California is called “The Golden State” because of myths and fiction, but the reality really isn’t short of paradise. With beaches, forests, vineyards, and stargazing spots, Southern California is the traveler’s paradise. Catalina Island, Long Beach, Santa Monica, and Palm Springs are some of the many famous tourist destinations in Southern California. Here, fun is what you define it to be. Relaxing family vacation, action-packed adventure trip, top festivals, or anything else imaginable, you can have it at its best here. And luckily enough, Southern California also has some of the most exquisite accommodations, including its beachfront rentals. Imagine enjoying the wide range of attractions with a comfortable and exquisite stay. Explore through and find your favorite from the list of the most unique Airbnbs in Southern California, USA.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 11, 2024.
1. The Little Red Trolley, Castaic (from USD 214)
If you’re looking for some of the weirdest Airbnbs in the US, The Little Red Trolley says the search is over. From the name itself, this accommodation takes over the appearance of a trolley, which gives its guests a one-of-a-kind, cozy space for themselves. Inside, this unit has a fully equipped kitchen, a refrigerator, and a Keurig coffee machine. You can also keep yourself entertained with board games and reading materials provided.
This unique rental also comes with a free parking space you can use if you have a car. You can also bring your furry friends with you during your stay.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
we loved the shower and the bathroom nightlightCleanliness:
it was super clean and cozyeverything was clean comfortable and adorablethe place that they build is such a good quality spotless clean cozy beautifulit was peaceful private and spotlessHost:
delightful trolley that the host converted themselvesamazing host and amazing airbnband best host i’ve had so farbeautiful space and wonderful hosts who were very helpful flexible and kindthat wasn't the host's fault though highly recommendRead more reviewsLocation:
amazing location space and atmospheresuch a cute place perfect for a get away we loved itsuch a cute and fun place to stay easy check-inthe trolley was wonderful it was the perfect place to take a break and relax for a few daysgreat find super unique and wonderful place to end our honeymoon
Superhost
2. Water Tower House, Seal Beach
With a height of 87 feet (26.52 meters), Water Tower House is one of the coolest Airbnbs in California with its distinct structure. This property was originally built for steam engines that require services. Now a rental, it offers a magnificent ocean view, an airy living room, and an expansive balcony.
It also provides you with in-room amenities such as a washer, a dryer, plush linens, and a flat-screen TV. For your convenience, you can use the property’s elevator. You can also dip your body in the hot tub for relaxation.
Seal Beach, California, United States
92.42 km (57.5 mi) from Wild Wonders, IncAccommodates: 10
Top guest reviews
Host:
an excellent stay and very much a one of a kind experiencelooks and feels just like the pictures house was clean and tidy and staff was very responsivehosted a meditation retreat here and will definitely be backRead more reviewsLocation:
amazing location steps from the beachthe watertower is a unique property location and had wonderful facilities
3. Dome in the Desert, Joshua Tree (from USD 138)
This unique dome house located in Joshua Tree, California, looks right out of fairy tales. The beautiful modern-bohemian structure has been tastefully built and decorated with the finest handcrafted items. It’s a two-bedroom house, perfect for families and friends who wish to get away from the city buzz and retreat into beauty. The beautiful mountain views, paired with antique books and games, will energize your spirits and body alike.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the kitchen is fully stocked which was perfect for us because we ended up cooking during our stayit’s comfortable modern and deceptively roomy on the insidevery cozy and well-stocked i would definitely come backoverall and awesome cozy place and if we were traveling kid-free we would definitely do it againthe kitchen was fully stocked with everything we needed for a simple comfort mealCleanliness:
clean and cozy for anyone to enjoy a nice get awaybed and bathroom was cleanthe dome was really clean cosy and full of charactercozy thoughtful and clean spacebeautifully simple in its decoration roomy clean and organizedHost:
kathrin responded very quickly and was always helpfulamazing stay the hosts were very communicative throughout our stay to remind us about check in check out etckathrin and brian are very welcoming responsive and friendly hosts we enjoyed our stay here highly recommendkathrin was very communicative and the whole stay was easyi did not get to meet the hosts but kathrin was super responsive and helpful in the communicationsRead more reviewsLocation:
great location and unique spacethe location was perfectloved the secluded locationa beautiful location and even better living spaceawesome place super easy access to the park
