Top 13 Tiny House Communities in California

Tiny House Block

Tiny House Block sits on ~3.5 acres high in the Cleveland National Forest, offering one of Southern California’s most accessible ways to test-drive tiny living. Founded by Melissa and Jon Block, the village combines nature-first living with practical comforts: tiny homes for nightly/weekly stays, some month-to-month options, and a friendly base for hikers using nearby Mount Laguna trails. Guests appreciate the unplugged atmosphere (think stargazing, crisp pines, and four distinct seasons) yet still enjoy conveniences like Wi-Fi, on-site community BBQ/firepit areas, yard games, and the adjacent Pine House Café & Tavern for burgers, salads, and a cold drink after a day outside. The property leans into mindfulness and simple living, making it a strong fit for people who want to experience tiny homes without committing to a purchase. Policies around bringing your own THOW can change with occupancy and local rules, so it’s best to call ahead about longer-term stays, certification expectations, and what’s available month-to-month. If your ideal California tiny base is fresh mountain air, easy trailheads, and a community that values connection over clutter, Tiny House Block is a standout starting point in SoCal.

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Lemon Cove Village

Set along Highway 198 just outside Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Lemon Cove Village is a value-forward base for THOW owners who want mountain access and small-town pace. The property mixes tent sites, RV pull-throughs, and tiny-home pads with full hookups (30/50-amp), and rounds out the stay with a fenced dog park, a seasonal swimming pool with covered patio, coin-op laundry, remodeled showers and restrooms, community room, and reliable park Wi-Fi. The vibe is practical and outdoorsy: weekends lean into fishing, rafting, boating on Lake Kaweah, and day trips to the Giant Forest; weekdays are quiet enough for remote work or DIY projects. Site roads are crushed granite, and management keeps a steady focus on cleanliness and safety. For tiny homeowners, the draw is straightforward—**legal hookups near the Sierra** at a cost that undercuts coastal pads by a mile. Call ahead about monthly availability, exact pad dimensions for your rig, and any seasonal rate changes. If you want a no-frills but well-kept foothill park that lets you split time between granite domes and your own front stoop, Lemon Cove Village is a smart foothold.

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Oak Creek (55+)

About 30 miles from Yosemite’s south entrance, Oak Creek blends small-home living with an active-adult resort feel. The grounds include pool and spa, pickleball and shuffleboard, walking paths, a clubhouse with kitchen, cards and library rooms, and regular classes that keep the calendar full. The setting delivers four seasons—wildflowers and warm days in spring, pine-scented summers, crisp fall evenings, and the occasional winter dusting—so many residents outfit their small homes for temperature swings (think heat pumps and good insulation). The community’s location in Coarsegold keeps you close to Oakhurst for shopping and health care while maintaining a Sierra foothills pace. Prospective residents should confirm home sizes and standards, pet guidelines, RV/boat storage availability, and whether any sites accommodate movable tiny houses on trailers vs. resident-owned manufactured homes. If you want a **nature-forward, social 55+ base** that makes day trips to Yosemite simple and still offers organized activities at home, Oak Creek is a strong foothill pick.

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Pismo Coast Village RV Resort

For tiny-on-wheels residents dreaming of the California coast, Pismo Coast Village RV Resort delivers a polished, walk-to-the-beach experience. Sites are organized along clean internal lanes with access to a heated pool, laundry, showers, Wi-Fi/cable, a well-stocked general store, café, arcade, bike rentals, mini-golf, and frequent community events. The location places you on the Central Coast with easy day trips to Avila, SLO, Cambria, or the Edna Valley wine region. Because it’s a high-demand coastal resort, advance reservations are essential—especially for longer stays or specific site types. Monthly options are limited and often seasonal; confirm policies on THOW placement, length limits, and exterior items (decks, storage boxes). If you need a **beach base with turnkey amenities and staff who keep things running smoothly**, this is one of the most dependable choices on the coast. Plan for premium coastal pricing—but also for the rare luxury of a morning walk straight onto the sand.

