Perhaps, you’ve seen the viral posts on Instagram and TikTok. Maybe, you’ve seen people do it and share their experiences on YouTube. Possibly, you’ve always wanted to go camping, but you’ve never really wanted to rough it in a basic tent and/or sleeping bag with no home-like amenities.
Thankfully, you don’t have to rough it completely to enjoy the best camping experiences. In fact, California has some of the best places imaginable for glamping getaways that combine the bucolic beauty of campgrounds with all the creature comforts you need. From a world-famous resort at Big Sur to the coastal cottages featured in countless movies, here’s where you can go glamping near Los Angeles.
Alila Ventana Big Sur
Why is the Alila Ventana Big Sur resort featured as a destination for luxury camping near LA? Long story short, Alila Ventana Big Sur actually has its own glamp site. Keep in mind that glamping guests do not have full access to Alila Ventana’s resort amenities—such as the swimming pools and the gym—but since you’re supposed to be glamping, this shouldn’t really be a problem. (Also, this means you won’t have to pay any resort fee.)
After all, you will have your own sturdy canvas tent that’s fully loaded with your own special amenities, including a custom-designed mattress with premium linens, a set of towels, handheld lanterns, and even electric lamps and power outlets with USB charging ports. Of course, you’ll also be in a scenic redwood forest located right in the heart of the most scenic stretch of California’s Central Coast. And if you’re wondering about the shower situation, fear not—Alila Ventana Big Sur will hook you up with a shower facility that’s fully equipped with teak showers, heated floors, and premium bath products.
48123 Highway One, Big Sur, CA 93920
(Due to the ongoing PCH road closures in and around Big Sur, check in advance to find the best route to access Alila Ventana Big Sur.)
347 miles from Los Angeles
The Trailer Pond at Alta Colina
Located smack dab in between San Francisco and Los Angeles—and, for the matter, right in the heart of a gorgeous vineyard and winery estate—The Trailer Pond feels less like a campsite and more like the ultimate wine country escape. More specifically, The Trailer Pond offers five beautifully renovated 1950s and 60s vintage trailers that are fully equipped with antique ice boxes, coffee makers, dining nooks, and full-size beds with luxury linens.
Yes, you will have access to proper showers nearby, and you’ll have access to a dock on the lake where you can sit back, relax, sip some Rhône-style Alta Colina wine, and enjoy the wonderful views. Even better, The Trailer Pond places you in Paso Robles’ Adelaida District, where you will find plenty more highly acclaimed local wineries, and you’re a short drive away from additional tasting rooms, restaurants, and boutiques in town.
2825 Adelaida Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446
206 miles from Los Angeles
Cuyama Oaks Ranch
Whether you want to “raise your glasses high” like your favorite Bravolebrities, or you like the idea of spending a blissful weekend in the country with no TVs in sight, Cuyama Oaks Ranch has you covered. Run by local couple Ricky and Nate near the foot of the Los Padres Mountains, Cuyama Oaks Ranch might have gotten a surge of interest thanks to its cameo on Vanderpump Rules (Season 10, Episode 13), but it’s still a working animal farm with plenty of cute critters (think goats, pigs, and ducks) on site and no reality TV hijinks to speak of.
Sadly, the ranch was damaged by a 2023 fire, but Ricky and Nate moved quickly to rebuild and reopen. Now, you can once again reserve your own yurt that’s fully equipped with memory foam mattresses, a mini fridge, a cooler, a coffee bar, a hot shower space, gas grills with propane, and even a 1000-watt battery with solar panels. Cuyama Oaks Ranch really does provide everything you need to go glamping near Los Angeles, and a visit to the petting zoo really will make you feel better after a crazy work week in the city.
1900 Wasoja Road, New Cuyama, CA 93254
130 miles from Los Angeles
El Capitan Canyon
Bravo fans might also recognize El Capitan Canyon: This is where several cast members of The Real Housewives of Orange County (Season 7, Episode 10) came for their own Santa Barbara glamping weekend. Hopefully, no one in your friend group will complain about the lack of hotel-like amenities on site. Despite the eye roll-worthy complaints some of the Housewives made back then, El Capitan Canyon really does provide all sorts of goodies that will make your own glamping getaway feel oh-so cozy and comfy.
