California

We selected the [listingCount] homes worth renting in this location

Book a stay in one of the best homes in [destination]

If you're looking for a truly unique vacation rental experience, look no further than The property. This one-of-a-kind, three-bedroom, two-bath desert escape is the perfect place to relax and unwind. With its vibrant colors, modern decor, and spacious layout, this home is sure to impress. And the best part is, it's dog-friendly!

Hipster Chic

We're rolling out the red carpet with this mega-mansion set within an exclusive country club in the Camarillo hillsides. Tailor-made for a large group escape, every corner of this home is beautifully curated. The on-site cinema room, gym, games room, showstopping pool and alfresco dining pavilion will keep you entertained from day to night. But for a change of scene, the country club's shared 18-hole golf course, fitness facilities and on-site restaurant are just a golf-buggy ride away. You'll need a car for anything else – but that's nothing new in California, where the car is king.  

In the Dream House

Set within the Sandpiper community – one of the original mid-century complexes in the Coachella Valley – this Historically Listed home was designed by famed architect William Krisel. A Hockney painting come to life, this single-level retreat places the best of southern California at your fingertips – you're just a short drive from Joshua Tree National Park, Coachella Valley, national forests and lakes here. At home, the pool offers the chance to mix with the other residents, while the sleek interior is a stylish backdrop for dinner parties or general relaxation. With an abundance of space, you won't be on top of each other here – it's perfect for both families or two couples, and there's driveway space for having friends over too. Along with the great outdoors, the home also positions you perfectly for shopping, museums, zoos, and copious rounds of golf. 

Krisel Krisel

Surrounded by ten acres of stunning desert landscape in the Yucca Valley, this remarkable net-zero energy home really is the epitome of a secluded getaway. It’s been profiled in Dwell Magazine as well as on countless high-end websites, and you can immediately see why. With glass sliding doors in each room inviting you to step out into the wild beauty outside, there’s a seamless flow between indoors and outdoors making this home feel completely at one with the Mojave Desert. We love the balcony equipped with a sun chair – accessed via the master bedroom and living room – and the outdoor shower that will get any morning off to a refreshing start. Spend the day hiking around your sun-drenched house, taking in the majesty of the ancient junipers, weathered boulders, desert oaks and piñon pines, or hop in your car to visit Joshua Tree National Park, just a twenty-minute drive away. After a day of adventuring, come back home for drinks around the fire pit before firing up the barbecue for an alfresco feast. Then end the night with a soak in the hot tub while you watch the night sky turn into a blanket of shimmering stars. 

The Graham Residence

Like a spaceship that's just landed in the desert, this home is an extraordinary stay. Surrounded by hundreds of windmills, the rugged San Jacinto mountains and expansive valley views, the most dominating element of this home is dome-shaped annexe with expansive windows offering unbeatable, panoramic views. Inside, the owners have gone to town with the otherworldly theme. In the kitchen, sleek metal kitchen countertops like the exterior of a rocket ship are paired back by warm brick walls. In the living room, egg shaped chairs sit opposite a honeycombed bookshelf, with a wood-and-metal floating spiral staircase that leads up to the loft bedroom. All three bedrooms have deluxe double beds, luxurious bathrooms with walk-in showers, and uninterrupted desert views. Joshua Tree National Park - and its miles of remote hiking routes - is at your fingertips, or if you're ready to re-enter reality, Downtown Palm Springs, with its glitzy shops and trendy restaurants, is a short drive away.

Desert Dome

This cosy and quiet condo in the heart of a pine forest in a mountainous Californian resort is perfect for those looking for a low-key holiday in the countryside, as well as groups on the hunt for something more active. There are a wealth of sports and activities at your doorstep: cross-country skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking – you name it, they've got it. If none of that takes your fancy, the house itself is perfect for hunkering down by the fire. The granite fireplace and picturesque wooden balcony truly make this a home for all seasons.

The Northstar

With high ceilings and a huge kitchen at its heart, there’s no better place to enjoy sun-soaked La Quinta than this light-filled lakeside retreat. But we don’t think you’ll be spending much time indoors – not when you’ve got a back garden like this. Start your day with a refreshing dip in the pool before skipping down to the jetty for a trip across the water on your private boat. Then, pootle back home for an afternoon of tanning or find a shady spot on the terrace to make it through a few more chapters of your holiday read. When you do eventually head back inside, challenge your nearest and dearest to a frame of pool in the games room with a couple of fresh margs in hand while the appointed chef of your bunch gets the barbecue going. End each unforgettable evening around the crackling fire pit or in the bubbling rock formation hot tub, watching on as the stars emerge above the serrated mountainous skyline.

