Treebones Resort in Big Sur is one of the most unique travel experiences I’ve had – and it’s just a few hours away from where I live in the Bay Area. Here’s everything you need to know about Treebones if you’re thinking of booking a trip.
About Treebones Resort in Big Sur
Treebones Resort is unique because it’s a campsite full of yurts for the ultimate glamping experience. A yurt is a super fancy tent – a portable, lightweight structure where the roof is held up with tension and compression.
Treebones also has some other unique lodging options, like the autonomous tent and the human nest. If you don’t need the glam in your camping, you can also book a campsite and bring your own tent. It’s definitely a build-your-own vacation kind of spot.
A little hack for booking a Treebones Resort reservation
Treebones books up early! They open up their calendar about 11-12 months ahead.
If you think 6 months is ample time for a weekend reservation, you may actually be behind. If you consider yourself a spontaneous traveler, follow them on Twitter. That’s where they post the last-minute openings!
Cancellations happen. If you’re willing to be flexible about your lodging type and when you go, this is a great option. However, if you’re craving a particular type of accommodation or want to celebrate a special event/go on a holiday weekend your best bet is to book way, way ahead.
When to visit Treebones Resort
Big Sur, like much of Northern California, can get cold. If that doesn’t bother you, there are some real advantages to visiting in the fall and winter. Those “off season” times draw more locals as opposed to the summer season, which attracts a more international crowd.
We booked a yurt when we visited. Yes, there was heating but it took quite a while to toast up the yurt. The chilly factor can also make it a little harder to waddle off to the main building when nature calls in the dark of the night.
Know before you go
There will be no signal after you get a certain ways into the Big Sur area, and Treebones doesn’t provide WiFi. It’s meant to be a place where you can enjoy nature without the interruptions of tweet notifications and ESPN updates.
I only mention this for the sake of expectation setting, as the front desk staff at Treebones had informed me that it’s a huge downer for people who didn’t know what they were getting themselves into.
It’s also important to know so you can pre-download a Google map of the area.
Arriving at Treebones Resort
You’ll park in a lower lot and be taken up to the registration desk in a golf cart on arrival to Treebones Resort. Afterwards, the staff will escort you to your lodging.
It’s pretty nice lodging, as you can see.
What to expect (and what not to!)
The front desk staff was super friendly and helpful on our visit. They have plenty of board games in the lounging areas for quality time with the family. There’s also an onsite restaurant and sushi bar. When we were there, it seemed to attract a tech bro head-to-toe Patagonia type that was a bit hard to stomach, but maybe you’ll have better luck with your fellow diners.
Hiking and kayaking is your best bet if you want to experience the great outdoors while in Big Sur.
Commercially, there’s not much else around in Big Sur. Bring snack and toiletries that you think you may need during your stay. Foodwise, my favorite place to nosh was the nearby Ventana Big Sur, still about 35 miles away. The price and variety at their Sur House restaurant was a pleasant surprise, while the views were unbeatable on a sunny day.
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