With such an incredible variety of landscapes, California is the perfect place to reconnect with nature. But what if you just don’t like to tough out chilly nights in a sleeping bag on the ground? We’ve rounded up five of the best glamping sites for the perfect combination of the great outdoors and a good night’s sleep.
Caravan Outpost, Ojai
The hip little oasis of Ojai, just two hours’ drive from Los Angeles and nestled amongst lush, green hills has a fittingly cool, chilled out glampsite. The 11 vintage airstreams at Caravan Outpost sit in a lovely garden space and are fully decked out – they even include their own record players. A community fire-pit beckons friendly gatherings where you can exchange stories of your favorite cycle-track or surf spot and enjoy the famous pink-hour where the sunset adds a magical pink hue to the atmosphere.
Best for: City break
Cost: $179/night
Costanoa, Pescadero
The family-friendly Costanoa resort in Pescadero has everything from luxury suites to camp sites for your own tent. However, glamping in the tent bungalows provide the perfect combination of outdoorsy and comfort. The fire pits are the perfect place to roast marshmallows after a day of hiking, sea kayaking, biking or horseback riding and the lush beds are exactly what your body needs to rest up for the next day’s adventures.
Best For: Families
Cost: From $92/night
Ventana, Big Sur
The epitome of luxury camping is a kitted out safari tent nestled on the forest floor beneath towering redwoods – this is glamping at its finest. The babbling stream and gently rustling leaves lull you to relaxation as you dose under your heated blanket. The tents have hot and cold running water, which is amazing while camping, but there is also a tap that spits out perfect tea-ready water, perfect to brew a cup to wrap your hands around while you sit back in your Adirondack around a fire. The rest of the Ventana resort has a luxury spa, swimming pools and a fabulous restaurant to enjoy up on the cliff overlooking Big Sur’s stunning coast line.
Best for: Romantic get-away
Cost: From $225/night
Dome in the Desert, Joshua Tree
While this isn’t a tent, we think a tiny wood dome in the desert counts as glamping and if stargazing in Joshua Tree isn’t on your bucket-list yet, it should be. Staying in this bohemian geo-dome just a short drive from town takes contemplating the cosmos to a whole new level. The dome is equipped with personal telescopes to get up close and personal with the solar system from the comfort of your two-room abode – there’s even a glass panel in the roof. Go in the spring when the wildflowers carpet the area in brilliant violet and yellow. Pro-tip: do the 20-minute drive to Joshua Tree National Park at sunset for the best views and to avoid the crowds.
Best for: Stargazing
Cost: $406/two nights
Half Dome Village, Yosemite National Park
It’s unlikely you will find a view to wake up to that is more spectacular than being greeted with Yosemite’s impossibly huge sheets of rock face. It’s nothing short of life changing. While these tents are a bit more rustic than the others, there is just a simple camp bed inside, but the jaw dropping location more than makes up for the lack of creature comforts. These well-appointed tents in Half-Dome Village, right at the heart of Yosemite National Park, are the perfect landing spot for exploring the many wonders of the park.
Best For: Adventure
Cost: $133/night