rancho oso rv resort | Petite Retreater

Getting Outdoors with Outdoorsy!

One good thing to come out of the crazy year of 2020 was the return of the road trip. Adulting means putting away our childish things and for many of us, that meant saying goodbye to the road trips of summer vacations long past. Too busy, not enough vacation time, and the list goes on. But with social bubbles and social distancing, the road trip has become the best way to get away, whether for a short jaunt or a long expedition. Take the ultimate road trip to the next level when it comes to “beyond” and considering renting an RV.

We’ve partnered with Outdoorsy.com, considered one of the most trusted RV rental marketplaces in the country, to highlight some of the coolest rentals around when it comes to RVs.

Camper Van! Anyone watch Nomadland? Camper vans played a major role in the movie where life on the road was the way to be. Consider the rental from PHX VAN LIFE and road trip from the pick-up point in Gilbert, Arizona, down to Sedona. Book a stay at Verde Valley RV Resort in Cottonwood and along the way enjoy Montezuma’s Castle National Monument, the splish-splash fun of Slide Rock State Park and of course, the beauty and tranquility of Sedona and the Red Rocks.

Check out Bambi, a towable camper with sleeping space, a kitchen, sink, and fridge! Hook up with Bambi in Austin, Texas, and enjoy a 239-mile road trip to our Bay Landing RV Resort. From Austin to Bridgeport, the road trip itinerary can include a stop along the way in Waco to see Magnolia Market, the Dr. Pepper Museum, and take a hike on the Cotton Belt Trail, an 11-mile paved route, accessible for all levels of hikers.

A VW Vanagon sounds like a great option for being a road trip vagabond while exploring Florida. This iconic wagon sleeps two and can be picked up in Gulfport located on, of course, the Gulf Coast. From there, why not drive leisurely down south to take the mother of all road trips tackling the Overseas Highways and the fabulous Florida Keys. Plan to stay at one of our great Keys locations, Sunshine Key or Fiesta Key and explore the Keys with its water sports, nature preserves and plenty of fun found in Key West.

How about a California Coast trip? Pick up the well-equipped Fleetwood Tioga Arrow just outside LA. Take a day or so and stay at the Palm Springs RV Resort to check out Palm Springs – think Joshua Tree and great desert hikes – and then hit the coast and head to Santa Barbara and plan a stay at Rancho Oso RV Resort. SB fun includes breathtaking sunsets, plenty of beach time, and all the SB attractions including architectural tours, winery visits, shopping, and great waterfront restaurants.

Heading to the Midwest? Get hip and rent this retro-style 2015 Shasta. Meet up with your new digs in Indianapolis and then settle in for an extended Midwestern road trip. Stops could include Indiana’s Amish Village of Shipshewana (and a stay at Twin Mills RV Resort), Michigan’s Harbor Country (and a stay at Bear Cave RV Resort in Buchanan), and a beautiful drive around Lake Michigan into Wisconsin. Make reservations at our Wisconsin RV resorts, including locations in the Wisconsin Dells, outside the capital city of Madison and in beautiful Door County. Wisconsin highlights could include Dells attractions like the Ishnala Supper Club, a magical dining establishment nestled among the pines with great views, or water tours of Lake Delton aboard the iconic Ducks; charming Door County with its kayaking, biking and hiking opportunities; and Madison and its fabulous Saturday Farmers Market, Olbrich Botanical Gardens and a trip to nearby Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright’s 800-acre estate that includes his home and studio.

Doesn’t it seem like the iconic Airstream and road trips go hand in hand? Consider renting the one that’s available in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and then exploring PA Dutch Country and staying at any of our locations sprinkled throughout the area. Amish culture, craft breweries and distilleries, rolling fields and serene landscapes, farmer’s markets, and more are part of this PA adventure. Or, trek into Philadelphia for some history lessons and a Philly Cheesesteak!

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Plan your Boston getaway and stay at the Tuxbury Tiny House Village.
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Find your next glamping destination at PetiteRetreats.com.

Fall for Santa Barbara

There’s no doubt about it – any time of year is a great time to visit Santa Barbara. Thanks to its mild climate that boasts a steady mid-70s year-round and the constants of the Santa Ynez Mountains as a backdrop, stunning Pacific Ocean views, and the rich history of this charming town, a visit to Santa Barbara is always a good choice.
But come fall, when the summer crowds have gone, Santa Barbara is still a classic beach town with plenty of events dotting the calendar. Book a stay with us at Rancho Oso RV Resort and mark your calendar for these fun-filled fall events.