Keep It Cool

Welcome to the imagination of renegade architect Robert Stone. Much more than just a home, this place in the desert is a work of art brought to life – art you add to just by reacting to it and living in it. Here, in more than seven acres of arid desert, this golden mirage is an ode to Stone's myriad interests and inspirations. From brutalism and classic desert modernism to references to BMX and sandstorms, it's all here if you look deeply enough. And judging by the number of design magazines that have featured it, and the prestigious names that have shot here (Vogue, Saint Laurent and many more), it's picked up quite a few important admirers.

A stay at this glittering pleasure palace is an experience unlike any other. The internal space is smaller and more intimate than you may expect, with the main part of the home forming a combined living space and pool area. Most of the external walls are gigantic, half-mirrored sliding doors – in gold, of course – and polished steel poles hold aloft the 14-inch-thin roof without the aid of dropped beams, which is a structural feat. Slide open the doors and the distinction between indoors and the wilderness blurs beautifully. 

Specifically designed to be spatially confusing, it can be hard to work out what's what here, but make no mistake – this home is as comfortable for guests as it is awe-inspiring. There's a full kitchen and a large dining table, a casual seating area within easy reach of the sound system and two matching bedrooms with glass walls to the atrium. And what desert home would be complete without a mosaic-mirrored reflecting pool and an oversized spa to relax in?

The external space is surrounded by wildly decorative wrought iron gates, with thousands of metal roses intertwined with concrete and a giant heart over the pool. It's all quite James-Bond-meets-glam-rock-video – in the very best way, of course. Out here there's a sunken back patio with a fire pit and seating, and a grill so you can barbecue under desert skies in the nook between the rocky outcrops.

Without any of the clutter that may distract you from the experience, it's minimally furnished with impeccable taste. A riot of gold, beige, mirrors and metal, in one of the most unique settings on earth, this is a stay you'll be talking about for the rest of your life. 

Golden Acid

With a breezy and bright living area, a sunny garden and bedrooms as comfortable as they are stylish, this mid-century home comes with everything you need to sit back, relax and soak up the desert sunshine. 

Inside, retro design seamlessly blends with 21st-century comforts to create a contemporary ode to the swinging 1950s and 1960s. Sprawl out on the cushy sofa and catch up on your favourite Prime, Netflix or HBO Max shows. Rustle up tasty meals in the gourmet kitchen while listening to your favourite playlists on the Bluetooth sound system, then gather around the dining table for a delicious dinner.

Outside, unobstructed mountain views set the scene for peaceful living. Spend afternoons soaking up the sunshine on the lounge chairs, splashing in the refreshing pool and sipping cocktails on the outdoor sofa. Come dusk, settle around the fire pit for an evening of good conversation and lots of laughter under the stars. 

When you fancy exploring, you're just a seven-minute walk from the boutiques and restaurants at The River shopping centre, a five-minute drive from downtown Palm Desert and forty minutes by car from Joshua Tree National Park. Add in the countless hiking routes and the myriad of award-winning golf courses nearby and you'll never have a dull day in this desert paradise.

Swing On a Star

There are several things that lift this Orange studio apartment above its peers. The elegant mid-century furnishings dotted throughout the space bring a touch of class, and the grey colour palette feels particularly en vogue. 

Come the summer months, there's a private balcony space surrounded by greenery where you can sit out and soak up the glorious Californian sunshine. But, perhaps best of all, there are communal facilities galore in the building, from a glistening swimming pool and hot tub to shared barbecue grills and lounge areas with plenty of space to knuckle down and work. Oh, and a well-equipped gym, too. 

While there's enough at the address to keep you distracted, there's also plenty to offer in the local neighbourhood. Highlights include the magic of Disneyland only ten minutes by car, sprawling Oak Canyon Park reachable in twenty, and the OC's surfside cities, all no more than twenty-five minutes away.

The New Black

Welcome to wonderland. This dreamy and expansive Palm Desert home was built at the height of the 1960s, with modern upgrades not detracting from its original mid-century architecture. Designed for entertaining, with games, poolside fun, barbecues and drinks high on the agenda, it's a slice of decadence in the desert.

Set behind high privacy fences, its garden is a riot of fun features, with the pool, sunken spa, four-hole putting green and half basketball court being just the tip of the iceberg. You'll also find sociable outdoor dining spots, sun loungers, a bar and even a quiet place to sit and enjoy the sun away from the rest of the gang. 

Inside, the vaulted ceilings and mid-century fireplace are there as you'd expect, along with contemporary furnishings, concrete tiled floors, modern art and splashes of vibrant colour – none more so than the purple sofas in the living room. A huge, high-spec kitchen opens to a dining room with pink acrylic chairs and there's even a playroom for the kids. 

But it's the bedrooms that do it for us here. Large, impeccably styled rooms with plenty of character, they're all unique and fabulous – with one well suited to kids.

A short drive from the centre of Palm Desert, and with Indian Wells, Palm Springs and the rest of the Coachella Valley within easy reach, it's perfect for keen golfers, happy hikers and, most of all, those wanting to just let their hair down.

