Luxury villas in California

USA and Canada

California Luxury Villas to Rent

153 properties

View all 153 villas

California is the sun-drenched heart of the American West, pairing Pacific coastline, vineyards and world-class culture. Renting one of our luxury villas in California gives you private pools, ocean or canyon views and dedicated concierge service, an effortless base for exploring Los Angeles, Malibu, Ojai and beyond.

Updated October 2026

  • Private-pool villas from Malibu beachfronts to Ojai valley estates
  • Easy access to Los Angeles culture, dining and nightlife
  • Nine national parks including Yosemite, Joshua Tree and Death Valley
  • Renowned wine country and a celebrated farm-to-table dining scene
  • Concierge service and direct booking on every Smiling House property
Known forPacific beaches, Hollywood, wine country, national parks and surf culture
Best time to visitApril to June and September to October for warm, dry weather and lighter crowds
Nearest airportLos Angeles International (LAX); San Diego (SAN) for the southern coast
Ideal forFamilies, couples and groups seeking coastal glamour, wellness retreats and outdoor adventure

Villas in California

San DiegoLos AngelesPalm Springs
153homes available
1–23bedrooms
up to 30guests
66with a pool
1book instantly →

Where to stay in California

San Diego61Los Angeles28San Francisco Bay Area5Lake Tahoe2

What's on in California

  1. 1 January

    Rose Parade, Pasadena

    Flower-covered floats have rolled down Colorado Boulevard on New Year's Day since 1890. A classic Southern California start to the year, usually under sunny skies.

  2. April

    Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

    The desert's era-defining music festival draws global headliners to Indio over two April weekends. A private villa in the Palm Springs area beats any festival hotel for recovery days by the pool.

  3. May

    BottleRock Napa Valley

    Napa's food, wine and music festival pairs major acts with the valley's best kitchens and cellars. A fitting overture to the wine country summer.

  4. August

    Monterey Car Week and Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

    The world's most prestigious gathering of collector cars culminates on the 18th fairway at Pebble Beach. Book coastal accommodation far ahead for this one.

California through the seasons

  1. Winter (December – March)

    Tahoe snow and desert sunshine

    Ski Lake Tahoe's big resorts in the morning and know that Palm Springs is basking at the same moment. Few places let one villa trip span both in a single state.

  2. Spring (March – May)

    Superblooms and green hills

    Wet winters set the deserts and hillsides ablaze with wildflowers, and the coast is quiet before summer. Prime season for Highway One road trips between villa bases.

  3. Summer (June – September)

    Coastal living at full stretch

    Malibu, Newport and the Central Coast hit their stride with long beach days and warm evenings. Private pools and outdoor kitchens are exactly what the season calls for.

  4. Autumn (September – November)

    Harvest in wine country

    Napa and Sonoma crush their grapes while the weather stays golden, and the ocean is often at its warmest. Arguably California's finest all-round travel window.

All 153 villas in California

Every home in California that can be booked with Smiling House, as a plain list.

Smiling House also offers a concierge for private chefs, transfers, ski instructors, yachts and cars, a VIP Club with first access to new residences and member rates, chalets for sale in the Gstaad region through its real estate division and instantly bookable homes with live availability.

The Area

California spans more than 1,200 kilometres of Pacific coastline, from misty northern redwoods to the warm beaches of the south. It is a land of contrasts where surf towns, desert valleys and global cities sit within a few hours of one another. The Golden State combines Hollywood glamour, Silicon Valley innovation and Napa and Sonoma wine country with some of North America's most dramatic landscapes. Our collection concentrates on the sought-after southern enclaves, where mild Mediterranean weather, designer architecture and a relaxed, open-air lifestyle define the experience. Whether you are drawn to oceanfront Malibu, the citrus groves of Fallbrook or the spiritual calm of Ojai, California offers a setting for every kind of escape, all underpinned by exceptional food, wellness and culture.

Where to Stay

Each California enclave has its own character. Malibu delivers glamorous beachfront living, with surf breaks and celebrity neighbours along the Pacific Coast Highway. Los Angeles places you near studios, galleries and the Sunset Strip. Inland, Ojai is a serene wellness retreat framed by mountains and orange groves, while Fallbrook and Murrieta offer rolling avocado country, vineyards and equestrian estates in Temecula wine territory. Coastal Encinitas brings a laid-back surf-town charm with cliffside beaches north of San Diego. Our curated collection of luxury villas across these areas features private pools, landscaped gardens, chef's kitchens and panoramic terraces. Concierge service handles everything from private transfers to in-villa dining, so your stay flows effortlessly from arrival to departure.

Things to Do

California is home to more national parks than any other state, including Yosemite, Joshua Tree and Death Valley, each offering hiking, climbing and stargazing on an epic scale. Along the coast, surfing, sailing and whale watching fill the days, while the wine regions around Temecula, Napa and Sonoma invite leisurely tastings. Culture lovers can explore the Getty Center, Hollywood studios and Los Angeles galleries, then escape to Ojai for spa treatments, yoga and farmers' markets. Families gravitate to the state's famous theme parks, while design enthusiasts tour Palm Springs modernism. From dawn surf sessions to sunset desert drives, your villa makes an easy, private base for it all.

Dining and Nightlife

California helped define modern dining, and its farm-to-table movement still leads the world. Expect everything from Michelin-starred tasting menus to celebrated taco trucks, sushi counters and coastal seafood shacks. Los Angeles and San Diego anchor the culinary scene, with neighbourhood bistros, rooftop bars and natural-wine rooms. After dark, the Sunset Strip's legendary clubs, downtown LA's chic cocktail dens and San Diego's craft brew pubs keep the energy high. Wine country adds vineyard dinners and tasting-room evenings. With concierge support, our guests secure sought-after reservations and private chefs who bring the region's seasonal produce straight to the villa table, pairing local vintages with relaxed, alfresco evenings.

When to Visit

California enjoys a Mediterranean climate, so it rewards travel almost year-round. Spring, from April to June, brings wildflowers, comfortable temperatures and green hillsides before the summer crowds arrive. Autumn, September and October, is arguably the finest window, with warm seas, grape harvest in wine country and quieter beaches. Summer is peak season along the coast, ideal for swimming and outdoor dining though busier and warmer inland. Winter stays mild in the south, perfect for wellness retreats in Ojai or whale watching off the coast, while the Sierra Nevada offers snow for those heading to the mountains. Your villa's private pool and terraces make any season feel indulgent.

Getting There

California is exceptionally well connected. Los Angeles International (LAX) is the main gateway for Malibu, Los Angeles and the northern enclaves, while San Diego International (SAN) serves Encinitas and the southern coast. Smaller airports at Santa Barbara, Palm Springs and Ontario offer convenient regional access. A car is essential for exploring the state's scenic highways and reaching inland retreats such as Ojai, Fallbrook and Murrieta. Driving the Pacific Coast Highway is a highlight in itself. Our concierge team can arrange private airport transfers, chauffeur services and luxury car hire ahead of arrival, ensuring a seamless journey from the terminal to your villa door.

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