Itinerary: Experience a Glamping Getaway

Autocamp Russian River, Guerneville

At this gorgeous modern “campground,” you can choose a custom-designed Airstream trailer with its iconic “silver bullet” shape or a spacious canvas tent with a plush interior among the redwoods in the Russian River town of Guerneville. Meander the winding pathways on this unique property, play lawn games, or relax in the midcentury-modern clubhouse. Use the s’mores kit to create campfire memories.

Not far away, you’ll find Porter-Bass Winery, where owner Luke Bass crafts highly acclaimed small-batch wines. The winery and cellar are built into the earth, and the outdoor tasting bar is a slab of wood resting on barrels with breathtaking vineyard and forest views.

Stroll under towering trees at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, or fly through a redwood canopy on ziplines at Sonoma Zipline Adventures. Then, hop onto one of Autocamp’s fleet of bicycles and pedal through town, discovering the shops and restaurants along Main Street. If you’re feeling ambitious, explore the West County Trail, a paved pathway from Forestville to Sebastopol.

boon hotel + spa, Guerneville

In addition to former miners’ cabins converted into modern accommodations by founder Christa Luedtke, this unique place offers deluxe platform tents with comfy beds and linens from Memorial Day to the end of October, plus a vintage “lovebug” camper that’s available year-round. Glamping options here can include a terrific breakfast.

Luedtke is also the chef at her modern California bistro, boon eat + drink. (Her “boon” businesses are named after her dog.) This urban-chic restaurant has two dozen seats and seasonal menus featuring local ingredients.

Paddle leisurely down the Russian River on a 10-mile self-guided canoe or kayak trip with Burke’s Canoe Trips, or take to the river on a standup paddleboard from SUP Odyssey. Alternatively, splash and play at Johnson’s Beach, a favorite family summertime destination for more than 100 years.

Casini Ranch Family Campground, Duncans Mills

Stretching for a mile along the Russian River into gentle hills and only four miles from the Pacific Ocean, Casini Ranch is a family-pleasing campground. Activities include free outdoor movies, beach bonfires, duck feedings, guided hikes, watercraft rentals, summer ice cream socials, a historic barn, and hayrides.

Though it mostly caters to tent and RV campers, Casini Ranch has a few cabins that sleep four and include a picnic table, fire pit, and BBQ. The cabins do not have electricity, heat, or water, but the full shelter and comfortable beds are a big step up.

Wildhaven Sonoma, Healdsburg

Located in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country, Wildhaven Sonoma features an elevated camping experience. Kick back on the front deck of the extra-large, safari-style tent cabins, or dip your toes in the Russian River, which it borders. Or, rent a bicycle and take a self-guided wine tour of the Alexander Valley.

Wildhaven has a number of glamping tents throughout the 6-acre property, each outfitted with cozy beds and all the amenities for a camping getaway without the work.

Cloverdale Wine Country KOA Camping Resort, Cloverdale

Surrounded by amazing panoramic views, this camping resort in Sonoma Wine Country offers luxury and deluxe lodges with central heating and air conditioning.

Enjoy the views of the Alexander Valley from the front deck. You’ll have a large fire pit/barbecue, a fully equipped kitchen, and spacious surroundings. Bring linens or purchase a linen package for your stay.

Safari West Wildlife Preserve & African Tent Camp, Santa Rosa

Experience the Sonoma Serengeti at this 400-acre preserve that’s home to more than 800 exotic animals —zebras, cheetahs, antelopes, giraffes, wildebeests, and more. Ride in an open-air vehicle to watch animals socialize, eat, and play. Dine in the onsite Savannah Café and sleep in luxury as owners Peter and Nancy Lang imported the park’s elegantly appointed safari tents from Africa.

Pale green canvas walls enclose plush beds, hot showers, polished wood floors, gleaming copper basins in private bathrooms, and hand-hewn furniture. About 700 animals reside in this wildlife preserve with conditions close to their natural African habitat.

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, Kenwood

Sleep in a fully-furnished luxury canvas tent at night and, on clear days, view portions of the San Francisco Bay Area and the Sierra Nevada.

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is a 2,700-acre park in the Mayacamas Mountains, with 25 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding (some trails are open to mountain bikers). Here, you’ll find Sonoma Creek, where trout fishing is good in late spring and early summer.

Don’t miss the Robert Ferguson Observatory, which is open for select public events for truly special stargazing and solar viewing.

Metro Hotel & Café, Petaluma

Get that retro road-trip feeling at this 15-room boutique hotel with eclectic French charm in a 140-year-old building near Petaluma’s historic downtown. The Metro offers two Airstream trailers on its property, the 22-foot Airstream Bambi and the 28-foot Airstream Honeymoon Suite, both with maid service and complimentary organic coffee and crepes in the morning.

San Francisco North/Petaluma KOA Campground, Petaluma

Consistently rated one of the nation’s best camping and RV parks, Petaluma KOA campground is situated on 70 rural acres and offers deluxe cabins and lodges in addition to pine-covered tent and RV sites, each with a fire ring and picnic table, cable and WiFi.

There is plenty for the whole family to do, with bike rentals, a hot tub/sauna, a swimming pool with cabanas, a waterslide, an off-leash dog park, a bocce ball court, horseshoe pits, a bounce pillow, rock wall climbing, ring toss, basketball courts, petting farm, hayrides, outdoor movies, a farm-themed playground, and Friday karaoke. Guided tour options to San Francisco and Sonoma Wine Country are available to purchase.