Glamping California 22 Super Cool Glamping Airbnbs, Yurts, Huts, Tents & More!

If you’ve been around here long, you know I’m a country girl at heart. So whenever I get the chance to trade the city noise of San Francisco for birdsong, stars, and maybe a s’mores kit or two, I’m all in.

Over the years, I’ve hunted down some of the coziest, most unique glamping spots in California, plus a few of the coolest camp setups I’ve seen anywhere in North America. I’m talking luxury tents in Big Sur, a tree fort in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and even a literal UFO in the middle of the desert. Whether you’re looking for glamping in Northern California with ocean views or a desert camp near Joshua Tree, this post has something for you.

I’ve personally stayed at six of these California glamping spots (I’ll tell you which ones), and the rest are high on my wishlist. Here are my favorite glamping California experiences, honest downsides included, because nobody wants to find out about the shared bathhouse at 2am.

My Top 3 Favorite Glamping Spots in California

1. Mendocino Grove Luxury Camping

Best for: Coastal views + creature comforts. Heated blankets, s’mores kits, and designer bathrooms a literal 2-minute drive from downtown Mendocino make it the right mix of rugged and refined. I’ve been back multiple times, most recently last October.

2. Treehouse Overlooking Redwoods (Felton)

Best for: Romance + wine lovers. Robin and I still talk about this one. The view from the porch at sunset with a bottle of local red was chef’s kiss.

3. Curry Village Tent Cabins (Yosemite)

Best for: National park lovers. They’re basic, but nothing beats waking up inside Yosemite Valley, and I have a fun time every single stay. Get a heated tent if you can.

California Glamping Spots I Love (Or Dream About Visiting)

I’ve grouped these glamping California spots by region so you can plan around where you’re already headed. Each one lists the town, how many it sleeps, a current price, what it’s best for, and one honest heads up.

Glamping in Northern California

Northern California is where I glamp the most, since it’s all within a few hours of San Francisco. Redwoods, the Mendocino coast, Yosemite, and Gold Country are all fair game for a weekend.

1. Treehouse Overlooking Redwoods

Felton | Sleeps: 2 | $399/night | Book Now
Best for: Romantic mountain wine country escape

Robin and I stayed at the Redwood Ridge Tree Fort one winter, and I fell in love with this Bay Area find. You get a heated tent with an electric blanket, a private bathroom with an indoor-outdoor shower, a little kitchen to cook in, and views straight into the redwood forest. It sits minutes from my favorite Santa Cruz Mountain wineries, so a wine tasting day is basically mandatory. It’s rated 4.96 on Airbnb across 189 reviews, which tracks.

Heads up: You’re in the trees, so expect falling leaves, pinecones, and very curious squirrels. Keep food and clothes inside. Adults only (no kids under 12).

2. Mendocino Grove Luxury Camping

Mendocino | Sleeps: 2-4 | From about $262/night | Book Now
Best for: Luxury camping + coast access

Heated beds, lamps, stylish shared bathrooms, and s’mores kits, all a literal 2-minute drive from downtown Mendocino. It’s the best glamping Northern California has, in my opinion, and I’ve been back multiple times. Most recently we went last October and the weather was perfect. We spent our days doing all the great Mendocino things, including riding the Skunk Train through the redwoods to Glen Blair Bar, a little bar in the forest you can only reach by train. They’ve added a redwood outdoor shower and a little camp sauna since my first stay, and dogs are welcome ($35 per pet, per night). Guests rate it 9.6 out of 10 on Expedia.

Heads up: It’s seasonal (usually late April through fall), and the bathrooms are communal, with some a walk from your tent.

3. Yosemite Curry Village Tent Cabins

 Yosemite National Park | Sleeps: 2-4 | $120+/night | Book Now
Best for: National park lovers

Stay in the park and wake up under Glacier Point. (Curry Village went by Half Dome Village for a few years, so you may still see that name floating around.) I recommend these tents to everyone visiting Yosemite because I always have a fun time here. They’re basic, but you can walk to the trailheads. Pro-tip: book a heated tent. The heated ones come with a heater and one outlet, and the unheated ones have lights only.

Heads up: Bathrooms are shared bathhouses and the tents are close together, so bring earplugs. Curry Village is also closed November 29 to December 10, 2026.

