Best Glamping in Southern California

By VI Staff on May 16, 2020 - Updated

Courtesy of Brendt-Petersen - Fotolia.com

Glamping is an increasingly popular way to travel and represents the ultimate eco-tourism experience, blending together the fun and escapism of camping with the modern amenities and convenience offered by hotels. A glamping location can offer all kinds of accommodation, including treehouses, tents, cabins, lodges, yurts, trailers, wagons, and more. These areas are all equipped with cozy beds and attractive furnishings, and will often also come with additional services and options like private bathrooms, power outlets, internet access, running water, cooking utensils, and more.

1.Overview

One of the prettiest and most popular tourist hotspots in the United States, Southern California, often abbreviated simply to SoCal, is an ideal spot to do some glamping. Whether you're looking to explore major cities and urban areas like Los Angeles or hoping to enjoy some of the best sunbathing and surfing in the world on SoCal's beautiful beaches, there's a lot to discover in this. Some of SoCal's biggest attractions include Hollywood, Disneyland, La Jolla, Death Valley, the Channel Islands National Park, the Coachella Valley, the San Gabriel Mountains, and Venice Beach.

There’s a lot to see and a lot to do in Southern California, and the area is populated with countless hotels that accommodate millions of tourists each year. However, rather than staying in a typical hotel room just like everyone else, glamping gives you the opportunity to make your vacation extra special. Glamping spots around Southern California provide yurts, cabins, tents, lodges, and more, all decorated beautifully and providing easy access to some of the region’s best areas and attractions. No matter what kinds of adventures you’re hoping to have in SoCal, it’s easy to find a perfect glamping spot to help you make the most of your stay.

2.Best Glamping in Southern California

There are many different glamping spots all around Southern California. Some are situated with easy access to major cities like Los Angeles, while others offer more rural getaways. Here’s some key information on the best glamping sites in SoCal.

- Ventura Ranch KOA - 7400 Pine Grove Rd, Santa Paula, CA 93060, Phone: 805-933-3200

Situated just a short drive northwest of Los Angeles in the pretty little city of Santa Paula, Ventura Ranch KOA offers a quiet little escape from city-life among the Ventura County California Hills. Five types of accommodation can be found at this location, including standard sites for tents and RVs. For glamping enthusiasts, simple teepees can be reserved, as well as safari tents and cabins equipped with electricity, comfortable beds, cozy sofas, and more. Activities and attractions at this location include hiking trails, ranch tours, mountain biking, the Santa Barbara Zoo, nearby museums, and on-site special events like movie nights.

- El Capitan Canyon - 11560 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93117, Phone: 805-685-3887

Just a short drive away from Santa Barbara, El Capitan Canyon is a beautiful glamping resort spread out across 300 acres of land. Visitors to this glamping site can choose to stay in cedar cabins or safari tents, all equipped with comfortable duvets, cozy, willow beds, traditional furnishings, and more. A whole host of activities can be enjoyed in the nearby area, including trips into Santa Barbara, bike paths, hiking trails, wilderness tours, and more. On-site amenities include weekly barbecues, live entertainment, spa treatments, and a heated pool.

- Wellspring Ranch - 9150 Santa Rita Rd, Cayucos, CA 93430, Phone: 805-995-1644

Located not far from the beautiful beaches and coves of the California Coast, Wellspring Ranch is the perfect option for anyone in need of a relaxing glamping getaway in California. Right nearby the Los Padres National Forest and Cayucos State Beach, Wellspring Ranch offers a lot of options for outdoor enthusiasts and features three luxury yurts, as well as a renovated AirStream trailer. Yoga lessons and guided hiking tours of the surrounding forests are just a couple of activities organized at this location, and you'll definitely end your stay feeling refreshed and revitalized after a few nights of peace and tranquility.

- AutoCamp Santa Barbara - 2717 De La Vina St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, Phone: 805-619-5604

For glamping with a difference, check out AutoCamp Santa Barbara. This glamping spot features nothing but renovated AirStream campers of various sizes to suit small and large parties. Each camper has been beautiful decorated with neutral tones and sleek furnishings that really make the most of the space and offer a comfortable, welcoming area for you to relax at the end of a long day. Rates at this glamping spot are very attractive and each camper is also fitted out with a flat-screen TV, electric BBQ, refrigerator, and more.