One Of California's Best Campgrounds Offers A Luxurious, Widely Praised Redwood Escape

John Steinbeck once wrote: "The redwoods, once seen, leave a mark or create a vision that stays with you always ... the feeling they produce is not transferable. From them comes silence and awe." Among a sprawling 40-acre redwood canyon in Big Sur, California, comes a once-in-a-lifetime experience to sleep at one of California's best campgrounds and feel the inspiration so eloquently noted by the Giant of American Letters.  Located 65 miles north of San Simeon and 30 miles south of Carmel along Highway 1, Ventana Campground offers visitors the chance to be one with nature and spend a magical evening under the stars.

The route to the campground alone is worth the trip, as this famous highway offers stunning ocean and cliffside views along the California coastline. A unique fact about the campground? None of the traditional campsites have interfered with the existing contour of the canyon, leaving the area to its natural beauty. Whether your idea of being close to nature is sleeping in a tent or gazing out at these natural redwood giants from the comforts of your glampsite, Ventana has you covered.

One of the major perks regarding the location of Ventana Campgrounds (aside from the redwoods, of course) is its proximity to hiking trails and other Big Sur attractions such as Limekiln State Park, Pfeiffer Beach and State Park, and Andrew Molera State Park. The campground features two modern bathhouses, picnic tables, and fire rings. Water faucets are a short walk from each campsite. The campgrounds themselves are tent-only; RVs, travel trailers, pop-up tent trailers, motor homes, or any car with a tent attachment cannot be accommodated at the campsite, so leave these behind and come prepared with a good old-fashioned tent. 

For those who don't enjoy cooking, a coffee shop and bar are onsite, and there are a few restaurants nearby, such as Big Sur Bakery, Nepenthe, Big Sur River Inn, Big Sur Roadhouse, and Ripplewood Cafe. A maximum of five people and two tents are allowed at each site. Dogs are welcome to partake in the fun as well, with a maximum of two pups per campsite. Averaging $80 a night, camping here is on the more expensive side, but the spectacular redwood views, the ease of set-up, and the fantastic amenities make it worthwhile. In the summer, a three-night stay is the minimum requirement, but this is not the case throughout the rest of the year.

Camping has seen its fair share of changes throughout the years. What was once only an ideal vacation for real nature lovers has now expanded to include options for those who enjoy more comfort. Luckily for those who want to experience the outdoors more luxuriously, Ventana offers other sleeping arrangements outside of tent camping. Glamping has become increasingly popular over the last few years, and Ventana has capitalized on this popularity with 15 luxury cabins lining the campground, all with a multitude of amenities to ensure maximum comfort. Here, you'll experience the splendor of the outdoors while still delighting in the comforts of a top-rated glamping resort. 

Aside from the comforts of a bed, the glamping sites include a wood and propane fire pit, hot and cold potable water, electric lamps and power outlets, lanterns, padded chairs, and bath towels. If that's not enough, those glamping have access to a modified bathhouse, complete with heated floors and enclosed showers. While there is no fee to bring dogs to the regular campsites, there is a $75 fee to bring them to a glampsite. If you forgot the smores or firewood, Ventana has these amenities available for purchase. 

A night spent in luxury starts from $240, and booking in advance is highly recommended.  If you're looking to have an even more lavish experience, award-winning Alila Ventana Big Sur Resort offers its guests 54 secluded suites to choose from, just up the road from the campgrounds. Whether you enjoy a good old-fashioned night spent in a tent, a luxurious evening under the stars, or a lavish resort experience, Ventana Big Sur has something for everyone to unwind and unplug.