5 Unique Places for Glamping in California

Find the lavish glamping you’ve been dreaming of at AutoCamp Yosemite—the company’s largest and most secluded location. Shiny silver Airstream trailers house sumptuous suites with spa bathrooms while romantic canvas tents provide an authentic (and rustic) glamping-style experience. Planning to cook? Book a chic cabin or modern tiny home suite with a full kitchen and space for your whole family,

But the property’s best place to gather day or night is AutoCamp’s two-story, mid-century clubhouse. Start the day here with complimentary coffee and fresh-squeezed orange juice, or recount your Yosemite adventures around outdoor fire pits by night. Shop the curated store for snacks, gear, wine, and beer. Or bring-your-own-meat and cook outside your tent or trailer on charcoal grills.

Take a break from driving into Yosemite Valley and enjoy AutoCamp’s swimming pool, freshwater pond, and onsite hiking trails. When you are craving civilization, commute 10 minutes to the Gold Rush town of Mariposa, where boutiques, bars, breweries, and museums await.

Stay among old-growth redwoods near Big Sur’s coastal bluffs at Ventana Inn & Spa’s luxurious glamping grounds. Tucked among the tall trees in a 20-acre canyon, this campground features kitted out, cozy canvas tents. Inside, find luxe custom mattresses with soft sheets, lanterns to light your way, and sinks with potable water.

Enjoy the canyon’s privacy and stargaze with your sweetie from the deck’s Adirondack chairs, or build a fire and roast marshmallows amid the secluded surroundings. Clean communal bathhouses available for restrooms and showering. And don’t forget Fido! Guests may bring up to two dogs for a small upcharge, which includes use of a plush dog bed, treats, and water bowl.

While glamping guests can’t access the resort’s premium amenities, hearty southern barbecue and grab-n-go breakfasts are available at Big Sur Smokehouse’s roadside eatery. Craving a craft cocktail? Bartenders mix them up at SurStream—a custom-designed mini Airstream tucked in the forest. Grab a seat on outdoor furniture and talk over wine, beer, or cocktails. Curate your experience with add-on enhancements like coolers, s’mores ingredients kits, and wine or beer delivered right to your campsite.

Love the idea of glamping but not sleeping in the wild? Book The Great Indoors room at Basecamp Hotel in South Lake Tahoe. Outfitted with all the indoor camping gear you need, but without the mosquito and bear encounters, it’s the perfect destination for reluctant first-time glampers and for those seeking a unique experience in California.

Inside find a tented king-size bed wrapped in luxurious linens, a faux fire pit, two camping chairs, a picnic table, a ceiling of glowing stars, and an outdoor balcony. The modern bathroom’s walk-in shower and complimentary bath products mean you won’t have to spend days shower-less, like on regular camping trips.

After a day of paddle boarding at Lake Tahoe or hiking endless mountain trails, score deals on craft brews at Basecamp’s Happy Camper Hour. Outside in the beer garden, roast s’mores around the fire pits (free kits available in the lobby), play a round of cornhole and table tennis, or catch live music on select nights. Continental breakfast and high-quality coffee are normally included in your room rate.

Venture to Yuba River Country near Tahoe National Forest to experience glamorous camping in this Adventure Glamping spot. Located on the North San Juan Ridge by Nevada City, it’s a stellar basecamp for summer hiking and mountain biking or a secluded ski chalet for getting cozy this winter. From the yurt, walk to the rushing, boulder-filled Yuba River, or take a short drive to Gold Rush landmarks and old mining towns.

While the quiet location on five wooded acres feels remote, this yurt packs in everything you need—plus a few surprises. Expect a plush queen-size bed, full bathroom with a shower, and a high-quality kitchen stocked with spices, oils, and sauces for cooking gourmet meals. Outdoors, soak your cares away in a clawfoot bathtub under the stars.

Set the picnic table on the deck for summer dinners, or use propane and wood-fired heat to stay cozy indoors during winter bookings. There’s no TV or phone service if you want to disconnect from tech, but WiFi and board games keep your crew entertained.

Spend a night under dark, starry skies in Southern California’s vast desert wilderness at this remote Joshua Tree Glamping Yurt. Although built on undeveloped BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land, this yurt doesn’t skimp on perks. Sleep in a 15-foot tall canvas tent with a real (and comfortable) bed, cook on the propane fire pit or grill, and break bread around the outdoor picnic table.

Keep your devices powered with the USB charging station, but don’t expect enough cell service to upload your latest TikTok videos. Fight the summer heat with an included water mister, fan, and shade structure, or stay toasty in winter with a propane heater. Shared porta-potty and sink located onsite with portable shower is available by request.

Beyond the park’s namesake trees, visit to see flowering cholla cacti, hike through boulders to Arch Rock, or catch leading acts at Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace—a famed musical oasis in the desert.