16 Best Hotels in The Far North, California

Background Illustration for Hotels

Aside from the large chain hotels and motels in Redding and Chico, most accommodations in the Far North blend rustic appeal, simplicity, and coziness. Rooms in Redding, Chico, and Red Bluff are usually booked solid only during popular local events. Wilderness resorts close in fall and reopen after the snow season ends in May. For summer holiday weekends in towns such as Mt. Shasta, Dunsmuir, and Chester, and at camping sites within state or national parks, make lodging reservations well in advance.

Antlers Motel

$ | 268 Main St., Chester, CA, 96020, USA

A spotlessly clean downtown option, this homey, two-story motel is a handy base for exploring Warner Valley and the southern end of Lassen Park Highway. The guest rooms have functional furnishings, country-quilt-style bedspreads, satellite-TV access, and electric fireplaces.

Pros

  • Satellite TV and electric fireplaces
  • Coffeemakers, microwaves, and refrigerators in every room
  • Short walk to restaurants and bars

Cons

  • No breakfast
  • Basic decor
  • Parking tight when motel is fully booked
268 Main St., Chester, CA, 96020, USA
530-258–2722
hotel Details
20 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

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Best Western Rose Quartz Inn

$$ | 306 Main St., Chester, CA, 96020, USA

Down the road from Lake Almanor and close to Lassen Volcanic National Park, this mid-range chain property is basically a motel, but the helpful staff (especially with touring plans) and amenities like good Wi-Fi, comfortable bedding, and spacious breakfast area make it a good choice for a short stay. The rooms are run-of-the-mill but clean. A large and lustrous piece of polished rose quartz anchors the outside entrance to the lobby.

Pros

  • Within easy walking distance of town's restaurants
  • Convenient to Lassen Volcanic National Park's southwest entrance
  • Good Wi-Fi and other amenities

Cons

  • A little pricey for what you get
  • Cookie-cutter decor
  • Noise audible between rooms
306 Main St., Chester, CA, 96020, USA
530-258–2002
hotel Details
50 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

Best Western Tree House Motor Inn

$$ | 111 Morgan Way, Mt. Shasta, CA, 96067, USA

The clean, standard rooms at this motel less than a mile from downtown are decorated with natural-wood furnishings, and some of the nicer accommodations have vaulted ceilings and mountain views. The on-site Tree House Restaurant serves breakfast and dinner daily (there's also a cocktail lounge). Some rooms are pet-friendly.

Pros

  • Close to ski park
  • Heated indoor pool
  • Lobby's roaring fireplace is a big plus on winter days

Cons

  • No elevators in two of three buildings
  • Pricier than other chain properties
  • Doesn't offer free breakfast like much of BW chain
111 Morgan Way, Mt. Shasta, CA, 96067, USA
530-926–3101
hotel Details
98 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Bidwell House

$$$ | 1 Main St., Chester, CA, 96020, USA

Some guest rooms at this 1901 ranch house near Lake Almanor have wood-burning stoves, claw-foot or Jacuzzi tubs, and antique furnishings; a separate cottage with a kitchen sleeps six. Porch swings invite you to linger, as do the puzzles and games in the sunroom. The blueberry-walnut pancakes are the stars of the inn's gourmet three-course breakfast. Two economical rooms, which tend to book up fast, share a bath.

Pros

  • Individually decorated rooms
  • Beautiful wooded setting
  • Excellent full breakfast

Cons

  • Not ideal for kids
  • May be too remote for some guests
  • A little pricey
1 Main St., Chester, CA, 96020, USA
530-258–3338
hotel Details
14 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

Highlands Ranch Resort

$$$ | 41515 Hwy. 36, Mill Creek, CA, 96061, USA Fodor's Choice

In a gorgeous, 175-acre alpine meadow 10 miles from Lassen's southwest entrance, this resort's smartly designed bungalows are splurge-worthy if you want stay near the national park but don't want to rough it. Units are outfitted with gas fireplaces, high-end bath amenities, fine linens, plush beds, and high-definition flat-screen TVs. Some have two-person outdoor whirlpool tubs, and all enjoy sweeping pastoral views. Rates include a full breakfast in the restaurant, which also serves terrific regional American fare for lunch and dinner.

Pros

  • Stunning views
  • Most luxurious accommodations near the park
  • Friendly and helpful staff

Cons

  • Pricey for the area
  • Remote location
  • Books up months ahead for summer stays
41515 Hwy. 36, Mill Creek, CA, 96061, USA
530-595–3388
hotel Details
7 cottages
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed. Nov.–late May, Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Hope Inn Redding

$ | 19177 Hollow La., Redding, CA, 96003, USA Fodor's Choice

Bordering Churn Creek on a bend in a residential street secluding the property from its neighbors, this two-turreted Tudor-style inn occupies 3½ woodsy acres several miles north of downtown and Sundial Bridge. The individually decorated contemporary-style guest rooms, some with furnishings from the aim-to-please owners two-plus decades in Africa, have hardwood floors, king beds, coffeemakers, refrigerators, sitting areas, and slate-tiled bathrooms. A nickel-plated double-slipper tub is the centerpiece of the grand, split-level bathroom in the splurge accommodation, the Royal Shasta, whose two bay windows have creek and mountain views. The owners invite guests to make use of the well-equipped communal kitchen and outdoor barbecue, the latter on a deck overlooking the creek.

