Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (Fodor's) - Fodor's [46]
Best Western Holiday Lodge.
$–$$ | This two-story stucco lodge is 8 mi west of Sequoia National Park and 4 mi east of Lake Kaweah. Rooms have standard-issue motel blond-wood furnishings and floral bedspreads. Pros: lovely river views; clean and modern. Cons: rather mundane; road noise can catch you by surprise. | 40105 Sierra Dr., Three Rivers 93271 | 559/561–4119 or 888/523–9909 | www.bestwesterncalifornia.com | 54 rooms | In-room: refrigerator. In-hotel: pool, some pets allowed | AE, D, DC, MC, V | CP.
Buckeye Tree Lodge.
$–$$ | Every room at this two-story motel has a patio facing a sun-dappled grassy lawn, right on the banks of the Kaweah River. Accommodations are simple and well kept, and the lodge sits a mere quarter mile from the park gate. Book well in advance. Pros: near the park entrance; fantastic river views; friendly staff. Cons: can fill up quickly in the summer; could use a little updating. | 46000 Sierra Dr. (Hwy. 198), Three Rivers 93271 | 559/561–5900 | www.buckeyetree.com | 11 rooms, 1 cottage | In-hotel: pool, some pets allowed | AE, D, DC, MC, V | CP.
Cinnamon Creek Bed and Breakfast.
$$ | In a business district off Main Street, this bed-and-breakfast feels more like a small motel, with nicely decorated rooms, many with four-poster beds. Suites have pull-out sofas, good for families; some have full kitchens. The exterior is weathered, but not at all derelict. For skiers looking for an alternative to a motel, this is a solid choice. Year-round, it’s comparatively quiet due to its being a block from the main drag. Rates include a made-to-order breakfast and wine and cheese in the afternoon. Pros: quiet; affordable; friendly. Cons: a bit tricky to find; limited parking. | P.O. Box 54, Three Rivers, CA 93271 | 559/561–1107 | 2 rooms, 2 cabins | In-room: no a/c, kitchen (some), no TV In-hotel: snack bar. | AE, D, MC, V | CP.
Lazy J Ranch Motel.
$–$$ | Surrounded by 12 acres of green lawns and a split-rail fence, the Lazy J is a modest, well-kept compound of freestanding cottages near the banks of the Kaweah River. Some rooms have gas fireplaces; all have coffeemakers. Pros: lovely landscaping; quiet rooms; friendly staff. Cons: on the far edge of town not close to the park entrance; can’t see the river from your room. | 39625 Sierra Dr., Hwy 198, Three Rivers 93271 | 559/561–4449 or 888/315–2378 | www.bvilazyj.com | 11 rooms, 7 cottages | In-room: kitchen (some), refrigerator. In-hotel: pool, laundry facilities, some pets allowed | AE, D, DC, MC, V | CP.
Montecito-Sequoia Lodge.
$$$–$$$$ | Outdoor activities are what this year-round family resort is all about, including many that are geared toward teenagers and small children. Off Generals Highway in Sequoia National Forest (between Sequoia National Park and the western portion of Kings Canyon National Park), it’s also centrally located. The lodge rooms are spare but clean, and all have private baths. Cabins, which can sleep up to eight people, have electricity and contain wood-burning stoves, but bathrooms are in shared buildings. Pros: friendly staff; great for kids; lots of fresh air and planned activities. Cons: can be noisy with all the activity; could be cleaner. | 8000 Generals Hwy., 11 mi south of Grant Grove, Kings Canyon National Park 93633 | 559/565–3388, 800/227–9900 reservations | www.montecitosequoia.com | 32 rooms, 13 cabins | In-room: no a/c, no phone, no TV. In-hotel: restaurant, tennis court, pool, bicycles, children’s programs (ages 2–18) | AE, D, MC, V | FAP.
Sequoia Motel.
$–$$ | An old-fashioned single-story mom-and-pop motel, the Sequoia stands out with such extra touches as country-style quilts and mismatched Americana furnishings that lend a retro charm to the rooms. The on-site owners keep the rooms meticulously clean. There are