4. African-inspired eco tent, Vista (from USD 182)
If you’re planning for a nature retreat in The Golden State, why not do it with an authentic camping vibe in an off-grid eco tent? No need to carry heavy equipment when you get a fully equipped tent surrounded by South African protea flowers with an attached outdoor kitchen. The perfect and unique mixture of rustic and cozy, this tent located in Vista, California, is perfect if you want to explore hiking trails in the area.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the heater and the heated blankets were amazing and just enough for the cold nights during winterthe bed was super cozy and the heated blanket was a nice touchthe bed was so comfortable we used the heated blanket and it was perfectthis place was amazing and super cozy they had heater blanket since it was cold outsideCleanliness:
we love this place private relax clean and full of fresh airHost:
host were amazing and super friendlyamazing place awesome host they made us feel really welcomed and were easily reachablehe was very friendly and made sure that everything is going well for us before we checked-outlauri and howard are awesome hosts and we highly recommend staying with themthis was a wonderful experience for our honeymoon and the hosts were greatRead more reviewsLocation:
i have so many wonderful things to say about this place — literally zero faultswow what a great place to staygreat for our peaceful getaway but close enough to explore various sd citiescelebrated my husband’s 40th birthday at this magical place
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. Iconic 1974 Airstream on an organic ranch, Carpinteria (from USD 225)
This marvel is just a short drive away from bohemian Ojai and will amaze with its beauty and comfort. The fully furnished and equipped 33-feet (10-meter) caravan comes with a tastefully decorated living room, full kitchen, full bathroom, and a patio apart from the comfy bedroom. Unbelievably luxurious, this stay will ensure one-of-a-kind travel.
The icing on the cake is the avocado orchard on which the property sits. The peaceful range atmosphere and the unique stay will add color to your travel diaries.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
our stay was very comfortable with helpful additional amenities (ethe air stream and entire grounds were beautiful quiet and comfortablei absolutely loved their dogs very private and had everything you need pots pans coffee towels tv wifithen we would retreat inside and fall asleep on the super comfortable queen sized bedthe bed was so comfortable bathroom are excellentCleanliness:
everything is clean and kept nicely manicuredincredibly relaxing impeccably clean and stylishit was clean roomy and so very peacefulsuch a lovely place very cleanthe airstream itself is clean spacious and beautifully decoratedHost:
perfect host perfect spacethe host was responsive and helpful and made us feel very welcomedelia was an amazing host and gave us very fast responses with any concern we haddelia is a wonderful hostdelia was a great host responsive and kindRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is idealthis location is convenient and gorgeouslocation and accommodations were superbthe airstream is perfectly situated- private and secluded yet close to towngreat location up in the mountains with just a short drive to carpenteria beach
6. Luxurious Palm Springs dome home (from USD 248)
Looking for the best Airbnb in Southern California? Adventure and comfort roll into one beautiful geodesic dome that sits in 5 acres (2 hectares) of land. The unique design ensures a 360˚-view that includes deserts, mountains, Joshua Tree Park, and Coachella Valley. Get the entire three-bedroom house to yourself and enjoy a grand stay. The property is a 15-minute drive away from downtown Palm Springs. Get your creative juices running with this amazing retreat away from the crowd.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
kitchen has good amenitiesCleanliness:
super clean and neatthe property was very clean and well stockedthe house was clean comfortable and very chici had a great time here and it was very cleanthe home was very clean with all the essentials availableHost:
pavlina was a great hostthe host is very communicative and took good care of her housebeautiful and one of a kind airbnb and pavlina is a very welcoming hostit’s the perfect desert getaway and pavlina was a great hostpavlina was a great host responded very quickly and was very accommodating to our needs/requestsRead more reviewsLocation:
the most beautiful location in palm springsreally hoping to return to this unforgettable location soonwe could not have asked for a better locationalthough palm springs was over 100f the place was always nice and coolbeautiful and unique place to stay
7. Vintage San Diego dome house (from USD 138)
Originally built in 1967, this renovated space is an artistic marvel. The house is fully equipped and stocked with all your needs. You can have the entire home to yourself and enjoy your privacy. Families, friends, couples, or solo travelers, everyone will find a home in this beautiful space. Some may even think of it as a tree house. This place is uniquely and carefully curated with love.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
