Glamping Takes The Pain Out Of Roughing It

Blue teardrop camping trailer with doors open and view to interior, setup at a campsite surrounded by redwood trees in Humboldt Redwoods State Park in California.
Photo credit Getty Images
For many people, camping was something they did in their youth. If the prospect of hauling a ton of gear and sleeping on the ground, no longer appeals, there is glamping. It's the cross between glamour and camping. We're still talking about the great outdoors but with creature comforts. Kim Wonderley takes a look at a few of California's glamping spots for the Road Report.

Glamping can take on many looks from an Airstream trailer set in the mountains, to a yurt or tent cabin perched on an ocean bluff. And lucky us, California has an abundance of glamping spots.

One of the most popular is the Treebones Resort in Big Sur. Treebones boasts 16 yurts set on redwood platforms that offer a spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean from a coastal bluff. 

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Or consider Costanoa, an eco-friendly resort near Pescadero. Costanoa runs the gamut from tent bungalows, and a KOA campground to rooms in a lodge or private cabins. There's not much roughing it here since Costanoa's lodge features a restaurant and bar. There's also a spa to massage away a day spent hiking, on horseback or kayaking. 

Do you suffer from Airstream envy? Those sleek, silver bullet trailers are a high-ticket item, but renting one that's already set up in a natural setting sounds like a perfect glamping experience. Check Autocamp.com, which has expanded to offering up locations near Yosemite, the Russian River and Santa Barbara. These  are customized Airstreams with spa-styled bathrooms and luxury linens.

Or consider renting or buying your own tiny trailer. Those adorable teardrop trailers are small enough that even a Mini Cooper could pull one, they're sleek and comfortable inside and even sport a pop out kitchen in the rear.  Check out Vacations in a Can in Penngrove to rent or buy your own.