- Glamping by the sea
- Terrific tree-hugging retreats
- Vineyard views & wine-loving woofs
- Desert days & mountain stays
Summer is undeniably peak season for glamping in California—daylight lingers, wildlife blooms and trails beckon. If your dog thrives among nature but you crave your creature comforts, here’s a curated guide to California’s top dog‑friendly glamping escapes: safari tents, Airstreams, eclectic cabins and more—each offering a blend of wilderness and luxury for you and your pup.
1. Mendocino Grove (Big River, Northern California Coast
Tucked under redwoods just off Highway 1, Mendocino Grove serves up safari‑style platform tents with real beds, electricity, cozy linens—and dog beds, bowls and blankets provided. A fenced dog park, pet‑wash station and loop trail around the meadow let pups roam guilt‑free. As described in a travel blogger’s review:
“If you’re traveling with a pet … your tent will also come with a dog bed, bowls, and a blanket.”
It’s easily a 3-hour drive from the Bay, but the blend of privacy, creature comforts and coastal charm is worth every mile.
2. AutoCamp Sonoma / Russian River (Guerneville)
This sleek red‑und‑white Airstream park puts you in the heart of wine country, right in the redwoods, with luxury Airstreams, cabins and communal fire‑pit lounge. Dogs of all sizes are welcome in the designated trailers—many guests note the property is “dog‑friendly and lots of fun things to do in the local area.”
Here you can bike through Armstrong Redwoods, drift down the Russian River, or take scenic hikes—then return to share a fire and toast Sonoma wines.
3. AutoCamp Yosemite / Sequoia (Sierra Foothills)
Two AutoCamp sites anchor nearby national parks. AutoCamp Yosemite sits just outside Yosemite Valley with Vista Airstreams, cabins and a heated outdoor pool (dogs stay in Airstreams only) and amenities that feel XXL at Sierra scale: yoga, kid‑forest school, cider tastings and more. Multiple guests rave:
“We brought our 2 yellow labs … the bed and bedding is DREAMY!”
Meanwhile the new AutoCamp Sequoia in Three Rivers anchors sequoia groves and features 31‑foot trailers, fully furnished cabins and ADA‑compliant suites, with a clubhouse, pool and year‑round creekside flaming fires.
4. Big Sur Glamping (Ventana Big Sur, Treebones)
Cliff‑perched tents, lodge‑style cabins and sculptural yurts overlook the Pacific. Not all Big Sur glamps take pets—but Ventana Big Sur does, with a modest pet fee (around $75 per stay) and ocean views from communal trails and lodge decks.
5. Wine Country & Russian River Cabins
From Wildhaven Sonoma (Healdsburg) with private tent‑cabins and direct river access, to the KOA at Petaluma featuring bunk‑bed lodges that welcome dogs—the Wine Country offers a range of pet‑friendly lodging. The region also plays host to several pet‑friendly vineyards and winery tours.
6. Desert Escapes: Joshua Tree, Coachella & Ojai
DogTrekker’s round‑up highlights Caravan Outpost in Ojai: “two dogs up to 40 pounds are welcome in designated units” among scrub‑oak Airstreams, nightly fires, communal dinners and pop‑up movie nights.
Further east in Coachella Valley and near Joshua Tree, Lovellent Ranch, Magical Harrison Serenity Ranch and The Desert Rose Collective offer tent‑cabins or vintage RVs amid oak‑dotted meadows—often with pens, goat visits, fire pits and wide skies for pups to explore.
7. Beyond the Big 7: Hidden Gems & Hipcamp Finds
For quieter options, try Inn Town Campground near Nevada City or Camp Nauvoo in El Dorado County, both with outfitted safari tents and communal kitchens that happily host well‑behaved pups.
On Hipcamp, local host stays like treehouses or creek‑side cabins near Pescadero or Salmon Creek Ranch often accommodate dogs (many with fenced yards and rural hikes).
Packing & Planning Tips for Dog‑Friendly Glampers
Bring your dog’s usual bedding and food containers, cleanup supplies, leash and nighttime ID light—and consider whether there’s cell coverage or nearby veterinary care. If on a leash while on property, preview surrounding nature trails to make sure your pup’s leash‑law‑aware or off‑leash (if permitted).
Whether you’re touring redwoods, sipping Pinot under starlight, hiking granite spires or chasing desert sunsets—California’s dog‑friendly glamping scene welcomes pups and their people. From Airstream suites with fire‑pit evenings to safari tents under towering trees, each spot blends comfort, adventure and a little extra tail‑wagging joy.
