Author: Petite Retreats

5 Things to Do in Fort Myers, FL

Fort Myers, Florida, and the towns surrounding it have plenty to do no matter what your trip’s “must-do” list includes. There are beaches and fishing and shopping and museums and history tours and so much more. The list is as endless as the miles of sandy beaches available for doing nothing more than simply relaxing in the sun. So, when you’re done with the beach, consider these things to do. And before you go, make sure to book your Florida stay at Pine Island KOA Holiday, Encore Pioneer Village or Encore Ramblers Rest so you can be close to all the action.

Vacation Cottage at Encore Pioneer Village
Vacation Cottage at Encore Pioneer Village
  1. Estate Plans: We’re not talking about financial planning here, but instead making plans to visit the winter homes of both Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. These “winter estates” provide a glimpse into how these inventors spent their days off.  Visitors can view the homes and gardens of these forward-thinking men as well as see memorabilia and historic artifacts of both Ford and Edison. For more information, visit edisonfordwinterestates.org.
Moonlight Garden at Thomas Edison and Henry Ford's Winter Estate.
Moonlight Garden at Thomas Edison and Henry Ford’s Winter Estate.
  1. Take Refuge: That is, take a trip to the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on nearby Sanibel Island. This is a 6,400-acre refuge that is home to more than 270 bird species, 35 mammal species, and 60 different reptiles. There are opportunities for hiking as well as a 4-mile Wildlife Drive where you can catch glimpses of the wildlife that inhabit the refuge. For hours and information, visit fws.gov/refuge/JN_Ding_Darling.
  1. Seek Shell-ter: If you know anything about shelling, then you know that both nearby Sanibel and Captiva Islands are considered some of the best shelling beaches in North America. Located on Sanibel Island, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is the only accredited museum in the US devoted to shells and mollusks. It began in 1984 with a bequest from a local shell collector and grew from there. The museum’s newest exhibit is an aquarium gallery filled with living mollusks. Other exhibits include shells from around the world and an exhibit that details shells have influenced art and architecture across cultures. For details, visit shellmuseum.org.
Ft. Myers & Caloosahatchee River, FL.
Ft Myers & Caloosahatchee River, FL.
  1. Meet up in Matlacha: Matlacha is an island in the Gulf about 15 miles from Fort Myers. Matlacha is a colorful, quaint old fishing village now home to shops, art galleries, and opportunities for crabbing, clamming, shrimping, and just enjoying the laid-back vibe of this historic town. As you cross the bridge to the island, watch for all the anglers trying their luck at catching the tarpon, red fish, and snook that run in the tidal current beneath the bridge. The Matlacha Bridge is also known as the “Fishingest Bridge in the World” thanks to its abundance of fisher-people.
  1. See Stars: The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium is a great mix of indoor and outdoor activities. The planetarium offers daily shows and the nature center portion includes a butterfly house and a raptor aviary. There are also two hiking trails that meander through several different eco-systems. For hours of operation, show times, and details on what you can expect when you go, visit calusanature.org.

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Find Your Perfect Cabin Retreat This Year

Amongst the woods, there lies a cabin from where we watched the sunset…This lovely poem by Jihal Sharma goes on to count the ways a cabin stay can be cozy and charming and relaxing and more. In fact, cabin camping is up 101% according to industry reports so why not take a cue and plan some cabin stays when glamping with us.

Cabin at Thousand Trails Pacific City
Cabin at Thousand Trails Pacific City

In the Pacific Northwest consider a glamping cabin at Mt. Hood Village Resort, Thousand Trails Pacific City or Thousand Trails Seaside. Of course, the Mt. Hood area is a natural playground all year round so skiing in winter at the iconic Skibowl, the blooming fields of flowers along the hiking trails come spring, stand-up paddling and kayaking on the Hood River come summer and the beautiful palette of autumn as the trees change colors. Pacific City and Seaside are both great for exploring the rugged Oregon coastline with activities like clamming, fishing and water sports.

