Best Glamping Spots in California
Just like you, we love all the outdoor options and amazing national parks that California has to offer. But sometimes we just want to enjoy nature with the comforts of home mixed with the camping experience. That’s where glamping comes into the picture!
Here are some of our top glamping picks for California:
table of contents
Autocamp Yosemite
Designed to feel like you’re camping but with all the amenities of a hotel, Autocamp Yosemite offers glamping in sleek Airstream trailers, canvas luxury tents, or in larger wooden cabins.
Only a 30-minute drive to the Yosemite National Park entrance, you can spend all day hiking in the meadows or chasing waterfalls and be back in time for a quick dip in the heated pool or have a private s’more session at your own fire pit.
If you want to see some of Yosemite’s best spots including Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, and the Giant Sequoias, check out this small group guided tour:
We especially loved having a working fridge, air conditioner, spacious bathroom with shower, microwave, sink, water kettle, and outdoor fire grill pit. It made for some of the best campfire burgers and steaks every night!
The common area is a glass-enclosed, two-story architectural masterpiece. At night you’ll find it to be a great place to gather around the outdoor fireplace while you swap stories of your day with all the other guests.
Luxury Tents start at around $200 a night and Airstream suites at around $280 a night.
Also, if you love Yosemite and want more travel ideas, definitely check out our helpful guide for things to do in Northern California.
Dome In The Desert
Joshua Tree is famous for its varied landscapes, fantastic hiking, and night sky views. Why not stay in style at this beautifully decked out home, called the Dome in the Desert?
It’s also a great place to see the spring blooms in California!
It’s in the perfect location, close to Joshua Tree and the nearby city of Yucca Valley, while you’ll feel like there’s no one around for miles.
Some great activities nearby include getting a sound bath at the Integatron, a Llama walk, a Hot Spring Sunset experience, or an excellent 4WD Jeep tour.
Prices range from $140 to $185 a night.
Blue Sky Center
Located in Cuyama in the high California Desert, the Blue Sky Center is a non profit helping out the local community while offering up a fantastic glamping experience.
We absolutely loved our unique wagon experience and falling asleep in the semi-open air to the starry night sky!
The communal aspect was another bonus of staying here. The wagons are next to each other and there is a common kitchen/eating area so you end up getting to know your fellow ‘wagoners’ and swapping travel stories.
On top of it all, you can feel good staying here knowing your dollars are going to a great organization whose main focus is aiding in the economic development of the area. They do this by offering free usage of the workshops, a commercial kitchen, and classwork to local entrepreneurs and artists.
You can book one of the wagons through Airbnb.
Also, if you’re new to Airbnb - get $65 off your first booking here! (I’ll get $20 credit, so it’s a win-win!)
Wylder Hotel Hope Valley
This beautiful property is just south of Lake Tahoe and for those who love outdoor activities, perfectly situated in Hope Valley. The owners, John Flannigan and Chet Pipkin bought the resort in September 2019, and have been actively remodeling and modernizing all the cabins and yurts.
Just a short drive away from Lake Tahoe, there are plenty of wonderful activities such as the sightseeing cruise on Emerald Bay!
The old cabin interiors have been remodeled completely and include beautiful gas stoves, comfortable beds, electronic thermostats, and beautiful natural lighting. They also have Bamford shampoos, soap, and conditioner which have the most wonderful forest pine smell!
The yurts are colorfully decorated with interior tubs, a stargazing center top, and modern touches everywhere.
If you want to feel like you’re immersed in nature, pick one of the yurts.
The cabins are closer to the restaurant and main common areas, so if you want a mix of nature and convenience, pick one of the cabins. (Note: not all of the cabins have been remodeled yet, so it’s best to inquire about which cabins have been remodeled before picking one)
There’s also a fantastic sauna that is driven by a wood-burning oven. We definitely took advantage of it after a long day of hiking.
The restaurant (Sorensen’s) serves up delicious food - we loved the Burrata Salad, Chicken Marsala Pasta, and Gnocchi!
Treebones Resort
Ever wanted to sleep in a lifesize bird nest while overlooking Big Sur? The nest is reachable by ladder and made by eucalyptus branches with openings to the ocean and sky. At night, the moonlight and stars peek through the branches while in the morning, the famous Big Sur fog will swirl through the nest. Bring sleeping bags, pillows, headlamps, and anything else you need to stay comfortable and warm throughout the night. There is a futon mattress on the floor also.
If the nest isn’t for you, there are heated yurts and luxury tents on the grounds also.
Ventana Big Sur
A road trip through Big Sur has always been at the top of any must to-do list and for a luxurious glamping experience, Ventana has you covered. There are 15 safari tents scattered in the 20-acre redwood canyon near the main resort with comfortable bedding, plumbing, a propane fire pit, and daily housekeeping. The communal areas of the resort are top-notch along with an incredible infinity hot tub facing the redwood grove.
Russian River Autocamp
A great basecamp for exploring and having Russian River adventures, Autocamp has set up a beautiful area full of well-designed Airstreams and canvas luxury tents. The Airstreams are well-appointed with comfortable queen size beds, spacious bathrooms, kitchen, living room, and air conditioning. The mid-century designed common area is also a wonderful place to start and end the day.
