Humboldt Bay Social Club is located on a former World War II airship base in Samoa.
Nothing shakes off the winter blah like a spring escape. Being able to get away and catch your breath can do wonders for the body and mind; you might even make a memorable discovery or find an unusual place to lay your head.
From treehouses and lighthouses to trains and water towers, there’s a wealth of unique Northern California accommodations—all just a few minutes’ drive from the East Bay.
East Brother Light Station, Richmond
Richmond’s East Brother Light Station overlooks San Pablo Bay.
Perched on an 3/4 acre rocky island in a strait between San Francisco and San Pablo Bays, this Victorian Inn offers a leisurely taste of what it might have been like to be a lighthouse keeper. Built in 1873, the alluring property features five bedrooms; four are in the historic lighthouse itself, while a smaller room is in the fog signal building. Worth knowing: Some rooms share a bathroom, and guests staying only one night cannot shower. (The property has no fresh water lines from the mainland; on-site rainwater collection is used to meet a variety of needs, so water conservation is a must.) There’s no Wi-Fi on the island and cellular service is unreliable. So plan to be happily separated.
Two innkeepers handle everything at the East Brother Light Station – from providing the five-minute boat ride to and from the island and the tour of the lighthouse to preparing meals and cleaning the rooms. Proceeds from the bed and breakfast fund the property’s ongoing restoration and maintenance costs.
Not sure if you’re ready to spend the night? Groups of 7 to 12 can book day trips with boat transport and a guided tour of the lighthouse on selected Saturdays during the summer.
Eagle’s Nest Treehouse Farmstay at Salmon Creek Ranch, Bodega Bay
A stay at Salmon Creek Ranch in Bodega Bay comes with an air of glamor unique to Sonoma County Wine Country. Take a spiral staircase up to a treehouse—far beyond what you dreamed of as a child—tucked between two trees that tower over this 400-acre private ranch. The overnight experience includes a cozy queen-size bed and modern comforts such as electricity, heating, a coffee maker and a full bathroom with a double-walled shower that allows for spectacular forest views during your ablutions.
The ranch’s permanent residents include cows, goats, ducks and half a dozen working Anatolian sheepdogs; Guests are welcome to observe and in some cases even participate in farm activities such as egg collection. Forest trails that run through the ranch provide hiking enthusiasts with endless hours of enjoyment and offer views of Salmon Creek and, on a clear day, the Pacific Ocean.
Napa Valley Railway Inn, Youngville
Enjoy a piece of living history at the Napa Valley Railway Inn in Yountville.
Railroad lovers will find this inn a dream come true as guests stay in historic railroad cars in the heart of Napa Valley. More than 40 years ago, six railcars and three cabooses made their final stop on the Napa Valley Railroad Company’s original tracks in Yountville, after serving stations throughout the west. (Visit the neighboring one cornerstone basement tasting room, and you can peek through the train station’s old ticket window while sipping a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.)
Alongside modern conveniences like flat-screen TVs and WiFi, each car elegantly conceals a fascinating story. You would never know that No. 4 once transported cattle, and a standout white caboose is now home to the model bakery, whose English muffins have been on Oprah’s “Favorite Things” list several times.
The property is located on Washington Street, Yountville’s main thoroughfare, and is within walking distance to numerous wine tasting rooms and restaurants.
JD House, Mendocino
The charming water tower at JD House in Mendocino.
Water towers dot the skyline of the sleepy village of Mendocino; Years ago they provided water for the townspeople, but these days they are finding new life.
The centuries-old beauty at JD House now offers a charming place for a good night’s sleep. Built in 1922, the transformation of the water tower makes it hard to believe its original purpose. Light and airy with a nautical theme, a comfortable queen bed and a gas fireplace, the inn – part of the Four Sisters Collection – is a cozy place to spend the night. And when you wake up, it’s all too tempting to linger as breakfast is delivered to your door. (A stay here also includes a daily wine and cheese hour and freshly baked cookies.)
Located a few blocks off Main Street, the Water Tower is an easy walk to almost everything, including Mendocino Headlands State Park and popular restaurants like Trillium Cafe and vegetarian Mist Eater Cafe.
Humboldt Bay Social Club, Samoa
Built as an airship base during World War II, Samoa Field is now home to a tiny but still active airstrip and the Humboldt Bay Social Club.
The former officers’ quarters have now become four rustic-chic guest rooms. This Humboldt County boutique hotel is about a five-minute walk from Oyster Beach, where you can walk, swim, or soak in two Instagram-inspired open-air bathtubs. (Four cabins on Oyster Beach are also available for week-long stays.)
Many guests spend their days hiking in the shade of majestic trees (Samoa Field is less than an hour away Redwood National and State Parks), but those looking to stay on-site will find an outdoor area with lawn games, fire pits, and charcoal grills ideal for grilling oysters and the selection of other supplies available on the property.
Too much work? samoa cookhouse, which opened in 1893 is just a few miles down the road. The logging crews that once filled the dining room may be long gone, but breakfast, lunch, and dinner are still all-you-can-eat and served family-style.
