Trevor and I are big fans of The Hobbit. So when I got the chance to book The Hobbit House in northeast San Diego County, I jumped on it and surprised Trevor for his birthday.

We spent an absolutely enchanting night in San Diego’s own little Shire, with breathtaking canyon views and the most thoughtfully crafted Hobbit-style mountain dwelling.

The Hobbit House comes with a round entry door.

Equipped with an iconic round door, natural rock walls and beautiful wood beam ceilings, the house has been thoughtfully and painstakingly crafted: the woodwork is simply awe-inspiring, and the little details like kerosene lamps, copper kettles, and pottery coffee mugs all add to the experience.

Inside the Hobbit House has natural rock walls

A queen-sized Murphy bed folds back up during the day to give you more room inside, though we took advantage of the nearby wineries and nature hikes instead. While the hobbit house has running water, the toilet and shower are located outside, which actually offered a more rustic and unique experience. (Have you ever showered outside?) There is, however, no electricity, which means no refrigeration or electric stoves; instead, they provide a Yeti cooler, Coleman propane stove, and basic cookware.

The Hobbit House's front entry way

After a homemade dinner on the roof in front of the sunset, we slept about 12 hours on the most comfortable bed, nestled away in a cozy, dark little cave.

Canyon view at the Hobbit House
Our view from the rooftop

Then, we enjoyed a peaceful morning with coffee in front of the wide open carved window, leaving our guest entry in their leatherbound journal.

Coffee with a view

It was the perfect birthday present for Trevor, and I absolutely want to come back in the winter so we can take advantage of the cast iron stove!

Cast iron stove at the Hobbit House

Update: as of February 2022, there are no available dates to book on AirBnB. I don’t know if the owners have paused stays during COVID-19 or what, but since the listing is still active, I imagine they will re-open at some point. Bookmark the listing and keep an eye on it to book in the future!