Pros

  • Creek and mountain views
  • Individually decorated rooms
  • Aim-to-please owners

Cons

  • Lacks fitness center, room service, and other hotel amenities
  • Must drive to attractions and restaurants
  • No breakfast (but coffeemaker and refrigerator in each room)
19177 Hollow La., Redding, CA, 96003, USA
530-605–0589
hotel Details
5 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

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Hotel Diamond

$ | 220 W. 4th St., Chico, CA, 95928, USA

Crystal chandeliers and gleaming century-old wooden floors and banisters welcome you into the foyer of this restored 1904 boutique property two blocks from Chico State University. The hotel, Chico's finest, added 16 rooms in 2021 following an expansion into the Morehead building, erected in 1900, next door. A second-floor hallway connects the two structures. Guest rooms range from ones in the affordable and aptly named "Petite" category to spacious suites with full kitchens. All rooms and suites, some furnished with antiques, others with well-crafted reproductions, come with a refrigerator, a coffeemaker, an HDTV, and a safe, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout. The rate includes guest passes to a nearby fitness center.

Pros

  • Downtown location
  • Variety of accommodations, from affordable "Petite" rooms to spacious suites
  • Refined rooms, some with bay windows and fireplaces

Cons

  • Street scene can be noisy on weekends
  • Some rooms are small
  • Some rooms lack tubs
220 W. 4th St., Chico, CA, 95928, USA
530-893–3100
hotel Details
59 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

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Inn at Mount Shasta

$ | 710 S. Mt. Shasta Blvd., Mt. Shasta, CA, 96067, USA
This two-story, motel-style property on Mt. Shasta's main drag wins points for its cleanliness, comfortable beds, and spacious (325 square feet minimum) rooms with Wi-Fi, microwaves, refrigerators, hair dryers, and flat-screen TVs with satellite HDTV.

Pros

  • Solicitous hosts
  • 500-square-foot family suite with three beds
  • Convenient location

Cons

  • Minimal style
  • Some street and room-to-room noise
  • No elevator to second-floor rooms
710 S. Mt. Shasta Blvd., Mt. Shasta, CA, 96067, USA
530-918–9292
hotel Details
30 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $

Mill Creek Resort

$ | 40271 Hwy. 172, Mill Creek, CA, 96061, USA

Set amid towering evergreens in a tranquil patch of Lassen National Forest, this delightfully unfussy 1930s cabin and camping resort feels as though it could be inside the national park, although it's actually about 10 miles south on a scenic country road. Nine dark-wood cabins with bright-green roofs accommodate four guests (six in some cases), and all have handcrafted beds, simple but fully equipped kitchens, and barbecue grills and fire pits. You can pick up basic groceries in the old-fashioned general store, and a casual restaurant and bar serves burgers and other hearty fare, plus craft beers and milk shakes. There are several RV sites, as well as camping cabins, primitive tent sites, and glamping options.

Pros

  • Utterly peaceful, wooded setting
  • One of the closest lodging options near Lassen's southwest entrance
  • Old-fashioned, family-friendly summer-camp vibe

Cons

  • Must drive to other restaurants and services
  • Small bedrooms and bathrooms
  • No cell reception or Wi-Fi (although cell phones work 2 miles away)
40271 Hwy. 172, Mill Creek, CA, 96061, USA
530-595–4449
hotel Details
9 cabins
Rate Includes: Closed mid-Oct.–Apr., No Meals

Quick Facts

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Mossbrae Hotel

$ | 5734 Dunsmuir Ave., Dunsmuir, CA, 96025, USA Fodor's Choice

Patrons of this urbane, two-story boutique hotel bask in au courant comfort in guest rooms with kitchenettes and either queen or California king beds. The pastel palette varies by room, but all the accommodations—six on the upper floor, plus a ground-floor ADA suite with a patio—have luxurious linens, hardwood floors, retro bathroom fixtures, and contemporary wall art. Anglers appreciate the storefront Ted Fay Fly Shop.

Pros

  • Luxury feel
  • Queen rooms, though small, are a good value
  • Easy walk to Dunsmuir Brewing, Cafe Maddalena, art venues

Cons

  • Costs a bit more than town's other properties (but outshines them)
  • No elevator (one ground-floor ADA suite)
  • Some rooms have no tubs
5734 Dunsmuir Ave., Dunsmuir, CA, 96025, USA
530-235–7019
hotel Details
7 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

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Mount Shasta Resort

$ | 1000 Siskiyou Lake Blvd., Mt. Shasta, CA, 96067, USA

The resort's Craftsman-style private chalets, all with gas-log fireplaces, are nestled among tall pine trees along the shore of Lake Siskiyou. The Highland House Restaurant, above the clubhouse of a spectacular 18-hole golf course, has uninterrupted views of Mt. Shasta. Take the Central Mt. Shasta exit west from I–5, then go south on Old Stage Road.