Cabin at Tranquil Timbers Campground
Cabin at Tranquil Timbers Campground

Come summer, head to Wisconsin and enjoy the six different locations that offer glamping in cozy cabins. Tranquil Timbers Campground puts you in proximity to all things Door County which include activities at Peninsula State Park, the quaint shops of the downtown areas, plus the cherry and apple orchards, wineries and art galleries. If you’re looking to explore the Wisconsin Dells area, book a glamping cabin at Yukon Trails Camping Resort or Arrowhead RV Campground to take in the outdoor activities at Mirror Lake State Park, an iconic Dells Duck Tour or the unique shops and attractions in the downtown Dells. For a glamping trip with a side of onsite fishing, consider Fremont RV Campground, which is set on Partridge Lake, Neshonoc Lakeside Campground, which is set on Neshonoc Lake which is a great place for fishing and boating or Plymouth Rock Camping Resort, which has plenty of onsite activities including kayaking.

Cabins at Alpine Lake RV Resort
Cabins at Alpine Lake RV Resort

Heading east, cabin time is available in Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Pennsylvania. The picturesque coastal town of Bar Harbor has two options for a Maine cabin glamping gateway, camping resorts Mt. Desert Narrows and Narrows Too. Both are conveniently located to the stunning Acadia National Park and downtown Bar Harbor. New Hampshire’s Tuxbury Pond RV Campground offers glamping cabins and is less than an hour from all the fun of Boston but also offers the quiet tranquility of Tuxbury Pond and nearby apple orchards. If you’re in a New York state of mind when it comes to a glamping getaway, look to Alpine Lake RV Resort or Lake George Escape Campground. Both offer the beauty of the Adirondacks as your backdrop with plenty of outdoor activities nearby like fishing, biking and hiking. The rolling hills of Pennsylvania Dutch Country offer glamping opportunities at both Appalachian Camping Resort and Spring Gulch Resort Campground. Both provide proximity to all things PA Dutch including the Amish Country experience, horseback riding, bicycling and the historic covered bridges of Lancaster County.

Cabin at Thousand Trails Natchez Trace
Cabin at Thousand Trails Natchez Trace

Southern-style cabin glamping can be found in the T states – Tennessee and Texas and both are, dare we say, terrific places to settle in a glamping cabin while you explore the area. Thousand Trails Natchez Trace in Hohenwald, Tennessee is a great home base for being a “tourist” in Nashville or getting in some good fishing at the onsite 3-acre lake teeming with bass, crappie and shellcracker. Just outside the Big D (Dallas), a glamping cabin at Thousand Trails Bay Landing offers proximity to all the Dallas highlights including the Dallas Arts District and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden or Fort Worth with the historic Fort Worth Stockyards and the Fort Worth Zoo.

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Top Glamping Spots for 2025 Adventures

A fresh slate, a blank calendar and a new year of glamping! Here are some ideas to have you glamping all year long:

Winter:

The beautiful Bavarian-style town of Leavenworth, Washington is always worth a visit, but from late November to late February, the lights come on and by lights we mean over half a million twinkling lights from sunup to sundown. Book a tiny house at the Leavenworth Tiny House Village and explore all the fun things to do here including the Nutcracker Museum, the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm and all the great shops and wine tasting rooms in downtown Leavenworth.

The benefits of Florida in the winter include the mild winter temperatures that top out in the upper 70s and of course, the lack of snow! Florida glamping locations can include the always fabulous Florida Keys (book a tiny house at the Sunshine Key Tiny House Village or glamping cottage at Encore Fiesta Key); a colorful cottage at Encore Tropical Palms in Kissimmee so close to the Orlando theme parks, or a cabin at Encore Miami Everglades.

Yurt at Thousand Trails Long Beach
Yurt at Thousand Trails Long Beach

Spring:

The March winds certainly come in handy if you want to fly a kite and Long Beach, Washington is considered the kite flying capital of the world. Check out the World Kite Museum in Long Beach for some ideas and then go fly a kite while staying at a glamping cabin, cottage or yurt at Thousand Trails Long Beach.

April is bluebonnet time in Texas and the Willow City Loop in Fredericksburg is a great place to enjoy the blooming Texas State flower. Book a glamping cabin at Thousand Trails Medina Lake and head into Fredericksburg to start the 13-mile loop. Another highlight here is Bandera, which is billed as the “Cowboy Capital of the World” – located less than 30 minutes from Medina Lake, this little town is worth a look-see.

Tiny Houses at Thousand Trails Verde Valley
Tiny Houses at Thousand Trails Verde Valley

Summer:

June is one of the best times of year to visit this part of Arizona before the heat of the summer sun makes hiking the beautiful Red Rock State Park a little too steamy! Book a tiny house stay at Thousand Trails Verde Valley and explore the gorgeous scenery with don’t miss highlights like Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock.

