California offers a wide variety of natural landscapes from the coast to the mountains to the desert. For those who love the outdoors, California has a lot to explore and so many unique glamping sites to take your experience to the next level.
It’s a big diverse state, so looking for California glamping sites might be overwhelming. I have put together a list of my top picks from popular locations to help you narrow things down. If you would like more options on glamping in California, be sure to check out our full-length articles on the destinations covered below.
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The Living Desert Starry Safari
47900 Portola Ave Palm Desert, CA 92260
Family Glamping – Desert Glamping – Glamping Teepees – Large Cabin Tents – Indoor Camping – Shared Bathrooms – Educational – Breakfast included – Family activities
Enjoy family glamping near Palm Springs at the Living Desert Starry Safari. Once the park closes, you will get an after dark experience of the desert and the wildlife that calls it home. There are two options for families to choose from: Discovery Camping and Tent Camping. Each features a different theme depending on the date of the Starry Safari. Starry Safari includes animal encounters, guided evening walks through the park, campfires with s’mores and a continental breakfast.
The Discovery Camping is an indoor sleeping experience located inside the Discovery Center, while the Tent Camping is an outdoor sleeping experience in a teepee tent, a cabin tent or a large cabin tent. The teepee tent sleeps up to four guests, the cabin tent sleeps up to five people and the large cabin tent sleeps up to seven. Just bring your sleeping bags and toiletries and you are ready to go! The Starry Safari also includes admission into the zoo and gardens for the next day. Minimum age for kids is five years old.
See our full list for more on glamping Palm Springs.
Hicksville Trailer Palace
6394 Sunset Rd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Glamping Trailers – Onsite Activities – Adults only glamping – Family Glamping 2x year – Pool – Fun Themes – Private & Shared Bathrooms – Firepits – Rooftop Hot Tub
The ultimate glamping experience in Joshua Tree, Hicksville was built by American writer Morgan Higby Night as a place for people to escape and relax. The first trailer motel in California, Hicksville exudes the quaintness of trailer park living along with quirky themes of individual trailers inspired by the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. Some fun amenities to enjoy in this trailer palace include a saltwater pool, rooftop hot tub, firepits, ping pong tables, archery, bb gun range, pinball, multi-cade, mini golf, corn hole, shuffleboard, ball pit, a library, a vape lounge, lounges spaces, vending machines, filtered water, charcoal BBQ grill, kitchen/cooking supplies and a general store.
Some trailers have a private bathroom, while others share a communal shower room and toilet room. Most of the trailers sleep up to two people, however there are some that sleep up to three, four and six people. For those of you that have a large group, Hicksville allows you to rent out multiple trailers or even the whole property. Every trailer features a different theme. For instance, there is a gypsy themed trailer, a western pioneer themed trailer, a genie bottle themed trailer and a nautical yacht themed trailer, just to name a few. Hicksville Trailer Palace is usually a 21 and over property, but they do have two family weeks during the year, one in April and one week in November so you can experience glamping with kids.
See our full list for more on glamping Joshua Tree.
Safari West
3115 Porter Creek Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Family Glamping – Private Bathroom – Animal Encounters – Glamping Tents – Cottages
Experience a luxury safari when you stay in an authentic safari glamping tent imported from Botswana at Safari West in Santa Rosa, California. These luxury glamping tents have luxurious beds, private bathrooms, hardwood floors, private deck with seating and electric lighting. There are 30 tents with various sleeping configurations, like king beds, queens and bunks which sleep up to four. For larger families, check out the cottages that can sleep up to six and also feature a kitchenette.
The safari tents and cottages are located on the Safari West animal reserve, giving guests access to exotic wild animals from around the world. Imagine sleeping with the sounds of the safari right outside your tent! The safari also includes continental breakfast at the Savannah Cafe and kids stay free the second night Sundays through Thursdays during fall.
See our full list for more glamping sites in California’s Bay Area.
Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve
9310 Fanita Pkwy, Santee, CA 92071
Cabin glamping- Family Glamping- Lake Front- Private Bathrooms- Pedal Boats-Playgrounds-Fishing
Stay in one of the seven floating lake front cabins on Santee Lakes at the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. Cabins sleeps up to six people and includes a fire ring, BBQ grill, bathroom, kitchenette, flat screen television, air conditioning and pedal boats rentals. However, you do have to bring your own toiletries and linens.
Onsite you and your family can enjoy taking the pedal boat out on the lakes, swimming in one of the two pools, birding and fishing. There are seven playgrounds kids will love, including a boulder adventure course, a spray-ground for water fun, a Tot Lot for little ones, Mega Tower and even a playground for kids with disabilities.
See our full list for more glamping San Diego.
Saddle Mountain Ranch
27625 Schulte Road, Carmel CA 93923
Family Glamping – Glamping Tents – Cabins – Pool – Shared Bathrooms – Private Bathrooms – Playground
Nestled within Oaks, Redwoods and Monterey Pines, Saddle Mountain Ranch is a perfect place to escape and soak up nature. At Saddle Mountain Ranch you have the option of glamping in one of the bunk house, camping cabins, glamping tents or pool house rooms. There are two styles of glamping tents and both the Luxury Tents and the Gazebo Tents sleep two and offer queen beds with linens, a deck, BBQ, fit pit, table and chairs and have access to campground amenities, electric and wifi deck and share bathhouses. The main difference is that the Luxury Tent is a canvas safari-style tent, while the Gazebo Tents is a wooden structure.
