Big Sur Glamping with Kids (and the Best Spots Near Carmel and Monterey Too)

Big Sur is one of the most searched glamping destinations in California – waking up amongst the Redwoods with a view of the Pacific Ocean is a once in a lifetime experience for many.

Here’s the honest truth though: glamping options in Big Sur itself are limited, expensive, and the most famous ones come with real caveats for families with young kids. Treebones – the property most people are picturing when they search “Big Sur glamping” – has a 13+ age minimum. Ventana’s glamping tents are capped at two guests (so you have to book two).

If you have little ones in tow, your best bet is often to base yourself a bit further north near Carmel or Monterey, where the options open up considerably.

This post covers everything – the Big Sur properties worth knowing about, plus the best family-friendly glamping near Carmel and Monterey so you can plan a trip that actually works for your crew.

A note on pricing: rates vary by season, accommodation type, and weekday vs. weekend. Always check current rates before booking.

Quick Picks: Big Sur, Carmel & Monterey Glamping

Click the headers to jump to the relevant section:

⛺ Ventana Big Sur Glamping | ⛺⛺ | Big Sur

⛺ Treebones Resort | ⛺⛺⛺⛺ | Big Sur

⛺ Big Sur Campground & Cabins | ⛺⛺⛺ | Big Sur

⛺ Fernwood Resort | ⛺⛺⛺ | Big Sur

⛺ Carmel River Inn | ⛺⛺ | Carmel

⛺ Saddle Mountain | ⛺⛺| Carmel

⛺ The Camp at Carmel Valley | ⛺ | Carmel

⛺ Vision Quest Safari B&B | ⛺⛺⛺ | Monterey

Glamping in Big Sur

Big Sur proper has a handful of glamping options, but availability is tight and it books up months in advance during summer. Book early – this isn’t a last-minute destination.

Ventana Big Sur Glamping

Ventana is basically synonymous with Big Sur – famous for their ultra luxury Alila Ventana resort, they actually also have glamping and straight up camping.

Ventana’s glamping tents are limited to two guests maximum, but you can get around this by booking TWO tents.

Safari-style canvas tents hidden inside the lush redwood canyon, with access to Ventana’s bathhouse featuring heated floors, teak showers, and marble vanities. Glamping at its finest. Resort amenities – pools, spa, dining – are reserved for hotel guests only but you can buy a pass in advance. Glamping guests access the campground facilities.

• ⛺⛺ Ventana’s glamping tents have been priced at ~$240 per night for years, so you could consider it good value, given the elevated experience it promises
• Stay type: Safari-style canvas tents in a private redwood canyon; shared bathhouse
• Maximum 2 guests per tent – book two for a family of 4
• Accessible on foot only; no resort pool or spa access for glamping guests
• Book direct at ventanabigsur.com

Treebones Resort

The most iconic glamping property on the Big Sur coast – solar-powered yurts perched above the Pacific with some of the best ocean views in California.

Treebones has a firm 13+ age policy for all guests. Yurts have king beds, polished wood floors, and private decks. Breakfast is included, there’s a pool and hot tub, and the on-site sushi restaurant is legitimately outstanding – can you really go wrong when the backdrop is the pacific coast sunset? But be warned, there are very few seats at the sushi restaurant and the staff may not care to honor your booking.

• ⛺⛺⛺⛺
• Stay type: Ranges from the very basic Bird’s Nest, to yurts with proper beds, to private cabins ($1000+). There’s also a regular campground option, which, in hindsight seems like the smarter option TBH
• Breakfast included; pool, hot tub, and two restaurants on site
• Ages 13 and older only – strictly enforced
• Off-grid; no WiFi, no EV charging; two-night minimum on weekends

“The yurts are fine inside. You could hear everyone’s conversations just like in a real tent though. We heard some couple having an argument. Shared bathrooms were fine, and they sold mini champagne bottles at the gift shop, which is very on-brand. I had a bad experience trying to book the tiny sushi restaurant as the owner invited their own party, and the server there at the time was utterly unhelpful, so I had to wait at least an hour past my original reservation time.”

Big Sur Campground & Cabins

The most family-friendly glamping base in Big Sur, right on the river with a real emphasis on kids.

Cabins range from rustic tent cabins to fully equipped options with kitchens and fireplaces. Kids can inner tube in the river, use the playground, and rent sports equipment on site. There’s also yoga, hiking, stargazing, and more activities for adults and older kids.

• ⛺⛺⛺ Book direct
• Stay type: Rustic tent cabins, standard cabins, and fully equipped cabins with kitchens and fireplaces
• Big Sur River access with inner tube rentals; playground and sports courts on site
• Mini-market on property; no WiFi – plan to disconnect
• $30 amenities fee per stay; pets not allowed in cabins

“Located among majestic Coastal Redwood trees along the pristine Big Sur River – the cabin was spotless, cozy, and thoughtfully equipped.”

Fernwood Resort

One of the most family-friendly and affordable bases in Big Sur, right on the river and bordering Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

Fernwood has been a Big Sur institution since 1939. Forest Cabins have full kitchens and sleep up to 6, Tent Cabins on the river sleep up to 4, and the three Adventure Tents are the glamping product – queen beds, linens, and electric heaters included. Adventure Tents sleep 2 only, but families of 4 can simply book two side by side.

