Rent a Treehouse in California for Your Next Escape

“As soon as you navigate up the path leading to the treehouse, you feel as though you’re in a forest surrounded by 1,500-year-old stumps and natural mushrooms; it truly feels wild and native,” stated Danielle Ferguson, who designed the treehouse with her husband. “It’s an incredibly forest-embracing space… very tranquil.”

The loft inside the treehouse measures roughly 100 square feet, featuring a queen-sized bed, a half bath, and a cozy kitchenette.

Ferguson’s husband crafted the tile detailing within the treehouse, choosing a color that mirrors the moss growing on the redwood stumps.

According to her, they mainly used repurposed materials for the construction. The windows and door were salvaged from a local oceanfront house being renovated, while bespoke cabinets were fashioned by a local artisan.

They repurposed leftover scraps from a mill to create the railings and privacy fence.

“The stairway leading to the treehouse is bordered by red and black huckleberry bushes, allowing you to pick and enjoy huckleberries during autumn as you ascend,” she shared.

A notable feature near the treehouse is a large stump, which was previously burned in a fire after logging, transformed into a spacious outdoor shower accommodating up to six people.

Ferguson remarked that this stump was likely one of the tallest trees on their land during its prime.

“Showering there makes you feel very connected to the forest. It’s invigorating,” she mentioned. “Often, the fog rolls in, creating a mist, which is quite spectacular. It’s beautifully refreshing.”

Just a short drive of about 20 minutes to the north leads you to Redwood National and State Parks, where you can explore old-growth redwoods and lagoons, while to the south is Humboldt Redwoods State Park and the famous Avenue of the Giants.

Ferguson shares that the treehouse is located roughly a quarter of a mile from the ocean, where the soothing sound of waves can be heard from the property.

She emphasized that the ocean plays a significant role in Trinidad’s community; during summer, fishing charters operate for ocean fishing, while the winter months see a commercial crab fleet working out of Trinidad Harbor.

“Northern Humboldt is truly a special gem. The ocean is enchanting, and Trinidad is a delightful little town. If you appreciate nature and the outdoors, this treehouse serves as an ideal launchpad,” she said. “Whether you prefer hiking, mountain biking, exploring the ocean, trees, lagoons, or fishing in rivers, Humboldt County offers all you need for outdoor adventures.”

Her location sits at about 400 feet elevation, creating a unique microclimate where it tends to be sunny even when other parts of the North Coast are shrouded in fog.

Ferguson describes the space as a wonderful place to visit at any time of year, including winter.

“If you enjoy storms and a cozy atmosphere, winter months can be quite memorable,” she stated. “You can stay bundled up in the treehouse while listening to the rain falling beneath the skylights—that’s pretty special.”

Moreover, during stormy seasons, they often witness waves rising to 30- to 40-feet, making for a spectacular view.

Ferguson noted the property is home to diverse wildlife, including birds, foxes, raccoons, bobcats, and black bears, although they’ve never shown any signs of aggression. The bears tend to munch on the plums and apples on the opposite side of the property.

A seasonal creek runs through the property from December to April, and a small bridge leads through the forest to a platform suspended in the redwoods, allowing guests to visit.

As an architect, Ferguson, along with her husband, who is a general contractor, previously operated a construction business until her husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019.

Faced with this life change, they decided to pivot and converted their children’s treehouse and a studio into vacation rentals to bring in income.

According to the Airbnb listing, this spot is ideal for quiet, nature enthusiasts and is within proximity to various hiking trails.

George Rabe, the owner of the treehouse, emphasized the enchanting ambiance created by the natural surroundings.

“This is why we term it the Magical Treehouse,” he remarked.

The treehouse boasts soaring ceilings adorned with solar string lights. An oak spiral staircase ascends to the “nest,” which contains a queen-sized bed. The main level hosts a family room with a queen futon and ottoman, a modest library, and a half bathroom.

A tiny patio with a bistro set overlooks a serene pond and meadow, situated just outside the treehouse.

Although a mini fridge is available, cooking is not permitted, including the use of camp stoves and BBQs; guests must bring snacks and food.

Rabe pointed out that a short stroll from the treehouse leads to an outdoor vintage clawfoot bathtub, enclosing a shower nestled in a redwood backdrop, providing breathtaking views of a babbling creek and redwood forest, all benefitting from pure natural spring water.

Wildlife sightings include deer, red-tailed hawks, owls (especially at night), cute blue-belly lizards, turkeys, and the occasional wild peacock, alongside shyer creatures like foxes, turtles, and rarely bobcats. This enchanting treehouse is conveniently located close to Silicon Valley and Santa Cruz, with nearby state parks including Big Basin and Henry Cowell. An hour’s drive leads to San Francisco, while Monterey is similarly accessible in the opposite direction.

Rabe, an architect, artist, and contractor, infused his skills into the treehouse design. Many unique antique windows and doors were sourced from Habitat for Humanity and Craigslist, enriched with various donated materials.

He recounted how a solid oak spiral staircase was saved from a nearby renovation by a contractor friend who knew Rabe was embarking on this project, preventing it from going into the landfill.

