Glamour + Camping

CENTURIES AGO, tired and dusty Spanish soldiers and California settlers would have enjoyed going “glamping.” That term springs from a marriage of “glamour” and “camping,” to describe an outdoor vacation that offers at least some luxuries of modern living. In 2001, El Capitan Canyon in Santa Barbara became one such glampground.

Set on 300 acres near El Capitan State Beach, the site offers 26 tents and 108 cabins. Safari tents ($145 a night) are set on raised wooden decks and come with queen or double beds, linens, towels and electric-lamp lighting. The cabins ($225- $350) have all that plus standard bathroom facilities, king or queen beds, a mini-fridge, mi cro wave oven and wet bar.

“We get a lot of repeat visitors——we really got our business through good word of mouth,” says an El Capitan Canyon spokes - person.

El Capitan has a car-free-canyon policy ——you have to take the shuttle in. Quiet time begins at 10 p.m. No amplified music is allowed, pets are verboten, and smoking is a no-no.

There is a heated pool and in-room massage; Saturday nights are celebrated around the main campfire with a buffet dinner and bluegrass or jazz music. No, this ain’t the 1800s version of camping. But you do still have to watch out for snakes. For information, call 866-352-2729 or go to elcapitancanyon.com.

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