Live safari-style on the Sonoma Coast, with amenities and tasty treats galore.

The Bay Area is full of outdoor adventurists, but what if you just want to try this nature thing out? What if you're not sure if you want to be a card-carrying member of the communing-with-nature club? Doing so does require putting some distance between you and your local Blue Bottle Coffee shop, after all. So what if we could promise a luxe camping experience, complete with bathrooms and showers and kitchens and big, cozy beds? What if we told you that the tents are the size of your studio apartment in San Francisco and that they're literally on oceanfront property?

All you have to do is pack your Uggs and puffy coat, drive north of the city along the Sonoma Coast for about 2.5 hours, and trust us when we tell you to take an unmarked turn-off that will start your ascent through winding switchbacks. Your anticipation will build as you climb higher and higher into the woods. The road opens into a giant clearing where you'll find 10 magical safari-style luxury tents perched high above the coastline with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. What is this haven for amateur naturalists called? Terra Glamping.

Photography by Sarah Chorey

Photography by Sarah Chorey

Photography by Sarah Chorey

As we promised, the tents are outfitted with real beds, soft linens, dressers, bathrobes, towels, and your own private patio. Not only are the Terra Glamping tents next-level, but the resort offers amenities far beyond what the usual camping experience would deliver: a large open-air kitchen, grill, relaxing outdoor common area, a luxe community tent with games and plush seating, showers, and flushing toilets, hallelujah.

Mornings start with a delicious breakfast spread provided by the owners—sweet sticky buns from Twofish Baking, yogurt, fresh berries, crunchy granola, tea, and coffee.

After fueling up, spend the morning hiking along the coast. Drive two miles north to Black Point Beach where you'll find parking and an easy access point. There are about 10 miles of bluffs skirting the glamping site that snake along various beaches and through hidden coves. You can easily spend a few hours walking along the crashing waves, admiring the historic, modernist bluff-top homes of Sea Ranch. Look at you! You're enjoying nature!

After hiking, head north a few more miles towards Gualala for lunch. Try Trinks Cafe & Bakery. Their BBLT (bacon, blue cheese, et cetera, et cetera) is amazing. Although, with tomatoes on their way out, you may consider the Mom's turkey sandwich, made with house-roasted turkey breast, cranberry sauce, and honey mustard. 'Tis the season for giving thanks, after all.

Then, grab some cheese, wine, and other dinner supplies at Surf Market and head back to Terra Glamping to spend the rest of your afternoon enjoying an extra-long happy hour on your porch. Soak up the views, bask in a bit of fall sunshine, and a sip on few glasses of vino. Don't stop until the jaw-dropping sunset is officially below the horizon.

After cooking up a tasty dinner in the communal kitchen, enjoy some time by the community fire pit indulging in s'mores made with Toblerone chocolate. Maybe engage in small talk with your fellow glampers. Unique experiences such as these are known to form lifelong friendships. Then walk back along the lighted pathways to your tent for some stargazing. Make a wish upon a shooting star. They're a dime a dozen out here on the Sonoma Coast.

The essentials for your glamping getaway:

• Warm clothes for evenings
• Hiking clothes
• Hiking shoes
• Swimsuit if you visit the beaches!
• Sandals
• A blanket to place on your patio
• Favorite board games
• Cards
• Headlamp for evenings (a lantern is provided)
• Wine you've been saving for a special occasion!

// $250 per night with a 2 night minimum on weekends), directions provided upon booking, terraglamping.com