Elena Mallia 
Nestled between California’s Pacific Coast and the Santa Ynez Mountains, the laid-back town of Santa Barbara (known as the American Riviera) has become home to some of the best glamping in the US. So, why not consider it for your next holiday?
In this travel blog, I’ve collected the best glamping Santa Barbara spots (or near Santa Barbara), offering campgrounds with a great location nestled in nature or right on the beach, luxury tents and cabins (forget the sleeping bags!), and access to top amenities.
I am sure you will fall in love with at least one of the Santa Barbara glamping mentioned here, and when that happens, make sure you book your night or tent sites right away or at least some months in advance: these amazing accommodations get booked out incredibly fast!
And now… are you ready to visit all the top glamping options in Santa Barbara with me?
Let’s go!
Contents
Quick Picks for Your Stay
If you don’t have time to explore all the Santa Barbara glamping sites mentioned in the blog, check out this quick list with the top accommodation divided by interest:
- Best luxury glamping – El Capitan Canyon
- Top glamping with great outdoors – Harmony’s Glamping
- Best glamping for couples – Stunning Exclusive Yurt
- Top glamping in Santa Barbara – Rancho Oso RV & Camping
1. Rancho Oso RV & Camping Resort – many glamping options
Situated a short drive from Cold Spring Tavern, the Rancho Oso RV & Camping Resort Ranch offers access to the great outdoors and gives you the widest choice of camping/glamping options, so there’s something literally for every taste here!
You can stay in cottages, cabins, teepees, or glamping tents, or why not consider a covered wagon? For a more comfy stay, choose the cottages or cabins, each one featuring one bathroom, a kitchen, and BBQ grills, while the other accommodations are more basic. On-site, you will also find many cool amenities, like a playground area for kids, a pool table, and a private deck open for all guests – the perfect place for families!
2. Circle Bar B Guest Ranch – for families
If you are looking for a place for a family holiday, the Circle Bar B Guest Ranch is definitely the best option in Santa Barbara, located about 1 hour’s drive from it. This accommodation offers ranch house rooms, cabins, cottages, and full houses, hosting from 4 to 8 guests with a private bathroom, a coffee maker, and a mini-fridge.
Here you and your kids can enjoy countless exciting activities, from horseback riding to exploring the many hiking trails of the area, reading in the private library, splashing in the swimming pool, relaxing in the hot tub, playing in the game room, or stargazing at night. Another plus? They offer guests a delicious dinner on the first night and breakfast on the last day!
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3. Harmony’s Glamping – for the great outdoors
With an incredible location in the beautiful mountains of Santa Barbara and just 20 minutes from the city, this glamping will give you access to the great outdoors and make you forget about the outside world! You can choose to stay in a cozy yurt, a luxury teepee tent, or in a geodome, each one fully equipped with a hot shower, a camp kitchen, a fire pit, and a comfy queen bed.
In your free time, you will hike to a stunning waterfall nearby (make sure you take a refreshing dip once there!), relax in the wood-burning hot tub while listening to the sound of birds singing, do morning yoga classes (which better way of starting your day?), and even get a relaxing and rejuvenating massage.
4. Blue Sky Center – if you have your own vehicle
If you have your own dry camper, Westy, RV, adventure car, or tent camper, and you just want to rent a campground in a beautiful setting, this basecamp is for you, located on 267 acres (108 hectares) in the high desert at about 2 hours from Santa Barbara.
Here you’ll have access to incredible sites like the Sierra Madre mountain range, Los Padres National Forest, and the Carrizo Plain National Monument, so it is perfect if you want to visit the Santa Barbara area. And on-site, you’ll find amenities for any taste, like fire rings where you can socialize with other guests, a picnic table for eating, a large BBQ grill, restrooms, and showers. Definitely a great alternative to glamping!
5. Cuyama Oaks Ranch – for nature near Santa Barbara
With a magical location on 82 acres (33 hectares) of desert with majestic views of the Los Padres Mountains (about 5h drive north from Santa Barbara), this private and secluded ranch is perfect for nature lovers, offering access to huge canyons for hiking, and walking trails all over the valley.
Guests can choose from yurt glamping, rustic ranch glamp camp, and mountain campsites… if you want all the comforts, I suggest you book the rustic ranch glamping, offering a large private deck covered by a canopy, 2 picnic tables, gas, and charcoal grills, a private bathroom and access to a big swimming pool, perfect for soaking on hot days.
6. Cachuma Lake Recreation – for great views
Situated right on the Cachuma Lake, which is one of the best Santa Barbara County public parks, the Cachuma Lake Recreation offers various styles of glamping and camping options, from cabins to yurt glamping and tent sites, all with breathtaking views of the lake while cabins also have a private bathroom and kitchen.
Guests will have access to all the amenities you need during a holiday, like a big swimming pool to chill and splash, a children’s playground where your kids can have fun and make friends, a nature center with many animals, a general store, gas station, and laundromat. And during your free time, go on a lake cruise, or explore the fishing piers and hiking trails nearby!