4. AutoCamp Yosemite

Midpines | Sleeps: 2-4 | About $250–$500/night plus resort fee | Book Now
Best for: Hip national park basecamp

I had the chance to stay at AutoCamp Yosemite a few years ago, and I loved how hip it is. You sleep in a custom Airstream, a canvas tent, or a cabin spread across 35 acres of pines, and the Airstreams each have their own grill outside. It sits right on Highway 140, the road into the park’s Arch Rock entrance, so you’re close to Yosemite but also close to everything fun outside of it, like Mariposa’s little downtown. The amenities are really great. Guests rate it 9.4 out of 10 on Booking.com across more than 650 reviews, and you can even book it with Hilton Honors points.

Heads up: Summer weekends can top $500 a night, and there’s a resort fee of about $40 per night on top of the rate. Spring, fall, and winter are when you’ll find it closer to $250.

5. Costanoa Lodge and Camp

Pescadero | Sleeps: 2-6 | From about $150/night | Book Now
Best for: Coastal glamping + a Pescadero day trip

Pescadero is one of my favorite little towns on the coast, so Costanoa is an easy yes. The canvas tent bungalows sit right off Highway 1 next to Año Nuevo State Park, with real beds, electric blankets, and an on-site restaurant for when you don’t feel like cooking. I love stopping at Harley Farms Goat Dairy for goat cheese and then going wine tasting at Sante Arcangeli Family Wines right in town, and staying here lets you do exactly that without driving back to the city.

Heads up: The tents don’t have private bathrooms. You’ll walk to shared “comfort stations,” which are nicer than they sound, with heated floors and a fireplace courtyard, but it’s still a walk at night.

6. Dreamy Soquel Tent (Sundance Meadows)

Soquel | Sleeps: 4 | $145/night | Book Now
Best for: Romantic string-lit retreat

We stayed here when I needed a break from city life, and it was such a vibe. Think private fire pits, romantic lighting, and super comfy beds about 10 minutes from the beach in Santa Cruz. We had so much fun making margaritas on the deck while watching the sun set through the trees. 

Heads up: The bathroom is a private outhouse, not an indoor bathroom.

7. Safari West

Santa Rosa | Sleeps: 2+ | $275+ | Book Now
Best for: Families + wildlife lovers

Stay in African-style tents… with giraffes outside your window. Yes, really. In California! The tents have private bathrooms with hot showers, breakfast is included, and you’re a short drive from Sonoma wine country. 

Heads up: Overnight stays usually close in January and February, so plan this one for spring through December.

8. Inn Town Campground Safari Tents

Nevada City | Sleeps: 2 | $105/night | Book Now
Best for: Cozy glamping + historic charm

The canvas tents have real beds with heated mattress pads, and you can walk to downtown Nevada City, which turns into a literal Victorian Christmas town in December. Go for the gold rush history, stay for the local eats on Broad Street.

Heads up: Bathhouses are shared (reviewers say they’re spotless), and wood fires aren’t allowed.

9. Desolation Hotel Hope Valley

Hope Valley| Sleeps: 2 | $181/night | Book Now
Best for: Couple getaways + fall foliage

I stayed at this luxury glamping yurt a few Octobers ago while hunting down the best fall foliage in California, and holy moly, I fell in love with this glamping ground. My yurt had an indoor fireplace and a soaking tub, and there was a sauna guests could use for free. Hope Valley’s aspens usually turn gold in early October. 

Heads up: You can hear the highway during the day, and I’ve seen recent reviews mentioning a change in ownership, so double check current offerings before you book.

10. Mount Shasta Glamping Yurt

Shasta| Sleeps: 2 | $175/night | Book now
Best for: Couple getaways + waterfall hikes

A massive yurt with a small kitchen, a forest canopy overhead, and outdoor showers on acres of good Shasta vibes. You’re close to the waterfall hikes around McCloud and the mountains near Mount Shasta, so pack your hiking boots.

Heads up: Winter nights up here get cold, so check the heat situation before you book an off-season stay.

Glamping on California’s Central Coast

The Central Coast is my sweet spot for glamping California road trips because you can pair Big Sur cliffs with Paso Robles wine tasting in the same weekend. Highway 1 through Big Sur fully reopened in January 2026, which makes this stretch even easier.

11. Ventana Glamping in Big Sur

Big Sur | Sleeps: 2 | $250/night | Book Now
Best for: Resort-style Redwoods retreat

We camped here for our anniversary, right next to the glamping campground, and I looked over at those tents the entire trip. I was very, very jealous. Ventana offers some of the best luxury glamping California has. The safari tents sit in a redwood canyon with fire pits, outlets, and a sink with hot and cold water, and you’re steps from a chic Airstream bar. Dogs are allowed ($75 per stay, two max). Good news for Big Sur trips: Highway 1 fully reopened between Carmel and Cambria in January 2026.

