California Hot Springs Getaway

Get away from the buzz to the peace and beauty of California Hot Springs in the Sequoia National Forest. This cozy, charming cabin is on a creek amongst oak, fur and cedar trees. Just 3 hours from Los Angeles. This 700 square foot cabin is cozy and charming, with a woodsy, rustic feel. It is peaceful with a lovely view. The wood stove is central to the downstairs living area. The furnishings include a queen size sofa bed, comfy overstuffed swivel chair, cabinet with a wide variety of games, TV with VCR and DVD player, and a desk. There is a heater/AC unit on the wall that adequately conditions the whole cabin. The upstairs loft has a queen size bed and a dressing/closet area. The kitchen is pleasant and fully stocked with a gas stove, fridge, toaster-oven, coffee maker (with a permanent filter), blender, pots/pans/dishes/etc. Outside, a deck looks out onto the creek that borders the property, and a ½ acre of fur, cedar and oak trees. For those who are electronically sensitive, you will love my cabin! No cell reception, Wi-Fi, cordless phones, smart meters or other equipment with RF. For all others, enjoy being unplugged. Take a vacation from all those gadgets and find out how wonderfully peaceful it is. The entire cabin is available except one shelf in the kitchen and a cubbyhole upstairs, both marked “Private”. I have some salt, pepper, and a few other herbs/spices for your use, as well as some teas. There is a cabinet in the living area that is filled with cards and board games, many kid friendly, including such classics as Scrabble, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuits and Life. I currently have a VCR and DVD player that is connected to the TV, and some tapes and DVDs to use with it. (No live TV.) There is also a set of speakers with an input to plug into computers, iPods, etc. While I live up at California Hot Springs part time, if you are there, then I am probably in Los Angeles, my other home, where you can reach me by phone if need be. But I have neighbors who keep an eye on my place and who can help you in an emergency. (My and their phone numbers are in an information notebook in the cabin.) And, while it is a very rural area, I am at the end of a private street that has quite a few houses. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. For access, there are keys in a lock box near the entry. Guests are sent the current box code for a self-check in. My place is in the Sequoia National Forest (not the Sequoia National Park) at the end of a private road which is lined with lovely cabins and houses. Most are vacation homes, but there are just enough permanent residents to create safety in the wilderness. Everyone is very friendly, and it is quiet and peaceful here. The cabin is 3 miles from the California Hot Springs Resort where you can soak in the two Jacuzzis and swim in the Olympic-size pool, all fed by the hot springs. This resort is open all year (closed Thursdays and some holidays) and also has a store, deli serving breakfast and lunch, and ice cream parlor. Pine Flat, where my cabin is, has an elevation of 3,750 ft. It is cooler in the summer than California Hot Springs proper and we do get some snow in the winter. Seven Oaks Market in Pine Flat is a few minutes away; they serve breakfast and lunch. Both markets sell groceries and other supplies but with a very limited selection, so it is best to bring your own groceries with you. Deercreek Lodge Restaurant/Bar, a bit down the road from the Hot Springs Resort, serves lunch and dinner. Deer Creek Redwood Grove is a small local sequoia grove about 4 miles from my cabin. Although I am not close to the Sequoia National Park, I’m only about 30 minutes from the "Trail of 100 Giants" which is a large grove with a well-marked nature trail where you can hike amongst the giant sequoias. I am less than an hour drive to Dome Rock, Sliding Rock, Needles Lookout, the Kern River, Kernville and Lake Isabella. (Note: Parker Pass, the road to most of these attractions, gets shut at first snow and is closed for most of the winter.) Hikespeak is a very good website for the Sequoia National Monument area in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to look up information about the various attractions. There isn’t any public transportation. You need a vehicle. There are no gas stations up on the mountain so fill up at the nearest town (Ducor or Porterville, about a 40-60 minute drive), which is best to do on the way up. My cabin is about 1.5 hours NE of Bakersfield and about 3 hours from Los Angeles. Driving directions will be provided once you make a reservation. For road conditions, contact USFS in Porterville and CHP. (Note: At California Hot Springs, there can be snow in the winter but it is usually infrequent and minimal. When it does snow, it often melts fairly quickly, though that can vary and a heavy snow can happen. Since my cabin is on a private road that isn’t plowed, it is advisable for winter guests to have a vehicle that is good in snow, e.g. with front wheel or 4 wheel drive. At the very least, like elsewhere in the mountains, it is best to carry chains for your vehicle.) • Price is for up to 4 people (no more than 4 allowed) and includes 10% county occupancy tax. There is a 2 night minimum. • I supply wood and kindling for the wood stove; bed pillows, blankets, and comforters; basic supplies (paper towels, toilet paper, dish soap, bar soap, shampoo, conditioner). You will need to bring pillowcases, sheets, and towels. • There is no cell phone reception up on the mountain. I do have a land line at the cabin. • The keys are available at the entry, stored in a lock box. I will give you the current combination after your reservation is confirmed. • You'll find a binder on the entertainment unit, next to the TV, with complete instructions on opening & closing the cabin and emergency information. • The steepness of the stairs and the slanted roof at the top of the stairs can make the loft/bedroom access difficult for anyone who is physically challenged.