Camping is the ultimate getaway for those looking to escape the rigors of daily life and recharge in nature. Some people thrive off sleeping in a tent and cooking over a campfire, while others prefer to experience the great outdoors without forfeiting creature comforts. If you fall in the latter camp, there’s no better weekend getaway than California glamping.
Glamping is a rising trend as of late. If you’re still not privy to it, it’s glamorous camping—and the West Coast is a stellar location for it. Home to 840 miles of coastline, redwood forests, towering mountain ranges, and stark desert landscapes, California glamping is the crème de la crème. Here, we’ve rounded up seven of our favorite glamping experiences in the Golden State.
7 Picturesque California Glamping Destinations for Luxury Campers
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1. El Capitan Canyon
Where: Santa Barbara
Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains, El Capitan Canyon is home to 350 acres of hiking trails. Accommodations in the historic canyon comprise cedar cabins, adventure yurts, and safari tents, so there’s certainly something for everyone. Cedar cabins are available in a variety of sizes and offer an en suite bathroom and kitchenette. Adventure yurts include a queen-sized bed, twin trundle, and basic kitchenette. Safari tents (12’x14’) are furnished with either a queen or two double beds. All sites have a private picnic table and fire pit, perfect for cooking meals or roasting s’mores under the stars.
Aside from hikes, El Capitan Canyon has free cruiser bike rentals, a swimming pool, full-service spa, a market/deli, seasonal wine tasting, and also a summer concert series, making it perfect for families. In addition to canyon activities, a short bike ride will deposit you at El Cap, a famous right-hand surf break.
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2. The Trailer Pond
Where: Paso Robles
Located in the heart of Paso Robles, aka wine country, The Trailer Pond is situated on a 130-acre organic vineyard. The Central Coast gem is home to five vintage trailers, but additional bell tents, Sioux tipis, and trailers can be added to accommodate larger groups. Dating back to the ’50s and ’60s, each trailer is unique and features boutique décor. All include a double bed and a fully equipped kitchen. Although the trailers don’t offer an en suite bathroom, there are two bathhouses onsite, complete with plumbing and a shower.
Upon booking a stay at The Trailer Pond, guests are granted full access to the property. Go hiking, bird watching, stargazing, or have a picnic on the Sundowner Deck. Wine tasting tours, vineyard massages, yoga, and private tastings are also available for an additional fee.
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3. Mendocino Grove
Where: Mendocino
Located on the picturesque northern California coast, Mendocino Grove is a modern camping experience with a variety of luxury safari-style tents, ideal for couples or families. The pet-friendly destination is home to 37 acres of redwood forest overlooking the Pacific Ocean. There are 60 luxury tents situated on wooden platforms. Each boasts a heated bed, down comforters, wool blankets, and cotton linens. Post up around a fire ring or picnic table for drinks under the stars. In contrast to traditional camping, the campground offers comprehensive bathroom facilities complete with hot showers.
Mendocino Grove has a number of communal areas, guided nature hikes, yoga (for a small fee), and a collection of outdoor games, including bocce ball and horseshoes. The property is also a short walk from Mendocino Village for easy access to nearby hiking trails, beaches, and rivers.
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4. Ventana Big Sur
Where: Big Sur
The sea, mountains, and redwoods align at Ventana Big Sur, creating a stunning, tranquil outdoor environment. At Ventana, guests have the option of staying in a guest room at the resort, camping, or glamping. If you go the luxury route, choose to sleep under redwoods or hike into the canyon to glamp. Tents feature a plush bed, heated blankets, electric lamps, handheld lanterns, power outlets, and a s’mores kit. Each campsite also provides instant hot and cold potable water, a wood-burning fire pit with complimentary wood bundles, an ice chest, Adirondack chairs, a picnic table, and a welcome basket (more s’mores, tea, and a cutting board/cheese knife).
Upon booking a glampsite, guests get full access to the resort, which includes a heated pool, infinity-edge hot tub, Japanese hot baths, fitness facility, ocean-view restaurant, and evening happy hour. The dog-friendly adult destination includes daily guided hikes, yoga, and meditation. For those looking for a more unique experience, art classes, foraging hikes, photography workshops, garden tours, and a falconry experience are available for an additional fee.
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5. AutoCamp Yosemite
Where: Midpines
A short drive from world-famous Yosemite National Park, AutoCamp Yosemite is located in Midpines, just outside of the historic town of Mariposa. The largest of all AutoCamp’s properties, opt among converted Airstream trailers, classic cabins, and luxury tents. The modern Airstream is what it’s most famous for: Suites include a queen-sized bed with plush linens, a fully equipped kitchen, flat-screen TV, and a spa-inspired en suite bathroom. There’s also a convertible sofa and private deck with a fire pit and grill.
A family-friendly destination, the property includes a clubhouse, community fire pit, outdoor games, a freshwater pool, and complimentary bikes. Daily YARTS shuttles are available to transport guests to Yosemite National Park, where they can glimpse the towering rock faces and cascading waterfalls.
Kodiak Greenwood
6. Treebones Resort
Where: Big Sur
Located on the southern end of Big Sur, Treebones Resort sits on a hilltop overlooking Highway 1, offering sweeping views of the Pacific. The glamping-specific books a number of different lodging options. One-of-a-kind autonomous tents deliver 500-square-feet of indoor living space: a king size bed with luxurious cotton linens, gas fireplace, en suite bathroom, private deck, and an outdoor fireplace. Yurts have a more boho vibe with comfortable quilt-topped beds and a redwood view deck with Adirondack chairs. The most unique accommodation is something called the human nest (pictured above). The hand-woven structure was built by Big Sur artist Jayson Fann; lounge in a futon or grill something on the outdoor cook station.
The resort welcomes families and provides easy access to neighboring beaches and trails. For guests who wish to stay on the property, there’s a pool/hot tub, yoga, hikes, and massages available for a fee.
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7. Joshua Tree Acres
Where: Joshua Tree
Located just outside the national park, Joshua Tree Acres is a desert oasis. The property is home to four vintage Airstreams, a 1970 vintage Shasta, and an original 1947 home. Of the four vintage Airstreams, two have been fully gutted and remodeled to accommodate modern tastes; the other two sport original styling with a few updates for comfort. Both the Airstreams and the vintage Shasta include a luxurious Casper bed, as well as a private deck, and swinging chairs. The JT Villager is an original 1947 home with retro, modern, and local artistic touches. The one-bedroom home comes with a queen bed, kitchen, and private hot tub.
Communal spaces on the property include a saltwater pool and hot tub. Additionally, there’s a Clubhouse where guests can gather to cook, relax, and listen to vintage vinyl. Joshua Tree National Park is just a short drive away with hiking and rock climbing adventures aplenty.
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There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
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1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
Marius Bugge
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Marius Bugge
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
Marius Bugge
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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