The Top Kid-friendly Glamping Sites in
Northern California
Over the past several year, glamping has become a big trend in family, outdoor travel.
Luckily, many Northern California glamping sites offer outdoor-loving families the perfect accommodations to enjoy outdoorsy fun without sacrificing the subtle luxuries of life.
In this post we’ll explore 4 of the best, Northern California glamping sites that are perfect for busy families looking to escape the daily grind and monotony. These outdoor vacation destinations are meant to provide hassle-free, outdoor fun for the entire family.
Stick around to the end for a must-have packing list that’ll make planning your next family glamping trip a breeze.
What is glamping?
While many families absolutely love roughing it in the great outdoors, for many other busy families, all the work that goes behind traditional camping isn’t worth the time and money. Because of this, by 2014, glamping started gaining a lot of popularity in the United States.
When people started discovering that glamping was the perfect way to immerse one’s self in the beauty of nature and outdoor fun without having to give up basic luxuries, glamping sites around Northern California started popping up like crazy.
Where did glamping originate?
The current vacation trend of glamping first originated in the United Kingdom in 2005. Then, as soon as it started gaining popularity around the world, the word “glamping” was added to the Oxford dictionary in 2016.
Why is glamping so popular now?
There’s no denying that traditional camping is a great way to get back in touch with nature and outdoor activities. However, let’s be honest. For many young families, having to pack, unload, and set up all the gear necessary for a traditional camping trip can often times be very cumbersome.
This is why glamping has become so popular. Glamping is the perfect blend of the great outdoors and hassle-free accommodations.
Where are the best kid-friendly glamping sites in Northern California?
To help you narrow down all the choices for your next glamping adventure, here are 4 of some of the best family-friendly glamping sites in Northern California.
Autocamp: Yosemite
6323 CA-140
Midpines, Californi 95345
Where is Autocamp: Yosemite?
Autocamp: Yosemite is a luxurious glamping site located in a town called Midpines, California. Midpines is situated about 175 miles southeast of San Francisco, which would take roughly 3 hours to drive from the city center.
This particular Autocamp loction is about 40 miles west of Yosemite Valley. Getting to Yosemite from this glamping site, would require about an hour drive.
What makes Autocamp Grove good for families?
Airstreams & Tents
- Spacious tents and Airstreams can sleep up to 4 people. They’re Perfect for smaller families!
- All linen and bedding is included.
- The campground is equipped with electricity and wifi.
- Airstreams have heaters for cold weather, and air conditions for warmer months.
- Tents are equipped with electric blankets and space heaters/fans.
- Free wifi throughout the gamping site.
Bath House
- Community bath houses are maintained very well regularly.
- All Airstreams have their own private bathroom.
Fun & Games
- Located close to Yosemite National Park, which is loaded with family-friendly outdoor activities
- Relaxing hammocks are scattered throughout the campgrounds.
- Swimming pool available on site for select seasons.
- Live music is played many nights.
Food
- Hot coffee and tea is served every morning.
- There is a general store in the glamping site that sells basic grab-and-go foods and drinks.
- If you don’t feel like cooking, the clubhouse at Autocamp also offers heartier meals like chili, breakfast burritos, and lasagna.
Staff
- Very helpful staff and very welcoming
- Staff is often time available to drive you from the parking lot to you glamp site in a golf cart.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Camp: Tower Park Resort
14900 West Highway 21
Lodi, California 95242
Where is Yogi Bear Camp?
Yogi Bear Jellystone Camp: Tower Park Resort is located in the small town of Lodi in Northern California. Lodi is situated 79 miles east of San Francisco. If you were to drive to is particular glamping site from the downtown San Francisco, it would take you roughly an hour and a half to get there.
What makes Yogi Bear’s Camp good for families?
Cabins (there are also options to bring your own tent and RV)
- Spacious cabins that can sleep 4 to 8 people. It’s great for larger families.
- All linen and bedding are NOT included but you can rent them from the camp to make packing easier.
- The campground is equipped with electricity.
- Cabins are equipped with air conditioning and heating
- Each cabin has it’s own patio and picnic table.
Bathrooms
- All cabins have their own bathrooms with showers.
- Bathrooms are usually stocked with toilet paper and facial tissues
Fun & Games
- This particular glamping site all about the kids!
- The water play area includes, water slides, a lazy river, and swimming pools.
- There is a fun miniature golf course inside the site.
- The huge jumping pillow is always huge hit.
- This site is also offer plenty of opportunities for art & crafts, outdoor sports, and special holiday events.
Food
- Each campsite and cabin comes with a BBQ grill for cooking.
- There is a general store where you can get basic groceries and snacks.
- Waterfront Grille serves basic American-style food.
- Pic-a-nic Baskit is a food truck that serves up food for hungry campers.
Staff
- The campsite staff is always available at the registration station and restaurants.
- Site staff also come around regularly to patrol the grounds and keep campers safe.
