Discover the best spots for glamping in California

Perhaps California’s most beloved National Park, Yosemite is undoubtedly a stunner with its soaring Sequoia trees and mammoth granite cliffs. Enjoy the highlights of this marvel at Autocamp Yosemite, a sleek glamping retreat ideally located just a short drive from the park entrance. A range of accommodation options includes glossy Airstream trailers, large wooden cabins, and chic canvas tents — all fully outfitted with a fire pit and grill for mouth-watering camp-inspired concoctions. After an adrenaline-pumping day of hiking or climbing, mingle with other guests at the cozy outdoor fire pit or take a refreshing dip in the heated pool. Round out the activities with a sundowner in the mid-century modern Clubhouse, an architectural masterpiece in its own right.

Sandwiched between the misty Santa Lucia Range and the sparkling Pacific Ocean, the craggy stretch of coastal highway that comprises Big Sur is the stuff of screensavers — don’t be surprised if your jaw quite literally drops in awe. Overlooking this dramatic landscape is Ventana Big Sur, a five-star hideaway outfitted with 15 elegant glampsites. Custom-designed plush mattresses ensure you’ll sleep easy beneath a blanket of sparkling stars. What about toilets, you ask? The Bath House features teak-enclosed showers, marble vanities, and heated floors — a far cry from traditional campground facilities. Due to new social distancing measures, glamping guests no longer have access to all resort amenities (as a plus, you don’t pay the resort fee, either.) That said, a fantastic propane fire pit and “glamping enhancement features” like s’more kits and coolers still make this an easy place to lose yourself in the majesty of the striking landscape.

There’s nowhere in the United States quite like Joshua Tree. Hidden away in California’s High Desert, this National Park gets its name for the beguiling, bristling Joshua Tree — actually a ‘tree-like’ Yucca. Whether it’s this unique flora or the enchanting hiking trails and curious wildlife, there’s no denying the mystical vibes of this desert haven. Absorb the otherworldliness of it all in style at the Dome in the Desert, a modern-bohemian glamping getaway. With two bedrooms and bathrooms, there’s plenty of space for the whole family. Handcrafted furnishings, geometric designs, and pops of yellow are as inviting as can be, especially when enjoying one of the Dome’s antique games. A natural wood-burning stove is a nice touch on chilly evenings, while AC keeps you cool on sun-drenched desert days. However, as cute as the accommodation, the real highlight here is enjoying spectacular sunsets that transform into twinkling night skies in solitude.

Continuing our list of the best California glamping spots, we head back to the world-famous Big Sur to stay at the Treebones Resort. These Mongolian-style cliff-side glamping yurts are arresting, with incredible ocean views and plush linens. Here, you’ll wake to the sound of barking sea lions, robust coffee in hand, before heading out to enjoy any number of nearby golden-sand beaches (or even the incredible purple-hued sands of Pfeiffer Beach State Park.) Come nightfall, cuddle up under a blanket on your private redwood deck beneath the glittering night sky. For the splurge of a lifetime, upgrade from a Yurt to an Autonomous Tent, one-of-a-kind accommodation built to resemble a giant cocoon. With over 500 sq ft of indoor living space, a gas fireplace, and an en suite bathroom, you might never want to stop glamping Big Sur.

Delivered-to-your-room breakfast biscuits that made Oprah’s Favorites list — need we say more? Yet that’s only a snippet of the thoughtful details that await at boon hotel + spa. This vineyard glamping locale is squirrelled away amongst Redwoods and Douglas firs outside Guerneville. Think custom platform beds, a solar-heated saline pool, a well-equipped honor bar, and organic linens. The number one priority here is relaxation, but there’s plenty of activities, should inspiration to explore so strike. Touring local wineries or exploring Armstrong Woods via one of the property’s famed orange cruisers are two top ideas. An award-winning spa rounds out the offerings — don’t miss it.