Most importantly, Russian River is just steps from the hotel grounds and Russian River / Napa Valley wineries are just a short drive away.
Luxury tents start at $210 a night and Airstreams start at $250 a night.
Also, check out:
El Capitan Canyon
About 20 miles north of Santa Barbara, El Capitan Canyon offers up several types of glamping with just the right amount of modern conveniences. You can stay in a round, mongolian type yurt, a wooden cabin, a luxury canvas tent, or a wooden loft.
There is a heated pool, bathroom, fire pits, and activities like whale watching, ocean kayaking, and massages.
Safari tents run around $170 a night and the yurts go for around $225 a night.
Ventura Ranch KOA
One of nicest run KOA’s in the USA - this campground offers the most bang for the buck when it comes to staying in one of the deluxe glamping tents or teepees.
Some of the excellent amenities here include a well maintained pool, outdoor rock climbing wall, local peacocks, jumping pillow/trampoline, and super clean bathrooms.
Mendocino Grove
This rustic, chic glamping site right off Highway 1 is comprised of 60 luxury safari tents, each outfitted with beautiful interiors, queen beds, wool blankets, and thick down comforters. There are several fire pits to cook at, with the option to dine nearby at Trillium Cafe. The bathrooms are clean and well designed - with white tilework and organic bath products.
With so much to do in the surrounding beaches, redwood forests, and meadows - you know you can go all out with the knowledge that a warm comfy bed is waiting for you!
Safari Tents start at around $150 with family size tents going for $230 a night.
Make sure to check out the fun Skunk Tree Train Ride!
you might also like:
Wellspring Ranch
Nestled just off the coastline and a short drive to the Pacific Coast Highway, Wellspring Ranch is the perfect place for a weekend getaway or a digital detox. There are many activities here such as hiking, horseback riding, surfing, or ocean kayaking. It’s also located on an organic farm, so you know you’ll eat well here. There’s also yoga on offer as well as a large spring water pond.
The glamping options include round yurts designed in the Mongolian style or silver Airstreams.
There are also two outdoor showers that let you bathe in wilderness that was featured in Dwell Magazine.
Yurts and Airstreams start at around $180 a night.
Sequoia High Sierra Camp Tent Cabins
These incredible tent cabins, located in the High Sierras, run around $250 per night per person.
Inn Town Campground
These affordable glamping tents are a great value for those not wanting to spend too much and still have a great experience! Rates are around $85 - $160 a night.
boon hotel + spa
Located amongst Redwood trees, Douglas firs, and palm trees - the Boon Hotel offers luxurious seclusion just a mile away from Guerneville. The tented rooms are visual treats with all the modern comforts you’d want. The beautiful pool is the focal point during warm days while the excellent spa is there to pamper you in every way.
One of the best parts is the delivered-to-your-room breakfast that includes biscuits that made it to Oprah’s Favorites list.
Safari West Wildlife Preserve & African Tent Camp
If you don’t have the time to fly to Africa for a safari tented experience - there’s a great option in Santa Rosa with a full range of safari animals and luxury tents.
There are all sorts of animals like zebras, wildebeests, buffalo, giraffes, and more.
The safari tents were also brought all the way from Botswana, to keep things authentic.
Nick's Cove
Watch the sunset while slurping down local Point Reyes oysters or feasting on Dungeness crab all in the comfort of your own water facing cottage at Nick’s Cove.
You’ll love the old seaside style of each cottage here and how perfectly situated it is to explore Point Reyes or Mendocino up north.
Mary Smith Campground
A kayaking, bird-watching, and nature paradise - this campground is right near Lewiston Lake and in the Trinity Alps. There are six glamping cabins that provide you a luxurious respite from the elements of nature. Inside the cabins are queen beds with down comforters, rugs, and two nightstands. There is also a fire pit, picnic table, coffee table, and two armchairs in the front of each cabin. Rates start around $115/night.
Bothe Napa Valley Yurts
One of Napa Valley’s best kept secrets is the Bothe Napa Valley campground with glamping yurts, spring fed pool, outdoor fire pits, and clean bathrooms.
You can reserve these yurts up to 7 months in advance and they start at around $55 a night.
Watsonville Treehouse
If you’re looking for a beautiful tree house in the Santa Cruz mountains - check out this natural escape, complete with jacuzzi, queen size bed, kitchen, bathroom, and amazing views.
Mongolian Yurt
A colorful splash of Mongolia - these yurts are just the right place for those seeking an escape from the normal.
Oz Farm
A special place with several cabins and some glamping yurts - this is a great place to get away since it’s located on a working farm with over 230 acres to explore. There is also a fully equipped kitchen for guests to use.
Yuba River
Located right on Yuba River - there are two cabins that have mini kitchens for your usage. Nearby there is a shared bath house with hot showers and composting toilets. All the electricity comes from solar.
Basecamp Indoors Tented Room
If you’ve ever wanted to ‘camp indoors’ - Basecamp at Tahoe will let you do that.
Vineyard Treehouse
Ever wanted to camp comfortably in a vineyard? You can do that in this treehouse overlooking Monterey Bay! It has a comfy queen bed, electricity/wifi and an amazing view. There is a full bath accessible to guests at the house right nearby.
Get Glamping Ready! Shop Our Favorites:
