(Update March 2021) Be it glamping or camper van, it should allow you to take some time off while maintaining some social distancing and not hop on a plane this Summer. California has a lot to offer!
Here is our selection of glamping sites and camper van rental options.
Glamping, a combination of glamour and camping, is basically luxury camping. It’s great if you like nature but don’t want to give up on comfort. Airstreams, yurts, safari tents, or cabins are all yours in California.
Glamping sites are pretty popular and as bookings start to reopen slowly due to Covid19, it’s reasonable to double-check reservation status and availabilities.
Our selection from North to South of the coast
Mendocino Grove: Let’s celebrate nature between forest and ocean and take advantage of the tents erected on platforms. There are even two Airstreams on this site.
AutoCamp Russian River: 90 minutes North of San Francisco, it offers the luxury of sleeping in a completely refurbished Airstream worthy of a decor magazine.
Safari West: Next to Santa Rosa on a small road in the middle of the forest !! Experience a safari with gazelles, giraffes, and other rare birds an hour from San Francisco. And sleep in tents like in the savannah!
Bothe – Napa Valley State Park: In the middle of trees, this slightly more basic version of glamping, offers yurts or cabins. Napa Valley State Park also includes Louis Stevenson State Park for the hikes and Bale Grist Mill to learn more about local rural history.
Costanoa: by Pescadero, on the coast. Permanent tents with a heating blanket and next to the hotel which offers catering and food store.
Fernwood Resort: Big Sur. A little more rustic but surrounded by nature, the Fernwood Tavern exists since 1932 and its cabin tents will welcome you for the night.
Ventana Glamping: Part of the Ventana resort, the place describes itself as providing “the pleasure of living in the heart of nature, with luxurious amenities”. A delight. Due to recent erosion on Highway 1, a detour will be required for guests driving northbound to Ventana.
Tree Bone Resorts: South of Big Sur – Tents like cocoons, “human nests” (yes, yes) or yurts. Oceanview.
El Capitan Canyon: by Santa Barbara. Tents, yurts, and cabins. Check if this Summer all types of tents will be available; at the time of publication, the tents and yurts are closed, only the cabins can be booked.
Caravan Outpost Ojai: West of San Barbara, Southern California atmosphere guaranteed. Beautifully refurbished Airstreams for a holiday and palm trees atmosphere.
Camper Vans and RVs
Drop your car to go on an adventure … all together. Be careful what you are looking for; the types of vehicles can vary greatly between the family motorhome which will require dexterity to maneuver on small winding roads but a surprising level of comfort, and the vintage Van WV that will pass everywhere but will be more spartan. It’s up to you. Choose according to your desires!
All companies offer to rent extras such as kitchen equipment, camping lights … at an additional cost.
Cypress Overland: rents 4×4 Jeep and Toyota camper vans from San Francisco equipped with all amenities of RV campervans like comfortable roof-top sleeping areas, full field kitchens, and gear for overland exploration of wild California. The team can also help you prepare a customized off-the-beaten track itinerary.
Escape Campervans
: Based in Hayward near San Francisco. They have twelve depots between the United States and Canada. You can pick up the vehicle in one city and drop it off in another. Rent a motorhome with unique and customized decor.
Lost Campers: Small vans rental from San Francisco. Lost Campers allows you to drop off your campervan in Los Angeles.
Outdoorsy: The Airbnb of motorhome rentals. Departing from several cities including San Francisco. Find THE van of your dreams.
Highway One Rentals: it smells like a vacation before you even take your Bay Window, your Wanagon, or your Eurovan Westfalia because you will be in Seaside! This is where this renter is based.
Surfari: a very nice selection of vintage VW vans and camper buses for fun !! The rental company is based in San Barbara.
And the unmistakable Cruise America/Cruise Canada that is renting classic RVs all across North America. They claim 134 locations in 33 states and five Canadian provinces. Bay area pick-up points in Santa Rosa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and San José.
Voilà, plan your trip and pick up the glamping site or the camper van for your Summer adventure.
And if you feel like buying your own customized camper van, here is a company that retrofits vans https://www.glampervan.us/
Enjoy the break!