Pros

  • Incredible views (from the hotel and its 18-hole golf course)
  • Full kitchens in many lodgings
  • Largest chalets sleep up to six people

Cons

  • Chalets could use a refresh
  • Must drive to Mt. Shasta restaurants
  • Some hospitality lapses
1000 Siskiyou Lake Blvd., Mt. Shasta, CA, 96067, USA
800-958–3363
hotel Details
65 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $

Railroad Park Resort

$ | 100 Railroad Park Rd., Dunsmuir, CA, 96025, USA

The antique cabooses here were collected over several decades and converted into 23 cozy motel rooms in honor of Dunsmuir's railroad legacy; there are also four cabins. Fashioned from vintage railcars, a vaguely Orient Express–style dining room and lounge are open some days for breakfast and dinner. A creek runs next to the landscaped grounds, where you'll find a huge steam engine, a restored water tower, and a spectacular view of Castle Crags. Most of a campground and RV park are open seasonally from late April through October, with some sites available year-round.

Pros

  • Gorgeous setting
  • Unique accommodations
  • Kitschy fun

Cons

  • Cabooses can feel cramped
  • Must drive to Dunsmuir restaurants
  • Some guests find location too remote
100 Railroad Park Rd., Dunsmuir, CA, 96025, USA
530-235–4440
hotel Details
27 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $

Red Lion Inn & Suites Susanville

$ | 3015 Riverside Dr., Susanville, CA, 96130, USA

Spacious, pleasant if generically furnished rooms and proximity to Lassen Volcanic National Park's eastern sections are the main draw at this mid-range chain property in the center of downtown Susanville. Rates include a complimentary breakfast buffet, and several restaurants are close by.

Pros

  • Great mountain views
  • Seasonal heated pool
  • Handy downtown location

Cons

  • In a busy part of town
  • More than an hour's drive from Lassen's main entrances
  • Cookie-cutter decor
3015 Riverside Dr., Susanville, CA, 96130, USA
530-257–3450
hotel Details
67 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast, Credit cards accepted

Quick Facts

  • $

Sheraton Redding Hotel at Sundial Bridge

$$ | 820 Sundial Bridge Dr., Redding, CA, 96001, USA Fodor's Choice

Stylish and modern, this hotel at the entrance to Sundial Bridge and Turtle Bay Exploration Park makes a great, family-friendly base for visiting Lassen, Whiskeytown, and other area attractions. Mosaic Restaurant serves California-inspired cuisine and has seating on a spacious patio. The large outdoor pool is an inviting place to cool off on a hot summer day.

Pros

  • Pool and gym
  • Excellent restaurant
  • Clean, spacious guest rooms

Cons

  • Neighborhood not very walkable
  • Nearly an hour's drive to Lassen Volcanic NP
  • Parking fee
820 Sundial Bridge Dr., Redding, CA, 96001, USA
530-364–2800
hotel Details
130 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

Weaverville Hotel

$ | 481 Main St., Weaverville, CA, 96093, USA

Originally built during the gold rush, this restored hotel is filled with antiques and period furniture. Each of the seven rooms is named after a Trinity County gold mine; all have luxurious linens and towels, and most have claw-footed tubs and fireplaces. Only one room has a television, but guests usually prefer to spend their time exploring the area's mountains, lakes, and hiking trails. Breakfast isn't served, but for each day of their stay guests receive vouchers worth $10 at nearby restaurants.

Pros

  • Gracious on-site owners
  • In heart of the historic district
  • Beautifully restored

Cons

  • No breakfast on-site
  • Children under 12 not permitted
  • Only one room has a TV
481 Main St., Weaverville, CA, 96093, USA
530-623–2222
hotel Details
7 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $

Whitmore Inn

$ | 761 Main St., Weaverville, CA, 96093, USA

Near shops and restaurants in Weaverville's historic district and shaded by black locust trees, this Victorian inn has five rooms, two with a shared bathroom. In keeping with the home's period, some have four-poster beds, claw-foot tubs, pedestal sinks, and fabric wall coverings but woo contemporary travelers with comfortable mattresses, free Wi-Fi, and central heating and air-conditioning. The two most popular rooms are the Garden Room—the inn's largest, it has a view of the landscaped courtyard—and the Rose Room, whose furnishings include pieces owned by the grandmother of innkeeper Noelle Roget.

Pros

  • Victorian style with modern touches
  • Convenient historic district location
  • Spacious Garden Room

Cons

  • Innkeeper not on-site
  • Breakfast not offered
  • Some rooms are small
761 Main St., Weaverville, CA, 96093, USA
530-623–2509
hotel Details
5 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $

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