14 Great Hotels on the Northern California Coast

Head north from San Francisco, hugging the coastline, and you’ll pass between some of the world’s most incredible Redwood forests, and a string of small, but pretty, coastal towns, and some dramatic seas beyond. At Eureka and Fort Bragg you’ll come upon working harbours, offering a chance for whale watching, and fishing of all sorts — or just fish-eating… A journey of any length along this stretch will elicit pleasure, so there’s an argument to say that it’s not the best hotel on the Northern California Coast that you’re after, but a whole collection of great hotels, so you can hop between them. The Redwood National Park, Redwoods State Park, and Mendocino are inland a jot, but between them there’s a significant wine growing region, so there are some wonderful winery hotels here, with incredible food too. And the incredible Avenue of the Giants, which runs alongside Highway 101. Santa Rosa is known for its food and local wines too. Of course there’s the actual coastline too, with mile-upon-mile of breathtaking beach. So use our guide to great hotels on the North Californian coast and start to plan your getaway or road trip.

Northern California’s Best Beach Hotels

• Only 100 metres from the ocean, the seven suites and apartments of the Pier View Suites have wonderful views of Caucus Beach — which is incredible when viewed from your private balcony at sunset. Some of the apartments offer plenty of space for families, and some have facilities for self-catering, though there’s a restaurant onsite and plenty of other places to eat and drink in the vicinity.
• The Timber Cove Resort is a peaceful and secluded resort on a clifftop on the beautiful Sonoma Coast. There are 46 elegant rooms and suites, with a gently nautical feel, clean, simple lines and the added bonus of record players and sea views. Outside there’s a fire pit and star gazing equipment, plus they offer yoga sessions at sunrise. There’s a great seafood restaurant, and great contacts with local wineries.
• The Beach House Hotel Half Moon Bay sits just behind the sand on a beautiful, peaceful bay. This hotel has something of the look of a giant chalet to it: wooden, with just three floors and lots of big windows and balconies overlooking the water. There are 54 rooms and suites, the largest with private sitting rooms, balconies and fireplaces. They offer spa treatments, but there’s no restaurant, though plenty to discover close by.

California Coast Escapes

• Brewery Gulch Inn is a rustic feeling chalet-style hotel overlooking Mendocino Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Inside this charmer are 11 comfortable rooms and suites, plus a library, a lounge with a fireplace, and several sun terraces offering different views. A huge garden surrounds the property. And while there’s no restaurant they do an excellent cooked-to-order breakfast.
• Small and peaceful, the Sea Rock Inn is a B&B collection of cottages and suites overlooking the ocean. This is a romantic spot, with cosy, woodburning stoves, four-poster beds and views from most of the deep baths… And there’s a lawn in the centre of the cottages overlooking the water, in case you need your view uninterrupted.

Most Romantic Hotels in Northern California

• Carter House Inns is a cosy, wood-clad building on a quiet, leafy, residential street in the Redwood region. There’s a feeling of luxury and fine quality throughout, with canopied beds, whirlpool tubs and elegant antiques. The onsite restaurant, 301, is very good, and known for its local produce, and 3,400 strong wine menu.

Foodie Favourites

• Nick's Cove is a well known local seafood restaurant and oyster bar, with 12 wooden cabin-like cottages attached, right on the beach. These rooms are all decorated differently, but they’re all really charming, with traditional decor that fits in with the cabin-y feel — some have beautiful antiques. All but five of the rooms are pet friendly, and families are welcome too.
• The Harbor House Inn is a charming, rural inn with rooms in the main house and a collection of cabin rooms, with big windows and balconies. The decor feels luxurious, as well as stylish, with open fireplaces and heavy wood antiques, and most of the rooms have ocean views. The seafood restaurant is worth a visit, even if you’re not staying in the hotel, and the whole experience feels intimate, boutique and luxurious.

Best Hotels for Families

• The Lost Whale Inn is a charming, coastal B&B which overlooks the ocean, but is also only minutes from the Redwood National Park. This is a small property, with just eight rooms, but they’re all simple and elegant, along a nautical theme, with wonderful views. Private balconies, and shared terraces really seal the deal, and the seven course gourmet breakfast will really set you up for a day of exploring. This is a wonderful spot for walkers, and some of the rooms are family sized.
• For a really relaxing, and potentially luxurious, family stay, consider the Bodega Bay Lodge, located on a stretch of coastline between the Doran Regional Park and the Sonoma Coast. This isn’t a single lodge, more a collection of villas built terrace-style, and while all the rooms and suites are large, some are really large, with wood-burning fires and balconies overlooking the ocean. There’s also very comfortable living space, both inside and out, and a pool overlooking the ocean. There are seven acres of beauty around the Lodge, so there’s plenty of space for strolling, and the restaurant will look after you when you get back.

Ideal for Outdoors Enthusiasts

• The Inn at Newport Ranch is set on two thousand acres of land just outside Fort Bragg, and is a wonderfully rustic feeling hideaway, with just seven rooms and suites. This is a quirky spot, with individually decorated rooms and suites featuring antiques and fun objets — and a bit of cowboy charm.
• Olema House is within a National Park (Point Reyes National Seashore), so there’s pristine scenery in all directions. This is a cosy feeling hotel, with just 22 rooms, suites and cottages, and the decor complements the views outside the large windows. This is a great hub for walkers, cyclists, explorers of any kind, or outdoors-folks generally.

For Great Value

• The Ocean View Inn is a charming beachside inn in a small town on the Pacific Coast Highway. It was built in 1906, with a pitched, wooden roof and as many balconies and windows as the architect could manage. Inside there are nine rooms and suites, dressed simply, and colourfully. There’s plenty of shared living space, and while there’s no restaurant, there are plenty nearby, and there’s a small, shared kitchenette.
• Heritage House Resort looks like an old fashioned charmer from the outside, but from the inside it’s more of a contemporary charmer, with all the mod. cons. when it comes to automated drapes, open fireplaces and impressive bathrooms — some with whirlpool tubs. There are wonderful views from most of the rooms too, and from the lounge and restaurant.

Still not sure where to book?

• You could browse our recommendations for California Hotels?
• Or you might want to expand your search to include the best places to stay in San Francisco?
• Or refine your search to just the best places to stay in Mendocino?
• or the best places to stay in Santa Rosa and the Sonoma one country?
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

 

Written by Kat Parr Mackintosh

posted Sunday, 25th June 2023