If you’re as eager as we are to get away from literally everything and everyone — people wearing their masks like a chin strap, people wearing their masks like a headband, anyone who still hasn’t figured out who to vote for, anyone experiencing a spate of exceptional good fortune — well, we found your holiday getaway.
Whether your quarantine pod is plus-one-only or slightly more expansive (read: up to 16), there’s a holiday cabin/lodge/villa/expansive oceanfront mansion to fit your needs — ranging from meditative R&R or a trip up Matterhorn Peak to snowshoeing through Tahoe National Forest and, say, springing a surprise wedding on your nearest and dearest.
Modern Alpine Studio (Alpine Meadows)
Sleeps: 2
What you’re getting: A nicely sized mountain cabin/love nest complete with hot tub and stone fireplace — plus roaming rights to an 11-acre property.
Where you’re going: You’re just next to Tahoe National Forest, so bring your snowshoes if your preferred winter sport is slow and flat than fast and vertical. Of course, if you’re looking for the latter, you’re less than a mile from the base at Alpine Meadows.
Sweet Sierra Mountain Cabin (Alta)
Sleeps: 4 (plus a dog!)
What you’re getting: A canine-friendly, snuggy-bug-in-a-rug-style mountain cabin in the Sierras, with a queen-sized bed and a queen-size futon for the kids on the loft.
Where you’re going: You’ll want to gather ‘round the wood-burning stove when you’re not out and about on the slopes (you’re 30 minutes from Auburn and Sugar Bowl). If you’d like someone else to take care of your fine dining needs, Tahoe’s just a little farther east along I-80.
Villa De Lago (Glenbrook, NV)
Sleeps: 8
What you’re getting: A super-luxe villa right on the edge of Lake Tahoe, with three bedrooms and an additional queen-sized sofa bed in a loft.
Where you’re going: So the private dock has slightly more actionable value in the summer, unless you wanted a way to be in the middle of the most beautiful place on the planet during the holiday season and this actually might be pretty much the best way to do it? Plus: world-class skiing in every direction.
Log Home on 40 Private Acres (McCloud)
Sleeps: 10
What you’re getting: A 3,500-square-foot, four-bedroom cabin — on 40 private acres.
Where you’re going: Mount Shasta is within view of the property, while Mt. Shasta Ski Park is around the corner. The more adventurous might want to consider a winter adventure like “skiing a 14er” — no mountaineering experience necessary, but you should be able to ski uphill.
Attractive Slope-side Townhome with Private Hot Tub (Mammoth Lakes)
Sleeps: 10
What you’re getting: A four-bedroom townhouse that’s a five-minute walk from Eagle Run lift and lodge.
Where you’re going: The Mammoth slopes couldn’t be any closer — but there’s plenty else to do here. Adventure HQ Bridgeport isn’t far — which means you could use it as a jumping-off point for adventures into the Eastern Sierras, like the entry-level winter ascent of Matterhorn Peak. Calmer spirits can head to Mono Lake for a look at the iconic tufa towers, which are spectacularly beautiful in winter.
Modern Luxury with Breath Taking Views (Boulder Creek)
Sleeps: 10
What you’re getting: A luxe single-level house with four bedrooms, plus a separate casita that sleeps up to 3.
Where you’re going: Not everybody likes snow. If, however, you like misty redwood hikes, winter beach strolls, and/or the wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains, consider this sprawling pad with killer views (best experienced from the deckside hot tub).
Luxury on the California Coast (Watsonville)
Sleeps: 16
What you’re getting: An expansive villa right on the water, with seven bedrooms and ocean views from all of them.
Where you’re going: If your holiday plan includes staging a “spontaneous” wedding, take your entire quar pod to this spread just south of Santa Cruz. If you want to leave (big if), there are plenty of outdoor activities (whale-watching season begins in February, if you’re looking to book for mid-winter) at Manresa State Beach and north and south along the coast.
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