comfy sleeping quarters and bed beautiful views day and night beautiful farmhouse kitchen sink and interior design was perfectthe wifi worked great after a quick restartit does get a bit warm during the day but the a/c & extra fans help alotlots of room to spread out and relaxjanan is super helpful and friendly to help us to get extra heater and blanketsCleanliness:
amazing spot super clean and janan was super friendlythe dome was incredibly clean and it was apparent when you walked invery clean from top to bottom check in was very easy to followwe loved our stay at the dome very clean and exactly as describedwas quite nice clean and with a viewHost:
love the details and everything provided by the hosthosts were very accommodating and great to communicate withthe host was extremely nice and helpful during our stayjanan was so sweet helpful and easy to contact would definitely recommendRead more reviewsLocation:
the location was perfectgreat stay and location was beautifulamazing place and so unique convenient location to all the local experiencesperfect location and a perfect experience at this airbnbthe location felt ideal with access to all the great things san diego has to offer
8. Airstream in mini ranch, Vista (from USD 169)
This stay gives you an authentic farm experience. Wishing Well Mini Ranch is a fully functional farm in a 2-ac (0.8-ha) plot of land with three unique Airbnbs and a spa. The Airstream features two beds, a kitchen with a mini-fridge, a bathroom, and indoor and outdoor showers. Wi-Fi, TV, and DVDs are also available for entertainment. Outside the caravan are a picnic table, a barbecue grill, and an outdoor fire pit.
For farm enthusiasts, the ranch has Nigerian dwarf milking goats, miniature horses, llamas, and chickens. The animals are friendly and are used to the guests. Get in touch with nature and enjoy farm life firsthand in this unique rental.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the mattress and pillows were very comfortableit had a nice grass area a table and chairs a corn hole gamecharming and cozy space with an abundance of cuteness outside the doorthe beds were super comfy and our overall stay was greatwe highly recommend having the breakfast and the latteCleanliness:
the airstream is spotless clean airy and very cozythe airstream was very clean stylish and comfortableit was quiet and cleanthe place was clean and everything we needed was therethe place was perfectly clean and beds were so comfortableHost:
kim was a perfect hostthe host was very welcoming and informativekim and his wife were great hostskim as a host was very graciouskim was an amazing host and made us feel very welcomeRead more reviewsLocation:
location is easily found and accessiblekim’s place was extremely cute and inviting the animals (and humans) were so friendlywhat a charming place to staykim’s place was recommend by a friend and it did not disappoint cute and cozy with comfy bedsit is a very relaxing place perfect for meditation or just chilling :))
9. Heavenly stargazing cabin, Twentynine Palms (from USD 407)
Want to sleep under the stars? This open-air stargazing portal is the perfect stargazing spot. Designed by Architect Malek Alqadi, this unique and innovative home is a minimalist weathering steel structure. The house comfortably houses two guests, but it can accommodate up to six guests. It’s suited for an intimate couple’s getaway, as well as friend groups. The house gives you a simple and stylish venue in nature’s vicinity. Experience the unique off-grid stargazing experience here.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
i would highly recommend sleeping under the stars with the heated bed beneath yousleeping under the stars on a warm heated bed is an experience we’ll never forgetthe bed outside under the sky is amazingthere are actually 3 sleeping (bed) options all very comfortableattention to little details everywhere; things like comfortable bedding and robes hardback house manual welcome noteCleanliness:
everything was clean and they responded quicklybesides the point i thought the property could have been cleaned betterthe place is beautifully made but the cleanliness wasn’t at a standard we hoped forspotless to perfection the stars at night are gloriousHost:
hillary was a wonderful host as well answering questions quickly and providing great recommendations in the areathe host is easy to reach and very helpfulhillary was always extremely responsive and easy to reach with our questionshillary is a wonderful host and i would to stay againour hosts were very responsive appreciated that as wellRead more reviewsLocation:
amazing house in an incredible locationgreat location close to the park and great local eateriesgreat location utter tranquility feeling of desert wilderness yet food options only 10 mins drive awaythankful for this cozy respite so close to the parka wonderfully unique place to spend a night
10. Hilltop Airstream with stunning views, Los Angeles (from USD 50)
