Author
Katherine Englishman & Ellen Eberhardt
Photo courtesy Mendocino Grove
Short for glamorous camping, the term glamping refers to resort-style accommodations in scenic destinations that provide guests easy access to the outdoors. Also known as “boutique camping”, glamping combines all the amenities and creature comforts of the indoors (gourmet meals, cozy beds, heat and AC, and of course, proper bathrooms) with an opportunity to immerse yourself in the outdoors’ restorative effects or go off and seek adventure. Canvas tents, bell tents, and yurts for glamping are most common, though the Golden State has so much more to offer. Visitors can also stay in an Airstream trailer or a treehouse—both valid glamping accommodations if you stretch the definition just a bit.
Whatever your prerogative, glamping is ideal for your brunch-loving, camp-curious crew or even new outdoorists who aren’t ready to make the jump from soft, cozy bed to cold, hard ground—no judgement here!—but still crave a proper adventure. It’s the perfect compromise that comes with the added benefit of experiencing unique design and the great outdoors all at once.
Over the years, this more deluxe mode of escapism has graduated from a popular trend to a mainstay of adventure travel, but a little known fact reveals that today’s form of glamping is really just a modern take on something that is centuries-old. In the early 1920s, wealthy travelers from Britain and the US would go on an African safari in the classic canvas tents that are still commonly used in glamping today. Go even further back in time and you’ll find historical records of royalty who galavanted all over the globe in lavish, palatial tents.
With colonizers and monarchs (mostly) behind us, glamping today is a popular and more inclusive way to travel to destinations like California, a world-class outdoor adventure hub with luxe glamping resorts and mom-and-pop options for everyone. From its sun-drenched southern beaches and lush Mendocino Coast to the desert landscapes of Palm Springs & Joshua Tree, ancient Yosemite Valley forests, and year-round fun of Lake Tahoe and the High Sierra, California has something to offer every taste. Skip the crowds and any chance of heat by visiting from September through October when it’s pleasantly warm (not too hot) and sunny statewide—and conveniently, harvest season in Napa Valley.
Read on for our top picks for the best open-air escapes, expertly vetted, highly curated, and divided by region.
Field Mag's Top California Glamping Destinations
Best Northern California Glamping
- Waldhaus Retreat — La Honda, CA
- Running Springs Ranch — Ukiah, CA
- Pinecone Treehouse — Bonny Doon, CA
- Wildhaven — Sonoma, CA
- Treehouse in Vineyard — Los Gatos, CA
Best California Coast Glamping Spots
- Glamping Tent — Soquel, CA
- 1972 Airstream — Atascadero, CA
- Ventana Big Sur — Big Sur, CA
- Spartan Trailer — Arroyo Grande, CA
- El Capitan Canyon — Santa Barbara, CA
Best Southern California Glamping
- La Boheme — Los Angeles, CA
- Bohemian Bus — Ojai, CA
- Pool Ranch — Borrego Springs, CA
- Blue Sky Center — New Cayuma, CA
- Cuyama Badlands — Cuyama, CA
Best Luxury California Glamping Locations
- Bad Moon — Idyllwild, CA
- Mendocino Grove — Mendocino, CA
- Wylder Hope Valley — Hope Valley, CA
- Treebones Resort — Big Sur, CA
- Autocamp Yosemite — Yosemite, CA
Best Northern California Glamping
Glamping Bay Area
Waldhaus Retreat — La Honda, CA
Vibe: Treat Yourself
Standout Amenities: Shared barn kitchen, heated blankets, luxury bathhouse
Located outside of San Francisco, Waldhaus features cozy glamping tents set among towering redwoods. The property offers comfortable amenities including a fully-equipped barn kitchen, private decks, and access to hiking trails within the lush forest, plus a luxury bathhouse and fire pits for relaxing after a busy day.