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Palm Canyon Mobile Club

For buyers who want ‘small but luxe,’ Palm Canyon Mobile Club offers a modern, design-forward neighborhood minutes from downtown Palm Springs. While it’s not exclusively tiny, the community includes compact, mid-century-inspired home models with efficient footprints, generous outdoor living, and finishes that slot right into Palm Springs aesthetics. Residents tap a resort amenity stack—clubhouse, pool, fitness center, dog park, shuffleboard, outdoor lounges, event spaces, and more—plus quick access to groceries, health care, golf, and the restaurant scene. The sales model typically blends a lower purchase price than single-family homes in the area with a monthly land lease/community fee; exact numbers depend on model, location in the park, and current inventory. Because it’s a design-led community, you’ll want to review exterior standards, rental policies, and any HOA guidelines before buying, especially if you plan to host friends seasonally. If you love the Coachella Valley for sunshine and style—and want a right-sized residence with real amenities—Palm Canyon Mobile Club is a compelling tiny-adjacent option in the desert.

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Royal Palms (Age-Qualified)

Royal Palms places residents in the middle of the Coachella Valley lifestyle—palms, mountain backdrops, and abundant sunshine—at a community scale that feels manageable and neighborly. The property prioritizes activity and routine: a heated pool and spa, clubhouse spaces for clubs and events, billiards and ping-pong, pickleball and shuffleboard, a dog park, library, fitness room, and regular programming that keeps weekdays from blurring together. Homes trend small-to-moderate in footprint, with emphasis on outdoor living and shade. Because it’s an age-qualified property (commonly 55+), prospective residents should verify eligibility, rental vs. ownership options, and any rules about guests, pets, and exterior improvements. Being in Cathedral City makes errands easy and puts golf, dining, and health care within a short drive, while Palm Springs proper is minutes away for galleries and festivals. If you dream of a **sunny, social base** for downsized living—not just a pad—Royal Palms offers a tested recipe in the desert.

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Lake Perris Village

Lake Perris Village is a landscaped community engineered for everyday convenience: a clubhouse and recreation center with kitchen and fireplace, resort-style pool, fitness area, playground, basketball court, laundry, and optional RV storage—all within a short drive of groceries, big-box retail, and services. The central SoCal location makes freeway access easy for commuters (Riverside, Moreno Valley, Temecula), while Lake Perris State Recreation Area is close enough for weekend paddles and hikes. Homes range from compact to moderate footprints with plenty of patio potential. Management focuses on upkeep and community standards; prospective residents should confirm lease terms, pet and parking rules, and any policies on ADU-style structures or exterior sheds. If your goal is to **downsize without losing suburban convenience**—and you want a yard for container gardens or a small workshop—Lake Perris Village nails the balance between amenities, location, and value in the Inland Empire.

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Park Delta Bay

On Brannan Island Road in the California Delta, Park Delta Bay blends a classic RV resort with a dedicated and visible tiny-home presence. The setting is part riverfront, part resort: eucalyptus-lined lanes, a community garden, clubhouses, tennis and volleyball courts, a swimming pool, walking paths, and access to boating and fishing on the San Joaquin River. For tiny homeowners, the appeal is twofold—**quiet, rural feel** during the week and **city proximity** on weekends (about equidistant from Sacramento and parts of the East Bay). The park historically welcomes movable tiny houses (THOWs) that meet RV standards; shipping containers or foundation builds fall outside current zoning in most pads. Long-term stays are common, but availability changes with events and seasonality. If you’re hunting for an attainable footprint with waterfront vibes and a built-in community calendar, the Delta offers a rare mix of nature and practicality. Call for pad measurements, utility specifics, pet rules, and whether the current waitlist is moving.

