There’s just something about sleeping close to nature. Gazing at the stars at night and waking up to birds chirping outside your tent just melts the stress away—it’s why many people love camping.
Some of us, though, prefer to slumber on comfortable beds, have constant access to a flushing toilet, and take hot showers. That’s where glamping comes in. A portmanteau of “glamorous camping,” the experience allows you to be surrounded by nature and wildlife with a plush mattress and a real bathroom still close at hand. Luckily, there are many places in California to get your glamp on.
There’s also quite a variety in glamping these days, from sites that are just a couple of steps up from camping to a fully luxurious experience. Some glampsites provide wifi and electricity, while others encourage you to unplug, so you can choose the one that’s right for your needs. From yurts to Airstreams, here are the best glamping spots in California that you should head to this summer.
AutoCamp Sequoia, Three Rivers
AutoCamp is a popular glamping brand known for its custom, 31-foot long Airstreams that come better equipped than many hotel rooms. The trailers feature a spacious bathroom, a kitchenette with a refrigerator and microwave, and a queen-size memory foam bed, plus a pull-out futon in the living area that can accommodate an extra guest. Of course, there’s both heat and AC and no shortage of electric plugs. Each Airstream has its own private outdoor seating area and firepit.
The newest AutoCamp site is AutoCamp Sequoia, located in Three Rivers, California with easy access to Sequoia National Park. Even if you don’t plan to enter the park, there’s plenty to do in the area—the campsite is right at the edge of Kaweah River and just down the road from Slick Rock Recreation Area.
As a bonus, AutoCamp offers free electric vehicle charging onsite, and wifi is strong throughout the campground.
40457 Sierra Drive, Box 1092, Three Rivers, CA 93271
28 Palms Ranch, Twentynine Palms
The Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms area is home to many independently run glamping outfitters, offering everything from Aistreams to tents. One of the most unique spots is 28 Palms Ranch, home to 10 Mongolian-made yurts.
The yurts stay surprisingly warm at night, and the beds inside are quite cozy. There is an air conditioning unit to keep the interior cool during the desert summer. Each yurt also comes with a CordaRoy bean bag that converts into an extra bed for families or small groups.
Just outside your yurt are a biogas toilet system and a shower with hot water, as well as a grill and open-air seating area so visitors can take advantage of the area’s famous stargazing. There’s no wifi and cell service is limited, but you will have access to electricity to keep all your devices charged.
68282 Mesa Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Mendocino Grove, Mendocino
While it’s quite a drive away from San Diego, Mendocino is worth the road trip—it’s one of the most beautiful parts of California. Take in all that natural gorgeousness on a glamping trip at Mendocino Grove, where well-equipped tents spread across 37 acres of a bluff overlooking the ocean.
While the tents aren’t heated, you’ll be able to climb into a toasty bed warmed by mattress heating pads. Bathrooms and showers are communal, and there are two centrally located bathhouses. (Tip: Hit the Lower Bathhouse to spend some time in its sauna.)
All the guests gather at the site’s common area for complimentary coffee and breakfast in the morning, adding to that summer camp vibe. There are hiking trails on the campground, and guests can rent a kayak or canoe for a few hours on the nearby river. Afterwards, you can book a massage at the onsite spa and get into relaxation mode.
9500 & 9601 CA-1, Mendocino, CA
Postcard Cabins Big Bear, Running Springs
Forget a tent—all of Postcard Cabins’ sites feature modern, tiny cabins tucked away in the wilderness but intentionally located only a few hours’ drive from major cities, making them great weekend getaways for urban dwellers. The brand’s Big Bear outpost in Running Springs is just three hours from San Diego.
While the view through the cabins’ large windows gives you the sense of sleeping out in the woods, amenities like a comfy bed, heat and AC, a bathroom, and a diminutive kitchen remind you that you’re nice, safe, and warm indoors. Outside, you’ll have a firepit, a grill, and a picnic table. While there’s electricity in the cabin, there’s no wifi—Postcards Cabins encourages guests to unplug.
2001 Wilderness Road, Running Springs, CA 92382
Flying Flags Avila Beach, Avila Beach
Flying Flags started out as an RV resort and campground, but it has since expanded its offerings to include glamping experiences. In addition to cottages and RV hookup sites, Flying Flags Avila Beach offers a handful of jupe tents perched on a bluff overlooking Port San Luis.
