California is well known for its beaches and theme parks, but just as impressive are the many mountain getaways that stretch from the Oregon border to Big Bear Lake, just a couple of hours’ drive from Los Angeles. If a “cabin in the woods” is in your vacation plans this summer, there are vacation rentals within a short drive of most California cities.
One of our newest discoveries is Shaver Lake, just over an hour’s drive northeast of Fresno and an ideal place to include in a Northern California vacation. The change of scenery during that short drive is dramatic, taking you from the flat farmlands near Fresno through rolling, forested foothills and then up nearly 6,000 feet into the pine forests that surround this idyllic lake. Central Valley residents have long known that Shaver Lake is a great place to experience the Sierras; now, judging by the real estate boom in the area, people all over California have begun to take notice.
Shaver Lake is tucked between Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks and suggests the same natural beauty found in the parks. The difference is that Shaver remains largely undiscovered and therefore not as prone to seasonal traffic congestion. Shaver is still “off the beaten path” for vacationers who want the experience of visiting a small mountain town with just a couple of general stores and a handful of restaurants serving comfort food. Only about 3,000 people live in the entire area.
All of this is exactly what we wanted when we set out on our own “cabin in the woods” getaway. We contacted Vacation Rental Specialties to reserve a cabin that met our specifications. With pictures to study on the internet, we were able to see exactly what kind of place we were renting, both inside and out. We wanted a true log cabin experience, but with modern conveniences, and that’s exactly what we got.
We use the word “cabin” here a bit loosely – our rental was really an entire vacation home built like a cabin. Almost everything was built out of logs, okay, but the home’s amenities are more modern than what most people have in their primary residence. We learn that this particular “cabin” is owned by a Monterey family who use it part of the time themselves and put it in the Vacation Rental Specialties rental pool for much of the year.
Our rental, the “Whalen Log Cabin,” was a million dollar house with two bedrooms, a loft, 1.75 baths, dishwasher, cable TV, DVD, and a washer and dryer. A 1750 square foot terrace is the perfect place to barbecue or watch the sun set over the mountains. In the back cabin near Shaver Lake are many pine trees reminding guests that, yes, these are the mountains and indeed the edge of nature. This isn’t exactly a cheap vacation, but when you consider the cost of premium hotel rooms today, the rental fee of $225 per night plus a cleaning and reservation fee is one of the best travel deals around.
Our family of three was swimming in extra space, and according to Bill Wingo, owner of Vacation Rental Specialties, many guests bring another couple or family and stay a week at a time. It’s a new trend called “together”: sharing vacations with other family members or friends and thus lowering rental costs and at the same time having the opportunity to visit and experience new places and activities together.
According to Wingo, there’s also now a trend in vacation rentals toward higher-end properties like the Whalen Log Cabin. It wasn’t that long ago, according to Wingo, that people wanted more rustic cabins in the woods with few amenities but located in nature. Today’s guests seek all the extras and are willing to pay more to make their home away from home both relaxing and luxurious.
Additionally, guests are beginning to expect the property rental company to be more service-oriented, Wingo explained. Rather than simply handing over a set of keys, today’s property managers also have to put on a concierge hat and do things like make reservations for boat charters, dinner, or whatever else guests have planned for their stay. It used to be that guests were responsible for taking out the trash and providing the bedding; nowadays, they are often among the services provided by the rental company, although sometimes at an additional cost.
Equally important is the location of the vacation rental, and the Shaver Lake area is proving popular with active vacationers. With 23 miles of shoreline, Shaver Lake has plenty of activities to choose from including fishing, boating, water skiing, wind surfing, hiking, and in the winter, all winter sports including downhill skiing at a nearby ski area. The lake is actually part of a hydroelectric project owned and operated by California Edison. Shaver Lake was first built and filled in 1927 as part of the Big Creek Hydroelectric Project. It was named for pioneer logging C.B. Shaver, who logged on to the area in the late 1890s.
For many visitors, Shaver Lake is actually a starting point for hikes further into the Sierra National trading post near Shaver LakeForest and two other lakes, Huntington and Edison, are nearby. Eighteen small lakes are found in the Kaiser Wilderness, just north of Huntington Lake.
We were looking to do a bit of a hike and soak up the local culture in the small business district of Shaver Lake. We enjoyed our steak dinner at the Trading Post – the floor slopes downhill in some areas, but the large rock fireplace sets the perfect mood.
The fireplace in our vacation home also helped set the mood for this “cabin in the woods” experience – instead of watching TV like we normally would at home, we put on a few games on the spacious deck in front of the sizzling fire. fire and fully enjoyed a familiar respite from everyday life in the city.
If you are planning a Northern California vacation, you can learn more about Shaver Lake cabin rentals by contacting Vacation Rental Specialties at (800) 730-8688 or by visiting goshaverlake.com. Nightly rental rates are approximately 15 percent lower when properties are rented by the week. Ask about Vacation Rental Specialties’ special vacation packages – they can arrange boats, restaurant reservations, horseback riding and many other activities scheduled for you prior to your arrival. Even if you have last minute travel plans, call for availability. Surprisingly, sometimes there is a last minute vacancy.