Rancho Oso RV Resort | Santa Barbara, CA

On Saturday, September 29, Santa Barbara hosts the second annual California Brew & BBQ Festival! This event features over 50 breweries, cideries, and wineries at an oceanfront venue complete with live music and delicious food. BBQ highlights include a BBQ competition and an appearance by World Champion Pitmaster, Doug Scheiding. Admission includes unlimited tastings and a souvenir tasting glass. Designated drivers can obtain reduced admission tickets. Admission is restricted to those 21 years and older. For more information visit californiabrewfestival.com.

Learn all about the history and architecture of Santa Barbara with an easy walking tour. Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., you can enjoy a guided tour of the city led by docents of Santa Barbara’s Architectural Foundation. Learn all about the rich architectural history of Santa Barbara and all its amazing architectural detail (think wrought iron, stonework, arched entries and more). Visit afsb.org for more information.

Santa Barbara County Courthouse in Downtown Santa Barbara. Photo courtesy of Visit Santa Barbara by Blake Bronstad.

Foodies should make note of two major events happening this fall in Santa Barbara – the Harbor & Seafood Festival, scheduled for October 13, and the Santa Barbara Chowder Festival, set for October 21. The Harbor and Seafood Festival is all things seafood including lobster, oysters, crab, and albacore with a nod to sustainable harvest. Admission is free and in addition to the seafood, there are a variety of entertaining activities for both adults and children. The Chowder Festival is a friendly competition for the bragging rights of the best chowder. Proceeds benefit the Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara and event-goers can also enjoy tastings from area wineries, live music, and of course, chowder!

Make Rancho Oso RV Resort your home base as you enjoy America’s Riviera, aka Santa Barbara, and take it one step further by booking one of the resort’s cozy cabins or one-of-a-kind covered wagon. The resort’s location is another plus to a Santa Barbara stay – Rancho Oso is bordered by the Los Padres National Forest and the Santa Ynez River and offers guided horseback riding and hiking adventures onsite.

Honeymoon With Petite Retreats!

Honeymoons can be some of the best days of a marriage. That feeling of being brand new and ready to face any adventure together may not last forever, so where do you go to spend that window of unfettered travel and leisure?

The Adirondacks

With majestic mountains, moonlit lakes, and charming towns, the Adirondack region of New York is definitely a romantic destination. From scenic drives and boutique wineries to water sports and hiking and biking trails, the Adirondack region has it all.

Consider the Mohican Trail Historical Driving Tour, self-guided tour that takes you through military sites, historic markers, and the surrounding counties that include Saratoga County and its architectural and cultural offerings.

Parasail with your partner over the beautiful views of the mountains and lakes from high in the sky. The region has several providers of parasail adventures including Lake George Shoreline Parasail Adventures and Pinky’s Parasailing Adventures. As they say, the couple that parasails together stays together.

The Adirondack region is home to several distilleries, wineries, and craft breweries and offers several ways to see these operations. There’s the Adirondack Coast Wine Trail (adkcoastwine.com) or the Adirondack Coast Beverage Trail which combines 28 wineries, cideries, distilleries, and breweries on one bike trail. The trail offers incredible views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains.

Cabin at Lake George Escape, Lake George, NY

Stay in a cozy cabin with your honey at Lake George Escape in the beautiful Adirondacks!

Santa Barbara, California

From the city’s small-town charm combined with its Mediterranean inspired architecture and miles of sandy beaches, it’s no wonder that Santa Barbara is called the “American Riviera.” There are wine trails, spas, shopping, fine dining, museums, gardens and more to explore in this idyllic coastal town, and it’s more romantic the more you explore it.

The beautiful architecture of the city and surrounding area may inspire you with ideas when you begin setting up your home with your honey. Most notable are the Lobero Theater, the Santa Barbara Courthouse, and the Old Mission Santa Barbara. Take a walking tour of the city and learn the rich history of the Spanish-style buildings or drive into nearby Montecito and tour Casa del Herrero, a stunning example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, along with its gardens and grounds (casadelherrero.com). Don’t miss a hike to Knapp’s Castle and explore the ruins of the palatial estate built by industrialist George Knapp in 1920.

Santa Barbara is known for its stunning sunsets and there are several places, both public and somewhat private, to watch the sunset to end a perfect honeymoon day. Enjoy dinner and a sunset at the Shoreline Café or the Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach. For a sandy sunset, try Cabrillo Beach or Butterfly Beach. Stearns Wharf, albeit a bit more touristy, is another option and offers not only sunset views but shopping and dining options.

Stay at one of the unique accommodations at Rancho Oso RV Resort just outside Santa Barbara, CA!

Visit petiteretreats.com to see how you can take your next romantic getaway with Petite Retreats!