• ⛺⛺⛺
• Stay type: Forest Cabins with kitchens (sleep 6), Tent Cabins on the river (sleep 4), or Adventure Tents (sleep 2 – book two for a family of 4)
• Borders Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park with direct trail access
• Restaurant, bar, general store, and espresso bar on site; live music on weekends
• Book direct at fernwoodbigsur.com

“Good location with direct access down to the creek. Great afternoon/evening restaurant on site – delicious!”

Glamping Near Carmel

About 30-45 minutes north of Big Sur, Carmel is a much easier base for families. You get access to Big Sur as a day trip, plus Carmel Beach, Point Lobos, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium nearby.

Carmel River Inn

The only true glamp in the Carmel (that I know of), and a genuinely good family option sitting on 10 acres of gardens along the Carmel River. It’s close to everything Carmel has to offer, and close enough to Big Sure to enjoy everything there too.

The glamping cabins here are permanent structures with canvas walls, full bathrooms, heat and AC, and a wet bar with mini-fridge and microwave. Some have a trundle bed sleeping up to 4, making them a solid pick for families with one or two young kids. Five minutes from downtown Carmel and a short drive to Point Lobos and the coast.

• ⛺⛺
• Stay type: Permanent canvas glamping cabins with full bathrooms, heat/AC, and wet bar; some sleep up to 4
• Seasonal outdoor pool and garden on 10 acres; walking paths along the river
• Five minutes to downtown Carmel; short drive to Point Lobos and Carmel Beach
• Dog-friendly in select units

“The hotel was warm, clean, quiet, and very cozy, which made it feel truly comfortable and relaxing.” – See more reviews

Saddle Mountain

A 89-acre forested property off Carmel Valley Road with cabins, luxury tents, a pool, and 4 miles of hiking trails – one of the best-value family glamping options in the area.

Just 5 miles from Highway 1 and 15 minutes from Carmel, Saddle Mountain has the range to suit different budgets – from basic glamping tents with BBQ grills and fire pits to fully equipped cabins sleeping up to 6. The hiking trail offers 360-degree views of Big Sur, Carmel Valley, and the Pacific. Kids love the pool (open May to October) and the playground.

• ⛺⛺ Depending on accommodation
• Stay type: Luxury glamping tents with BBQ and fire pits, or cabins sleeping up to 6
• Seasonal pool, 4-mile hiking trail, playground, sauna, ping pong, and horseshoes
• Close to Monterey Bay Aquarium, Pebble Beach, and Carmel Village
• Pet-friendly in most tent and RV sites; book direct at saddlemountain.com

The Camp at Carmel Valley

A 115-acre historic summer camp turned family glamping destination, 2.5 miles from Carmel Valley Village and its 20+ wine tasting rooms.

The Rustic Camp tents are available year-round – permanent canvas tents on a raised platform with a locking door, queen or twin beds, propane fire pit, and access to a shared outdoor kitchen and bathhouse. No power or WiFi, which is the point. It’s essentially camping made easy: no setup, no gear, just show up and enjoy the hills. The glamping weekends (set dates, Memorial Day through Labor Day) unlock the full camp – pool, archery, tie dye, yoga, live music, and breakfast included.

• ⛺⛺ Ranges from camp tents to glamping cabins
• Stay type: Rustic Camp safari tents available anytime; cabins with full activities available on select glamping weekend dates
• Rustic Camp has communal kitchen, BBQ, and shared bathhouse; no power or WiFi
• Glamping weekends include breakfast, archery, tie dye, yoga, live music, and wine tasting
• 2026 glamping weekend dates: Memorial Day, July 4th, July 9-12, July 16-20, August 6-10, Labor Day
• Book direct at campcarmelvalley.com

“Our two families with young kids had a perfect long weekend. Staff are really warm and inviting. We especially loved archery, the pickleball courts and just running around the property.”

Glamping Near Monterey

Vision Quest Safari B&B

The most unique family glamping experience in the Monterey area – eight African-style bungalows on the grounds of the Monterey Zoo in Salinas, where you fall asleep to the sounds of lions and tigers roaring nearby.

Each bungalow is individually themed (Big Cat House, Giraffe Manor etc.) with canvas walls, full bathrooms, TV, and a refrigerator. Continental breakfast is included, delivered with a morning animal meet-and-greet (pretty awesome core memory). A free day pass to the Monterey Zoo is included with your stay.

• ⛺⛺⛺
• Stay type: Eight individually themed African canvas bungalows with full bathrooms
• Continental breakfast included with private animal meet-and-greet
• Free day pass to Monterey Zoo; optional full-contact animal tours available
• 25 minutes from Monterey Bay Aquarium; book direct at visionquestranch.com

“Super comfortable glamping experience. In the afternoon, they walk one or two animals over to visit you. We got to see a baby black leopard and my daughter was over the moon.”

Before You Go

Like all summer hotspots in the Bay area, Big Sur glamps can sell out months ahead for summer weekends. The Carmel and Monterey options have more flexibility, but be sure to dates as many glamping sites are seasonal.

If glamping isn’t quite your vibe but you still want to experience this stretch of coast, I’ve got you covered.

👉 Best family hotels in Carmel-by-the-Sea

👉 Best family hotels in Monterey

👉 More California glamping: Best Bay Area Glamping Sites

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