Head to the Jersey Shore for a summer vacation you’ll always remember. The Jersey Shore is great for sandy beaches, fun-and-games filled boardwalks and the rolling tide of the Atlantic Ocean where you can fish, jet ski and paddle board. There are several Jersey Shore options to glamp at – check out rentals at https://thousandtrails.com/atlantic-city-cape-may-rv-resorts.

Cabins at Narrows Too Camping Resort
Cabins at Narrows Too Camping Resort

Maine in late summer is a good time because the water is warm and the weather is not too hot. Book a cabin at camping resorts Mt. Desert Narrows or Narrows Too and explore picturesque Bar Harbor and the stunning Acadia National Park with plenty of hiking trails. Enjoy the seafood, see the sunrise for Acadia’s Cadillac Mountain, or take in an outdoor concert on the Village Green.

Tuxbury Tiny House Village
Tuxbury Tiny House Village

Autumn:

We like to think glamping and leaf-peeping pair well together in autumn. The Tuxbury Tiny House Village might be the perfect glamping spot to take in the beautiful foliage of New Hampshire. Nearby Odiorne State Park is one spot for great leaf-peeping and the Little Boar’s Head Seaside Trail is another option for a color show worth seeing!

If you want to explore the Florida Everglades, the best time just might be in November. This time of year is drier, which means less humidity and of course, less of those pesky mosquitoes. Choose from a glamping lodge cabin or bunkhouse at Encore Miami Everglades Resort and you’re less than 10 minutes from Everglades National Park.

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5 Things to Do in Pismo Beach, CA

Looking for a getaway with sand and sun? How about a glamping cottage at Pacific Dunes Ranch with access to the fabulous sand dunes as well as all the fun things to do in the area?

Cottage at Pacific Dunes Ranch
Cottage at Pacific Dunes Ranch

1. Pismo Preserve: At over 800 acres, this beautiful nature preserve is the place to go for outdoor adventures. There is roughly 11 miles of hiking to be found here on several trails that range from ¾ miles to over 5 miles in distance. Expect lovely coastal hikes with beautiful ocean views.

2. Hearst Castle: Believe us when we tell you this is worth the roughly 50+ mile road trip (plus you can’t beat the scenery along the way!) There are several ways to tour this magnificent estate built for publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst. From the spectacular indoor and outdoor pools, the lush gardens and room upon room of splendidly appointed furnishing, art and antiques, Heart Castle is a real treasure.

Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle, California

3. Oceano Dunes Natural Preserve: From the soaring dunes to the amazing sunsets, don’t miss this attraction. Fish, swim, walk the beach or just marvel at the amazing sand dune found here.

4. Pismo Beach Boardwalk: Who doesn’t love a boardwalk? The original pier was built in 1881 and has been rebuilt several times since, yet has maintained its attraction through the years. Great shops and eateries, fishing opportunities and of course great views of the ocean are the draws here!

5. Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove: From late October to early February, this is the place to be if you’re a monarch butterfly, or a monarch butterfly lover! The Butterfly Grove is the winter home of tens of thousands of migrating monarch butterflies. Open from sunrise to sunset, visitors can expect daily butterfly talks and of course the opportunity to see the butterflies that line the eucalyptus and Monterey cypress trees in the grove.

Monarch butterflies cluster in the limbs of majestic Eucalyptus trees, Pismo Beach Grove, California Central Coast
Monarch butterflies -Pismo Beach Grove, California

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5 Things to Do in Leavenworth, WA

If you’re heading to the ultra-charming Pacific Northwest city of Leavenworth to get in the holiday spirit, you’re in for a holiday treat. If you’re heading there for outdoor experiences, you’re still in for a treat. To start this wonderful getaway, book a cabin or a tiny house at the Leavenworth Tiny House Village, pack your snow gear and your holiday best and head to the Pacific Northwest! There’s plenty to see and do here, but we picked five things to get you started:

Leavenworth Tiny House Villlage at Christmas
Leavenworth Tiny House Village at Christmastime

1. However you celebrate the holiday season, you have to admit that reindeer, nutcrackers and snow play into any holiday theme and Leavenworth has all of that. The Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum (nutcrackermuseum.com) located in town displays nutcrackers from the 12th and 13th centuries to modern day. After you’ve explored, pick up your own souvenir nutcracker at the Nutcracker Lady Gift Shop. The Leavenworth Reindeer Farm is a great experience as well, but book soon if you’re visiting in December, because they are kinda busy in December doing reindeer stuff! With this interesting experience, you will learn about reindeer and have a chance to feed them and take pics with them. For hours and more info, visit leavenworthreindeerfarm.com.

2. A stroll through downtown Leavenworth during the holiday season will have you thinking you’ve been transported to the set of a holiday movie. Pinch yourself, this beautiful Bavarian-style city is very real, and you can experience the half a million twinkling lights, the carolers, the hot cocoa and even Mr. & Mrs. Claus! On weekends, there are strolling carolers, photos with Santa, and live performances from the Sugar Plums, an award-winning holiday choir, in the town’s gazebo. The Leavenworth Festhalle has a gingerbread house exhibition, Santa costumes from around the world, photo ops and hot cocoa and snacks.

Leavenworth, WA
Leavenworth, WA

3. Outdoor experiences here are as plentiful as the snowflakes that fall annually. Head to Lake Wenatchee State Park that offers over 30 miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing, 12 miles of marked snowshoe trails, and a sled hill. For downhill skiing and snowboarding, check out Leavenworth Ski Hill. Other outdoor fun here includes fat biking, sledding and ski hill jumping. For details on Ski Hill, visit skileavenworth.com. Or sit back and let someone else do the work as you explore the outdoors on a sleigh ride – yep, you can dash through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh that accommodates 6 passengers and comes complete with hot cider to be enjoyed around the fire in the barn at the end of your unique sleigh ride. For details and reservations, visit leavenworthsleighrides.com.

4. Knowing your cozy tiny house is waiting for you at the end of the day, a day trip to Seattle can be fun coming and going! In a little over two hours, you can be in the Emerald City and enjoy the attractions including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Winter Brilliance at the Chihuly Garden and Glass House, which has a special light and music installation running through February 2025. There’s also the Seattle Christmas Market, which runs through December 24, and has holiday displays, live entertainment and artisan shops to find that perfect holiday gift!

Leavenworth Tiny House Village
Leavenworth Tiny House Village

5. Toast the holidays in a variety of ways with a visit to Leavenworth’s Icicle Brewing Company’s taproom, located on Front Street in the downtown – drop in for Thursday Night Trivia or the special Holiday Market from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11. If you want a wine toast, there are several tasting rooms on Front Street including Icicle Ridge Winery and the WooHoo Winery Tasting Room.

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The 12 Ways of Glamping

Everyone has their own ways to kick off the fun of the holidays, but our preferred method is through glamping! Here are 12 places to consider for a holiday season glamp.

1. Bend, Oregon: Book a glamping cottage, cabin or yurt at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver to start. Bend is great for outdoor winter activities like cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. You can ice skate at The Pavillion, which even has night skating, or for foodie fun, visit The Podski, which offers a variety of local food trucks and live music.

2. Mt. Hood, Oregon: Another great Pacific Northwest location for snow fun. Of course, a tiny house at the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village is the perfect spot to stay when exploring the great outdoors in Mt. Hood. Don’t miss the historic Timberline Lodge and the iconic Mt. Hood Skibowl, which is great for night skiing.

3. Nashville, Tennessee: The Natchez Trace Tiny House Village is a perfect home base for exploring the sights and sounds of Nashville and the surrounding area. For holiday lights, check out the 10th Annual Holiday LIGHTS at Cheekwood Gardens or Zoolumination at the Nashville Zoo. For an all-out holiday extravaganza head to Gaylord Opryland to experience Christmas at Gaylord Opryland with all kinds of festivities, light displays, ice carvings, holiday treats, gingerbread competitions and more.

Lyla at Natchez Trace Tiny House Village
Lyla at Natchez Trace Tiny House Village

4. Orlando, Florida: The colorful cottages at Encore Tropical Palms are the glamping accommodation to book when planning a trip to the Orlando area during the holiday season. The Magic Kingdom holiday events include EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays (through December 30) while Universal Orlando has Christmas at Hogwarts and Celebrate Grinchmas, and of course all the local downtown areas including Kissimmee and St. Cloud will have festive lights, holiday décor and a variety of holiday events.

5. Palm Springs, California: How about a desert holiday countdown? A sunny cottage at Thousand Trails Palm Springs in Palm Desert puts you in perfect proximity to enjoy the special Holiday Market which is part of the regular Thursday evening VillageFest, Wildlights at the Living Desert (through December 30) and Snowtopia at the Palm Springs Air Museum that will feature 60 tons of real snow, plus Santa and hot cocoa and is scheduled for December 20-22.

6. Monterey, California: A cool yurt at Marina Dunes RV Resort can host you during a holiday getaway to explore California’s Monterey Bay area. Holiday events include Christmas on the Wharf, which runs weekends through December 22 and Ice Skating on the Bay, which features an outdoor ice rink open through January 5.

7. Key West, Florida: Spend several days ringing in the holidays in the sunny Florida Keys and consider these events to get you in the spirit: The Key West Artisan Market (December 15, 22 and 29); the Key West Old Town Trolley’s Holiday Sights & Festive Nights Tours (evenings through December 23); the Stock Island Holiday Lighted Boat parade on Big Pine Key (December 13) and Boot Key Harbor Christmas Boat Parade on Marathon (December 14). Take your pick from a tiny house at the Sunshine Key Tiny House Village or a colorful cottage at Encore Fiesta Key.

Cottages at Fiesta Key Resort
Cottages at Encore Fiesta Key

8. Lake Tahoe, California: Head to Tahoe Valley Campground and rent a glamping cottage or cabin to enjoy the events at this gorgeous location which include the Northern Lights Festival at Incline Village (through December 25) and the spectacular Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade at Granlibakken Tahoe where skiers illuminate the ski hill with torches followed by the arrival of Santa and his elves.

9. San Diego, California: If holiday parades are your things, consider a getaway to San Diego which has at least 5 different holiday-themed parades running through December including the Gaslamp Pet Parade (December 14) and the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade (December 27). Holiday light shows include the All that Jazz Light Show Spectacular on Coronado Island (through January 5) and the Old Town Trolley Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour, which runs through December (note: does not run on December 24 and 25). For your accommodation, Thousand Trails Pio Pico in Jamul has you covered with cabins and cottages!

Cabin at Thousand Trails Pio Pico
Cabin at Thousand Trails Pio Pico

10. Miami, Florida: Choose from a variety of glamping accommodations at Encore Miami Everglades and take in the holiday events planned in the area. Night at the Garden, which runs through January 2025, is a neon wonderland at the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden while Christmas Wonderland at Tropical Park, is billed as a “Candyland-inspired spectacle” that features thousands of lights, amusement rides and several immersive installations that promise to provide the perfect backdrop for a photo (through January 5); and Zoo Lights Miami which runs through December 30.

11. Dallas, Texas: Book a glamping cabin at Thousand Trails Bay Landing to be near the holiday fun in the Big D which includes the “12 Days of Christmas” exhibit at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden; Dallas Zoo Lights (through January 4) and SNOWDAY at Galleria Dallas which is winter wonderland of 20 different holiday-themed rooms, including a 1970s Christmas-themed RV.

Bay Landing RV Campground
Thousand Trails Bay Landing Cabins

12. Yosemite National Park: In addition to the beautiful scenery and the outdoor activity, Yosemite National Park also offers several holiday events including a Gingerbread Workshop (book soon; this event sells out fast) on December 21 or December 23 or ice skating at the Curry Village Rink, with great views of Half Dome and Glacier Point. If you still have gifts to buy, consider something from the Ansel Adams Gallery which offers several gift collections. Book a yurt at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes and you’re less than 15 minutes from the Park’s entrance.

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Glamping Holiday Style: Must-Have Items to Boost Your Festive Spirit

If you plan on spending your holidays glamping, make sure you bring plenty of holiday spirit with you. Some easily transported décor includes:

Tabletop Trees: Balsam Hill offers an elegant 17” crystal and pearl tabletop tree or a more traditional 36” frosted alpine tabletop tree (visit balmsamhill.com for details) and target.com has everything from ceramic to Sisal bottle brush style when it comes to tabletop trees.

String Lights: Light up your glamping accommodation with festival lights and of course, Amazon has every imaginable holiday-themed string lights available including snowflakes, a mix of gingerbread men and candy canes, the Grinch and his faithful companion Max, pinecones and berries, and one that has Santa with snowflakes and Christmas trees. Visit amazon.com to get details on pricing and availability.

Holiday decorated cottage at Encore Tropical Palms
Holiday decorated cottage at Encore Tropical Palms

Inflatable Décor: Think about it – they take up very little space but when fully inflated provide quite the holiday punch! Five Below has a polar bear and a penguin for $5 each that inflate to four feet; Amazon.com has a 3-pack of inflatable Christmas trees that are also coolers for under $45; and Temu.com has a variety of inflatable round ornaments in several colors and styles.

Greenery, Pinecones and Candles: A simple swag of garland and a hurricane candle or decorative bowl filled with pinecones can be the perfect touch, while a wreath can welcome everyone to your glamping getaway. A display of LED-candles is always good for holiday décor too!

Holiday decorated cabin at Encore Bulow
Holiday decorated cabin at Encore Bulow

Bells: A simple string of bells can ring in the season and keep you in the spirit of the holiday – remember, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings! Amazon.com has a variety of bells from vintage and rustic to the traditional silver and gold!

DIY Snow Globes: Pre-trip, gather several different sized small jam or jelly jars (baby food containers work well too) and host a DIY craft night when glamping. Aside from the jars, you need water, glycerin, glitter and some small, festive figurines. Glue the figures to the jar lid, fill the jar with water and a dash of glycerin, tightly cover the jar with the lid (after the glue has dried), give it a shake and voila, instant holiday keepsakes!

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5 Things to Do in San Francisco, CA

San Francisco is a great place to visit whether for a few days or an extended stay. There is so much to see and do here from all standpoints – cultural, historic, foodie and outdoor adventures. It’s got the bridge, it’s got the bay, it’s got woodlands and mountains, and landmarks and live entertainment. Come find out your favorite thing about The City by the Bay. A glamping stay at Marina Dunes RV Park s perfect for your day trips to explore San Francisco.

Glamping Yurts at Marina Dunes RV Park
Glamping Yurts at Marina Dunes RV Park

1. Do the Rock: The Rock, also known as Alcatraz or Alcatraz Island, served as a federal prison for 29 years and saw the likes of some pretty serious criminals including famed gangster, Al Capone. The island is now a California Historic Landmark and tours of the prison are available daily, including in the evening. Check out alcatrazislandtickets.com for details.

2. Do the Stairs: Of course, a hilly city like San Francisco has a lot of staircases but there are two that are of special note. The 16th Avenue Staircase, located in a residential neighborhood, is a colorful set of 163 mosaic tiled stairs that lead climbers to an extraordinary view of the city. Over on Lombard Street, considered the “crookedest street in the world”, each side of the street has a staircase consisting of 250 stairs – again worth the steep climb for fantastic views.

Aerial straight down over Lombard Street with cars and road running horizontally
Lombard Street – San Francisco, CA

3. Do Something Groovy: You may remember the Summer of Love, or heard about it from “older” folks, but San Francisco was the epicenter of this social phenomenon that occurred in the summer of 1967. Visit some of the sites that were the place to be that summer, including Golden Gate Park where the Human Be-In took place and is now home to numerous gardens, windmills and two museums; and Haight-Ashbury, the neighborhood that was home to the Grateful Dead (the house at 710 Ashbury is privately owned but pics of the outside of this lovely Victorian are possible) and many other rockers from the day. The neighborhood has plenty of shops, vintage boutiques and eateries to enjoy too!

Glamping Cottage at Marina Dunes RV Park
Glamping Cottage at Marina Dunes RV Park

4. Do the Woods: Muir Woods National Monument is 558-acres of towering old-growth redwood trees and one of the last remaining ancient redwood forests in the Bay Area. While everything here is simply awe-inspiring, don’t miss Bohemian Grove and Cathedral Grove. Fun fact – parts of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi were shot in Cathedral Grove.

5. Do Iconic SF: Must-sees and Must-dos when visiting San Francisco include crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, riding a cable car down Powell Street, Fisherman’s Wharf with its adorable sea lions on the wharf’s Pier 39, Chinatown, which is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, and enjoying a signature cocktail at The Top of the Mark, the penthouse level bar of the Mark Hopkins hotel that offers 360-degree views of the city.

