Tenaya Lodge Explorer Cabins—Yosemite

Tenaya Lodge is elevating the Yosemite experience this summer with the debut of the Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge. The picturesque cabin development will offer guests a unique Yosemite “cabineering” experience that combines the refined comforts of a modern cabin, personalized service and the perks of a full-service resort—all in a pristine mountain setting. At 650 square feet, the “mountain modern” cabins sleep up to six guests and include a living room, kitchen area, two bedrooms and a private deck from which to unwind after a day of adventure. The family cabins, outfitted with bunk beds in the second bedroom, are nestled in the interior areas and grouped for easy socialization and community gathering. All cabins have access to the clubhouse, daily breakfast and on-site activities. Kids will especially love the Kids Adventure Course, archery, flashlight hikes and mountain bikes available for rent. Read our Yosemite guide here. 

1122 Highway 41
PO Box 159
Fish Camp, CA
Online: tenayalodge.com

COVID-19 Update: Tenaya Lodge will be opening for the season on June 5. You can read their COIVD-19 response here. 

Greenhorn Ranch—Quincy

Part glamping adventure and part cowboy getaway, Greenhorn Ranch offers the best of both worlds to families who come back year after year (and once you experience it, you'll know why). Horseback riding gets center stage at this ranch in the Lost Sierra that's just four hours from the Bay Area. Your all-inclusive stay comes with twice daily horseback rides and three meals of family-style dining so that all you have to do is relax and enjoy the view. Saturday night BBQs are a highlight so make sure you book your stay over the weekend. Families will love the rustic elegance of the creekside cabins that will sleep up to six people. 

2116 Greenhorn Ranch Rd.
Quincy, CA
Online: greenhornranch.com

COVID-19 Update: Open for visitors beginning June 1. 

Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday—Watsonville

If you have never brought the kids to a KOA for camping then you are in for a real treat. This spot near Manresa State Beach and the Santa Cruz Boardwalk offers Deluxe Cabins with bunk beds or a sleeping loft for the kids and brand-new Glamping Cabins that are perfect for a romantic getaway. Just in time for summer, the Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday underwent a renovation of its activity park that includes an outdoor ping pong table, climbing statues, KOA jumping pillow and a new pool.

Perhaps the best part of a KOA is that there are loads of activities for kids that are hosted by on-site counselors (translation: parents can relax). Ride the KOA Express Fun Train around the property, get strapped in to climb the coconut palm trees, watch movies under the stars and enjoy s'mores without the cleanup! Weekends bring extra fun with pancake breakfasts, giga balls and more.

1186 San Andreas Road
Watsonville, CA
Online: koa.com

COVID-19 Update: As of 5/31, this KOA is closed except for essential travelers, first responders and traveling nurses. Check the website for updates. 

AutoCamp Yosemite—Midpines

AutoCamp welcomes guests to their new Yosemite property that's perfect for families. Nestled on 35 acres in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Yosemite property features 80 deluxe Airstream trailers as well as 15 luxury tents and three cabins. Airstreams can accommodate up to two adults and two kids (queen bed + pull-out sofa) and the cabins sleep up to five. After a day of hiking, relax by the on-site (heated!) pool or canoe in the freshwater pond. Nights will definitely be spent roasting s'mores around the fire pit and making new friends.

Stargazing events and nature talks among other programming are available. YARTS shuttle service will take you from the property into Yosemite so that you don't have to worry about jockeying for a parking spot. Grab a complimentary cup of tea or coffee before you set out. Forgot something? Head to the AutoCamp Shop for all the essentials. 

6323 CA-140
Midpines, CA
Online: autocamp.com

COVID-19 Update: AutoCamp is currently closed. Check the website for updates. 

Railroad Park Resort—Dunsmuir

Railfans, this is the spot for you! Head north to Siskiyou County and 45 minutes past Redding will get you to Railroad Park Resort where you can glamp in the utmost style. Here families bed down in vintage railroad cabooses that sleep up to five people. You'll have a fridge, full bathroom, WiFi and microwave as well as on-site pool, restaurant (serving breakfast and dinner in a rail car!) and a creek for exploring. They also have an RV and campground with access to the pool. The nearby area is full of waterfalls, fishing spots and lakes for boating. The perfect family getaway awaits! 

