintained historic features, including a safe door, old bank teller counter, and employee plaques. But there’s another cool angle at play: this rental is home to a tuned grand piano, organ, and guitar, making it great for musical travelers.
Private Forest Spa (West Point)
- Guests: Two bedrooms that sleep up to six guests
- Pricing: Mid-range
- Location: Close to West Point in the Sierra Foothills between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe.
- The cool factor: Nature meets entertainment at this remote cabin on three acres, which has retractable windows in the living space. You’ll be able to vacillate between enjoying the sights and sounds of the forest and group fun. Amenities include an outdoor projector cinema, sauna, fire pit, lawn games, board games, cold plunge, and hot tub.
Sunwoods Mountain House (Los Gatos)
- Guests: Two bedrooms that sleep four guests
- Pricing: Upscale
- Location: Just outside the small town of Los Gatos, close to Santa Cruz, in a private community located in a redwood forest.
- The cool factor: This is a historic cabin that was recently updated with modern features. You’ll have the best of spa amenities like a sauna and spa shower, along with a fire pit that’s set beneath towering redwood trees and emerald ferns that bring to mind Jurassic Park.
Spyglass Treehouse (Occidental)
- Guests: One bedroom that sleeps two guests
- Pricing: Luxury
- Location: Located in Sonoma County near Occidental in a sprawling redwood forest. You’re close to popular hiking trails and Bodega Bay beaches.
- The cool factor: This is one of the most famous Airbnbs in Northern California thanks to its unique shape, thoughtful design, and luxury features, including an inlaid hot tub set amid the canopy. Plus, it puts you closer to Sonoma’s popular wineries while letting you experience the redwoods.
Sanctuary On the Bay (Sausalito)
- Guests: Three bedrooms that sleep up to six guests
- Pricing: Luxury
- Location: Located in Sausalito across the bay from San Francisco, which is known for its houseboats and laid-back, artsy lifestyle. This houseboat is part of the Mill Valley community.
- The cool factor: This is a luxury, restored houseboat with room for a small group. Not only is it a Sausalito houseboat, but it also has luxury features like a large private deck on the water with bay views, plus a fire pit. There are also hiking and walking trails just before the docks.
An Architects Studio (Trinidad)
- Guests: One bedroom that sleeps two guests
- Pricing: Mid-range
- Location: Located just outside of the small coastal town of Trinidad amongst some of California’s most sprawling redwood forests. It’s the perfect place to drop off the map while you explore redwood parks and tiny outposts like Eureka.
- The cool factor: This is an architectural dream that’s fully immersed in California’s largest redwoods, which are the largest in the state. (You reach this rental via golf cart, since there’s no road that leads directly there.) Inside, you’ll also enjoy features like skylights, a spiral staircase, a half-covered porch, and more.
Playful Mountain Sunset Escape (Nevada City)
- Guests: Two bedrooms that sleep up to six guests
- Pricing: Budget-friendly
- Location: Located just outside Nevada City, a preserved Gold Rush town with a downtown that’s part of the National Historic Register. You can enjoy arts, culture, history, and outdoor adventures framed around the Yuba River and Sierra foothills.
- The cool factor: This dynamic home lets you enjoy the wonders of the cool mountain air and sprawling pine forests while also enjoying resort-caliber amenities that you wouldn’t expect to find so far from town. There’s a half basketball court, outdoor shower, outdoor dining area, fire pit, grill, and even an outdoor bed on the second-floor balcony. Inside, you’ll find a newly refurbished, upscale setting that includes a built-in hammock, wood-burning fireplace, and Starlink internet.
Luxury Glamping Experience (Glen Ellen)
- Guests: One bedroom that sleeps two guests
- Pricing: Mid-range
- Location: Part of Glen Ellen, a small village in Sonoma County that’s known for its wineries and as the longtime home of author Jack London.
- The cool factor: You’ve got commanding views of Sonoma Valley, along with a west-facing Japanese soaking tub that offers front-row views. Despite being located partly in a safari tent, this is a luxury rental (with a proper kitchen and bathroom) that lets you escape the hustle of wine country with your own well-thought-out retreat.
Napa Sonoma Airstream (Glen Ellen)
- Guests: One bedroom that sleeps two guests
- Pricing: Mid-range
- Location: Located between Glen Ellen and Yountville, two of Sonoma County’s most popular outposts for those seeking great wine and rejuvenation.
- The cool factor: Enjoy a luxury Airstream experience with plenty of outdoor space and views of the surrounding vineyards and hills. Despite the smaller size of the Airstream, you have 27 acres all to yourself, along with a large pool, hot tub, fire pit, pizza oven, and a unique outdoor kitchen.
The Sonoma Spyglass (Sebastopol)
- Guests: One bedroom that sleeps two guests
- Pricing: Luxury
- Location: Right in the heart of Sonoma wine territory near Sebastopol, where you can find some of its best wineries and restaurants. You can also access hiking trails and, if you’re okay driving a bit, coastal beaches around Bodega Bay.
- The cool factor: This home is managed by the same host as the Spyglass Treehouse near Occidental. Instead of redwoods, you’re located in the heart of Sonoma’s fertile vineyards and sprawling hills. The home also has an exterior soaking tub and barrel sauna to enjoy, making it perfect for a romantic escape.
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