For larger families, there are ten cabins to choose from which sleep four to seven people. The cabins also have private bathrooms and kitchens. There are five Pool House suites and if you rent out the whole house you can sleep up to 10 with two bathrooms,. The Bunk House is a more rustic style accommodation with six beds, lighting, BBQ, kitchenette, seating area. The Bunk House does not have a private bathroom, but rather it is located next to the Gazebo Tents with access to the shared bathhouse. Saddle Mountain Ranch has a pool and playground as well as access to over five miles of hiking trails.
See our full list for more glamping in Big Sur.
El Capitan Canyon
11560 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
Family Glamping – Cabins – Glamping Tents – Glamping Yurts – Private Bathrooms – Shared Bathrooms – Pool – Live Music
You are surrounded by historic oaks and sycamores when you go glamping at El Capitan Canyon in Santa Barbara, California. You have the option of staying in a cedar cabin, canvas glamping tent or a glamping yurt at El Capitan Canyon. A great option for family glamping are the cedar cabins with various sizes and sleeping arrangements. They also have peaked ceilings, private bathrooms, kitchenettes, private picnic tables and firepits. The safari tents are canvas tents with a queen or two double beds, electric lighting, trunk storage, end tables, chairs, wooden decks and firepits. The yurts are situated on wooden platforms with canvas walls and sleep up to four with a domed skylight for stargazing. They do have electricity, a microwave, mini-fridge, picnic table and firepit. Neither the safari tents nor adventure yurts have private bathrooms, but have nearby access to shared bathhouses.
On the property, you’ll be able to unplug and connect with nature while having access to resort-style amenities. El Capitan Canyon has a swimming pool, access to private hiking trails, complimentary bike rentals, a playground, wine tasting and live music. The Canyon Market is the onsite general store, deli and market and the location for wine tasting, pick up BBQ kits and more. El Capitan is a great way to get the family out, have fun and enjoy nature.
See our full list for more glamping Santa Barbara.
Ventura Ranch KOA Holiday
7400 Pine Grove Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060
Family Glamping – Glamping Teepees – Glamping Wagons – Safari Tents – Glamping Cabins – Family Activities – Pool – Bunkbeds – Playground –
Located on top of Topa Topa, Ventura’s highest mountain, this 76- acre campsite offers a variety of glamping options that you will love. In addition to tent and RV sites, you have the option of staying in teepees, safari tents, cabins or even Conestoga wagons. There are three teepee options that sleep from four to eight people with a range of sleeping options from queen beds to bunk beds. Note that the Indian-style teepees do not have electricity, kitchen or private bathrooms.
The Conestoga wagon sleeps up to six people with two sets of bunk beds and a queen bed, but also does not have electricity, kitchen or bathroom. The two styles of cabins to choose from, a deluxe cabin and a camping cabin, sleep four to six people. The deluxe have full kitchens and bathrooms, while the camping cabins have partial. The glamping tent, which sleeps up to four people, does have some electricity but does not have a private bathroom or kitchen.
Ventura Ranch KOA Holiday is a great glamping site for families thanks to the abundance of activities. They have a pool, arts and crafts, a jumbo jumping pillow, a playground, rock climbing tower, gem mining. You can even partake in the Big Foot Nature Walk or test your skills on the Soar Over Ventura Adventure Course, complete with zip line. Visit the Labyrinth for some meditation and reflection for a more relaxed experience
See our full list for more glamping in Los Angeles.
Eco-Camps Temecula
23446 California 79, Warner Springs, CA 92086
Family Glamping – Kids Free – Private Bathroom – Glamping Tents – Hiking – Wine Tours – Wifi
At Eco-Camps Temecula, experience peace and tranquility. Located in wine country, you can enjoy family glamping in luxurious tents while taking in the scenic views. Every glamping tent has queen beds, nice bedding, a private bathroom, free wifi, outlets for charging electronics, cooking equipment, wine glasses, wine opener and coffee and tea. The Queen Tent has a queen bed with optional two single beds, sleeping up to two adults and two kids. The Family Queen Tent can sleep three adults and three kids with one queen bed and three single beds.
At Eco-Camps Temecula you can expect beautiful views of sunsets, starry nights and wildlife as well as ample opportunities to enjoy nature with picnics and hiking trails. Nearby, you can partake in wine tasting and olive oil tasting. If you are interested in exploring more of the wine country, take an organized wine tour. Here is my list of the most unique wine tours in Temecula.
See our full list for more glamping sites in Temecula.
That’s A Wrap
Hope you enjoyed my picks for some great glamping California sites! Like I said California is huge so the options are practically endless. Please have fun clicking around to see more California glamping sites in the destinations listed above. Additionally, if you want more glamping recommendations from across the country, check out my guides from the locations below.
- Glamping Zion
- Glamping New England
- Glamping Florida
- Glamping Colorado
- Glamping Grand Canyon
- Glamping Texas
- Glamping Upstate New York
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