California Odd Inns and Unusual
Places to Stay - Bird Nests, Riverboats, Lighthouses, Wigwams
and More
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The Bird Nest Treehouse at Treebones
Resort - Big Sur
Expansive, breathtaking ocean view, walk-in campsite with picnic
table & nearby access to water spigot comes included with private
use of wood-woven nest, probably one of the most unusual places to
stay in California. The nest has a wood ladder access, there is
a full sized futon mattress perched inside it. You haul your own
sleeping bags and pillows up the ladder to nestle in for the night.
Rates: $110 for two guests (strict maximum occupancy of two guests,
adults 18 yrs and older only) Minimum 2 nite stay. As with other
campsites, there is no late check-ins permitted - it is very dark
after sundown. Please plan to arrive at least two hours before
sunset to set up camp. Absolutely no open cookfires or campfires due
to fire hazard. Guests may bring a tabletop camp stove for cooking
or dine at lodge restaurant.
More
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The Delta King Riverboat in Old Sacramento
The Delta King Hotel in Old Sacramento is a unique
Sacramento treasure. The authentic riverboat plied
the Sacramento River between San Francisco and
Sacramento from 1927 to 1940. During World War II it
served as a troop transport on San Francisco Bay.
After the war the Delta King became a derelict
roaming the Delta, without purpose or home. It sank
at Richmond in San Francisco Bay in 1982 for a
period of 18 months. In 1984, the Delta King was
brought to Sacramento where it underwent an
extraordinary renovation at a cost of $9 million.
Today, it is a beautiful floating hotel with modern
lodging amenities, 2 acclaimed restaurants offering
casual and fine dining, 2 professional theaters, and
a wine school. The Delta King is the best of the old
world and the new.Complete Story and Photos |
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The Ghost of Marilyn Monroe at the Roosevelt Hotel
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel supposedly has not
just one, but two celebrity ghosts! Montgomery
Clift, stayed at the hotel for three months while
rehearsing his role in the 1953 movie "From Here to
Eternity." His ghost now allegedly haunts room #928
of the 9th floor of the hotel, playing a trumpet,
and pacing the hallways while reciting his old
lines.
At the same historic Roosevelt Hotel, the ghost of
Marilyn Monroe has supposedly been seen several
times in a full-length mirror, which was originally
located in her poolside Suite 1200, where Marilyn
often stayed. The mirror in which her image
supposedly appears is now located next to the
elevator on the lower level.
Complete Story and Photos |
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Wigwam Motel on Route 66
The Wigwam Motel on Route 66 was built within the
city limits of San Bernardino in 1949, a period when
citrus groves flourished. Talk about an unusual
place to stay. The motel would later
acquire a Rialto postal address, creating confusions
as the property actually sits in San Bernardino.
This Teepee Motel is fun for all, located only
minutes from Colton, Grand Terrace, Redlands, Big
Bear, Highland, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, and
Bloomington, CA. This location would mark the final
of 7 Wigwam Motels that were constructed. The
motel's village-style arrangement of nineteen
30-foot-tall tepees made from wood framing, concrete
and stuco draws much admiration from all
generations. Each individual wigwam is carefully
equipped with all the traveler's essentials with
grounds that includes of grass area, an outdoor
barbecue grill and swimming pool.
Complete Story and Photos |
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Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel
Fifty miles south of San Francisco, you can relax in
a hot tub with panoramic views of the Pacific, and
then fall asleep gazing up at one of the tallest
lighthouses in America. This one-of-a-kind getaway
is available only at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Hostel. Perched on a cliff on the central California
coast, the 115-foot Pigeon Point Lighthouse has
guided mariners since 1872. The hostel provides
comfortable, affordable accommodations in the
restored lighthouse keeper's quarters. Guests can
opt for shared or private rooms, and also enjoy cozy
lounges, fully equipped kitchens, and amenities
including satellite Internet, free WiFi, and free
parking. In addition, the Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Hostel is a certified green business.
