Retro is all the rage these days, and what could be more mid-century stylish than an overnight stay in one of those sleek aluminum Airstream trailers updated for today’s DogTrekkers? There are quite a few places in SoCal where you can try it out. A few of our favorites:
AutoCamp Airstream Park, Joshua Tree: The newest outpost of a three-location enterprise (other AutoCamps are in Guerneville, Sonoma County; and Mariposa, near Yosemite National Park) offers dog-friendly accommodations in custom Airstreams with spa-inspired bathrooms. Located minutes from Joshua Tree National Park, you’ll enjoy picturesque desert views, plush bed linens, robes and bath towels, mountain bikes for on-property use, a fully stocked General Store and private patios with fire pits. After a day of exploring the park’s boulder-strewn trails (dogs are allowed on paved roads and in campgrounds), come back and kick up your feet under the stars while your pup stretches out on the patio beside you.
Caravan Outpost, Ojai: This compound of 11 carefully curated Airstreams (five of them dog-friendly) in a garden setting offers a unique experience encompassing not just overnight accommodations, but meet-and-greet opportunities including nightly community fires and, sometimes, live music, dinner parties and pop-up movie nights. Amenities include plush linens, kitchen facilities and full baths. Two dogs up to 40 pounds are welcome in the dog-friendly units. Ojai itself is a dog-loving town, with trails like the Ojai Valley Trail right nearby for morning walks.
Hotel Paseo, Palm Desert: This 150-room boutique hotel just steps from the “Rodeo Drive of the Desert” boasts a luxury suite in the form of a 1950 Airstream trailer; it’s tricked out with awning, deck and a “yard.” It’s a one-of-a-kind way to experience Palm Desert’s upscale dining and shopping district with your dog.
Rent an Airstream? Maybe you’d like to move, rather than stay put in an Airstream park. If so, you’ll find lots of online resources for renting a sleek trailer from an individual or a rental company like LivMobil. Just Google “rent an Airstream” and see what comes up! Keep in mind that most rental companies are happy to accommodate dogs—just confirm the pet policy before booking, and bring a blanket or cover for the upholstery. There’s nothing quite like cruising Highway 1 or heading into the desert with your pup riding shotgun and a shiny Airstream in the rearview mirror. For more glamping inspiration, check out our guide to the glamping route across California.
