The trendy way to camp your kids will love.
I'll admit it, I'm high maintenance. I like being clean and doing my hair is quite the ordeal. That said, camping was never my favorite. Enter my husband. He quickly taught me the beauty of glamping (glamorous camping) - you get to spend time outdoors at scenic spots, but still enjoy the luxuries of sleeping inside with your own personal kitchen and bathroom.
When we were dating, Damon bought a small starter travel trailer and oh the adventures we had. When my stepson grew taller and no longer fit on the scissor couch, we upgraded to a medium size trailer with a slide out. When we became a family of 4, we upgraded once again to a 5th wheel with 3 slide outs. Now we're (hopefully) set for a long time!
During the height of the pandemic, glamping became quite the trendy way to travel. In fact, trailer accidents increased during that time due to people not having experience towing! It was a way to stay safe from COVID-19 in your own "home on wheels", while still getting out of the house and visiting beautiful places.
From relaxing with a glass of rose, to kids riding their bikes from site to site, to roasting s'mores around the campfire, glamping holds a special place in my heart. The experience varies depending on where you stay, but most RV resorts have fun things for kids to do. And most people who glamp are friendly, adding to the fun camaraderie vibe. Here are some of our favorite CA spots:
Big Bear Shores RV Resort: We always go in fall to enjoy the warm days and cold nights. You can rent a boat on scenic Big Bear Lake, explore the cute downtown area, take the kiddos to Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain (a small amusement park), and if you visit in October, they have a fun annual family friendly Oktoberfest event! (Trailer must be at least 26 feet long to stay here.)
Carmel By the River RV Park: If you need to get away to destress, this is the destination for you! Quaint and toad-themed, this resort is sleepy and surrounded by nature. Enjoy the gorgeous coast and cute downtown area. Just minutes from Monterey, it's fun to take the kids to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Flying Flags Buellton (Santa Ynez Valley): With a kids' pool and splash pad, playground, live music, yummy eats, and cute shop on site, we frequent this RV resort. It's in wine country so we always fit in a few wine tastings. And it's super close to Solvang, a cute Danish town with restaurants, bakeries and shops. Don't forget to visit the neighboring Ostrich Farm! (This resort has cute cabin, tent and Airstream rentals available if you don't have a trailer.)
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort: This popular summer destination is right on the bay. With a playground on the beach and an inflatable waterpark for the kids, and an outdoor bar for the grownups, it's a nice way to relax in the sunshine. They have a grill with tasty food for lunch and rentals to make the most of your time in the water (paddleboards, pedal boats, kayaks, etc.). The spots here tend to be smaller and pricier than most other resorts though.
Pismo Coast Village RV Resort: We happened to visit on a rainy weekend, so the beach offered stunning views, but was quite cold. With an arcade the kids spent hours at, we still had a great time here. Close to outlet stores, you'll spend money you don't have. But a little retail therapy never hurt nobody, right?
Ventura Beach RV Resort: The guests here know how to party! Enjoy the lively atmosphere and great weather. Just a short walk to the beach, this resort has a pool, food trucks, outdoor movies and a well-stocked store. So many kids here, it's easy for your little loves to make new friends for the weekend. And this is one of the few places that allows tent camping too. Unfortunately flooded by the recent rain, it's closed for several months. Definitely looking forward to its reopening!
Wine County RV Resort (Paso Robles): I recommend this one for adults only. Enjoy the outdoor bar/lounge that serves amazing local wines while you watch the stunning sunset. Paso is a wino's dream destination, and it doesn't disappoint. (Nice cabin rentals available too.)
I'm excited to soon visit Flying Flags Availa Beach where every RV spot has an ocean view! With beach access, cabins to rent, an on-site cafe and being a short drive to San Luis Obispo, I'm very much looking forward to exploring this newly opened resort.
If you're a fellow glamper, please share your recommendations on where to stay in the comments!
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