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Camping is a lot of fun, but it’s a lot of work. Glamping has many of the benefits of regular camping without the bothersome gear. You’ll pay a little more but you get so much in return. Each of these suggested glamping getaways are located on the Northern and Southern California Coast and have diverse options from luxurious safari tents, to clean finished cabins, to stunning Airstream trailers.  You can’t go wrong with glamorous camping – it’s the best!

Treebones Resort Yurts, Big Sur Coast

treebones4

Treebones bills itself as a glamping resort so there is no mistake that they take this seriously. They have 16 fully-furnished yurts with views of either the mountains or the ocean. Each yurt has beds, heat, lights, sinks, and some have gas fireplaces. They don’t have bathrooms, but showers and toilets are nearby. The resort also an “autonomous tent” with 500 square feet of living space. This cocoon-shaped tent might be the pinnacle of California glamping. If you have camping gear and want to do something unique, then book the “Human Nest” which combines art, functionality, and an open-air experience. Amazing Sand Dollar Beach is just minutes away from the resort.

Ventana Glampsites

Another glamping option in the Big Sur area is the Ventana Resort Glampsites. There you’ll find safari-style canvas tents with comfortable mattresses and premium linens. They also have a Bath House that you have to see to believe. If the safari-tents are taken and you are equipped for camping, Ventana has a tent-only campground too.

Airstream Trailers

AutoCamp Airstream Trailers for Rent
Many coastal travelers want to explore the world with a luxurious Airstream trailer, but don’t want to buy one. Here is a chance to stay in one of these shiny trailers that is parked near the beaches of the California Coast.

AutoCamp Santa Barbara – Airstreams

AutoCamp Sonoma – Airstreams

Mendocino Grove – Luxury Tents & Airstreams

Mendocino Grove Campground tents on platform

This “glampground” is so popular that it’s frequently booked well in advance, but fret not, they are expanding the number of safari tents available for rent. Now that they have Airstream Trailers, you have another option too. Some of our favorite beaches are Mendocino Beaches!

El Capitan Canyon, Santa Barbara

El Capitan Canyon has cedar cabins galore near the beach-E! (Large)

El Capitan Canyon has several options at their property north of Santa Barbara. On-site there are over 100 cedar cabins with different bed configurations. Each one comes with a small kitchen and a bathroom. Another option is the open-air safari tents which also come with comfortable beds. These are cozy spaces that have lights and heaters inside and picnic tables and grills outside. Zip it up at night and the bugs stay outside. El Capitan Canyon also has an adjacent campground called Ocean Mesa. Both facilities have heated pools and other amenities. El Capitan State Beach is a short walk away!

Costanoa Resort, San Mateo Coast

coastanoa glamping interior of tent bungalow

This is glamping at it’s finest. Costanoa Resort has luxury cabins, cozy tent bungalows, family bungalows, and modest campground cabins. The luxury cabins have fireplaces, mini-fridges, coffee makers, bathrobes, and down comforters. The other options are fun outdoorsy accommodations too. There is a lodge onsite with about 40 rooms, but it’s really a hotel and you probably want to glamp. Booking the cabins or bungalows is the right way to go at Costanoa. There is a delicious restaurant onsite called the Cascade Bar & Grill. Across Highway 1 from the resort there are two trails that lead to Franklin Point Beach and Whitehouse Creek Beach.

Jalama Cabins, Lompoc

Jalama Campground and Cabins

Plan ahead and book one of the seven comfy cabins at Jalama Beach where the sunsets are heavenly. Each cabin has a full kitchen and a bathroom with hot showers so you won’t have to share facilities with campers in the 107 camp sites nearby. Jalama Beach Grill makes a mean burger and other beachy fare. It’s hard to beat this location on the remote northern Santa Barbara coast.

KOA Glamping Options

KOA has been around forever and it might be the strongest brand in the campground world. Some of their campgrounds near the coast have “camping cabins” that are a little rough, and “deluxe cabins” that are closer to glamping. One campground has Airstream trailers for rent and another has fully furnished teepees.

Santa Cruz Area KOA – Cabins & Airstream Trailers

Ventura Ranch KOA – Teepees & Deluxe Cabins

San Diego Area KOA – Deluxe & Camping Cabins

Crescent City KOA – Deluxe & Camping Cabins

Avila Beach-Pismo Beach KOA – Deluxe Cabins

Mendocino Coast KOA – Deluxe & Camping Cabins

Catalina Island Glamping

Okay, these aren’t really glamorous, but they are easy. The tent cabins have six individual cots and sleeping bags, pads, and other camping gear can be rented on site so you don’t have to bring anything but money from the mainland. It feels like real camping, but leaves you with more time and energy to explore the nearby beaches and the towns of Avalon and Two Harbors. Reserve these tents well in advance.

Hermit Gulch Campground – Tent Cabins

Two Harbors Campground – Tent Cabins