“With some friends and a large trailer, we picked it up. It took five strong men to hoist it into place. The treehouse was actually built around the staircase!” he laughed.

This one-bedroom treehouse stands 22 feet high and is 14 feet in diameter, suspended 30 feet above the ground on the uphill side and 50 feet on the downhill side. Near the ascending steps, a wooden walkway guides visitors to a handcrafted off-grid bathroom.

“The Pinecone treehouse inspires a sense of wonder, connection, and tranquility,” commented Dustin Feider, founder and designer at O2 Treehouse. “It’s designed to blend with nature, providing a playful yet grounding experience that ignites curiosity and imagination.”

Originally commissioned for an advertisement campaign, this treehouse was constructed by O2 Treehouse, which was granted substantial creative liberty to design the structure of their dreams. To ensure the artistic vision remained uncompromised, O2 Treehouse partially financed the project, intending to rent the treehouse after fulfilling their commercial commitments.

Feider remarked that the pinecone design drew inspiration from the complex geometry and beauty of natural shapes.

“It embodies the Fibonacci sequence, which is commonly found in nature, and strives to create a structure that feels organic yet modern, merging practical use with nature’s timeless grace,” explained Feider.

Guests often describe their stay in the treehouse as a transformative experience.

“A couple once noted that a weekend spent there rekindled their sense of wonder and deepened their connection, not only to each other but also to the forest itself,” he said, “It’s astounding to see how a design intended to harmonize with nature can lead to such profound personal experiences.”

Feider reflected on an epic moment during the last hours of assembling the treehouse.

The project posed a significant challenge, demanding completion within two months while managing other ongoing tasks.

On the morning of the final deadline, the team found themselves working on the underside of the structure at 1 a.m., still struggling with one particularly obstinate diamond cell that refused to fit.

Feeling exhausted and disheartened, the team took a brief break to regroup and reconsider their assembly method, deciding to tackle it counterclockwise.

Through sheer perseverance and hours of strenuous work, they managed to return to the insistent cell, using every tool available—ratchet straps, spud wrenches, sledgehammers, and massive structural C-clamps—to persuade the final piece to fit.

“When it finally fell into place, it was an incredible victory,” he shared.

Later, as the film crew arrived, they raised the pinecone into its final position, marking a moment of great relief and pride, knowing that meticulous care and dedication had brought the pinecone to life.

“This experience will always be one of the most memorable and fulfilling moments of my career.”

Sanctuary Treehouse

Situated in Cobb, California, the Sanctuary Treehouse is an off-grid marvel nestled between two grand Douglas fir trees, offering guests stunning views of the adjacent Cobb Creek.

As the treehouse operates off-grid, it is equipped with battery-powered lights and a charger for guests’ devices.

Positioned at the top of the property’s knoll, this treehouse is considered “one of the sacred spaces” on the site according to the listing.

Visitors can easily stroll down to Cobb Creek or head down the knoll to swim in the spring-fed pools nearby.

A campground situated nearby offers guests access to bathrooms, just a short walk away from the treehouse.

The camping hut is enclosed with a fenced outdoor area exclusively for guests, allowing exploration of the surrounding forest and trails.

The space features a queen bed, a private outdoor hot shower and bath, an outdoor sink, a small gas stove for heating water for tea and coffee, a quaint cafe table, books and games, a music player, gas heating, and a modern composting toilet.

The listing notes that no cooking is permitted due to attracting forest animals and insects, but plates and utensils are provided, along with a sink for clean-up, allowing guests to bring take-out and snacks.

Only a brief coastal drive separates the hut from historic Mendocino, known for its restaurants, cafes, markets, bookstores, and various shops.

The listing invites you to “disconnect and reconnect with nature, to unplug and unwind from the busyness of life.”

It encourages guests to arrive before sunset due to the forest becoming quite dark at night, and a flashlight is recommended for late arrivals.

While lacking Wi-Fi or cell service, a phone is available for use in case of emergencies.

Though not technically a treehouse, this raised living space offers a 16 by 16-foot area, making it suitable for couples, friends, or family.

The Airbnb listing promotes it as a serene escape to recharge.

Those seeking to reconnect with nature will find nature trails on-site, while the Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve is just down the road.

The secluded yurt offers expansive views of San Francisco Bay and Silicon Valley from 2,800 feet above, with recognizable landmarks such as the Apple headquarters and Moffett airfield visible.

This rental listing promises a wonderful setting for a romantic getaway in nature.

The listing mentions various luxurious glamping features, including a well-stocked pantry with basic food items, canned goods, pasta, coffee, tea, snacks, and farm-fresh eggs from free-roaming hens on the property.

Additionally, a fully stocked bar with mixers, beer, wine, and soft drinks is included.

The couch converts into a full-size bed, and while Wi-Fi is available, being in a rural setting can occasionally lead to service interruptions.

Amenities include a mini refrigerator, ice-making freezer, television, compact convection oven, highchair, microwave, coffee maker, crockpot, electric fans, rechargeable cordless vacuum, ceramic heater, and outdoor gas firepit.