
California is known for its abundant natural beauty, bustling cities, and mountains towns. It also boasts a vast stretch of coastline, swathes of lush greenery, myriad natural wonders, and hidden within them a ton of outdoorsy activities such as hiking, horseback riding, fishing, biking, etc. All this and more make this Golden State a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers. The state also has plenty of museums, art galleries, historic sites, and cathedrals. For picture-perfect scenery, San Francisco Bay Area is a must-visit place. For Spanish architecture and sandy beaches, visit San Diego. If you’re a fishing enthusiast, check out this list of the top fishing lodges in California, USA.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) host status, recent guest reviews, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and a location with easy access to fishing spots. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on January 22, 2025.
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1. Quaint log cabin for six, Idyllwild (from USD 251)
Located in Idyllwild’s Fern Valley, this six-person log cabin is a charming vacation rental worth considering. It is equipped with all amenities you need for a comfortable stay, including a full kitchen. Active guests can indulge in hiking nearby or fishing, kayaking, and canoeing at Lake Hemet and Lake Fulmor, which is less than a 20-minute drive away.
An Adventure Pass is available at the rental for guests’ use. Boat and bicycle rentals and essential fishing gear are available in local stores nearby.
Top guest reviews
Host:
the owner was very helpfulowners have a done a great job with the rentallarry is an amazing host he promptly replied to our questions about the house and hikeslarry is very quick and responsive to questions and issuesowners have taken so much pride and joy to set up this home for a relaxing getawayLocation:
very peaceful location surrended by squirrels out from traffic areasthis cabin is a great place to get away from the city and just enjoy natureif i ever come back to idyllwild i'll definitely look up larry's placeCleanliness:
the squirrels enjoyed cleaning up after themit was very clean and had everything we needed and morethe cabin was cozy and clean and we wanted for nothing in the kitchenthe property in good shape clean equipped all that is neededRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the wifi was fast and worked great and there were plenty of books and games available for entertainmentwe had a wonderful vacation the cottage was super clean well organized full kitchen bbq hardwood floors downstairsoverall it’s a comfortable place to stay stocked with everything you may needthe beds were fantastic
2. Riverfront house with a private hot, Truckee (from USD 500)
This fully furnished house comes with 4 bedrooms and can fit up to 12 guests. It enjoys direct access to the Truckee River, which is famous for blue ribbon fishery. Additionally, there are several other rivers and lakes, including Donner and Tahoe lakes, nearby for more fishing opportunities. The house has a full kitchen, private hot tub, and internet access. Location-wise, downtown Truckee is about 8 km (5 mi) away from this property.
Top guest reviews
Host:
owner is easy to message and quick to respondthis property and host were fantastic already planning a return tripcommunication with owner was terrificthe truckee river house is a perfect place for a getaway and very accommodating to all agesLocation:
great location and great househouse is located in a quiet neighbor with easy access to the rivergreat location appreciated being away from the usual truckee neighborhoodsaccess to the river is super easy -- just a short walk out the back doorthe location was perfect for all going on walks together along the road that parallels the riverCleanliness:
the house was very clean and has a cozy charm to itwished we could have stayed longer the house is very clean spacious and comfortableit was very clean and wonderful view out most of the windowsit was clean upon arrival and the kitchen was well stocked with condiments and seasoningsRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
also a pool table tv nice sofa and a bedroom and little couches that kids could sleep on
3. Victory Lodge, June Lake (from USD 2700)
This 8-bedroom lodge can comfortably accommodate up to 20 people and is amply furnished. It has spacious common areas, a gourmet kitchen, a game room, a covered patio with a barbecue area, multiple decks, and additional car parking that double up as storage space for skiing and fishing gear.
The lodge overlooks Gull Lake, which is popular among anglers and campers. Gull Lake is rife with large rainbows, brown trout, cutthroat, and brook trout. Do remember to bring your own gear. Gull Lake Marina is a short distance from this place, where you’ll find boat rentals, fishing gear, etc.
Top guest reviews
Host:
the owner was both kind and accommodatingthe owner thomas and manager art both were very professional and helpfulevan (the care taker) was so helpful and kindthank you evan(caretaker) for all your helpart thank you for arranging all our in home messages and helpful guidanceLocation:
our family enjoyed a delightful time at victory lodge - we hands down recommend this placeit is an amazing place for our large group to all be together for our annual fishing tripRead more reviewsCleanliness:
it was clean spacious with plenty of supplies and equipment for a large family like ours
4. Waterfront house with a deck, Discovery Bay (from USD 825)
If you’re travelling as a group of up to 16 people, this 4-bedroom waterfront house is a great bet. The house is amply provisioned with facilities, including an on-site hot tub, pool table, and baby-friendly amenities such as a portable crib, high chair, and kids’ dishes.
Plus, 5 kayaks, 4 paddleboards, 17 life jackets, 4 mini-spin ultra light fishing poles, and 3 regular fishing poles have been made available for guests’ use. Nearby Mount Diablo is the perfect place for hiking, or else guests can stay in and enjoy fishing from the comfort of the rental’s deck itself.
