The 10 best Airbnbs in California right now

Neighborhood: Ahwahnee

Pick this place for game nights, sunset soaks and mountain views. Perched in the mountains near Oakhurst, this two-storey cabin makes a great base for a big family or group heading towards Yosemite, with three bedrooms, a loft and enough beds for up to 10 guests. The deck is the star of the show, with a private hot tub overlooking the mountains and sunset, plus a fire pit and plenty of seating for lingering outside once the sky starts changing colour. When everyone’s had enough fresh air, head indoors to the arcade room for retro games, air hockey, foosball, cornhole and board games. Basically, you may have to physically drag people out to go sightseeing.

Time Out tip: You’re around 12 minutes’ drive from Oakhurst for groceries, coffee and restaurants, while Yosemite’s South Entrance is roughly 40 minutes away by car. The area also has low light pollution, so once night falls, grab a seat on the deck and look up.

Sleeps: 10 guests.

Perks: Private hot tub, mountain and sunset views, large deck, fire pit, outdoor grill, arcade/game room, foosball, air hockey, cornhole, board games, Wi-Fi, dedicated workspace, pet-friendly and free parking.

Price: From $850 for two nights. 

Neighborhood: Topanga Canyon

Take one look at those windows and you’ll understand why this Topanga Canyon Airbnb has been featured in The New York Times, Dwell and Vogue. Designed by its ceramicist and designer host, the three-level home makes the most of its canyon setting, with huge windows, high ceilings and views of the surrounding greenery. There are three bedrooms upstairs, a dedicated yoga studio on its own level and a cedar hot tub tucked among the trees, while the living space opens out onto the decks for plenty of indoor-outdoor lounging. It’s the kind of place where you could happily spend a whole morning doing absolutely nothing, although with Musch Trail about a 10-minute walk away, you probably should put some shoes on eventually.

Time Out tip: Topanga town is around a five-minute drive for shops and restaurants, while the beach is roughly 10 minutes away. After a hike or a day by the ocean, return for a yoga session followed by a soak in the cedar hot tub. That’s your evening sorted.

Sleeps: 6 guests.

Perks: Private cedar hot tub, mountain views, yoga studio, three bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, decks, Wi-Fi projector, kitchen, dedicated workspace, Wi-Fi, free parking and pets allowed.

Price: From $1,460 for a night.

Neighborhood: Joshua Tree

Ever fancied sleeping in a medieval tower in the middle of the desert? Probably not, but now that you know it’s an option, you might as well. Part of the Castle House Estate, this tiny three-level guard tower is a seriously unusual Joshua Tree Airbnb, with a queen bed tucked into the loft and a rooftop hatch for taking in the desert skies. Outside, there’s a private fire pit and grill, while the estate also has a shared pool for cooling off after a day exploring Joshua Tree National Park. Just bear in mind that this is glamping in the truest sense: the bathroom is a short walk from the tower, and there’s no kitchen, though you do get a mini-fridge and Nespresso machine. Quirky? Very. Forgettable? Absolutely not.

Time Out tip: Don’t miss the rooftop at night. The tower’s elevated position and Joshua Tree’s famously dark desert skies make it a particularly good spot for stargazing. Weather permitting, you can even take your sleeping bag up there.

Sleeps: 2 guests.

Perks: Three-level tower, queen bed, rooftop access, desert views, private fire pit, grill, mini-fridge, Nespresso machine, shared pool, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, free parking and pets allowed.

Price: From $200 for a night.

Neighborhood: Sunset Cliffs, San Diego

If your idea of a San Diego getaway involves waking up to the Pacific and ending the day in a hot tub above it, Villa Bermuda Beach is going to be hard to beat. Perched right on the cliffs at Bermuda Beach, this three-bedroom villa has ocean views from almost every room, plus a huge deck with loungers, an outdoor dining area, BBQ and private oceanfront hot tub. Inside, there are three king bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and a wall of windows that makes the most of that rather ridiculous view. It’s a particularly good shout for a big celebration, destination wedding or honeymoon: one guest even returned after getting married here in 2020.

Time Out tip: The villa is right by Bermuda Beach, with new steps down to the sand, while Ocean Beach is about a five-minute walk away. But honestly, with sunsets over the Pacific and your own hot tub perched on the cliffs, we wouldn’t blame you for barely leaving the deck.

Sleeps: 6 guests.

Perks: Ocean views, private cliffside hot tub, huge oceanfront deck, BBQ, outdoor shower, three king bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, washer/dryer and garage parking.

Price: From $7,930 for four nights. 

Neighborhood: Occidental

Five acres of redwoods, a wood-burning fireplace and absolutely no reason to check your emails? Sounds like a pretty good excuse to disappear for a few days. Tucked into the Russian River Valley, this rustic cabin is surrounded by towering trees and has the sort of cosy, lived-in feel that makes you want to stay in your pyjamas all morning. There’s a stone fireplace for chilly evenings, an outdoor fire pit for late-night chats and a trampoline for anyone who thinks they’re too old for trampolines (you’re not). Inside, you’ll find a fully equipped kitchen, vintage records, DVDs and plenty of space to settle in after a day exploring the surrounding woods. It’s no surprise that guests keep coming back.

Time Out tip: You’re within easy driving distance of Occidental, Forestville and Guerneville, with wineries, restaurants, hiking and the Sonoma coast all nearby. The beach is around 10 minutes away, so you can spend the morning among the redwoods and the afternoon by the ocean.

Sleeps: 4 guests.

Perks: Five acres of redwoods, wood-burning fireplace, outdoor fire pit, trampoline, garden and valley views, fully equipped kitchen, vintage records and DVDs, Wi-Fi, Apple TV, washer/dryer, air conditioning and free driveway parking.