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Best Locations for Enjoying National Take a Hike Day

Since 1976, the third Thursday in November has been recognized as National Take a Hike Day. It was created “to encourage people to connect with nature and recognize the physical and mental benefits of hiking.” Of course, we don’t need a special day to remind us about the benefits of activity, especially activity experienced outdoors, among nature, but we’d like to highlight some places good for hiking if you’re looking for somewhere near to your glamping spot this November. And did you know that the word hike means “a long walk, especially in the country or wilderness.” Here are a few options to “go take a hike!”


If you’re glamping in a glamping cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Pio Pico, you can enjoy one of several hiking options in San Diego’s Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. The trail is mostly flat, and the all-in 3-mile hike is not necessarily challenging deemed one of best hikes in San Diego thanks to the views of natural cliff formations and coastal arches.

Thousand Trails Pio Pico
Thousand Trails Pio Pico

Did you know there are roughly 120 miles of trails within the city limits of Seattle? Reserve a yurt or glamping cottage at Tall Chief Campground and head over to Discovery Park that offers 12 miles of trails within a 534-acre forest. A recommended hike is the shorter 2.8-mile Washington Trails Association Loop that takes hikers through dense forested areas as well as open meadows and offers great views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

Yurt at Tall Chief Campground
Yurt at Tall Chief Campground

Plan to hike among the beautiful red rocks in Sedona and check out some of the most popular, and photo worthy, hikes found here. Devil’s Bridge is a 2.2-mile out and back with stunning photo ops; Cathedral Rock, probably the most photo worthy, but you have to work for it since despite the shorter distance there is an elevation change of over 700 feet. Book a stay at a tiny house in Thousand Trails Verde Valley to enjoy hiking here.

Tiny Houses at Thousand Trails Verde Valley
Tiny Houses at Thousand Trails Verde Valley

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Unique and Tasty Celebrations to Add to Your Calendar

Whether you’re heading there this month or planning a trip for another time of year, these destinations are always brimming with charm, offering unforgettable experiences and local flair year-round!

November 1: Celebrate famous American authors like Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck on National Author’s Day or anytime you’re glamping in the area of two of America’s most treasured writers. To learn about the life of John Steinbeck, who wrote classics including Cannery Row and East of Eden, book a glamping tent at Marina Dunes RV Park and visit the National Steinbeck Center in nearby Salinas. Or find out some interesting things about the man who wrote the timeless novels like A Farewell to Arms and The Old Man and the Sea and explore the Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West (book a stay at either Encore Sunshine Key or Encore Fiesta Key).

Sunshine Key Tiny House Village
Sunshine Key Tiny House Village

November 5: It’s National Donut Day – on this day or any other day you prefer, check out the donuts at Fox’s Donut Den in Nashville (glamp at Natchez Trace Tiny House Village) or Donnie’s Donuts in Daytona, Florida (glamp at Encore Sunshine Holiday Daytona). Both were named to USA Today’s list of the 10 Best Donut Shops, coming in at #3 and #2, respectively.

Natchez Trace Tiny House Village
Natchez Trace Tiny House Village

November 10: I scream, you scream, we all scream because it’s National Sundae Day. According to Food & Wine, some of the best ice cream shops in the US include Molly Moon’s Ice Cream in Seattle; Fat Cat Creamery in Houston; and Screamin’ Mimi’s in Sebastopol, California. For nearby glamping, check out Tall Chief Campground (near Seattle); Thousand Trails Lake Conroe (near Houston); and Thousand Trails Russian River (near Sebastopol).

Cabins at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe
Cabins at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe

November 17: National Baklava Day was created to honor this tasty pastry of Greek and Turkish origins made with phyllo dough, chopped nuts, and honey. If you’re glamping down in the Florida Keys (Encore Fiesta Key or Encore Sunshine Key), head to The Baklava in Key West whose name says it all!

November 18: Mickey Mouse turns 96 this year! So, head out to your favorite Disney location and celebrate the life of the amazing Michael Theodore Mouse (yep, real name) who first appeared to the American public in the animated short, “Steamboat Willie” which premiered on this date in 1928. Choose to celebrate our favorite big-eared rodent at Florida’s Disney World (stay at Encore Tropical Palms in Kissimmee) or Disneyland (stay at Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes).

Cottages at Encore Tropical Palms
Cottages at Encore Tropical Palms

November 27: It’s Small Brewery Sunday so raise and glass and check out some of the best small breweries near your glamping adventure. California’s Russian River Brewing Company (stay at Thousand Trails Russian River) or Deschutes in Bend, Oregon (stay at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver).

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