Mendocino Grove
Where is Mendocino Grove?
Mendocino Grove is a hip little glamping site located in Mendocino, a coastal town located about 130 miles north of San Francisco. If traveling by car, it would take about 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive there.
What makes Mendocino Grove good for families?
Tents
- Spacious tents can sleep up to 6 people. They’re Perfect for families!
- All linen and bedding is included, which mean less packing required.
- The campground is equipped with electricity and wifi.
Bath House
- The bath houses are very clean, so there’s no need to worry about germy showers.
- There are oversized shower stalls that provide plenty of space for parents and young children to clean up together.
Fun & Games
- Bocce ball and horseshoe courts are available during the day.
- S’more kits are available for purchase.
- Plenty of great, kid-friendly hiking loops.
- Close to Big River where kids can splash while parents relax.
- Relaxing hammocks are scattered throughout the campgrounds.
Food
- Hot coffee, tea, hot cocoa and breakfast is served every morning.
- BBQ grills are available throughout the camp grounds, so no need to start a fire if you don’t want to.
- Close to town, where families can souvenir shop and grab food if you don’t feel like cooking.
Staff
- Safe camp grounds. There always seemed to be staff patrolling.
- Super friendly and helpful staff. Great customer service!
- They even offer a campfire valet if you need help starting your campfire.
Safari West
Santa Rosa, California 95404
Where is Safari?
Safari West is a safari and glamping site located in Santa Rosa, a Northern California city known for its wineries. Santa Rosa situated about 55 miles north of San Francisco, which would be about a 1 hour drive from the city.
What makes Mendocino Grove good for families?
Tents
- Canvas tents that sleep anywhere between 2 and 6 people.
- All linen and bedding is included. No need to pack these for your overnight
- The campground is equipped with electricity.
- Each tent comes with a set of small flashlights for exploring at night.
- Tent’s also come with a cooler and ice to store any perishable snacks and drinks.
- Electric heaters are provided in each tent.
Bathrooms
- Each tent has it’s own private bathroom with shower. No sharing with strangers!
- Bathrooms come with complimentary toiletries and towels.
Fun & Games
- Nightly s’more-making by the community camp fire.
- Small, on-site zoo where kids can get up-close looks at the site’s smaller animals.
- There is a bigger enclosure for the larger animals for kids to enjoy
- Jeep safari!
Food
- Your over-night stay at Safari West comes with a free continental breakfast.
- The Savannah Cafe is the only dining option at this glamping site and serves up delicious barbecue, side dishes, and desserts.
Staff
- Super friendly and helpful staff. Top notch customer service.
- Staff members drive from the parking lot to your tent, so theres no need to lug heavy luggage around.
Family Glamping: What to Pack
Planning and packing for a glamping adventure can be overwhelming if you’ve never gone glamping before. Here is a general list of items your family will need on you next glamping adventure.
Since each glamping site is unique and offers different services and amenities, it’s a good idea to contact your site to clarify what will be included in your stay, and what you’ll have to pack along with you to make your stay truly enjoyable.
* items that are possibly complimentary at your glamping destination.
CLOTHING (will depend on location and weather.)
- Comfortable tops (short & long sleeves, tank tops)
- Comfortable bottoms (shorts, jeans, leggings, sweatpants)
- Socks
- Undergarments
- Outerwear
- Shoes for hiking and activities
- Shoes/sandals that are easy to slip on and off
- Hat
- Swim suits
- Pajamas
- Sweatshirts or sweaters
- Sunglasses
TOILETRIES
* shampoo
*conditioner
* bodywash/soap
- lotion
- sun screen
- insect repelent
- lip balm
- hair brush/comb
- hair ties/bands
- toothpaste
- toothbrush
FOOD
* Breakfast
* Coffee, tea, and/or hot cocoa
- Campfire meals
- snacks
- water
- other drinks (soda, juice, wine, beer)
- ice
COOKING
* dish ware and flatware
* basic cooking and eating utensils
* cooler
- Scissors
- Napkins/paper towels
- Bottle openers and can openers
- Food storage containers
- aluminum foil
- Serving trays
- oven mits
ENTERTAINMENT
- bluetooth speaker
- card games
- books/magazines
- coloring books
OTHER NECESSITIES
* pillows & pillowcases
* bed sheets
* bankets
* towels
* flashlights/headlamps/lanterns
- device chargers
- batteries
- first aid kit
- medications
- matches or lighter
Regardless of where you decided to take your family glamping, it’s sure to be a truly memorable experience that you and your kids will be talking about for years. These aforementioned glamping sites offer amazing opportunities for families to experience the beauty of nature and exhilarating outdoor activities without the hassle of packing up the entire house.
All you need to do is show up with basics, then enjoy the great customer service, accommodations, and family memories.
For more amazing, kid-friendly, Northern California adventures, check out these related posts.
