Tag: small towns

5 Things to Do in California’s Monterey Bay Area

Did you know that Monterey was the first capital of California? Fun fact – Monterey was the state capital from 1774 to 1849. Did you know that this beautiful bayside city is considered the “Sardine Capital of the World” thanks to these tiny fish that populated the waters here and the subsequent canning boom of said little fishes? Monterey is rich in history and is definitely worth a look-see when glamping at nearby Marina Dunes RV Resort. Here are five things not to miss…

1. Monterey Coast Trail: With 18 miles of paved trail, this is a great way to experience scenic ocean views, frolicking sea lions, sea otters, and coastal birds and access all the things along the way like the fabulous aquarium, Fisherman’s Wharf and more. You can choose to bike or walk this beautiful coastal trail.

Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium

2. Monterey Bay Aquarium: While the Aquarium has been in the news lately due to a certain t-shirt sported by Taylor Swift, this place is known for so much more like its unique, 28-foot high Kelp Forest, a multitude of interactive exhibits, including the newest exhibit “Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean”, and the more than 35,000 creatures that make their home here.

3. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve: From the amazing shoreline views to the wildlife spotting and whale watching, do not miss the opportunity to visit what is considered the “crown jewel of California’s state parks.” Birders will enjoy a hike on the Bird Island Trail while China Cove and the Gibson Beach Trail offer hidden caves and high cliffs. Lovers of sea lions will want to hike the Sea Lion Point Trail to catch a glimpse of the sea lions lounging on the rocks. Don’t miss the historic Whalers Cabin, accessible from the Cabin Trail, which leads to this cabin built by Chinese fishermen in the 1850s.

Outside of the Historic Mission, Carmel Mission
Outside of the Historic Mission, Carmel Mission

4. Small-town Charm: There are several small towns in the area worth a visit and they include Salinas, home to the National Steinbeck Center that pays tribute to author John Steinbeck who was born and raised here; Pacific Grove, home to the Point Pinos Lighthouse and the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, which is best when visited during migration season from November to February; Castroville, which is considered the “artichoke capital of the world” and is home to the world’s largest artichoke statue; and Carmel-by-the-Sea, home to the historic Carmel Mission, the unique Fairy Tale Cottages built in 1926 and plenty of shops and eateries. 

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

5. This and That: Don’t miss the murals in Sand City, the setting sun at Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove, the clam chowder at Old Fisherman’s Grotto in Monterey, and the scenic 17-Mile Drive.

Read More:

Glamp Near Some of the Most Iconic Landmarks and Locations

Thanks to social media, any of you list makers can always get some ideas from Instagram, Facebook, and other various online sources for listicles that regularly pop up letting you know how many people have visited these locations, viewed these landmarks, visited these national parks etc. We took a tour around some of these lists to see what you can mark off when glamping nearby with us:

One list includes US landmarks like the Hollywood Sign, the Las Vegas Strip, and Disney World. We can make this easy for you:

To visit the Hollywood Sign, book a glamping cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon and drive roughly 45 miles to see this iconic bit of LaLa Land. Fun fact, the original sign, which was built in 1923 to advertise a real estate development, read HOLLYWOODLAND. A great spot to view the sign is from the Griffith Observatory which can be reached via a hike through Griffith Park.

Cabin at Thousand Trails Las Vegas
Cabin at Thousand Trails Las Vegas

To experience the bright lights and high energy of the Las Vegas Strip, book a glamping cabin at Thousand Trails Las Vegas and stroll the roughly four miles where highlights include the nightly fountain show outside the Bellagio Hotel, a gondola ride at The Venetian, the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat, and the Insta-worthy “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign!

Cottages at Encore Tropical Palms
Cottages at Encore Tropical Palms

Florida’s Walt Disney World is considered an unofficial landmark as the iconic castle is known world-wide so that works for our purposes. And apparently you are never too old to enjoy the fun here. In March 2024, Magnolia Jackson celebrated her 106th birthday with her first trip ever to the Magic Kingdom. Book a colorful glamping cottage at Encore Tropical Palms in Kissimmee and let the magic in!

Yurt at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes Campground
Yurt at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes Campground

Then there’s the National Parks checklist – how many of the 63 US national parks have you visited? Start tackling that list by glamping with us when you head to Yosemite which is famous for the Yosemite Falls, El Capitan and Half Dome, plus just down the road from Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes. 

Cabin at Seaside RV Campround
Cabin at Seaside RV Campround

How about the most beautiful small towns in America? That’s another easy one list makers include California’s Carmel by the Sea (book a glamping stay at Marina Dunes RV Resort); Cannon Beach, Oregon (book a charming glamping cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Seaside); and Sedona, Arizona (glamp at a tiny house at Thousand Trails Verde Valley).

Read More: