Discover Luxurious Camping Experiences in California with iBestTravel
In California, where new-age nature meets creature comforts, luxury camping is not an oxymoron.
The Golden State has mastered boutique camping, from falling asleep to the sounds of the forest while peering at star-studded evening skies in a yurt to watching an outdoor movie from a vintage Airstream or soaking in beach sunsets from a treehouse.
There’s no need to bring any cumbersome equipment – only a sense of adventure. These compounds prove that you don’t need to “rough it” to enjoy the great outdoors. Read on for our eight favorite places to sleep very comfortably in the wild.
Here are the best glamping spots in California.
Glamp among Boulder-Strewn Landscapes
Joshua Tree’s arid, mystical hills, wild cactus gardens, and stacked rocks are truly remarkable. Among this wonder, you can sleep under the starry sky in an 11ft private yurt. Comfort is paramount here: accommodations feature queen-sized beds, linen carpets, and Nespresso coffee makers. Heating, electricity, and hot showers are also available. Moreover, if it gets too hot, take a dip in the communal pool.
Shelter in a Vintage Camper in the Valley of the Moon
Located an hour from Santa Barbara, on the edge of Los Padres National Forest, is Ojai, where you’ll find 10 sleek Airstreams from different decades at the Caravan Outpost Ojai. Set within a botanical garden, these vintage trailers feature queen beds with fine linens, TVs, bathrooms, kitchens, and vintage record players. Regular communal dinners, acoustic concerts, and open-air movie nights enhance the overall experience.
Soak Up Views of Monterey Bay from a Treehouse
Climb the ladders at Lago Lomita Vineyards for an adventure filled with comfort. A tent is pitched on a sprawling 400-sq-ft deck built between Douglas firs, offering unobstructed sunset views over the ocean. Your canvas house for the night includes a cozy queen bed, crisp linens, electricity, a heater, and Wi-Fi.
Stargaze from Your Bed in a Yurt near Santa Barbara
At the El Capitan Canyon, the Turkish-style adventure yurts feature hardwood floors, bar-sized refrigerators, ceiling fans, and space heaters. Up to four people can comfortably drift off, while complimentary cruiser bikes are available for exploring the sandy beach and tide pools.
Relax Under Canvas in a Heated Bed under the Redwoods
Classic safari-style tents on wooden platforms are surrounded by grand firs and sea air at Mendocino Grove, which is an adults-only camping compound featuring comfy beds, down comforters, and leather butterfly chairs for relaxation. Enjoy an outdoor breakfast while listening to the birdsong and mountain calls. Various hiking trails beckon, along with beaches and canoeing opportunities.
Open Your Tent to the Spectacular King’s Canyon
Accessible via a one-mile hike or a longer, thrilling 12-mile backcountry trail through Sequoia National Forest, the spacious, off-the-grid canvas bungalows at High Sierra Camp offer luxurious Etruscan-style furnishings, feather duvets, reading lanterns, and wood-shuttered windows. Due to the off-grid nature, all meals at this location are included, made using fresh, local ingredients served in a large dining pavilion.
Sleep Near the San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo offers a unique “roar and snore” camping experience within its 1800-acre safari range, where wildlife enthusiasts can sleep in one of 46 canvas tents and enjoy after-park hours with the animals. Although the tents are basic, providing only mattresses and requiring guests to bring their own sleeping bags, nothing compares to observing gazelles and giraffes from the comfort of your own tent.
