How to Do a Cozy Winter Cabin Getaway Near the Bay Area — on a Budget

At this time of year, when the holidays have passed, but cold weather still endures, you may be craving a cozy cabin getaway.

However, one look at Airbnb and VRBO prices often reveals that your average “winter wonderland cabin” might not be in your budget.

But here’s the deal: If you’re willing to embrace adventure and rough it in a more primitive-style lodging, you’ll find some pretty unique, scenic and affordable options when it comes to winter cabins. All it takes is a little bit of preparation and willingness to go off the beaten path.

Whether you’re seeking an adventurous outing to the Sierra Nevada backcountry or an unplugged retreat in Wine Country, we did the research on lower-cost winter cabins so you don’t have to.

Just be aware: Most of these cabins have no electricity and few amenities — including cell service — which is, of course, part of the point. So roll up with your most intrepid friends and any luxuries you might want with you, and embrace the quiet of a cozy weekend away.

Jump straight to:

• A getaway in the redwoods
• A summit stay in Tahoe
• An oceanside hostel

Soak in Sonoma County with a lakeside retreat

If you’re looking for a still-accessible, slightly off-the-grid experience, Spring Lake Regional Park in Sonoma County might be the spot.

Located along Spring Lake in Santa Rosa, the park has three cabins — one of which is fully wheelchair accessible — for a winter escape that’ll get you out of your house and in nature without too much adventure.

Sarah Campbell, spokesperson for Sonoma County Regional Parks, said its proximity to the city of Santa Rosa makes it easy to visit without much advanced planning.

“It’s a great overnight because you get your groceries on the way, it doesn’t take long to get there, and you’ve got all that time to spend in the park enjoying, relaxing, or doing whatever activity that you’re choosing to do,” she said. “Just because it is so centrally located.”

The cabins are “minimal” on the inside, Campbell said, with bunk beds and basic mattresses, a porch, barbecue, fire pit and picnic table so you can feel like you’re camping — don’t forget a sleeping bag and pillow — but still have a roof over your head. Plus, campground showers and potable water are accessible nearby.

While it can rain quite a bit in the winter here, temperatures are mild – helpful in these unheated cabins. Plus, there’s plenty to keep you occupied nearby, from the Environmental Discovery Center open on weekends to ample fishing and birdwatching along the lake, lagoon and Spring Creek Trail, which is paved and circumnavigates the lake for a mostly flat 2.3 miles. For kids, the Howard Park playground is a short walk away from the cabins, Campbell noted.

If you’re looking for even more adventure, the park also abuts Trione-Annadel State Park, where you can get lost in 45 miles of trails — but be aware, it can get muddy in the winter and spring.

Reservations: Cabin rentals are typically $82 per night in the winter, accommodating up to 8 people and two vehicles per site. Reservations can be made here. Discounts are available for Sonoma County residents.

Relax in the redwoods — inside a state park

Several nearby state parks, including Hendy Woods and Samuel P. Taylor, have idyllic cabins nestled in the redwoods. The catch? They get booked up quickly, so it may be hard to snag a weekend reservation.

But if you can take a day off during the week itself — or even just go out for a quick overnight stay — these spots are worth it for the cozy atmosphere alone.

At Mendocino County’s Hendy Woods State Park, the four cabins are located inside the two main campgrounds between the two groves of old-growth redwood trees, where you can meander among ancient giants, some as big as 300 feet tall.

There are five miles of trails throughout the park, including the accessible 1.4-mile Discovery Trail, which is an easy stroll that tours you through the main grove.

Closer to San Francisco, Marin County’s Samuel P. Taylor State Park boasts four cabins, each accommodating five people. This park’s location makes it the perfect quick overnight to get away from the city, especially if you’re planning to explore nearby Point Reyes National Seashore for the day.

Some of the cabins at both state parks have electricity, covered porches and even small heaters – but every spot is different, so be sure to check your reservation ahead of time. At both state parks, potable water, showers and bathrooms are available in the campgrounds. Bring sleeping bags and sleeping pads (as no mattresses are provided), and any kitchen supplies you might want for cooking.

Reservations: Cabin rentals at Hendy Woods and Samuel P. Taylor range from $35 to $100 per night and can be made at ReserveCalifornia.com. Be aware that most cabin sites are booked up on weekends, so consider a midweek reservation if you can swing it.

Explore the snow at Tahoe’s front and backcountry cabins

If your cabin adventure is incomplete without the lure of snow, look no further than the Sierra Club lodges around Tahoe’s Donner Summit.

The most accessible option here is the Clair Tappaan Lodge, located in Norden just off Highway 80 near Boreal Resort, Donner Ski Ranch and Sugar Bowl Resorts. This bunk-style lodge, which dates from the 1930s, offers communal dining and a rustic feel, plus options for bagged lunches if you’re heading to the slopes for the day.

But you don’t have to be a resort skier to get the most out of the stay — the lodge rents snowshoes, cross-country skis and sleds for any snowy outing. What’s more, there’s a quiet library to unwind after a long day in the cold, said Andrew Parkhill, the lodge’s general manager.

“It’s really a great option for people that are looking to do something different and be in the mountains, sharing the camaraderie of what the mountains bring,” Parkhill said. “Whether that’s a beautiful view, or watching the snow fall or having a great day on the hill — be it snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or downhill skiing — and just coming back and talking about it.”

Seeking even more adventure? The Sierra Club also has primitive huts in Tahoe’s backcountry that are accessible only by snowshoe or cross-country ski. Perhaps the easiest to get to is the Peter Grubb Hut, which is around a 3-mile hike from I-80. But before you book, make sure you’re seriously prepared: not only are these huts unstaffed, with not much in the way of amenities, but they also require expertise in traveling on snow to get there.

But if you’re ready for the challenge, the juice may be worth the squeeze. Akin to winter backpacking — just with an added roof over your head — the reward for your trek is a remote ski lodge with a wood-burning stove, an outhouse and all the new adventure friends you’ll meet once you get there.

Reservations: The huts and lodge can be booked on the Clair Tappaan Lodge website or, starting this week, on Hipcamp.com. Spots are $82 per person per night in the lodge and $55 in the Peter Grubb or any other backcountry hut.

Overlook the ocean from a unique hostel

Looking for a getaway with ocean vibes and views? While the Bay Area’s two lighthouse hostels aren’t your typical cabin experiences, they’re utterly unique and charming in their own way — and will surely get you out of your midwinter funk.

Run by the same hostel company, HI Point Montara Lighthouse and HI Pigeon Point Lighthouse not only have their own grounds to explore, but are close to some of the Bay Area’s wildest stretches of coastline.

The Montara location is less than a half an hour south of the city, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Across Highway 1 is Montara Mountain, a steep but superb local hike.

Beaches flank the entire area, and just to the south is the famed cypress tree tunnel and Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, the ideal winter tidepooling spot. (Just be sure to read the rules before you go to keep yourself — and all the local wildlife — safe.

Farther south, near the rural coastal town of Pescadero, is the Pigeon Point Lighthouse location. Be aware: Construction at the lighthouse is currently underway, making this location a bit less serene at the moment during the daytime hours.

But it has its own allure, the highlight of which is a cliffside hot tub and daily guided hikes of the state park. You’re also close by to the elephant seal overlook at Año Nuevo State Park and Pescadero’s quaint downtown, where a stop at Arcangeli’s for artichoke bread and Harley Farms to see the dairy goats are must-dos.

Reservations: Book a private or shared room online for $50 per person in shared dorms. In general, private rooms do not include kitchen access. Shared rooms grant access to common kitchen and living areas.