Heads up: Access to the resort pools needs a separate, limited pass you book ahead, so don’t assume it’s included.

12. Treebones Resort (The Nest)

Big Sur | Sleeps: 4 | $170–$350/night | Book Now
Best for: Instagrammable coastal vibes

Yes, you can literally sleep in a human-sized nest on a cliff. Treebones calls it The Nest now, and it sits above the ocean on the southern Big Sur coast. They also offer classic yurts with ocean views, and breakfast is included with all the luxury hotel amenities up at the main lodge. 

Heads up: There’s a two-night minimum, no pets, the yurts use shared bathhouses, and The Nest is adults-only (18+).

13. Luxury Tent in Carmel Valley

Carmel Valley | Sleeps: 2 | $195+ | Book Now
Best for: Wine tasting + beach combo

Glamping tent meets wine country escape. It’s great for a romantic weekend, a Big Sur add-on, or a home base while you wine taste in Carmel Valley. This Airbnb has over 1,200 reviews with a 4.76 rating, and it takes one small dog (up to 30 lbs). 

Heads up: The bathhouse is shared and Wi-Fi only reaches the deck.

14. Rancho Tranquillo

San Juan Bautista | Sleeps: 2 | $206/night | Book Now
Best for: Farm vibes + outdoor shower goals

This luxe tent sits on a working cattle farm with a porch, fire pit, down comforters, a private outhouse, a hot shower, and an outdoor shower. Dreamy AF. It’s rated 4.97 on Airbnb with almost 250 reviews, and pets are allowed for a $25 fee.

Heads up: It’s only open April through October, the toilet is a composting outhouse, and the sink is cold water only.

15. Blue Sky Center Glamping Huts With Views

New Cuyama | Sleeps: 2 | $104/night | Book now
Best for: Budget-friendly solitude

I discovered these huts while scrolling Instagram, and some of them were designed by Shelton, which is why each one looks like a little piece of modern art plopped in the Cuyama Valley. Every hut has panoramic views, electricity, and access to a shared lounge area, and pets are welcome for a small fee. Guests rate the huts in the 90s on Hipcamp. I can’t wait to visit one day!

Heads up: The bathhouse is shared and a short walk away, and reviewers say one shower for the whole property can mean a wait.

16. The Trailer Pond

 Paso Robles | Sleeps: Varies | $275+ | Book Now
Best for: Girls’ trips + wine glamping

Vintage trailers tucked between rows of vineyard at Alta Colina. Sip, sleep, repeat. Glamping on the California coast can be chilly, which is why this slightly inland spot works so well, and it puts you right in the middle of Paso Robles wine tasting. 

Heads up: The trailers don’t have bathrooms (you’ll use shared restrooms and an outdoor shower), and you need to bring your own food.

17. Twisselman’s Glamping by the Pond

Santa Margarita (Carrizo Plain) | Sleeps: up to 5 | Price varies | Book Now
Best for: Whimsical ranch glamping + stargazing

This is such a whimsical, cute place. The canvas tents sit next to a pond on a sixth-generation working cattle ranch, about an hour east of Paso Robles wine country, with flush toilets, showers, and a shared camp kitchen. It was voted Hipcamp’s best glamping in the United States in 2021 and 2022, and the glamping site holds a 100% rating on Hipcamp. A friend of mine stayed here and had an absolute blast.

Heads up: It’s remote, and reviewers say the camp kitchen is minimal (no fridge access, plates, or utensils), so pack a cooler and your own dishes.

18. Wellspring Ranch

Cayucos (SLO County) | Sleeps: 2 | $450+ | Book Now
Best for: Peace + quiet

Glamping with yurts, cabins, and an Airstream on 160 acres in the hills above Cayucos. Total serenity, and it’s a quick drive down to the beach.

Heads up: It’s the priciest spot on this list, and no pets are allowed.

Southern California Glamping

Southern California glamping mostly means the desert, and Joshua Tree is the star. Go between October and April, when the days are warm and the nights are made for stargazing. If you’d rather be near the beach, start with El Capitan Canyon.

19. El Capitan Canyon Safari Tents

 Santa Barbara Coast | Sleeps: 2 | $155–$180/night plus resort fee | Book Now
Best for: Beach + forest combo glamping

Ocean nearby, trees above. These safari tents come with linens, towels, and storage trunks, and you can borrow a free bike and ride down to El Capitan State Beach. It’s an easy drive up the coast from Santa Barbara.

Heads up: No pets, and a daily resort fee gets added on top of the rate.