100 Railroad Park Road
Dunsmuir, CA
Online: rrpark.com

COVID-19 Update: Railroad Park is currently open and accepting reservations. The dining room is closed. See their updates here. 

Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort—Mt. Shasta City

You'll definitely want to bring along some other families when you plan your summer nights at Lake Siskiyou. This idyllic spot will bring you back to your summer camp days with movies by the lake, a sandy beach with gorgeous mountain scenery and even an arcade for when you need a little veg out time. You can bring your RV or pop up a tent in one of the camping sites or glamp out at a cabin lakeside. Cabins come with fire rings for s'mores and kitchens for cooking. You can also dine at the on-site restaurant that serves pizza and other kid-friendly fare. Kids will especially love their time spent in the splash zone—the inflatable water park that offers slides, trampolines and hours of entertainment. 

4239 W. A. Barr Rd.
Mt. Shasta City, CA
Online: lakesiskiyouresort.com

COVID-19 Update: Lake Siskiyou Resort is open to essential travel, RVs and cabins as of 5/31. Tent sites and public amenities are closed. Check the website for current updates. 

Point Arena Lighthouse—Point Arena

For a truly coastal experience, you can stay right at the Point Arena Lighthouse in one of their six vacation cottages. Three of them comfortably sleep six people with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. They come with a well-equipped kitchen, satellite TV, wood-burning fireplace and the most gorgeous coastal views. Wake up to hear the waves crashing against the rocks and spend your days exploring the 23 acres of land adjacent to the lighthouse. One of the three family suites was recently updated to include a gourmet chef’s kitchen, custom tiled baths and unique artwork.

All lighthouse quarters include unlimited visits to the museum and climbs up the lighthouse tower (a sure-fire way to tire out the kiddos). You will also enjoy a welcome bottle of Husch Vineyards wine and chocolates from Mendocino Chocolate Company upon arrival. Check for seasonal specials to grab yourself a free night or bucks to use at the lighthouse gift shop. Bonus: you can feel good knowing you are supporting this non-profit in its goal of keeping the light on for visitors for generations to come. Check the calendar for the next Night Tour for an extra-fun adventure!

4550 Lighthouse Road
Point Arena, CA
Online: pointarenalighthouse.com

COVID-19 Update: The Point Arena Lighthouse is currently closed to reservations through June 30. Reservations beyond this date are being accepted. Check the website for updates. 

Mendocino Grove—Mendocino

Mendocino Grove is a newcomer to the glamping scene and they know how to do it right. With 60 fully-outfitted tents with lavish beds, your family will not want to leave once you have arrived. Kids can spend the days enjoying the nearby hiking trails and on-site amenities like cornhole, bocce ball and other games. Campfires and gas barbecues make cooking easy. You can even rent cooking equipment so you don't have to lug your pans with you. Luxurious bathrooms and hot water stations make this a no-brainer for families. Relax on a hammock and enjoy the fresh air. At Mendocino Grove, it's R 'n R at its finest. Read all our Mendocino recs here. 

9601 California Route 1
Mendocino, CA
Online: mendocinogrove.com

COVID-19 Update: 2020 opening has been delayed. Reservations are being accepted for future dates. See website for updates. 

Flying Flags RV Resort and Campground—Buellton

Head south on the 101 and just past San Luis Obispo you'll be in the Santa Ynez Valley, a picturesque spot to plan a weekend getaway. Flying Flags RV Resort and Campground takes glamping to a whole other level with swimming pools, splash park, playground, on-site restaurant, WiFi and even a dog park for Fido. The family-friendly cottages with loft sleep up to six people and include a full kitchen so that you don't have to eat out for every meal. The property also has safari tents, Airstreams and cabins, as well as tent and RV camping spots. Nearby attractions include OstrichLand, wine tasting galore and the adorable town of Solvang. Get more tips for what to do in the Santa Ynez Valley here. 

