Escape the City: Best Hotels Near Californian Lakes

Sunscreen and bug repellent have been packed and so has the cooler. Flannel shirts, picnic blankets, marshmallows and chocolate join the swimsuit in the trunk. This is an ode to the lakes of summer.

Soak up the season from the edge of the lake: crisp mountain air and soft lake water pair in perfect union.

And what could be better than to elevate your summer camp memories to the next level with a stay at our fave hotels near Californian Lakes?

Photos from trivago.

Just tickling the edges of Big Bear Lake is the Marina Resort. With wide views across the lake and landscape from every single room, access to the sandy beach and the lakeside jacuzzi and pool, the resort is the perfect place to pull up your feet for a weekend on your private balcony.

Photos from trivago.

Regardless of whether you are looking to spark some romance in the sexy in-room river rock jacuzzis or trying to hold down the fort during an extended family holiday, Sleepy Forest Cottages offers guests multiple options for their Big Bear Lake stay. Memory foam topped beds, full kitchens and even fireplaces make you feel right at home.

Photos from trivago.

The Noon Lodge is an updated historic mountain retreat which melds rustic with modern with a sleepaway camp vibe. The Lodge invites you to hike the miles of nearby mountain trails, swim, play bocce, sing by the fire and create lasting memories with your loved ones, all while enjoying free WiFi and some basic necessities, but without the stuffiness of a hotel.

Photos from trivago.

Is there anything as good as a summer’s day on a pier? The Beach Retreat and Lodge’s ideal location on the banks of South Lake Tahoe provides ample opportunity to indulge in some summer lakes fun. A lakeside restaurant, tavern and beach bar cater to hungry and thirsty revelers while daytime activities like paddle boards and jet skis are just some of the amenities available for guests. Poolside “dive-in” movies are accompanied by roasted s’mores and a summer camp atmosphere.

Photos from trivago.

Feel part of the great outdoors without the buzz of mosquitoes all night long at Basecamp Lake Tahoe. With rooms boasting everything from indoor tents for a truly outdoor experience all the way to family suites with bunk beds that don’t skimp on comfort, everyone can find their corner at this modern resort. A delicious complimentary continental breakfast starts off everyday right and complimentary s’mores end it with a sweet nightcap.

Photo from trivago.

The boutique Becket Hotel in central South Lake Tahoe has put emphasis on their eco responsibility and a stylish design. A seasonal pool and private lakeshore grants you easy access to ample diving, dunking and swimming opportunities, including those in one of the deepest alpine lakes in the world. Free wine tastings are met with live music and the onsite Ten Crows restaurant serves up Alabama firepit barbecue.

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For those wanting the opportunity to canoodle, a mere five minutes jaunt from the Village of Lake Arrowhead is the Lake Arrowhead Inn. Enter into this exceptionally peaceful property through a wrought-iron gate before being greeted by Victorian elegance, period antiques and sweeping vistas of the Lake. Wake up to a continental breakfast spread including some cinnamon rolls that have garnered a celebrity fanbase for the Inn including Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.

Photos from trivago.

Tucked away amongst the San Bernardino Mountains is the North Shore Inn. Cozy rooms, cloud soft bedding, and a welcoming atmosphere greets guests who are steps away from the inviting Lake Gregory and miles of hiking trails.