Top guest reviews
Host:
the owners were responsive to my textsowner was helpful and easy to communicate withlucia was very responsive and helpfulalthough i tried not to bug too much the owners replied quickly thank youi would make a couple of helpful suggestions as i would consider renting againLocation:
great location and very good propertythe property’s location is excellent and very comfortablethe house was in a great location close to several restaurants gas station and grocery storeclose to grocery and nice waterwayoverall good location and we all enjoyed ourselvesCleanliness:
although perfect for a large group and very cleanRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
great dock deck large family room and kitchendeck was huge with plenty of seating everything you could need in the kitchen and everywhere elsegood for family gatherings nice big deck for dinner outside boat dock refreshing swim from dock
California Tour Guide

Stephanie Eley
I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of... Read more
Tours by Stephanie
5. Light and airy townhouse for six, Mammoth Lakes (from USD 318)
Right in the heart of Mammoth Lakes is this well-appointed, two-bedroom townhouse for six. While you can stay in and admire gorgeous views, stepping out for some outdoor activities is easy too. Hiking, swimming, fishing, skiing, paddle boarding, and mountain biking spots are all an easy distance away. This property falls along a shuttle route, so getting to the ski area, around the town, or anywhere else is very convenient.
Top guest reviews
Host:
our host margy was incredibly accommodating responsive and generousthe property owners were very helpful and always responded in a timely mannerthe owners supplied awesome information on things to do and check in/out was painlessowner was very responsive and laid out an excellent itinerary for our stayeasy to check in and check out with awesome communication from the hostsLocation:
convenient location and nice open common areagreat place to stay for a ski tripclose to downtown and we loved the small walkable meadowland nearbywe loved playing games around the table and the location to everything is perfectrange and of mammoth mountain itself offered easy outings within walking distanceCleanliness:
the condo was very cleanit was very clean when we arrivednice condo that was clean with all basic amenitiesthe property was super clean and we were not worried about previous occupancy in these covid timesRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the views and the lovely small deck with chairs and table (and grill
6. Compact yet comfortable cabin for three, Brockway (from USD 386)
Located near Brockway & Kings Beach, this one-bedroom cabin can host up to three people. This restored 20th-century cabin boasts a charming vibe and is amply furnished with modern conveniences too. Kings Beach State Beach is merely 1 km (0.7 mi) away, which is a great spot for some outdoor fun such as kayaking, beach-combing, fishing, and hiking. After a long day out, you can relax in the vintage claw-foot tub in the bathroom.
Top guest reviews
Host:
Also Stella was very easy to communicate with and welcoming and friendlyBeautiful views great hospitality nice and warmStella was there to greet us when we arrivedshe was quick to respondShe checked in with us to make sure we had everything we neededLocation:
Great property in a great locationThe cabin was built in 1947 as a summer retreatThe north end is very quiet if ur looking to relaxIt was close enough to walk into Kings Beach which we also really lovedbut hey maybe it's good to switch that up sometimes Thanks again Stella - beautiful property and energyCleanliness:
Cabin well stocked and very cleanThe place is clean spacious and has almost everything you need for the stayRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
The cabin itself was funky and coolGreat views of lake and snowThe cabin had lovely lake viewsaltho the kitchen was smallIt has very beautiful view of the lake and trees
7. Camellia House, Sonoma County (from USD 484)
Perched along the Russian River is this charming house for 12. You can enjoy lake and mountain views from every corner of this house. Note that quiet hours are to be observed at this rental from 10pm to 8am. The large backyard here leads to the river, where you can indulge in fishing and kayaking.
Two double kayaks and canoes are available at the rental for guests’ use, along with life vests. Fishing enthusiasts may need to bring their own equipment or rent from nearby stores. Some of the fish species found in the Russian River are steelhead trout, large and smallmouth bass, striped bass, shad, catfish, etc. Remember that no bait is allowed at the Russian River, and chinook and coho salmon are no-catch species; if caught, must be thrown back into the river.
Top guest reviews
Location:
the location on the river was lovelythe location on the river is excellent for swimming and kayakingreally great location and perfect size for a groupwe loved the location and the dock on the riverriver access was excellent and very close to additional river beachesCleanliness:
beds were all very comfortable and cleanRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the wifi is a little spotty- but it was nice to disconnect so it didn’t really matter
8. Cosy cabin with a rear deck, Kyburz (from USD 248)
This two-bedroom cabin is perfect for adventure-seekers. Here, you can enjoy skiing in the winters and hiking, fishing, and boating in summers. The cabin is within walking distance of Sugarloaf Mountain. Plus, the nearby Pony Express Trail is an excellent place for fishing, hiking and tubing. Guests can head to the American River to enjoy some rainbow trout and brown trout fishing. The cabin also has a rear deck, boasting brilliant river views.
Top guest reviews
Host:
the owner is gracious and attentiveLocation:
we are all about location and where impressed by the amount of privacy this property hasit's a wonderful cabin placed in the most premium spot right on the riverreasonably close to tahoe and generally clean placeCleanliness:
clean cozy and beautiful cabin nestled by a creek and river well equipped we will be coming backthe cabin is lovely and always spotlessly cleanproperty is clean as a whistle and booking process was seamlessRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
also good to get fresh linen for bedding as it seemed a bit old
Experience the great outdoors in California
The Golden State is brimming with urban cities, coastal and mountain towns, historical landmarks, and gorgeous landscapes. If you’re looking for an adventure-packed vacation, book one of the above listed fishing lodges in California.
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