Price: From $500 for a night.

Neighborhood: Coarsegold

Small house, big views. Tucked away on a 40-acre ranch in Coarsegold, this little bungalow is a cozy base for a Yosemite trip, with a queen bed in the loft, a second sleeping option downstairs and nearly 400 square feet of space. The best bit, though, is outside: there’s a private deck with a hammock and views across the Sierras, plus an outdoor soaking tub and fire pit for post-hike lounging. Inside, the big windows keep things bright, while the kitchen has everything you need for simple meals and the living area has a TV for lazy evenings.

Time Out tip: You’re about a three-minute drive from historic Coarsegold for restaurants and a market, while Yosemite National Park is around 26 miles away. Bass Lake is roughly 17 miles in the other direction, so there’s plenty to do when you’re not tackling the national park.

Sleeps: 4 guests.

Perks: Private outdoor soaking tub, Sierra views, private deck, hammock, fire pit, outdoor BBQ, queen loft bed, second sleeping space, kitchen, Wi-Fi, TV, air conditioning and free parking.

Price: From $525 for two nights. 

Neighborhood: Pioneertown

There are desert houses, and then there’s Sol to Soul, a white modern home sitting among giant boulders and Joshua Trees on 10 acres in Pioneertown’s Gamma Gulch. The whole place is geared towards slowing down, with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors opening onto decks, two king bedrooms, carefully chosen artwork and a saltwater hot tub tucked beneath a huge boulder. Outside, there’s an outdoor living area, fire pit and grill, while the surrounding desert is yours to wander. Come sunset, settle into the hot tub; once it gets properly dark, look up. With very little light pollution, the Milky Way can put on quite the show overhead.

Time Out tip: Pappy & Harriet’s is about 15 minutes away, so you can easily head out for dinner or live music before retreating to your desert hideaway. If you’re visiting between March and September, stay up for the Milky Way as the dark skies are one of the biggest reasons to book.

Sleeps: 4 guests.

Perks: 10-acre private desert property, boulder and Joshua Tree views, saltwater hot tub, outdoor shower, fire pit, outdoor living area, grill, two king bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, washer/dryer and Level 2 EV charger.

Price: From $580 for a night.

Neighborhood: Modesto

Forget the usual family getaway: at this Modesto Airbnb, your neighbors are goats, bunnies, chickens and one very hungry pig. Set on 20 acres of walnut orchards, the Orchard House is a proper little farm escape, with morning animal-feeding sessions for guests who fancy getting involved. Back at the house, there’s a private pool, hot tub, fire pit and plenty to keep younger guests occupied, from toys and books to a dedicated gaming room with a huge TV and games consoles. The house sleeps seven across a queen bedroom, bunk room and gaming-room sleeping area, while the fully equipped kitchen makes feeding everyone considerably easier. Dogs are welcome too, so nobody has to sit this family holiday out.

Time Out tip: The farm is easy to enjoy as a destination in itself, but it also works well as a base for exploring Northern California. You can make day trips to Yosemite, San Francisco, Calaveras Big Trees and the beaches between Monterey and Santa Cruz. And if you’re staying between November and April, the pool can be heated for an extra fee if you give the hosts at least three days’ notice.

Sleeps: 7 guests.

Perks: Private pool, hot tub, 20-acre walnut orchard, farm animals, morning animal feeding, gaming room, pool toys, fire pit, gas grill, fully equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, dedicated workspace, pet-friendly and free parking.

Price: From $680 for two nights. 

Neighborhood: Oakhurst

Built in 1923, Hummingbird Hill is the sort of cabin that makes you want to put your phone away and look around instead. Tucked into the old Sugarpine neighborhood in the Sierra National Forest, it still has its original timber framing, high ceilings and windows looking out into the trees, while the eclectic interiors are full of vintage character. There’s a queen bedroom, a second bedroom with a king bed, a fully equipped kitchen and a wraparound deck with forest views, plus a handbuilt gazebo for lingering outside. Lewis Creek runs just down the hill, with trails and waterfalls nearby, so there’s plenty to do once you’ve finished admiring the cabin.

Time Out tip: Yosemite’s South Entrance is about a 10-minute drive away, while Oakhurst is around 15 minutes by car for restaurants, bars, groceries and other essentials. Lewis Creek Trail is practically on the doorstep, making it easy to squeeze in a walk before or after a day in the park.

Sleeps: 3 guests.

Perks: Historic 1923 cabin, forest and river views, wraparound deck, handbuilt gazebo, Lewis Creek nearby, queen bed, king bed, fully equipped kitchen, clawfoot tub/shower, Wi-Fi, dedicated workspace, TV, washer/dryer and free parking.

Price: From $730 for two nights. 

Neighborhood: West Hollywood

Want to do Hollywood properly without spending your entire holiday budget on the bed? This one-bedroom condo puts you right by the Walk of Fame, Chinese Theatre and Dolby Theatre, with a resort-style pool waiting back at the building when the sightseeing gets tiring. Inside, there’s a queen bed, fully equipped kitchen, big Smart TV, and a sofa for collapsing onto after a day of exploring. And when you need a break from the Hollywood chaos, Runyon Canyon is within walking distance for a scenic hike.

Time Out tip: The location is the real winner here. You can walk to restaurants, bars, shops and Hollywood’s big-ticket sights, while Runyon Canyon gives you an easy escape when you’ve had enough of the crowds. It’s also a handy option if you’re visiting UCLA and want to stay close to the action.

Sleeps: 2 guests.

Perks: Walkable to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre and Runyon Canyon, year-round outdoor pool, queen bed, fully equipped kitchen, Smart TV with Netflix and Hulu, Wi-Fi, dedicated workspace, pet-friendly and free on-street parking.

Price: From $240 for a night.