If this blog post caught your attention then you’re probably in need for a real break, ahem, a getaway? Take this as a friendly reminder to use your PTO days. Let’s make this day officially “Last Call to Use Your PTO Days Day” because it is part of your salary and you deserve a day off or five. Make a short week or take a full week, the world is your oyster. Remember, rest is productive too.

Why? Because this tiny cabin stay gave me much needed solo time, quality time with nature, and time to decompress. I cannot wait to go back this winter! But this time I am going to check out their tiny cabins on the east coast. Anytime I take a solo trip, I get to know myself in a whole new way.

For those who in live in the New York/New Jersey metro-area: While this post is specifically about their Big Bear location in California, they have 2 locations in New York as well in the Eastern Catskills (close to Kaaterskill Falls, about 35 min drive to Woodstock), Western Catskills (closer to the hikes below), and one in Machimoodus, CT. The tiny cabin setup is the same.

On your left, you will see where the Western Catskills location is in relation to these hikes on the map.

WiFi: Most of their locations are off the grid, meaning no WiFi, however their New York cabins do have WiFi because people have fallen in love with working from these tiny cabins. I say prepare to not have any service while there. Think of it as disconnecting in order to connect. I did have service out there (AT&T) but I was on DND once my work retreat was over. I wrote the blog below from their cabin.

On the Getaway House Blog: “On Reclaiming Space In Nature”, and “The Healing Benefits of Winter Hiking”.

Booking & Coupon Code: If you book, please use Reclama’s affiliate link aqui. Right now, you can get 25% off for a weekday stay. And if you use “RECLAMA” at checkout you will get $30 off!

Below is on what my experience in one of their tiny cabins was like. This one was in Big Bear, California for four nights:

Cabin: The mountain views each morning still give me life till this day! Each cabin gets their own amazing view so don’t worry about getting the perfect one. The space is deal for one person or a couple. The cabins aren’t isolated, you’re basically on a campground with other tiny cabins. But they’ve built these in such a way where you get your own nook complete with a firepit and wood.

Comes with everything you need plus a welcome bag with hot chocolate goodies.
Firewood and fire starters are an additional cost.
Showers come with shampoo, conditioner and body wash.
The bed and pillows are muy comfortable. Bring your own towel.
The space for luggage inside is a bit tight, very carry-on friendly but nothing bigger than that if you can avoid it.

For those on Instagram: Here’s a video of me enjoying the inside of the cabin a la dance moves and what the cabin looks like inside and out.

Location: Running Springs, CA (super close to Big Bear Lake)

Land acknowledgement: This land is on Serrano native lands, aka Yuhaaviatam/Maarenga’yam, according to Native Land Digital.

Vibe: Also, the campground is chill and quiet. No loud noise. Everyone is on the same vibe: peace.

Connecting and nature: I went alone. At first I was a little nervous because it had been a long time since I did a solo trip but then that became my motivation to get reacquainted with myself in a whole new way. To not just feel comfortable outside alone but safe and even happy. I didn’t realize it until I was there how much I needed this quiet time alone in nature. I got to reset so hard that I felt inspired to write again. I took countless naps. I felt like I had this nature capsule like-space all to myself. I couldn’t stop staring outside my window, it was instant peace.

Note: They have tiny cabins all over like, New York, Boston, and Chicago, among others!

Booking & Coupon Code: If you book, please use Reclama’s affiliate link aqui. Right now, you can get 25% off for a weekday stay. And if you use “RECLAMA” at checkout you will get $30 off!

Distance: Drove from Los Angeles, so about 2 hours

Where to eat: While it might feel like you’re far away from others in town, you can take a 5-10 minute walk to a local cafe called LuluBelle’s Coffee House and Bakery. I ate there twice. Perfect for breakfast or lunch, as they close early, with killer pastries.

What to do: Go for a walk on the campground, especially around sunset. The colors in the sky on the other side of the campground with valley views were so beautiful. Pack your camera. I went in September so once the sun went down it got chilly outside. Pack a hoodie or jacket.

At night you can grill, stargaze, start a fire, journal, read, write down what you want to let go and burn it.
You can also do absolutely nothing.
But if you want to get creative and write then know that the table inside is laptop-friendly.
Take yourself on a solo hike

Impromptu photoshoot in the name of nature.

Where to hike: For a short and sweet kind of hike, check out Castle Rock Trail (2.6 miles) which All Trails and I both agree is a moderate hike if only because of the rock scrambles, elevation and boulders. The parking lot is is small so give yourself time to do that. Pack a lunch and ample water and treat yourself to a meal on a mountain. Take in the lake views. Even with a 45 min break, it took me 2 hours to finish the hike. The scenery looks like something out of a fairy tale. Check it out:

Start of Castle Rock Trail near Big Bear Lake.

Should you do it?: This is perfect if you’re new to solo travel or want to take yourself on a solo retreat. Because you get the benefits of nature without having to pitch a tent. This could be a solid step toward camping alone one day, if that’s your jam. Not only would I do this again but now I want to make a solo trip a requirement for myself every year.