7. El Capitan Canyon – glamping with top location
With a top location within walking distance to El Capitán State Beach and a short drive from Santa Barbara, El Capitan Canyon glamping sits right between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, and you can see both directly from your accommodation: cedar cabins, safari tents, canvas tents, and adventure yurts.
The property offers activities for any taste, like exploring the many hiking trails in the surrounding area, cycling, joining wine-tasting events at the Canyon Market on-site, and having a delicious BBQ.
PRO TIP: If you’re glamping with the family, choose the yurts, hosting up to 4 people and featuring canvas walls and domed skylight for stargazing.
8. Stunning Exclusive Yurt – a romantic spot in Santa Barbara
Looking for a place to spend a romantic getaway with your special one? Then check out this beautiful and private glamping spot at a short ride from downtown Santa Barbara, with a dreamy location on top of a hill!
Here you will have access to a swimming pool and hot tub, both perfect for sharing some intimate moments while gazing at the beautiful landscapes! And wait to see the yurts where you will stay. They all come with wood floors, a DVD player, a round skylight at the top of the dome, a full kitchen, and a private bathroom. You will feel like you’re camping (hearing the sounds of nature from inside), but with all the comforts and facilities you can get in some boutique hotels in Santa Barbara!
9. Oak & Avo Grotto – pet-friendly glamping in Santa Barbara
Conveniently located at only 15 minutes drive from Santa Barbara, this converted RV is so cozy and will make you feel immediately at home, featuring a king-sized bed, a full kitchen, a seating area, a private shower and bathroom outside.
You will start your day with a morning coffee on your private patio surrounded by green oak trees, spend your days relaxing in the no-chemical hot tub, and share some special moments around the fire pit while gazing at star-filled skies at night! And the best thing is that the accommodation is pet friendly, so you can bring your four-legged friend with you (there’s just a pet fee of US$20 per pet per night).
10. 1974 Airstream on an Organic Ranch – for surfers
If you are a surfer and you want to have easy access to great waves, this charming camper has a great location near Santa Barbara, 5 minutes from the Rincon Point beach, known as the “Queen of the Pacific Coast” for surfing (you’ll have free parking on site!).
The camper is perfect for a stay of 2, hosting a comfy queen-sized bed, a fully equipped kitchen to cook your favorite meals and have them on the large covered deck with a table, a living and sitting area, and a tranquil garden with a small avocado orchard. The accommodation also offers free Wi-Fi, perfect if you are working remotely. What else can you ask for?!
| ⛺ Best Santa Barbara glamping: | The Rancho Oso RV & Camping |
| 👩❤👨 Best glamping for couples: | Stunning Exclusive Yurt |
| 📍 Glamping with top location: | El Capitan Canyon |
| 👀 Glamping with best views: | Oak & Avo Grotto |
| 💵 Avg glamping price: | US$200 |
FAQs about Glamping Santa Barbara, California
🏕️ Which is the best glamping in Santa Barbara, California?
The best glamping in Santa Barbara is El Capitan Canyon, with a great location nestled between el Capitan Beach and Santa Ynez Mountains, offering adventure yurts and cabins, or the 1974 Airstream, perfect for couples, at a short drive from the Rincon Point beach, perfect for surfing.
👩❤👨 What is the best glamping in Santa Barbara, California, for couples?
The best glamping in Santa Barbara for couples is the Stunning Exclusive Yurt, nestled on top of a hill at a short ride from downtown Santa Barbara, or the 1974 Airstream, with a great location a few minutes from the Rincon Point beach, perfect for surfing.
⛺ Which are the best places for glamping in the US?
The best places for glamping in the US are Greenough (Montana), Santa Barbara (California), Dolores (Colorado), Keystone (South Dakota), and Big Sur (California).
👍🏼 Is glamping expensive?
It always depends on which glamping you are staying at, but it is for sure more expensive than camping. Glamping (luxury camping) rentals can cost between US$50 and US$250 per night, and the most luxurious in the world can cost up to US$1,000 per night.
Conclusion
Here we are at the end of this extensive travel guide for the best glamping in and near Santa Barbara, a beautiful city on California’s west coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
We saw accommodation options for any type: yurts, cabins, luxury tents, and campers, all offering access to top amenities and a great location nestled in nature… have you decided where you will stay?
If you’re still not sure about it, check out my 2 absolute favorite glamping sites in Santa Barbara. I hope they will help you with your decision!
- The Rancho Oso RV & Camping Resort – The Rancho Oso RV Ranch offers a great location and many of Santa Barbara’s glamping options, from cabins to cottages and teepees
- El Capitan Canyon – This Santa Barbara’s glamping site offers safari tents, cabins, adventure yurts and access to many activities like wine tasting and horse riding.
Before you go, I should remind you to book your glamping immediately or at least some months in advance. These amazing accommodations are unique and get booked out incredibly fast!
And if you know other good Santa Barbara glamping sites or you simply want to ask me any questions, please share them in the comments below.
Have an amazing stay!
Elena
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