Whether you plan to live in your cabin retreat year-round or are looking for a second home to escape the chaos of your everyday life, determining the perfect location for your cabin can be a challenging task. The location you choose to build or purchase your cabin is no doubt an important decision. Given the size and beauty of the Californian landscape, there are many locations to choose from. With this in mind, here are our seven best places to buy a cabin in California.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada region of the United States. It is directly west of Carson City and straddles the state line between California and Nevada. Home to about 22,000 people, Lake Tahoe experiences all four seasons meaning it is a great option for those who want to ski in the winter and go to a beach in the summer. The scenery in Lake Tahoe is unlike any other part of the country. With picturesque mountains, trees, and the lake itself, it is truly a photographer’s dream.
Statistics (Lake Tahoe South)*
- Population: 21,939
- Median Age: 37.1
- Median Household Income: $49,390
- Median housing value: $446,500 (+39.9% over past 10 years)
*Source: United States Census Bureau and BestPlaces.net
Napa Valley
Known as the wine country of the West Coast, Napa Valley is located in Northern California about 50 miles northeast of San Francisco. The location makes it the ideal long weekend trip for those looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city. More than 375 wineries draw in visitors from across the globe. Napa Valley is more than a tourist town, however, as its beautiful scenery and affordability draw in approximately 130,000 year-round residents. Napa Valley has over 50 parks, rolling hills, and the Napa River. The city offers a “small-town” feeling with its quaint, walkable shop and restaurant scene. With perfect weather all year, Napa Valley is an excellent choice for a first or second home.
Statistics (Napa City)*
- Population: 79,074
- Median Age: 38.8
- Median Household Income: $84,043
- Median housing value: $676,900 (+49.3% over past 10 years)
*Source: United States Census Bureau and BestPlaces.net
Shasta Lake
California’s largest man-made lake, Shasta Lake, is on the upper Sacramento River in northern California. Popular activities on the lake include water skiing, boating, camping, house boating and fishing. It’s less common to swim as there are no designated swimming areas, but you can always take a plunge from your boat! However, if you’re looking for a bigger city with lots of amenities, then Shasta Lake is not for you. The city has just one grocery store, one sit down restaurant and a few gas stations. Just over 10,000 people call Shasta Lake home, making it a safe, quiet community to live in or the perfect place for a second home away from the hustle a bustle. For these reasons and more, Shasta Lake is one of the best places to buy a cabin in California.
Statistics*
- Population: 10,206
- Median Age: 38.6
- Median Household Income: $48,902
- Median Home Price: $196,000 (+17% over past 10 years)
*Source: United States Census Bureau and BestPlaces.net
Yosemite (Mariposa County)
While you can’t live in Yosemite National Park, you can get pretty close with a cabin in Mariposa County. Yosemite features impressive scenic mountain ranges in the Sierra Nevadas. Millions of people visit Yosemite every year for its famous waterfalls, granite monoliths, deep valleys and giant sequoias. Besides the park, you can also check out a wine tour along the Yosemite Sierra Wine Road. In the wintertime, Mariposa County gets enough snow for some off-road explorations. 17,420 people call Mariposa County home, most of them, outdoor enthusiasts in paradise.
Statistics*
- Population: 17,420
- Median Age: 51.7
- Median Household Income: $48,820
- Median Home Price: $242,700 (+28.1% over past 10 years)
*Source: United States Census Bureau and BestPlaces.net
Big Sur
Big Sur, located on the central California coast, is known worldwide for its gorgeous natural scenery. In fact, it is one of the top 35 tourist destinations in the world. If you love driving, then you will love the scenic route on Highway 1 through Big Sur. The natural beautify of Big Sur has been preserved since it was named a state scenic highway in 1965. The city has highly restrictive city ordinances, so you won’t find any billboards, ads or even businesses close to the highway. Big Sur is also within driving distance of several state parks and famous waterfalls that drop directly into the ocean. With a population of just 5,115 people, and long summers with short, snowy winters, Big Sur is a quiet town perfect for a peaceful getaway cabin. Of note, real estate is on the pricier side as Big Sur is one of the most expensive real estate markets in the United States.
Statistics*
- Population: 1,987
- Median Age: 41
- Median Household Income: $67,083
- Median Home Price: $2,339,200 (+47.6% over past 10 years)
*Source: United States Census Bureau and BestPlaces.net
Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes is a haven for winter sports, with perfect powdered peaks high in California’s Eastern Sierra. It’s an ideal location for skiers, snowboarders, ice skaters, snowmobilers and more. Just note that living in the mountains you will have to deal with brisker winter weather. However, Mammoth Lakes can also be a great summer location as it is home to nearly a hundred lakes. Close to cities like Clovis, Bridgeport and Bishop, there is always something to do nearby. But you can also fly directly into Mammoth Lakes with American Airlines. With a population of 8,169 people, Mammoth Lakes is slightly more bustling, but you can still find some privacy in the mountains.
Statistics*
- Population: 8,169
- Median Age: 31.6
- Median Household Income: $59,620
- Median Home Price: $672,500 (+16% over past 10 years)
*Source: United States Census Bureau and BestPlaces.net
Humboldt County
Escape to Humboldt County to experience the magnificent redwoods – the world’s tallest trees. Located on the northern coast of California, Humboldt County is only 50 miles from the Oregon border and only 190 miles from Sacramento. Both the Redwood National and State Parks and Humboldt Redwoods State Park are located in Humboldt County. These parks attract some 30 million people each year, making Humboldt County a popular place to live, with over 130,000 residents. However, that also means you will have more access to local amenities. Humboldt County has a mild climate, with temperatures hovering in the high-70’s during summer and averaging mid 30’s in the winter. Humboldt does experience some light snow, although significantly less than most places in the U.S.
Statistics*
- Population: 135,940
- Median Age: 38.4
- Median Household Income: $48,041
- Median Home Price: $310,800 (+17.8% over past 10 years)
*Source: United States Census Bureau and BestPlaces.net
We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of the best places to buy a cabin in California. Be sure to explore other articles and resources on buying a vacation home.
Have you ever considered buying a lake house in Michigan or Pennsylvania? Or perhaps a beach house in Texas? Be sure to explore our Top Seven Best Places to Buy a Lake House in Michigan, our Top Six Best Places to Buy a Lakehouse in Pennsylvania and our Top Seven Best Places to Buy a Beach House in Texas.