180 Avenue of the Flags
Buellton, CA
Online: highwaywestvacations.com

COVID-19 Update: As of 5/31, Flying Flags is currently closed. Check the website for updates. 

Safari West—Santa Rosa

Come to Santa Rosa for the exotic animals and stay for the one-of-a-kind overnight glamping experience at the Safari West wildlife preserve. The heavy canvas tents—imported from Africa—hardwood floors (albeit polished), and the sounds of wildlife give the feel of camping, while heaters and ceiling fans provide home comforts. While the luxurious bedding is nice, the highlight of the experience for all ages are the more than 800 animals that roam these acres. (Note that the tents are separated from the wildlife for safety reasons.) The on-site Savanna Grill offers indoor and outdoor dining and wines from area vines, as well as Africa.

3115 Porter Creek Rd
Santa Rosa, CA
707-579-2551
Online: safariwest.com

COVID-19 Update: Safari West is currently closed. Check the website for updates. 

Drakesbad Guest Ranch—Chester

Since 1900, guests have made their way to Drakesbad Guest Ranch for some time in nature. Drakesbad's prime location in Lassen Volcanic National Park is only five hours from the Bay Area but a million miles away from the craziness of everyday life. The property offers cabins and bungalows that are perfect for families and all have amazing views of the nearby mountains. There are horses to ride, swings for relaxing, a hot spring-fed pool and nightly campfires. All rooms come with three meals served at the dining hall so you don't have to worry about cooking for the kids. If you are going to be hiking to Boiling Springs Lake to see the bubbling mud pots, you can opt to take a sack lunch with you. Read our full review here. 

Drakesbad Guest Ranch
14423 Chester Warner Valley Rd., Chester, CA
Online: drakesbad.com

COVID-19 Update: Drakesbad is currently closed. Check the website for updates. 

Oz Farm—Point Arena

This off-the-grid spot on the Mendocino Coast offers tranquility like you've never had before. Cabins, yurts and even geodesic domes are scattered around the property to give you privacy and also offer the option of gathering together with multiple families. Some offer kitchenettes for cooking and most are just a short walk to the river. Included in a cabin rental is access to the community house, which is a shared kitchen, living space and bath house for all Oz Farm guests. This working farm also offers a variety of seasonal produce. Request a box for $20 and it will be awaiting your arrival on the farm. Pack light as you'll need to walk a short distance from your car to your residence. Read all our Mendocino recs here. 

Directions here
Point Arena, CA
Online: ozfarm.com

COVID-19 Update: Currently closed to glampers. 

Windsong Guest Yurt—Point Reyes Station

This secluded glamping spot in Point Reyes Station comes with a California king bed and pull-out couch, full kitchen, a wood burning stove and electric heat, and Wi-Fi. With the gorgeous views, abundant nature and nearby attractions, you won't even notice the cable TV. Start your day right with your complimentary welcome basket filled with fruit, muffins and eggs before hiking around Point Reyes National Seashore. At night after the kiddos are off in dreamland, you can stargaze from the hot tub in your private garden. There is a two-night minimum stay, although one night weekday stays can be arranged for special occasions. This place books fast, so check their calendar in advance. If the yurt is booked, ask about the guest house on the same four-acre site. 

25 McDonald Lane
Point Reyes Station, CA
Online: windsongcottage.com

COVID-19 Update: Currently open. 

Rob Hill Campground—San Francisco

You will have to sleep on the ground in a tent here (unless you bring your double-decker AirBed), but there is something luxurious about camping in a national park without having to leave San Francisco. Take-out for dinner, anyone? There are two group campsites for up to 30 people available at the Presidio's Rob Hill campground above Baker Beach, with its unparalleled views of the Golden Gate Bridge and stunning sunsets (and moon sets, if you time it right). Each site includes a stand-up grill and a large fire pit that's perfect for s’mores and campfire songs. The campground is open from April through October, and reservations are available on a rolling basis. Weekends are snapped up fast, but there are still weekday sites available for a summer staycation. Rob Hill’s clean and well-lighted bathrooms and city location make it ideal for first-time campers. If you don’t have your own camping supplies, Sports Basement Presidio has tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, camp stoves and more for rent. Read more. 