This monthly rental space on the hilltop provides an expansive view of Los Angeles. The trailer is a unique blend of vintage beauty and modern design, including all the necessary furniture. You can have a trailer experience right in Los Angeles and have a memorable long vacation in the heart of California. It’s an ideal urban escape without sacrificing comfort and style.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
and what a view of la another great feature was all the great amenities in the kitchenenjoying coffee and breakfasts every morning here was a highlight of our tripgorgeous views the airstream was awesome very updated and cozythe bedding was extremely comfortable and the place is picture perfectthe bathroom is small which was a challenge but the shower and toilet work very wellCleanliness:
the whole place was clean and well organisedthe space is clean and everything is well preparedso well kept and cleaneverything was also incredibly clean and well organised with check-inyou can see the hollywood sign as well the airstream was very clean and comfortableHost:
todd and kimberly were great hosts and had great advice and recommendationsgreat host and the place is lovelytodd was very responsive to our queries and requests and the check in process was easy and convenienttodd was extremely friendly and wanted to help wherever it was neededgreat experience ever tom and kimberly are very quick and responsive to my quétions and requestsRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is excellent tucked away in the hills but still close to the actionsituated in a quiet and safe neighborhood and yet just minutes to sunset boulevardthis is an incredible location and a wonderful staygreat place in a very peaceful locationlocation was great the outdoor area was fantastic
11. Geodesic dome perfect for glamping, Idyllwild-Pine Cove (from USD 240)
A dome in the middle of the forest gives you a real glamping experience. Perfect for small families or couples, this geodesic dome guarantees a luxurious camping trip. This stay demands a true adventurous spirit ready for a unique vacation. You get to stay in the forest near hiking trails.
Get the camping experience with added amenities, such as a queen-sized bed, a sofa bed, a shower with hot water, a sink with running water, and a grill. You can have an off-grid adventure surrounded by nature and make lasting memories.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
it is so clean and comfortablethe hosts were very on top of communication and the space was spotlessthe dome and bathrooms were very cleanRead more reviewsLocation:
the toilet and shower were ideal the grill close and the bed/linens so comfortablea magical experience and great escape close to town yet feels secluded and private
12. Fantasy hobbit house for seclusion and privacy, Ramona (from USD 375)
Lord of the Rings fan or not, the hobbit house holds a fantasy charm in everyone’s mind. Inspired by Tolkien’s book and movie fantasy world, the cute dwelling is designed with iconic elements, such as the round door, granite rock walls, and wood beam ceilings. Experience rustic and archaic life in this secluded house that ensures privacy. There is also a fire pit barbecue.
The host lives just 250 feet (76.2 meters) away and can be approached for any queries. This unique Airbnb is enchanting with its beauty and comfort. It’s a perfect getaway from the rush and bustle of city life. Enjoy it the hobbit way, simple but grand.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
my husband is huge lotr fanthis is a great vacation spot for any lotr fan or even just any nature loverbest airbnb ever beautiful views hiked cozy bed lovely views can’t wait to come backwe really enjoyed the outdoor shower and sunset viewsthis is the ultimate retreat for any tolkien fanCleanliness:
the bathroom was clean and comfortableeverything is clean and in great conditionthe room was very clean and comfortablethe place was clean and had everything we could needit is private intimate clean and comfortableHost:
lauren was a great hostthe host is very accommodating and nicelauren was super helpful and a great hostthey’re the perfect hostslauren was an amazing host and extremely responsiveRead more reviewsLocation:
this is a unique and special place; unlike anything else that you are likely to findthe house is beautifully finished the location is spectacular and there are limitless little details to find and explorethe location was stunning and we even have our very own hiking trail to exploregreat and unique place definitely recommendthis is such a unique beautiful and peaceful place to visit
Have a great and unique stay at Southern California
Everyone defines luxury differently. Celebrate your holiday in your idea of luxury with an exquisite stay and create unique memories as you go. Choose a modern architectural marvel or a rustic farm stay and make the most of your vacation in Southern California. Enjoy the sunny Southern California adventures with these unique stays.
Frequently asked questions about unique Airbnbs in Southern California, USA
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
-
-
-
Top 12 Wellness Retreats In Southern California - Updated 2024Trina Joy Cassey -
-
-
30 Popular Festivals In California, USASharon A. -
-
-
Create an account to