One of our most recent discoveries is Shaver Lake, a little more than an hour's drive northeast from Fresno and an ideal spot to include in a Northern California vacation. The change in scenery during that short trip is dramatic, taking you from the flat farmlands near Fresno through wooded, rolling foothills and then up nearly 6,000 feet into the pine forests that surround this idyllic lake. Central Valley residents have long known that Shaver Lake is a great spot to experience the Sierras; now - judging from the area's real estate boom - people from all over California have started to catch on.



Shaver Lake is tucked between Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks and hints at the same natural beauty found in the parks. The difference is that Shaver remains largely undiscovered and therefore not quite as prone to seasonal traffic congestion. Shaver is still "off the beaten path" for vacationers who want the experience of visiting a small mountain village with just a couple of general stores and a handful of restaurants serving home-style grub. Only about 3,000 people live in the entire area.

All of this is exactly what we wanted as we set out on our own "cabin-in-the-woods" getaway. We contacted Vacation Rental Specialties to reserve a cabin meeting our specifications. With pictures to study on the internet, we were able to see exactly what kind of place we were renting, both inside and out. We wanted a true log cabin experience, but with modern conveniences - and that's exactly what we got.

We use the word "cabin" here a little loosely - our rental was really a complete vacation home built like a cabin. Almost everything was constructed of logs, all right, but the home's amenities are more modern than most people have in their primary residence. We learned that this particular "cabin" is owned by a Monterey family who uses it part of the time themselves and puts it into the Vacation Rental Specialties rental pool for much of the year.

Our rental, the "Whalen Log Cabin," was a million-dollar home with two bedrooms, a loft, 1.75 baths, dishwasher, cable TV, DVD and a washer and dryer. A 1,750-square-foot deck is the perfect place to barbecue or watch the sun set over the mountains. Out back cabin near Shaver Lakethere are plenty of pine trees reminding guests that, yes, this is the mountains and, in fact, the edge of the wilderness. These aren't exactly cheap vacations but when you consider the cost of premium hotel rooms nowadays, the rental fee of $225 a night plus a cleaning and booking fee is one of the best travel deals around.

Our family of three was swimming in extra space and, according to Bill Wingo, owner of Vacation Rental Specialties, many guests are bring another couple or family and stay for a week at a time. It's a new trend called "togethering" - sharing vacations with other family members or friends and thereby reducing rental costs while at the same time getting the chance to visit and experience new places and activities together.

According to Wingo, there also is a trend in vacation rentals now toward high-end properties such as the Whalen Log Cabin. It wasn't long ago, according to Wingo, that people were wanting more rustic cabins in the woods with just a few amenities but located in the wilderness. Today, guests are looking for all the extras and willing to pay extra to make their home away from home both relaxing and luxurious.

Also, guests are starting to expect the property rental firm to be more service-oriented, Wingo explained. Instead of just handing over a set of keys, property managers today also have to put on a concierge hat and do such things as make reservations for boat rentals, dinner or whatever else the guests may have planned for their stay. It used to be that guests were responsible for taking out garbage and providing bedding - nowadays, those often are among the services provided by the rental firm, although sometimes at an extra cost.

Equally important is the location of the vacation rental, and the Shaver Lake area is proving popular with active vacationers. Altogether Shaver Lake has 23 miles of shoreline and guests enjoy activities such as windsurfing, fishing, hiking, boating and winter downhill sports at a nearby ski area. The lake actually is part of a hydroelectric project owned and operated by California Edison. Shaver Lake was first constructed and filled in 1927 as part of the Big Creek Hydroelectric project. It was named for pioneer lumberman C.B. Shaver, who logged in the area during the late 1890s.

For many visitors, Shaver Lake actually is a jumping off point for treks further into the Sierra National trading post near Shaver LakeForest and two other lakes, Huntington and Edison, are nearby. Eighteen small lakes are located in the Kaiser Wilderness, just north of Huntington Lake.

We were looking to do a little hiking and to just soak up the local culture down in Shaver Lake's tiny business district. We enjoyed our steak dinner down at the Trading Post - the floor is tilted downhill in a few areas, but the big rock fireplace sets the mood perfectly.

The fireplace back at our vacation home also helped set the mood for this "cabin-in-the-woods" experience - instead of watching television like we might normally do at home, we put some games on the spacious floor in front of the crackling fire and thoroughly enjoyed a family respite from everyday life in the city.

If you're planning a Northern California vacation, you can get more information on cabin rentals at Shaver Lake by contacting Vacation Rental Specialties at (800) 730-8688 or visiting www.goshaverlake.com. Nightly rental fees are about 15 percent lower when properties are rented a week at a time. Ask about Vacation Rental Specialties' special vacation packages—there are many excursions they can set up for you ahead of time such as boats, restaurant reservations and horseback riding. Even if you have last minute travel plans, call for availability—surprisingly, there sometimes is a last-minute opening.