1475 Central Magazine Road
San Francisco, CA
Online: presidio.gov

COVID-19 Update: Currently closed to campers. 

Costanoa—Pescadero

With words like “spa” and “eco-adventure” in the description, you might think Costanoa was a retreat for grown-ups. And you'd be right, but this place understands that kids need a break from the daily grind, too. They’ve even figured out how adults and kids can find their own bliss simultaneously. Drop your kids in a two-hour nature-themed camp on weekends and Wednesdays (ages 6-12), then check into the spa for a massage, head out on the adjacent trails on bike or horse (rentals of both available on site), or just crawl back in bed with a good book (or iPad: even the tent cabins are equipped with free Wi-Fi). There are many levels of "roughing it" here. Tent cabins are perfect for families of three (double bed and twin), with larger cabins to suit larger families, with kitchenettes and showers. There's also a KOA campground on site, for tent and RVs. Shared Comfort Stations throughout the campground offer clean bathrooms, showers and dry saunas. If ensuite bathrooms are a must, book a room in the lodge. Check their activity schedule for fun family-friendly events, like the open-air live music and BBQ on Saturday nights throughout the summer. Follow that up on Sunday morning with a cooked-for-you breakfast and group yoga and head home refreshed and ready for what the week has in store.

2001 Rossi Road at Hwy 1
Pescadero, CA
650-879-1100
Online: costanoa.com

COVID-19 Update: Lodge, Tent Bungalows, Cabins and RV sites are open at this time. Tent sites are closed. Restaurant is open for to-go orders only. Check website for updates. 

Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel—Pescadero

Overnighting in a hostel may not seem like "glamping" to some, but the Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel does it right. Grab one of the rooms that sleep six and you can bunk together with the kids. The communal kitchen provides ample opportunity to meet other travelers. The on-site hot tub can be reserved for 30 minute increments upon check-in but guests must be at least 7 years old to use it. Walk just north of the hostel and there are some easily-accessible tide pools—perfect for exploring. Swing by downtown Pescadero or Pie Ranch for some tasty grub. Read here for more Pescadero must-stop spots. 

210 Pigeon Point Rd.
Pescadero, CA
Online: norcalhostels.org/pigeon

COVID-19 Update: Currently closed. 

Big Basin Tent Cabins—Boulder Creek

While the tourists still flock en masse to Marin to see the old-growth redwoods, locals know that Big Basin—California's first state park—gives Muir Woods a run for its money in the "Wow!" department. And while Muir Woods is day use only, overnight campers get Big Basin's trees and the 80 miles (!) of trails all to themselves in the "off hours." Their tent cabins are as close to camping you can get without being cold at night, thanks to wood-burning stoves and raised beds with mattress pads. Outside is a traditional camp set-up with a picnic table, fire ring, and space to pitch a tent for older, more adventurous kids. Deluxe Tent Cabins include made beds, bath towels and curtains. Specific cabins can be reserved online up to six months in advance. The well-stocked camp store carries camping supplies, groceries, beer & wine, ice and firewood. Can’t live without your freshly brewed morning espresso? They’ve got that, too. Plus picnic supplies for your afternoon hike (or marathon reading session).

21600 Big Basin Way
Boulder Creek, CA
831-338-4745
Online: bigbasintentcabins.com

COVID-19 Update: Currently closed to campers. 