Complete Story and Photos |
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Haunted Hotel del Coronado - Coronado, California
Hotel del Coronado is a beachfront luxury hotel in
the city of Coronado, just across the San Diego Bay
from San Diego, California. It is one of the few
surviving examples of an American architectural
genre: the wooden Victorian beach resort. It is one
of the oldest and largest all-wooden buildings in
California and was designated a National Historic
Landmark in 1977, and is a designated California
Historical Landmark. When it opened in 1888, it was
the largest resort hotel in the world and the first
to use electrical lighting. It has hosted
presidents, royalty, and celebrities throughout the
years. The hotel has been featured in numerous
movies and books. But, some of the guest have never
left, like Kate Morgan. Kate has been a guest since
1892. One of the most haunted hotels in California.
Complete Story and Photos |
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Redwood Treehouse - Santa Cruz Mountains
A magical Redwood Treehouse located it the beautiful
Santa Cruz Mountains. There is a livetree growing
right through the main living area and another in
the bathroom! It is simply incredible. It was built
by my friend, Randy, a stained glass artist about
ten years ago. Everyone who sees it are delighted by
it. It has a delicious high bed, a kitchen with a
small stove and refrigerator, and typical cooking
tools. There is a full bathroom with shower and
toilet of course. The Treehouse is a short walk
through the beautiful woods from the parking area.
There is a gas stove for heating. There is a TV and
DVD player with many movies to choose from. For
travelers this is the best of both worlds. A cozy
cottage nestled in the redwood forest, a short
distance to HWY 1 the main vein to Monterey,
Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur, Capitola and Santa Cruz
and the HWY 101 Corridor.
Complete Story and Photos |
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The Featherbed Railroad Company B&B Resort
The Featherbed Railroad Company Bed and Breakfast
Resort is Northern California's most unique Bed and
Breakfast. The Featherbed Railroad is located right
on the shore of Clear Lake in Lake County in
Northern California. At the Featherbed Railroad, you
get to stay in one of nine luxuriously redecorated
railroad caboose suites set in a park-like setting
overlooking our private dock and boat launch and
beach. Lake County's Clearlake offers activities of
all sorts, from boating and fishing to antique
shopping. There are almost 30 premium wineries
within a short drive of the Featherbed Railroad.
Ecotourism is growing quickly in the region with
hiking trails, kayaking and bicycling and geocaching
is very popular here too. In fact, we have some
great ideas for two- and three-day itineraries.
Complete Story and Photos |
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Queen Mary Hotel - Longbeach, California
From its beautiful Art Deco salons to the depths of
its darkest corridors, the Queen Mary has been a
constant source for stories, articles and
documentaries about supernatural sightings and other
unexplained activity aboard the historic ship. Even
as this piece is being written, testimonials from
passengers and crew members continue to be reported
and documented, all of them wanting answers to what
they have experienced. Do ghosts really exist aboard
the ghost ship Queen Mary? Peter James has been conducting
ongoing research at the Queen Mary since 1991, and
he claims it is one of the world's most haunted
locations. One of America's most respected psychic
investigators and a regular contributor to TV's
popular Sightings show, Peter has dedicated his life
to conducting ghost research.
Complete
Video, Story and Photos |
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The Victorian Mansion at Los Alamos - California
“On the outside, the Victorian Mansion is a
gorgeous, recently-renovated 1864 Victorian nestled
in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country. On the
inside, it houses six incredible theme suites
featuring theme beds, in-room hot tubs, fireplaces
and hidden bathrooms. Music, fragrance, hand-painted
murals and tiles, movies and furniture will immerse
you in the fantasy of your choice - will you stay in
a sheik's tent?A pirate ship? A gypsy caravan?The
Victorian Mansion Bed and Breakfast was built in
1864 and moved to its present location in 1980. Over
200 expert craftsmen, artisans, and artists spent
almost 10 years creating the theme suites inside.
Spiral staircases, a cannon coffee table, an
Egyptian sarcophagus, a chariot, and a 1956 Cadillac
convertible are just a few of the curiosities you
will find inside.
Complete
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