If you opt for a yurt, you won’t get any mere tent. Rather, you’ll get a canvas walled and wood lattice framed bungalow with a domed skylight, a queen-sized bed, a twin daybed with a twin trundle, and even in-room electricity to ensure your in-room refrigerator, microwave, ceiling fan, and space heater all work perfectly. Meanwhile, if you upgrade to a cedar cabin, you’ll get all the yurt-level amenities plus extra beds and private bathrooms with showers. Wherever you stay, you’ll get access to El Capitan’s 350 acres of historic oak and sycamore forest, along with easy access to the nearby beach.
11560 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
110 miles from Los Angeles
The Historic District at Crystal Cove State Park
Now that we’ve discussed The Real Housewives of Orange County, let’s head to the real historic charm that you can only find at Orange County’s Crystal Cove State Park. Nestled by the beach is a collection of cottages—built during the 1930s, 40s, and 50s—that evoke a bygone era of simple beachside beauty and easy coastal living. At the Historic District, you can stay at one of these cottages at a fraction of the cost of one of the nearby luxury resorts, and you’ll enjoy perhaps the finest Southern California glamping experience that’s available.
The Historic District cottages offer dorm-style setups with living areas, kitchens or kitchenettes, fully functioning bathrooms, and classic beach house style furniture throughout. Of course, you’ll also be steps away from one of OC’s most beautiful beaches. You can also easily walk to additional historic landmarks, such as the Beaches Cottage where several movies were filmed (including the classic 1988 film Beaches starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey). And whenever you can use some refreshment, The Beachcomber restaurant is open all day.
(Note: The Crystal Cove cottages are perennially popular—They book up fast, and they’re sold out far more often than they’re not. As soon as you know you want to do a glamping trip here, go to ReserveCalifornia.com and see what’s available.)
35 Crystal Cove, Newport Beach, CA 92657
59 miles from Los Angeles
The Holidays at San Clemente State Beach
When you feel like the ultimate coastal escape, you can head down to San Clemente and enjoy the easy, breezy life of this “Spanish Village by the Sea” at the southernmost tip of Orange County. When you feel like extending your time at the beach, you can book a camper trailer at The Holidays and make your own holiday weekend at San Clemente State Beach.
Whether you prefer a lo-fi kind of weekend at OC’s chillest beach, or you need a local alternative because Crystal Cove is all sold out (see above), head on down to The Holidays and discover trailers that are fully equipped with electricity thanks to solar power and propane, plus you’ll get running water, bedding, towels, cookware, fridges, stoves, and percolators (for coffee). In addition, The Holidays has bathrooms and shower stations set aside just for guests, and they even have a collection of games, beach toys, and boogie boards available for your use. Basically, The Holidays has all you need for luxury camping near LA.
225 Avenida Calafia, San Clemente, CA 92676
74 miles from Los Angeles
San Diego Zoo Safari Park Roar & Snore
San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park is the ultimate paradise for animal lovers. While there’s no real substitute for a proper African safari, this is as close as you can get to a safari experience in Southern California. And when you want to spend some extra time with the animals at the park, the Safari Park’s Roar & Snore sleepover package lets you get as close as you can to the animals with an extra special overnight stay that lets you feel like you have the entire park to yourself (and the animals, of course).
San Diego Zoo offers kid-friendly and adults-only Roar & Snore packages at the Safari Park, so it’s up to you whether or not this becomes a family affair. Also, you can choose from basic packages with classic camping tents, or a full glamping experience with a deluxe tent, wood floors, a queen-size bed (plus two cots), linens and pillows, in-tent electricity, and extra storage. In addition, you can opt to enhance your glamping sleepover with extra wildlife viewings, nighttime activities, and even a “flight” on the park’s zipline!
15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027
120 miles from Los Angeles
Where Should You Go Glamping Near Los Angeles? Well, That’s for You to Decide.
Do you prefer a classic cottage by the sea, or a blinged-out tent at the (San Diego Zoo) Safari Park? Do you want to spend a relaxing weekend at a working winery, or do you want to sleep in the forest at the heart of California’s most iconic stretch of coastline? However you want to go glamping near Los Angeles, you have plenty of options up and down Pacific Coast Highway, as well as additional options inland. Better yet, you can enjoy everything you like about camping without sacrificing the amenities you know you can’t live without.
We hope this guide gives you plenty of ideas to create your own ideal glamping trip near Los Angeles.
