By: Lisa Ng
A sponsored post. Photos have been captured with the Nokia Lumia 1020 by Microsoft Devices.
I have never been much of a camper.
As I expressed in this post, my family just didn’t grow up camping. Let alone hang out in a yurt!
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So when the glamping trend hit it big, I was ALL over it in a big way. Glamping – or ‘glamorous camping’ affords you the modern luxuries of a queen size bed, nightstands, electricity and a heater inside a glamping yurt or safari tent.
I had heard of Treebones Resortand their oceanfront yurts in a guidebook about California. It was also the spot where Paul’s colleague went for her honeymoon and where his brother had recently proposed. We have heard nothing but rave reviews and finally booked our own trip to this cliffside resort that basks in the ocean mist.
Getting There
Treebones Resort is located in Big Sur, California – which is a must-stop for any Highway 1 road trip. From Los Angeles, the drive can take you around five hours depending on traffic and stops.
I recommend getting out of the city by at least 1 pm so you can enjoy the drive, avoid the traffic and take in the beautiful views along the coast. The drive is also best in the late afternoon when most of the fog has burned off for the clearest view.
Home Sweet Yurt
First words out of mouth were WOW. I couldn’t believe how cozy and comfortable our yurt was. We had a queen size bed with a warm quilt, a futon, a small bistro set and shiny hardwood floors. The yurt was very spacious for the two of us and our small weekend bags. Additionally, each yurt comes with a sink and vanity area. The water is fresh spring water that has been filtered and is drinkable. I also liked that I was able to brush my teeth and wash my face in the morning using my own sink and not have to schlep to the shared facilities.
It does get COLD at night as the temperature swings wildly in the central coast. Our space heater suited us fine and we brought flannel pajamas, fleece sweaters and long pants.
Now the yurts are positioned quite close together, but we never had a problem with noise or our neighbours. Everyone was very respectful of the fact that we were all living in close quarters. A large fountain sat in a courtyard between all of our yurts and was the perfect white noise to lull us to sleep every night.
Another overnight option is in the Human Nest made of bent branches!
The Resort
A heated pool, hot tub and loungers are located just off the main lodge with ocean views. The washroom and shower facilities are shared with three private stalls of each, both of which I found to be very clean and comparable to something you would find at a gym. It was modern and bright and I never found it too busy or had to wait for a stall. Just remember to bring flip-flops for the shower! Bath towels are provided, but bring beach towels for the pool.
Disconnect
There is no cell service at Treebones Resort but there is a payphone available for guest use. In terms of Internet, the resort does offer free Wi-Fi via satellite and has limited bandwidth everyday. I was able to download my emails and share pictures on Instagram. However you will not be able to stream video or Skype – or you’ll use up all the bandwidth for everyone.
Relax
Once you’ve fully disconnected, the next thing to do is chill-out. I brought a bunch of magazines and books to read on the lounge chairs that sat on our yurt deck. Remember to breathe deeply. Take in the ocean views. Paul and I even played a very competitive game of Scrabble and Guess Who? next to the fire in the main lodge. There are lots of board games to borrow and a small library of books to peruse.
The Food
The Sushi Bar is the standout at Treebones Resort, but you have to get there at 5pm to put your name on the list and seating starts at 5:30pm. Show up any later and you’ll be waiting until 7pm or not be seated at all. If you’re really craving sushi, the main dining room also serves a sampler platter.
Dinner in the main dining room at Wild Coast Restaurant is definitely pricey, but I get that we are in the middle of nowhere and everything must be brought in daily. You MUST order the Garden Party Salad – the greens are organic and picked that day from their garden with whatever is in season. You can actually taste the fresh difference! We decided to relax and order some wine and the Fried Calamari, as service can be slow in the tiny kitchen. Don’t sweat it too much – you’re on vacation.
Our dinner continued with a shared Flat Bread Pizza and finished with the Rib Entrée, which was small, but fall-off-the-bone delicious. I think the key here is to order a variety of foods, so you get to try a little bit of everything.
Make sure to take walk through their gorgeous organic vegetable garden
For lunch, we headed into Gorda to the Gorda General Store for sandwiches, chips and snacks. It was surprisingly good for a convenience store! The ham and Swiss was made with real ham, not some processed cold cut and the tuna sandwich was very satisfying and not swimming in mayo. It was perfect for our little oceanfront picnic and came to about $20.
We also stopped at Whole Foods on the way out of LA and stocked up on granola bars, chips, fruit, snacks and beverages for road trip there and for our yurt. Once you’re in Big Sur, there are not many options – so we came extra prepared.
Go Hiking
You can also go hiking on one of the many trails surrounding Treebones Resort. My top picks would be Sand Dollar Beach (5 minutes away) to just lounge around with a picnic next to the ocean.
Redwood Gulch (8 minutes away) is a true beginner trail and a short hike that reveals redwood trees and a small creek. Unfortunately, due to the drought and the time of year we were visiting, the creek was bone dry. Another recommendation is Salmon Creek Waterfall (10 minutes) away and is a favourite of the staff at Treebones.
Breakfast
The main lodge serves a simple and local continental breakfast that is included in your nightly rate. We nibbled on waffles, homemade granola, yogurt, scrambled eggs and fruit with coffee every morning. Tea and coffee is also available throughout the day for $2.
All in all we had a lovely time at Treebones Resort and glamping in an oceanfront yurt is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you’re planning a road trip along the iconic Highway 1 – this is the perfect place to stop and reconnect with nature with modern comforts, of course.
To learn more visit: www.TreebonesResort.com
Thank you to Microsoft Devices Canada for collaborating with me on this post. The 41-megapixel camera on the Nokia Lumia 1020 was perfect for capturing my travel photos and has replaced my clunky DSLR. It also slips away easily into my pocket or clutch.
To learn more about the phone I use when I travel visit: www.Nokia.com/CA
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