As much as we love our Marin lifestyle, it’s nice to break routine during the summer holiday. While we can appreciate being “one with nature”, we’re also comfortable enough with ourselves to admit that we have a 2-night maximum for sleeping on the hard ground in a muggy tent. After that, our senses kick in; the longing for a hot shower, the love of clean sheets, the need for uninterrupted sleep.
Enter: glamping.
Glamour + Camping is right up Kate + Mary’s alley. Since these spots are highly sought-after, now is the time to book these summer getaways. Here are Arrive Marin’s top picks for (mostly) Northern California glamping:
Treebone’s Resort Fully furnished yurts with spectacular views of the coast in Big Sur, this hot spot has mastered the mix of nature and luxury. We ask you: What says camping more than a sushi bar in the main lodge? To fully experience that clean ocean air, book The Nest, a human-sized (you guessed it) nest.
Costanoa Charming tent bungalows and Douglas fir cabins in Pescadero with an eco-friendly resort and spa. Hiking, kayaking, wine-tasting, tide pool exploration, kids making tie-dye t-shirts: Coastanoa for the win! When you are booking keep in mind, only the rooms in the lodge have ensuite bathrooms. All others are (gasp) shared “experiences.”
Safari Tent in Coastal Woodlands Check out Hipcamp for endless camping options all over California like the pet-friendly safari tents we found in Mendocino. Five tents with queen beds and heated bathroom floors are located on 37 acres of stunning land. Breakfast delivered to our porch each morning completes us.
Autocamp Okay, okay, so it isn’t exactly camping, but these luxurious airstreams will give you an outdoor vacation to remember. 24 airstreams on the Russian River have Casper mattresses, Malin & Goetz bath products and a nearby meadow for afternoon picnics. Spend your days floating down the river and your evenings sipping red wine by the campfire. Ahh, now this is camping!
El Capitan Canyon You’re going to need to get yourselves to Santa Barbara for this one but it’s worth the effort. From basic canvas tents to cedar cabins with bathrooms and kitchenettes, 100 sites make up this campground at El Capitan State Beach. Surf lessons, whale watching and complimentary bikes for getting around await you!
Terra Glamping About 2.5 hours north of San Francisco and along the coast, all 10 safari tents have an ocean view and the best seat in the house for evening stargazing. Kayaking, hiking and campfire s’mores give you the outdoor experience you are looking for. Memory foam mattresses and down comfortors give you the sleep you so desire!
Shelter Co. We have to admit this one is a bit over the top but we feel like it’s our civic duty to tell you about Sheltor Co. This pop-up lodging company will set you up for glamping pretty much anywhere you want to go! They will take care of all the details including furniture (naturally, we mean both in and out of the tent) as well as catering. That’s right, we said catering. We think this one is especially perfect for a family reunion or special occasion.
Get out those summer calendars and get planning!