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Orchard Village (The Orchard – Santa Rosa)

In the heart of Sonoma County, Orchard Village (at The Orchard) offers a low-maintenance, amenities-forward base for small-home living near vineyards, hiking, and the retail core of Santa Rosa. The community is professionally managed and typically features a clubhouse, billiards room, tennis, fitness space, spa, RV storage and a pool—ideal for residents who want to keep living spaces minimal while enjoying shared facilities. Because wine country is a year-round destination, expect demand to ebb and flow with harvest season and weekend events; advance contact with management is recommended for accurate availability, waitlist timing, and any size or exterior guidelines for incoming tiny/manufactured models. What sets Orchard Village apart is the convenient balance of services and recreation: you can be on a tasting-room patio in minutes, then home by the pool or spa before dinner. If your version of tiny living values a **managed, peaceful environment** with fast access to outdoor amenities and wine-country culture, The Orchard is a strong North Bay candidate.

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Tiny House on the Quarry (Petaluma)

Tiny House on the Quarry is a boutique, design-forward tiny retreat tucked near Petaluma’s food scene and Sonoma wine country. It’s more ‘micro-resort’ than full-scale community, but that’s the appeal—limited units, thoughtful interiors, and outdoor spaces that extend square footage without clutter. Guests trade HOA meetings for quiet mornings with coffee on the patio, afternoons exploring wineries or Bodega Bay, and dinners downtown before returning to a compact, well-equipped hideaway. Because it’s primarily short-term, it works best as a **test-drive** if you’re considering a tiny purchase or as a city-close reset if you already live small. Policies can shift with season and local regulations, so confirm minimum-night stays, parking, and pet rules before booking. If you value **good bones and better design** over pools and clubhouses—and want to feel what living beautifully with less can look like—this spot nails the vibe.

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Friendly Village of Modesto (55+)

Friendly Village of Modesto is an age-qualified (55+) community that pairs smaller-footprint homes with a full slate of amenities and activities. Residents enjoy a spacious clubhouse for events, BBQ areas for casual meetups, a heated pool and hot tub, and a compact fitness area—plus organized social-club gatherings that make it easy to plug in if you’re new to the Central Valley. The location keeps essentials close (groceries, health care, services) while providing an affordable baseline compared with coastal communities. Prospective residents should ask management about current home inventory vs. space availability, pet and guest policies, and community rules around exterior upgrades or accessibility additions. Modesto’s climate supports year-round outdoor time, and the property’s walkable layout helps maintain an active routine. If you want a **budget-friendly, community-minded place to downsize**—without giving up a pool day or a social calendar—Friendly Village is a solid 55+ option with long-tenured management and neighbors who look out for each other.

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Lake Minden RV Resort (Thousand Trails)

Lake Minden RV Resort offers a low-key retreat north of Sacramento with a **41-acre private lake** ringed by eucalyptus. While it’s an RV resort first, many tiny-on-wheels residents appreciate the **quiet setting for long stays**, access to fishing and birdwatching, and a full amenity stack: clubhouse, laundry, restrooms/showers, picnic/BBQ areas, playground, volleyball, basketball, mini-golf (at select times), and a game room with billiards. The location works for commuters to Sacramento/Yuba City while feeling rural enough for night-sky views and morning lake walks. As with most RV resorts, movable tiny houses need to meet site length, utility, and safety requirements; verify amperage, parking clearances, and any external structure rules. Thousand Trails memberships can reduce nightly costs for frequent travelers, but monthly rates vary—call the office for the best fit if you plan to stay seasonally. For tiny dwellers who want **waterfront calm and practical amenities** without driving to the coast or mountains, Lake Minden’s balance of price, location, and nature is tough to top.

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Fresno Tiny House Program (City Info)

While not a private community, Fresno’s municipal information hub is valuable if you’re evaluating **where tiny homes are legal** and how they’re treated in zoning and building processes. The city has been an early mover on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and has published materials that clarify what’s feasible on a residential lot, how movable tiny homes are viewed, and what approvals are required. For would-be residents and builders, this kind of clarity speeds up decision-making: you can scope feasibility, utility hookups, setbacks, and parking on the front end rather than burning weeks chasing interpretations. Pair the city’s published guidance with a quick call to Planning/Building for current interpretations and any neighborhood overlays. If your plan is to live in a tiny home **within city limits**—rather than in a resort or park—Fresno’s documentation is a good template to study and a model to cite when talking to other Central Valley jurisdictions.

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