Glamping at Ventana Big Sur

Like the idea of camping but don’t own the gear? No problem. Big Sur’s Ventana Campground (located adjacent to the luxe Alila Ventana Big Sur Resort) is a great spot for both glamping and camping. Read on for more tips for planning your stay and what to bring with and expect.

How far in advance do I need to book Ventana glamping?

Due to a limit number of glamping tents and it being a popular spot, you will need to book well in advance. I booked about 8 months in advance to snag a weekend winter reservation. In the high season (which is longer than you think – April to November), there is a three night minimum stay. In the other months, you can do a two night stay.

How do I book?

Book on the Alila Ventana Big Sur website and select “glamping” for both glamping sites and bring your own tent sites. If you are a member of the Hyatt points program, you will even earn points and elite qualifying credit for your stay!

How much is glamping?

A standard glamping tent site is $240 per night. This is for up to 2 people. For an additional $75, you can bring your own tent and have two additional people at the site. This option is good for families of 4.

A camping site where you will bring your own tent is $80 per night.

What amenities do the glamping sites have?

Glamping guests at Ventana Big Sur have the following in their tents:

• A queen-sized bed with an electric blanket (all bed linens provided)
• Electricity and plugs (including USB) for devices
• Wood-burning fire pit as well as a propane fire pit on the deck
• Space heater and small fan
• Picnic table
• Hammock
• Instant hot water and cold potable water at a sink on your deck
• Four adirondack chairs
• Towels (two per tent)
• Handheld lanterns (two per tent)
• Shared bath house with heated floors, showers (hot water) and toilets. Shampoo, body wash and hair dryers are provided for guests to use.
• Wi-fi – (note: very basic signal, don’t expect to be streaming!)

What do I need to bring for my glamping trip?

Here is what to pack:

• Comfy, casual clothing with a warm jacket for breezy days and cooler nights
• Sturdy walking shoes for hikes, boots if you’re going during rainy season, flip flops for shower (and beach)
• For cooler months (and even warmer months), a cozy hat and gloves are good to throw in your bag
• Toiletries
• Portable speaker
• Games and entertainment for your campsite
• Reading material
• Cozy blanket good for using outdoors by the fire pit
• Camping mugs (with tea bags or instant coffee)
• Snacks and supplies for s’mores (including sticks to roast marshmallows)

Take a look at my Amazon Storefront for all the glamping supplies you’ll need for your trip!

Firewood and ice are available for purchase at the campgrounds.

Where do I park?

Each tent and campsite comes with a reserved parking space right near your tent site. If you have additional cars, there are overflow lots.

What should I do for my meals?

Whether you want to cook at your campsite or go out, you have lots of options! We chose to dine out for every meal and just brought snacks with. Within 15 minutes, you’ll find numerous restaurants and convenience stores to get items from. A few recommendations:

• Big Sur Bakery
• Big Sur Deli
• Big Sur Smokehouse
• Big Sur Taphouse
• Nepenthe (amazing ocean views!)
• Deetjen’s Restaurant
• Fernwood Tavern

In the summer months, the campground will have its own spot called SurStream which makes hand-crafted cocktails, beer, wine and snacks.

What else can I do in the area?

So much. It is amazing how much there is to see and do. A few suggestions:

• Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park – hike to Pfeiffer Falls (1.3 miles)
• Andrew Molera State Park – Bobcat Trail runs along the river (note: to access the beach in fall/winter, you do need to cross the river; in summer, there is a bridge)
• Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park – McWay Falls is a world-famous spot to check out
• Bixby Bridge – the iconic bridge you likely associate with Big Sur
• Partington Cove
• Pfeiffer Beach
• Garrapata State Park – lots of hiking trails (most accessible right off of Highway 1) plus Calla Lily Valley in February/March.
• Point Sur Lightstation – tours are currently Wednesday at 11am and Saturday at 10am. Limited to 20 people per tour.
• Point Sur Naval Facility
• Little River State Beach
• Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
• Carmel River State Beach
• Carmel Mission Basilica Museum
• Exploring Carmel-by-the-Sea
• Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove and Monterey offer lots of recreation, dining & shopping.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes! For a $75 per campsite fee, you can bring up to two dogs. Ventana provides a dog bed, water bowl and treats for your pup.

Is this spot good for kids?

Yes, but would be cautious with younger toddlers or super active kids since there are many places with drops (the glamping tent is on a platform), a creek flowing through the property and lots of uneven terrain. Also, this section of Big Sur is more rugged coastline than sprawling beach so your activities will be more hiking-focused. If you do go with kids, consider a spot like Big Sur Lodge which has more family-friendly rooms and a swimming pool in summer. Another idea is staying further north in Monterey or even the sandy beachfront Sanctuary Beach Resort and day tripping down to the popular spots in Big Sur.

Have a question about glamping at Ventana or visiting Big Sur? Please ask in the comments and I’ll get a response to you.