South Palm Daydream 

This home, located down a dirt road in the wilderness, is a truly great hangout spot. The spacious living and dining rooms are just waiting to be filled with laughter and chatter as you catch up with family and friends. Alternatively, you might find yourself in the yoga studio, stretching away life's stresses, or reclining on one of the comfy loungers with a great book. But we think the crowning glory of this home is the pair of outdoor hot springs tubs, complete with epic views across the rugged landscape. With four cosy and comfortable bedrooms, everyone has their own space, and the minimalist, desert-inspired decor will make you feel right at home. The gates of Joshua Tree National Park are just a fifteen-minute drive away, where you join one of the walking trails and get close to nature. And, after an invigorating hike, this oasis is the perfect spot to come back to – mix your favourite cocktail and spend an evening gazing up at the stars. 

The Tamarisk Oasis

United Kingdom luxury cottages

England luxury cottages

Wales luxury cottages

Scotland luxury cottages

Edinburgh airbnb alternatives

York airbnb alternatives

Cornwall luxury cottages

Cumbria luxury cottages

Devon luxury cottages

Dorset luxury cottages

Kent luxury cottages

Norfolk luxury cottages

Northumberland luxury cottages

Pembrokeshire luxury cottages

Somerset luxury cottages

Suffolk luxury cottages

The Cotswolds luxury cottages

Yorkshire cottages

United Kingdom

London airbnb alternatives

London luxury aparthotels

London luxury serviced apartments

London luxury short stay rentals

London luxury vacation rentals

London

Paris airbnb alternatives

Paris luxury aparthotels

Paris luxury short stay rentals

Paris luxury vacation rentals

Paris

Los Angeles airbnb alternatives

Los Angeles luxury vacation rentals

New York airbnb alternatives

New York luxury short stay rentals

New York luxury vacation rentals

Joshua Tree airbnb alternatives

Palm Springs airbnb alternatives

Palm Springs luxury vacation rentals

San Diego airbnb alternatives

United States

Italy luxury villas

Rome airbnb alternatives

Rome luxury vacation rentals

Milan airbnb alternatives

Florence airbnb alternatives

Venice airbnb alternatives

Apulia Luxury Villas

Sicily luxury villas

Tuscany luxury villas

Lake Como

Sorrento airbnb alternatives

Amalfi Coast airbnb alternatives

Italy

Spain luxury villas

Barcelona airbnb alternatives

Barcelona luxury aparthotels

Barcelona luxury vacation rentals

Madrid airbnb alternatives

San Sebastian airbnb alternatives

Canary Islands luxury villas

Costa del Sol luxury villas

Ibiza luxury villas

Malaga airbnb alternatives

Mallorca luxury villas

Marbella luxury villas

Spain

Portugal luxury villas

Lisbon airbnb alternatives

Porto airbnb alternatives

Algarve luxury villas

Madeira luxury villas

Portugal

Greece luxury villas

Athens airbnb alternatives

Crete luxury villas

Corfu airbnb alternatives

Mikonos airbnb alternatives

Rhodes luxury villas

Santorini airbnb alternatives

Greece

Berlin airbnb alternatives

Cape Town

Copenhagen airbnb alternatives

Dubai airbnb alternatives

Tel Aviv airbnb alternatives

Barbados luxury villas

Cyprus luxury villas

French Riviera luxury villas

Other

Top Destinations

Beverly Hills

Long Beach

Los Angeles

Malibu

Orange County

Riverside County

San Bernardino County

San Diego County

San Francisco County

San Mateo County

Santa Barbara County

Santa Clara County

Santa Monica

Sonoma County

Topanga

Ventura County

Destinations

California Accommodation

California Accommodation for Groups

California Airbnb Alternatives

California Aparthotels

California Apartments

California Beach Houses

California Bed and Breakfast Alternatives

California Best Homes

California Boutique Hotel Alternatives

California Business Accommodation

California Chateaus

California Coastal Homes

California Corporate Rentals

California Cottages

California Dog Friendly Accommodation

California Family Friendly Hotel Alternatives

California Family Friendly Rentals

California Guest Houses

California Holiday Homes with Hot Tubs

California Holiday Rentals

California Homes with Swimming Pools

California Hotel Alternatives

California Last Minute Rentals

California Lodges

California Log Cabins

California Long Stay Rentals

California Luxury Rentals

California Monthly Rentals

California Penthouses

California Pet Friendly Accommodation

California Romantic Accommodation

California Self-Catering Apartments

California Serviced Apartments

California Short Stay Rentals

California Ski Resort Rentals

California Unique Homes

California Vacation Rentals

California Villas

California Wedding House Rentals

California Weekend House Rentals

Types

Book a stay in one of the best homes in California

We selected the 1263 homes worth renting in this location

Popular destinations in California

Home spotlights in California

We selected the top 3% holiday homes in California

Most popular homes in California

Popular in California

Check upcoming rates & availability for California