Running Springs Ranch — Ukiah, CA
Vibe: Lavender Haze
Standout Amenities: Great views, working farm, pet-friendly
Running Springs Ranch offers a serene glamping experience with spacious, fully-furnished safari tents that include queen-sized beds and vintage decor. Located on a working lavender farm, the site features stunning mountain views, a private outdoor seating area with a fire pit, and access to scenic hiking trails.
Pinecone Treehouse — Bonny Doon, CA
Vibe: Sleeping with the Birds
Standout Amenities: Unique stay, great views, open-air bathhouse
Sleep 60 feet above the ground in this pinEcone-shaped treehouse, which contains a single bed, as well as a side table. Although there are plenty of windows to take in the surrounding views, two transparent floor panels will really make you feel like you're floating. An open air bathhouse below offers up a ground-level respite.
Wildhaven — Sonoma, CA
Vibe: Camp Coachella
Standout Amenities: Luxury tents, yoga classes, bathhouses
Get comfy and cozy in the heart of Sonoma County’s beautiful wine country. Their classic luxury glamping tent doesn’t only provide a cushy, fully-furnished place to stay, but morning yoga classes, live music, and stargazing events nearby the Bay Area.
Treehouse in Vineyard — Los Gatos, CA
Vibe: Like a Fine Wine
Standout Amenities: Treehouse tent, electricity, great views
Have yourself a vacation in this treehouse by the sea. Located on Lago Lomita Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this elevated glamping site has minimal decor but comes with electricity, a queen-sized bed, and a deck to enjoy your meals with a side of endless views.
Best California Coast Glamping Spots
Glamping Big Sur
Glamping Tent — Soquel, CA
Vibe: Best of Both Worlds
Standout Amenities: Queen bed, outdoor kitchen, fire pit
This glamping tent in Soquel is situated in a forest near the beach, ideal for the indecisive amongst us. The tent is equipped with cozy amenities like a queen bed, outdoor kitchen, and fire pit, offering a comfortable launching pad for exploring the varied terrain.
1972 Airstream — Atascadero, CA
Vibe: That's So 70s
Standout Amenities: Full kitchen, deck
Experience a cozy and hip stay in this Airstream nestled among the oaks of Atascadero. Retrofitted to serve as a full-time apartment, this stylish camper offers all you need including a full kitchen, bathroom, and comfortable sleeping arrangements, plus the perfect-sized deck
Ventana Big Sur — Big Sur, CA
Vibe: Back to Nature
Standout Amenities: Bathhouse, fire pit, spa
Ventana offers nature lovers a picturesque retreat among the Redwoods and the rugged California coast. Although you’ll be tempted to stay in one of the beautiful luxury hotel rooms at Ventana Big Sur, its glamping experience doesn’t fall short, thanks to 20 acres of property with 15 glamping spot options that sit creekside.
Spartan Trailer — Arroyo Grande, CA
Vibe: Vintage Charm
Standout Amenities: Full kitchen, streaming options, patio
Ditch the RV park and experience a unique stay at The Spartan, a 45 foot vintage 1950s trailer built set amidst majestic oaks overlooking an organic farm near Arroyo Grande. Recently refreshed, this stylish and secluded retreat offers modern amenities like a fully equipped kitchen, fast WiFi, and an outdoor patio, while preserving its vintage charm.
El Capitan Canyon — Santa Barbara, CA
Vibe: California Coast Luxury
Standout Amenities: Skylight, queen bed, fire pit
Whether you’re choosing an adventure yurt or a canvas safari tent, this little slice of glamping paradise provides all the perks of camping with hotel-style amenities. Enjoy stargazing through the clear roof of the glamping yurt, cooking up a camp dinner outside the tent, or an expansive network of hiking trails on the Central Coast.
