For families seeking accommodations that offer more space and flexibility than a standard hotel room, several options are available across California. The trend toward multigenerational travel has increased in recent years, with many families looking to reunite and spend quality time together. According to a survey by Destination Analysts, 60 percent of travelers say that spending time with family is their main motivation for travel.
David Jamison, Camp Manager at The Camp at Carmel Valley in Monterey County, noted the prevalence of larger groups: “We see a lot of bigger families. Sometimes the grandparents are coming, too.”
Kathleen Cochran, general manager at the Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort in Solvang, described how her property accommodates these needs: “We’re seeing the same trend, and we’ve been hosting big families for years,” she said. “As we renovate rooms, we say, let’s make it fun and make sure everyone has a comfortable bed to sleep in. We don’t do rollaways.”
Many destinations throughout California offer condo-style lodging or spacious cabins suited for larger parties. Ski resort areas such as Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows) provide all-season condos designed for groups. In regions like Big Bear or Upstate California near Shasta Lake, options include roomy cabins or houseboats.
In urban areas as well as rural locations across the state, there are numerous hotels and resorts that can accommodate bigger groups:
– Railroad Park Resort in Dunsmuir offers caboose accommodations suitable for up to five people.
– Emerald Forest Cabins & RV in Trinidad provides cabins sleeping up to 10 guests.
– Drakesbad Guest Ranch near Lassen Volcanic National Park features lodge units that sleep up to 10.
– Granlibakken Lodge in Tahoe City includes one- to eight-bedroom townhouses with kitchens and fireplaces.
– Hotel Del Sol in San Francisco offers suites with sleeper sofas and trundle beds for families of five.
– Tamarack Lodge at Mammoth Lakes has deluxe cabins accommodating up to nine guests.
– The Redwoods in Yosemite provides cabin rentals inside Yosemite National Park for six or more people.
– The Camp at Carmel Valley offers houses or unplugged cabins sleeping up to eight on its 115-acre property; activities include pickleball, archery, guided hikes, and yoga with meals included.
Other notable properties catering to larger groups include Alisal Guest Ranch (Solvang), El Capitan Canyon (Santa Barbara), Terranea Resort (Rancho Palos Verdes), Omni Rancho Las Palmas (Rancho Mirage), Great Wolf Lodge Southern California (Garden Grove), Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina (Newport Beach), and Paradise Point Resort (San Diego).
These properties typically provide amenities such as pools, outdoor activities like hiking or horseback riding, water parks or beach access—offering opportunities for family members of all ages.
