Where to get away from it all in California.

July 24, 2006 9:52 AM

What's a good, cheap, out-of-the-way spot for a week-long solo vacation in California or Oregon?

I'm looking to use up some of my hard-earned vacation time and take a week off to relax somewhere in California or Oregon, outside of the immediate SF Bay Area. I just want to rent a tiny cabin by myself and spend a week running, biking, and reading. It would also be nice if there was some cool scenery in the area for me to wander around and photograph. Any great ideas?

posted by TunnelArmr to travel & transportation (9 comments total)

I bet you can find somewhere real nice in the Feather River Valley. Perhaps around Quincy?
posted by aubilenon at 10:08 AM on July 24, 2006

Point Reyes is on the coast, has varied terrain and microclimates. I've backpacked here a lot, and went swimming in Bass Lake just last week. It may be tough to find available lodging this time of year, though.
posted by oneirodynia at 10:09 AM on July 24, 2006

Hmmm, sorry, missed the "cheap" bit. Obviously backpacking is cheap, but those cabins may not qualify.
posted by oneirodynia at 10:15 AM on July 24, 2006

Staying semi-local to the bay area:

Coastal:
Big Sur
Big Basin
Lost Coast

Inland:
Stanislaus National Forest
Yosemite
posted by pmbuko at 10:18 AM on July 24, 2006

Buckhorn Springs in southern Oregon is a cool place with great history.
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 10:31 AM on July 24, 2006

Because this SoCal heat is making me homesick, I'd look around Eureka-Arcata-Garberville (Humboldt County), or, despite the tourist-overrun, Mendocino-Caspar-Fort Bragg since it's almost like home, but closer, or maybe going further north is better, all the way to Crescent City, which has plenty to offer the visitor (including relatively few other visitors).
posted by notyou at 10:43 AM on July 24, 2006

Crater Lake has cabins that are relatively cheap. Ashland, OR is famous for outdoor stuff, & will be a little cooler. Slow b/c of college being out, too. If you could make it all the way up to the Metolius, I hear there are beautiful cabins up there (but we always camp).
posted by devilsbrigade at 10:46 AM on July 24, 2006

Would you consider a fire lookout or Forest Service cabin? Oregon has many great lookouts, though some are very rustic from what I have heard.
Other than that I'd look for something near the coastal redwoods somewhere in the mystic that lies amongst the California-Oregon border.
posted by fieldtrip at 11:09 AM on July 24, 2006

The Oregon coast has tons of camp grounds, especially between Florence and Astoria. Hiking, whale watching, photography spots are all in abundance. Driving up Highway 101 is breath taking as well.

If you want something a little more inland, the Bend/Sisters areas east of Salem is great. I know there are some campsites and awesome hiking trails all through there.

If you didn't want to come that far north, you might think sourthern oregon like Crater Lake. You won't get as much of the lush greenery, but it's still beautiful. Ashland can be alot of fun as well. Gold Beach and Bandon are along the southern Oregon coast and are about as "out of the way" as you can get for the beach.
posted by Smarson at 12:10 PM on July 24, 2006