For families traveling in larger groups, traditional hotel rooms often fall short on space and comfort. To meet the needs of bigger or multigenerational families, many California resorts and hotels are offering creative lodging options that go beyond the standard room.
“We see a lot of bigger families,” said David Jamison, Camp Manager at The Camp at Carmel Valley, a Monterey County resort featuring cabins, bunkhouses, and entire houses along with outdoor activities such as pickleball and yoga. “Sometimes the grandparents are coming, too.”
Multigenerational travel has been gaining popularity for several years. According to Virtuoso, a travel agency network, it was already the top trend in 2019. Since then, more families have been motivated by the chance to reunite with relatives after pandemic-related separations. A recent survey by Destination Analysts found that 60 percent of travelers cited spending time with family as their main reason for traveling.
Kathleen Cochran, general manager at Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort in Solvang, noted a similar pattern: “We’re seeing the same trend, and we’ve been hosting big families for years.” The ranch offers 73 cottages with beds in various configurations. “As we renovate rooms, we say, let’s make it fun and make sure everyone has a comfortable bed to sleep in,” Cochran said. “We don’t do rollaways.”
California destinations provide many condo-style accommodations suited for large groups or extended family getaways. Ski resort areas such as Palisades Tahoe offer all-season condos designed for groups. In regions like Big Bear or Upstate California’s Shasta Lake area, families can book spacious cabins or even houseboats.
Urban locations also feature roomy options for larger parties. Several hotels and resorts across the state cater specifically to bigger groups:
– Railroad Park Resort in Dunsmuir features cabooses converted into family units.
– Emerald Forest Cabins & RV in Trinidad offers cabins that sleep up to ten people.
– Drakesbad Guest Ranch near Lassen Volcanic National Park provides bungalows accommodating up to ten guests.
– Granlibakken Lodge in Tahoe City includes townhouses with up to eight bedrooms.
– Hotel Del Sol in San Francisco has suites sleeping five.
– Tamarack Lodge at Mammoth Lakes offers historic cabins that sleep up to nine.
– The Redwoods in Yosemite supplies cabins inside Yosemite National Park for groups of six or more.
– The Camp at Carmel Valley allows stays in cabins or houses sleeping up to eight guests; meals and activities are included.
– Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort accommodates families with Western-decor suites sleeping up to five.
– El Capitan Canyon near Santa Barbara provides safari tents and cedar cabins suitable for larger groups.
– Terranea Resort on the Palos Verdes Peninsula features bungalows and villas with multiple bedrooms.
– Omni Rancho Las Palmas in Rancho Mirage includes roomy suites; all rooms have private patios or balconies and access to an on-site waterpark called Splashtopia.
– Great Wolf Lodge Southern California caters to large families with suites sleeping up to eight; amenities include an indoor water park and free shuttle service to Disneyland Resort three miles away.
– Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina offers waterfront cottages sleeping six as well as RV parking spots.
– Paradise Point Resort on Mission Bay in San Diego provides freestanding bungalows that accommodate five guests.
These varied options reflect a growing demand among travelers who prioritize shared experiences while ensuring enough space for everyone during their stay.