While modest in size, each tent is furnished with a queen-size Nectar mattress for a comfortable sleep. And you won’t want to spend much time inside, anyway, when your accommodation opens up to an ocean view. It comes equipped with a small deck with chairs and a table where you can lounge and enjoy the sights. The tents are solar-powered, so electricity is weather-dependent—which is rarely a problem in sunny California. There’s no heating or air conditioning, but Avila Beach has pleasantly temperate weather year-round, and wifi is available throughout Flying Flags. You’ll share toilets and showers with other campers and RVers.
6450 Babe Lane, Avila Beach, CA 93424
Huttopia Paradise Springs, Valyermo
Huttopia Paradise Springs opened in Angeles National Forest in 2021, taking over the area that was once home to Paradise Ranch, Hollywood’s favorite 1920s retreat. It now hosts a collection of glamping tents modeled after a European-style nature village.
The accommodations vary in size and amenities. There are larger tents with a queen bed, two bunk beds, and an ensuite bathroom, and smaller ones that sleep two people and share a communal bathhouse. They each come with a grill and cookware, but there’s also a restaurant and café onsite that serves coffee and pastries for breakfast, crepes for lunch, and pizza for dinner. The tents are equipped with electricity, but wifi is only available in the reception and restaurant area.
Traces of the old Paradise Ranch resort remain in the large swimming pool near the café and Charlie Chaplin’s old cabin, which is also available for rent. There’s even a meeting space here that can accommodate up to 90 people. Work retreat, anyone?
18101 Paradise Drive, Valyermo, CA 93563
Under Canvas Yosemite, Groveland
Under Canvas is one of the country’s leading brands for luxury glamping, and it’s finally launching its first California outpost this summer. Under Canvas Yosemite in Groveland is set to open on July 1st in a location just ten minutes away from the park entrance.
During your stay, you won’t have to fear encounters with nighttime creatures if you need an after-dark bathroom break—every tent has its own ensuite restroom. You’ll also be able to stay snug with in-tent heaters and heated blankets on chilly nights and, when hotter days strike, fans and misters help keep things cool (though there’s no AC). Under Canvas is also a believer in unplugging, so there’s no electricity or wifi, but the battery-powered lanterns and fans in the tents have USB outlets so you can charge your phone.
30801 Hardin Flat Road, Groveland, CA 95321
Alila Ventana Big Sur, Big Sur
Alila Ventana is a high-end resort in Big Sur, but if you like your luxury retreat with a side of stargazing, the hotel also offers glamping tents in its campground. The glampsites are located in a semi-private area along Post Creek, so you can fall asleep to the sound of the stream. The canvas tents are furnished with custom mattresses and the same linen and towels used at the adjacent resort. Plus, there’s a space heater to help you keep warm at night. There is a sink with hot water outside of each tent, but for toilets and showers, guests will need to head to the communal bathhouse.
Electricity and wifi are both available in the tents. Glampers can also purchase daily resort passes if they want to access the hotel’s amenities (like the famous Japanese onsen), but we recommend reserving them ahead of time, as passes are limited.
48123 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920
Alter Experiences, Mt. Laguna
Alter Experiences’ amenity-filled outfits in Mt. Laguna are some of the closest glamping sites to San Diego. The company operates two private campsites at Laguna Campground and two at Burnt Rancheria Campground. Each location houses between two and four colorfully furnished bell tents, plus a couple of tree tents, making them perfect for families or groups. The bell tents come equipped with real beds, but if you want the feeling of slumbering suspended in the air, the tree tents feature sleeping pads.
While there’s no electricity (and hence no wifi) in the tents, you’ll have access to solar-powered lanterns and propane heaters. Each site also has a kitchen area with portable stove and grill. The company provides drinking water, a firepit, cookware, and dinnerware. All you have to bring is your own cooler and food.
Alter Experiences’ tents don’t have attached bathrooms, but there are public restrooms within the campgrounds (the showers are coin-operated), and the tents come with towels and toiletries.
Various locations, Mt. Laguna, CA
La Quinta Resort & Club’s Camp’d Out, Joshua Tree
No, you can’t camp on La Quinta Resort & Club’s grounds in the Coachella Valley, but the hotel offers a special experience that includes a glamping escape to Joshua Tree. The Camp’d Out package begins with one night at the resort. On the second day, hotel staff will transport you to Joshua Tree, where a tent will be set up with plush bedding for a comfortable stay.
And there’s no need to stuff a camp stove in your suitcase. The package comes with a meal prepared by the resort’s culinary team (complete with s’mores for that quintessential fireside vibe), overnight butler service, and morning coffee. Then, you’ll be whisked back to La Quinta for your final night.
49499 Eisenhower Drive, La Quinta, CA 92253
