Glamping in Pismo

This weekend surprised me a little bit. I was excited to experience another California beach town, but was very apprehensive to camp. I have always really disliked camping. I camped every summer for 5 years with my church youth group and absolutely dreaded the week long trip. However, that is why I think I hated it so bad. It was far too long to be sleeping in the Big Bear mountains with 30+ teenage girls. The food was mass produced and my time was based on what was planned by the counselors.

B loves camping. He loves having an excuse to get dirty and enjoy the great outdoors. He loves sleeping in a tent and hearing the whistling of the wind. He loves spotting deer and trying to catch lizards. So when B told me he would like to go camping for the 4th of July holiday I had to go along with it.

I started scouring the internet for campsites in the Big Sur / Pismo Beach area because if I am going to camp I am going to have it by a beach (also note the research process started happening in the end of May). There appeared to be some great state parks but all were filled to the brim. I even looked up north and south of Pismo. Everything was completely booked. I thought, well maybe this is my sign. Maybe we are not supposed to go camping and B could curse fate. Still, in the back of my mind I felt terrible that I was not going to make B’s dream of camping a reality. I searched many hours without any success. After no hope in the horizon I started to look at other travel destinations for our holiday weekend. I guess people plan their 4th 6 months in advance because I was not liking the variety and price of options. I turned to Airbnb in the 11th hour (2 weeks before July 4th) since we previously had such a great experience renting.

And then I found it. The best of both worlds! A post was listed on Airbnb highlighting “glamping” in the Pismo Beach area. It was perfect.

This weekend’s camping (or “glamping”) at Laura and Ben’s farm was such a treat. Their farm is situated in the rural part of Arroyo Grande, which is less than 5 miles from Pismo Beach.
We arrived a little after 7pm. Laura greeted us and took us on the tour of her 4 acre property. There we learned that Laura and Ben also offer lodging in their re purposed water tower and tepee (I would love to have a night in either the next time we are in town).
Their property is so charming and whimsical. Ben mentioned that he designed the property so every corner you turn there is something new and exciting. He said this was the perfect place to let your inner child run wild. And run wild we did.
There was even an adult size teeter totter and swing set! 

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Bonus points if you know where the inspiration of this circular door came from!Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetProcessed with VSCOcam with f2 preset Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Laura and Ben start a campfire in the evenings for all their guests to enjoy.

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The first night we stayed in their “glamping” tent that housed a double mattress with bench. There is a community bathroom located on their property that provides both an indoor and outdoor shower (and towels! ). The second night, all of their designated lodging areas were completely booked but Laura was nice enough to offer their meadow where we were able to set up a tent (so see I did get a camping and a glamping experience all rolled into one).

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I can’t say enough good things about the experience we had. Laura and Ben are so friendly and welcoming. The attention they put into the little details of their farm make it magical and picturesque. It really made B want a place like theirs to call home someday. We will see!

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B is already talking about our next camping adventure but I am taking it one experience at a time…

Where is your favorite place to camp?

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  • http://20somethingfashion.blogspot.com/ Emily

    So fun! What a magical little place. I also love Pismo beach and have yet to go back (it’s on my list!) Glad your 4th was great. xo

  • http://alexsteelephotography.com Alex

    I’m in love with this place. Couples trip summer 2015? (Also the door has to be inspired by The Shire/ LOTR/ The Hobbit. Am I right??)

    • Ems

      We really should plan a trip there! The photographer in you would go crazy with all the little details they put into their property. And yes, it was inspired by the Shire. Ben (the owner) insisted on having a circular door somewhere in their home. This door leads to their wine cellar. How amazing, right?

  • Lindsay K. Fryer

    hi there, i love your blog! i am actually thinking of staying at this place for “glamping” this 4th of july. were you able to see the fireworks from there? we are trying to find a good place to see fireworks without traffic. please let me know if you have any suggestions. thanks!!

    • http://www.vivreblog.com Emily

      Thanks for reading, Lindsay! When we were in Pismo last summer it was very overcast (and I guess that is typical for the area). We would have been able to see fireworks from the property had it been a clear night but due to the fog we just saw flashes of light :) I know the pier is so congested on the 4th of July so get there early and stay through the fireworks or don’t go at all! If forecast claims clear skies than you are golden! I thoroughly enjoyed getting cozy on the ranch and watching the flashes of light. Some of the neighbors set off their own fireworks too!