20. Area 55 Futuro Glamping House

Joshua Tree | Sleeps: 4 | About $480/night | Book Now
Best for: Off-grid desert adventure

Glamping inside a UFO in the desert is about as iconic as it gets. This retro Futuro house runs completely on solar, but it still has A/C, Wi-Fi, a grill, and an outdoor shower with major desert aesthetic. It makes a fun crash pad after a long day in Joshua Tree. 

Heads up: The restroom is in a separate trailer, and availability has been spotty lately, so book direct and confirm your dates.

21. Castle House Estate

Joshua Tree | Sleeps: Varies | $175+ | Book Now
Best for: Design lovers

HGTV-famous glamping near Joshua Tree with yurts, castle guard towers, fire pits, and a high-style desert vibe. You can rent the whole place out for a group, and it holds a 94% rating on Hipcamp across more than 460 reviews. 

Heads up: The yurts and guard towers don’t have running water, so you’ll use shared outdoor restrooms and a solar shower.

22. Stargazer Yurt at Luna Vista Ranch

Joshua Tree | Sleeps: 2 | $135+ | Book Now
Best for: Stargazing + solitude

Off-grid, 40-acre property. No Wi-Fi, no kitchen, just nature and stars. Joshua Tree’s dark skies are some of the best in Southern California, and this is the spot to actually see the Milky Way.

Heads up: Skipping a kitchen means planning your meals in town, and the roads out here are dirt.

California Glamping Comparison Chart

If you’re still deciding, here’s every glamping California spot on this list side by side, including which ones I’ve stayed at myself. Prices are typical nightly rates and change by season, so always check your dates.

FAQ: Glamping in California

What Is Glamping Exactly?

It’s “glamorous camping.” Think beds, heaters, and real bathrooms, but still surrounded by nature. It’s like the best parts of a hotel and a tent had a baby.

Where Is The Best California Glamping?

The best California glamping is spread across the state, but my top areas include:

• Big Sur for ocean cliffs and redwoods
• Mendocino for coastal views and an adorable town
• Yosemite for national park lovers
• Joshua Tree for desert stargazing
• Shasta for secluded mountain energy
• Santa Cruz and Paso Robles for wine tasting between camp nights

Is Glamping Worth It?

100% yes. It gives you the camping experience without sleeping on the ground, which makes it ideal for newbies or anyone who’s done roughing it. Just know that “glamping” covers everything from a basic heated tent with a shared bathhouse to a yurt with a soaking tub, so read what’s actually included.

What Is The Best Glamping In Northern California?

Mendocino Grove is my pick for the best glamping Northern California has, because it’s a 2-minute drive from downtown Mendocino and I keep going back. For a national park trip, book AutoCamp Yosemite, and for couples, the Redwood Ridge Tree Fort in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Where Can I Go Glamping In Southern California?

Joshua Tree is the hub for Southern California glamping, with the Area 55 Futuro House, Castle House Estate, and Luna Vista Ranch all nearby. For the coast, El Capitan Canyon puts you in a safari tent minutes from the beach near Santa Barbara.

How Much Does Glamping In California Cost?

Most spots on this list run $150 to $300 a night. The budget picks are the Blue Sky Center huts (around $104), Inn Town Campground (around $105), and Curry Village ($120+), while Wellspring Ranch ($450+) and AutoCamp Yosemite in peak summer (up to about $500) are the splurges. Watch for resort fees at AutoCamp and El Capitan Canyon.

Are There Dog-Friendly Glamping Sites In California?

Yes! Mendocino Grove, Rancho Tranquillo, Ventana in Big Sur, the Blue Sky Center huts, and the Carmel Valley tent all welcome dogs for a fee. Treebones and El Capitan Canyon don’t allow pets, so always check the listing before you book.

When Is The Best Time To Go Glamping In California?

Spring and fall. The desert spots like Joshua Tree are best from October through April, the coast and Mendocino shine from late spring through early fall, and Hope Valley peaks in early October for fall color. Some places, like Rancho Tranquillo and Mendocino Grove, close for the winter.

What Do I Pack For Glamping?

Depends on season and setup, but I recommend:

• Flashlight/headlamp for night
• Cozy layers
• S’mores supplies
• Bug spray
• Book or journal
• Battery bank
• Need a full list? I have a complete glamping packing guide to help you plan.

Time To Go Glamping In California

I hope this list helps you find your perfect glamping California trip, whether you’re in the mood for redwood forests, rugged coastline, or desert stars. If I had to pick just one for a first-timer, I’d send you to Mendocino Grove. If you’ve stayed at a cool California glamping site I didn’t mention, drop it in the comments so I can check it out!

You can also follow along on Instagram @thewhimsysoul for more California travel ideas.