Cabin rentals near Little River, California provide shelter between redwood groves and Pacific coast beaches. Located about 150 miles north of San Francisco, the area sits within coastal Mendocino County where summer temperatures average 65-75°F while winter temperatures range from 45-55°F. Many cabin accommodations stay open year-round despite seasonal coastal fog and occasional winter storms.
What to do
Beach access and exploration: Westport Beach RV Park and Campground offers cabins with coastal trail access along their private beach. "We rented a cabin here back in October. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, and their check-in area/shop had everything you needed if you forgot it. Our cabin was a five minute walk to the beach, with closer spots for RV'ers and tent campers," reports one visitor.
Redwood hiking trails: Hendy Woods State Park Campground features cabin accommodations near two old-growth redwood groves with hiking paths ranging from 0.25 to 3 miles. "The two redwood groves are easily accessible from the campsite, and the campsite itself is pretty nice. Quiet, nicely located and I always have a little bit of service (Verizon) at the campground," notes a regular visitor.
Kayaking and paddleboarding: Dolphin Isle Marina & RV Park maintains waterfront cabins with direct river access. A guest explains, "The site we are on is located between a marina and the Noyo River. It allows for easy access for paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming and seals, sea lions and other wildlife. Last night a 6 point deer walked past our site."
What campers like
Cabin heating systems: Cabins with heating systems rank highly for winter and spring visitors when coastal temperatures drop into the 40s at night. "We usually rent a cabin. The cabins have heaters with is definitely nice," states a visitor to Manchester Beach KOA, though they advise bringing a foam mattress topper for better sleep.
Community camp kitchens: Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA provides a shared kitchen facility for cabin guests. "This KOA has large tent sites and a HUGE kitchen with 3 electric stoves and several sinks and microwaves for camper use. They have movies each night and have lots of trees for shade," explains a camper.
Private spots: Jughandle Creek Farm offers secluded cabin options with minimal neighbor interaction. A visitor reports, "We were able to score a site that was very secluded at the end of the road before the private property line. It was the perfect spot to set up two(or more) tents. There was a great fire ring and picnic table at the site."
What you should know
Bed comfort varies: Cabin beds near Little River have inconsistent reviews regarding comfort. Bring extra padding or mattress toppers for basic cabins. One Manchester KOA visitor advised that standard cabins have minimal mattresses: "The beds are really uncomfortable, it's just a pad on top of a slat wood frame, remember to bring a foam topper."
Seasonal pricing: Winter cabin rates typically run 20-40% lower than peak summer season, with spring and fall offering moderate rates. Most properties require two-night minimum stays during summer.
Cabin kitchens: Most standard cabins lack cooking facilities beyond microwaves. Plan meals accordingly or check for outdoor cooking options. Westport Beach RV Park offers a dish washing station that campers find useful: "Clean bathrooms and the dish washing area was nice to get the big junks off your pans."
Cell service inconsistency: Signal strength varies significantly by location and provider. A Hendy Woods visitor notes, "I always have a little bit of service (Verizon) at the campground," while another camper mentions, "The waves are loud, the cell service sucks and the Wi-Fi is very spotty…which makes it a perfect spot to get away!"
Tips for camping with families
Campground activities: Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort provides extensive family programming. A visitor explains, "We stayed in one of the premium hot tub sites, where you get your very own hot tub. Highly recommend, my kids absolutely loved it and so did I! We were just a few steps from the pool, which was clean, but pretty cold."
Junior ranger programs: State parks like Hendy Woods offer structured kids activities. "The junior ranger program and nightly events for families helped keep the kids engaged in the camping experience. Park rangers hosted guided hikes, nighttime stargazing (with telescopes), and nightly campfires," reports a family camper.
Swimming spots: River and beach swimming locations provide natural water play. For Hendy Woods, a visitor notes: "If you want to go swimming you have to either ride your bike or drive to the entrance and park at the day use area by the bridge. The swimming hole is nice but can get packed at times. There is a rope under the bridge."
Tips from RVers
Cabin alternatives: RVers with small trailers or vans can often use cabin areas with more flexibility. At Caspar Beach RV Park, "Its a super cramped campground for big rigs. Much nicer and more privacy if tenting. The best spot is 'ocean view' but its time to change the name. That site is for tenting but can accommodate a small rv or van."
Winter cabin availability: Several properties limit RV access during winter months but maintain cabin operations. As one visitor to Dolphin Isle Marina notes, "It does close down except for long-term use in the winter time (November-??) due to coastal seasonal flooding."
Hookup access for hybrid camping: Some cabins permit RV hookups nearby for hybrid setups. Check with management about adjacent parking for small trailers when booking cabin sites.
Traveler