Best Southern California Glamping
Los Angeles Glamping
La Boheme — Los Angeles, CA
Vibe: City Mouse to Country Mouse
Standout Amenities: Picnic area, outdoor kitchenette, BBQ
La Boheme Living offers a unique urban glamping experience outside a 1904 Craftsman home in Highland Park. Enjoy a tranquil safari tent set on a half-acre of land, surrounded by nature while still being close to LA's vibrant cultural scenes and outdoor activities. With modern amenities, easy access to the Gold Line train, and a blend of city life and nature, it's an ideal retreat for nature-loving urbanites.
Bohemian Bus — Ojai, CA
Vibe: Bus is Where the Heart is
Standout Amenities: Hot shower, propane stove and heat, kitchenette
Located close to Channel Islands National Park, this vintage bus offers a private and secluded stay, surrounded by a hand-built, wooden interior and minimal decor.
Pool Ranch — Borrego Springs, CA
Vibe: Just Right
Standout Amenities: Great views, fire pit, pet-friendly
Pool Ranch is a 30-acre off-grid homestead located outside of San Diego, designed to reconnect humans with nature. The ranch emphasizes sustainable practices, local collaborations, and offers a unique space for visitors to explore and play, including a stay in their mini A-Frame cabins.
Blue Sky Center — New Cayuma, CA
Vibe: Glamping on Wheels
Standout Amenities: Stargazing, community-based, heated mattress
Only two hours from Los Angeles, Blue Sky offers glampers the chance to stay in a unique canvas hut in the Cayuma Valley. The no-frills interior doesn’t have electricity or heating and cooling, but features pops of color in its decor. Keep to yourself or enjoy the more communal feels of this one-a-kind retreat.
Speakeasy Lodge — Cuyama, CA
Vibe: Choose your Own Adventure
Standout Amenities: Secluded, stargazing, great views
This is glamping two ways: pitch your own tent on this vast property, or stay in the secluded yurt, named Songdog Glampout, that’s a short distance from the main lodge. Cook up a camp feast to enjoy at the family-style dining area that brings together fellow glampers for a totally unique stay.
Luxury Glamping California
Bad Moon — Idyllwild, CA
Vibe: Hippie Campers
Standout Amenities: Comfy textiles, fire pit, s'mores kit
These bohemian-style bell tents have a deluxe setup that comes with a memory foam mattress, pillows and rugs, a french press, plus, poufs for lounging, because chairs are boring. Explore the stunning San Jacinto mountains around the glamping site and pull up a pouf to roast s’mores around the campfire at night.
Mendocino Grove — Mendocino, CA
Vibe: Refuge in the Redwoods
Standout Amenities: Heated beds, fire pit, ADA accessible tents
Minutes away from Mendocino proper, these safari-style canvas tents are built for unparalleled comfort in the woods. Inside, each roomy abode has heated beds (?!?!) while outside, guests can enjoy a more authentic camping experience with their own fire pit and grill. This spot also earns bonus points for offering wheelchair accessible canvas tents to keep the outdoors open to all.
Wylder Hope Valley — Hope Valley, CA
Vibe: Home Sweet Home
Standout Amenities: Cafe, private soaking tub
Get cozy in a rustic custom glamping yurt from Wylder near the idyllic Lake Tahoe. This all-season campground keeps the feel-good vibes high with little touches like a cafe that serves up three home cooked meals and a private soaking hot tub.
Treebones Resort — Big Sur, CA
Vibe: Nice Curves Standout Amenities: Cliff views, on-site dining, spa and yoga
Perched on a cliff with views of the Pacific Ocean, this extra fancy campground uses solar power to keep the 600+ square-foot interior comfy and cozy when a chilly sea breeze blows in. Make a fire indoors or out on the spacious deck, to watch an especially epic sunset over the horizon.
Autocamp Yosemite — Yosemite, CA
Vibe: Go Retro
Standout Amenities: Lodge, fire pits, bathhouse
Take your pick of a stay in a well-designed Airstream trailer or a classic, canvas safari tent on the fringes of Yosemite National Park. Mid-century Mod furnishings in both the luxury tent and airstream makes Autocamp feel nostalgic.
Published 08-13-2024