Fernwood Resort—Big Sur

Big Sur's heavenly mix of forested mountains, rugged coastline and lack of cell service make it the ideal locale for getting away. But even if you wanted to sleep on the ground in a tent, scoring a summer spot in the popular Pfieffer Big Sur State Park can feel like trying to win the lottery. Just up the road, and with access to the same trees and beautiful coastal amentinies, is the Fernwood Resort. Their tent cabins run alongside the Big Sur river, and come with raised beds, picnic tables and fire pits, and access to the camp store and the Fernwood Bar & Grill (which has Wi-Fi), for when you don't feel like grilling. Their Adventure Tents are a step up from the more basic Tent Cabins, and include electric heat and linens. They accommodate only two "glampers," so you'll need to stash the kids with the grandparents for the weekend. Tent and RV sites, cabins and a motel round out the offerings here.

47200 Hwy 1
Big Sur, CA
831-667-2422
Online: fernwoodbigsur.com

COVID-19 Update: Currently closed. Check website for updates. 

Treebones Resort—Big Sur

It's hard to top a stay in one of the fully furnished yurts at Big Sur's Treebones Resort. These circular fabric-covered structures with wood lattice frames offer private decks, breathtaking ocean and mountain vistas and an ideal jumping off point for coastal exploration, on foot or by kayak. The Wild Coast Restaurant and Sushi bar offers fresh, local, organic food. Yurts large enough to host a family are booked well in advance—weekends are especially scarce—so do plan ahead. Also, kids must be over age 6 to stay at Treebones. 

71895 Hwy 1
Big Sur, CA
877-424-4787
Online: treebonesresort.com

COVID-19 Update: Currently closed. Treebones plans to open on June 15. Check website for updates. 

Little Basin—Boulder Creek

This under-the-radar campground right next to Big Basin offers a fun experience for families. While most of the spots are reserved for tents, there are a handful of cabins available. They each sleep eight people (four bunk beds) and have electric head and lighting. A large playground and campfire programs keep the kids busy. Of note, dogs and alcohol are not allowed at Little Basin. Your parking pass allows you admission to Big Basin to take advantage of their programs. 

Little Basin
21700 Little Basin Road
Boulder Creek, CA
Online: littlebasin.org

COVID-19 Update: Currently closed to campers. 

Heartline Ranch—Chiloquin, OR

This spot is a little bit longer of a drive from the Bay Area but it's totally worth it for the family fun factor. Heartline Ranch offers teepee glamping with six teepee sites currently available. You'll be provided sleeping bags and sleeping pads so you don't need to bring those along. Each teepee site includes a picnic table, outdoor fire ring and in-teepee fire rings (for when the nights get cold). Visit the horses on the property and book some trail ride time (ages 8 and up) to see the gorgeous land in this southern Oregon spot. If you are visiting with your own horse, you can reserve one of the tent campsites that come with two horse pens. 

Heartline Ranch is just down the road from Crater Lake National Park, a must-visit spot in the summer. You can also hit Lava Beds National Monument on your way home as it's just over the boarder in CA. 

41837 OR-62
Chiloquin, OR
Online: heartlineranch.com

Camp Navarro—Navarro

Retreat into the Redwoods at Camp Navarro where your whole crew can enjoy bonfires, archery, hammocks, games and water activities on the Navarro River. Camp Navarro is available to be rented out by groups and offers a variety of sleeping accommodations including teepee tents, cabins and Adriondacks (open air cabins). Just 2 1/2 hours north of San Francisco, the gorgeous Anderson Valley home to Camp Navarro welcomes your group to enjoy the outdoors like you never have before. Read all our Mendocino and Anderson Valley recs here. 

901 Masonite Industrial Road
Navarro, CA
Online: campnavarro.com

Loads of Options on Glamping Hub

When searching for the perfect glamping sites to visit with your loved ones, be sure to check out Glamping Hub. With over 1,000 family-friendly accommodations in Northern California, glamping families are sure to find the best spot to spend their next adventure. Some must-visits include this stylish yurt nestled among the Redwoods, perfect for a family of four looking to disconnect in the heart of the forest, or these two stunning tree house cabins for four guests found tucked into the thick of Carmel. From yurts to tree houses, safari tents, and more, you and your family will be sure to have the most unique experience when booking a glamping getaway in California. 

Online: glampinghub.com