Treebones Resort in Big Sur - The Autonomous Tent
I had a dreamy birthday getaway to Big Sur last week along California’s central coast. I received so many questions about where I was staying after sharing a few pictures on my Instagram stories that I’ve decided to share the experience in a full blog post today…so please join me as we discover the Autonomous Tent at the incredibly unique Treebones Resort.
The North Autonomous Tent at Treebones Resort
The North Autonomous Tent at Treebones Resort
The view from the North Autonomous Tent at Treebones Resort
Located at the southern edge of Big Sur, Treebones Resort is a premier glamping resort - think luxury camping. Unlike any hotel you’ve stayed in before, it’s a perfect blend of enjoying nature and the beauty of being outdoors without giving up the comfortable amenities you appreciate. For nearly 20 years Treebones has been a true Big Sur eco-resort, striving to cultivate as light of a footprint as possible on this majestic land…and you’ll feel a part of that love and care every moment of your stay here.
Walking the grounds at Treebones Resort
Yurt Village at Treebones Resort
Yurts
The resort boasts some of the most unique glamping accommodations you could hope to find, starting with their yurt village. The yurts are circular wooden framed structures covered in fabric. Treebones’ yurts come fully furnished with queen sized beds, linens, electric lighting, sinks, vanity, and heating, along with French doors that open to breathtaking coastal views (now that sounds like my kind of camping!).
The Treehouse at Treebones Resort
The Nest at Treebones Resort
Campsites & One-of-a-Kind Structures
Treebones also offers campsites with expansive ocean views if you prefer to bring your own tent and camp under the stars. There are also three one-of-a-kind accommodations offered here, including an incredible treehouse (where you get to walk across your own bridge in the trees to reach) as well as a human nest and a twig hut (both built by local Big Sur Artist Jayson Fann). In these structures eucalyptus branches have been remarkably woven into incredible sculptures that guests rave about staying in. This week I’m staying in Treebones’ newest accommodation on the property, the North Autonomous Tent.
The Autonomous Tents at Treebones Resort
Inside the North Autonomous Tent at Treebones Resort
Inside the North Autonomous Tent at Treebones Resort
Autonomous Tents
These semi-translucent tents are covered in fabric that stretches across the arching frame, providing warm natural light during the day and a magical glow at night. After staying in the Autonomous Tent here, it’s hard to imagine going back to camping in my Chevy truck tent! With over 600 ft.² of indoor living space, these tents are powered by their own dedicated solar array. The tents have a beautiful and bright living area with soft leather lounging chairs, a sofa facing the inviting fireplace, an overhead fan, and in-ground heating. You’ll also love the super comfy king size bed with a coastal view. The Autonomous Tents are the only accommodations on the property with their own private en suite bathroom complete with toilet, fully tiled walk-in shower, and separate vanity and vessel sink. There’s plenty of space to make yourself at home here with luggage racks, wardrobe hanging hooks, and a small refrigerator. One of my favorite spaces to enjoy isn’t actually inside the tent, but rather outside. The private deck covers over 300 ft.² and offers unbeatable sunset views, which I enjoyed every night of my stay, lounging in front of my deck top fire pit.
The deck of the North Autonomous Tent at Treebones Resort
The sink and vanity of the North Autonomous Tent at Treebones Resort
The shower and bathroom of the North Autonomous Tent at Treebones Resort
The Organic Garden at Treebones Resort
The Organic Garden at Treebones Resort
The Grounds
Upon arriving and parking in the dedicated parking area, Nate & I checked in at the resort Lodge...this is also where you’ll find the restaurant, pool/spa, and lodge store/gift shop (I recommend checking out the book selection here…I purchased 3 books by local authors and throughly enjoyed reading them throughout my stay). You can plan on walking everywhere here (vehicles are only allowed in the designated guest parking area), but resort workers with golf carts are happy to help with your luggage as needed. Kevin drove Nate and I to our tent to get settled with our things, and he even shared a great spot from our deck to look for whales…and sure enough within 5 minutes we were treated to our very own whale show! We soon set off strolling throughout the grounds and enjoying a beautiful swing built into two trees, followed by a stroll through the organic garden where most of the produce is grown on site (they have bees close by and process fresh honey here too). There’s a massage studio, yoga studio, and outdoor amphitheater where guests can enjoy morning yoga throughout the week.
The Amphitheater at Treebones Resort
Walking the grounds at Treebones Resort
The pool and hot tub at Treebones Resort
A seating area in front of the Wild Coast Restaurant at Treebones Resort
Dining
Treebones guests enjoy self serve coffee & espresso drinks daily, as well as complimentary breakfast from 7:30-9:30am. Even if you’re not staying at the resort, consider making a reservation at the Wild Coast Restaurant. This garden to table dining experience is both relaxed and refined. Nate and I were so impressed with both the food and the service that we made dinner reservations every night for the duration of our stay. Lunch is served daily from 12-2pm and dinner is served from 5:30-8:30pm with reservations encouraged. A brand new wood fire oven is going into the restaurant, and there is also a sublime sushi bar experience offered Wednesday-Sunday from March to November. I love the Meze Plate and Kale Salad, and Nate recommends the Thai Green Curry Pork Ribs and Wood Oven Duck Lasagna. See the full menu here, and always say yes to dessert...trust me!
Dinner at the Treebones Resort Wild Coast Restaurant
The sunset view from the North Autonomous Tent at Treebones Resort
Know Before You Go
• I’ve heard people refer to Big Sur as “God’s country”, “otherworldly”, and “life changing”...and I don’t disagree. This is an incredible place, but it is also a sensitive vulnerable land...local infrastructure is not set up to support mass visitors as many of our local state and national parks are. There are nearly 70 miles of Highway 1 coastline without access to travel service, such as gas, food, trash and restrooms, so please do your research before your visit.
• Treebones Resort is about a mile north of Gorda Springs and about 12 miles north of Ragged Point Inn. If you’re coming from the north, it’s about 50 miles south of Bixby Creek Bridge. Always make sure to check road conditions prior to visiting. Over the last several years, there have been frequent road closures along Highway 1 due to mudslides.
• Please join me in following the Leave No Trace principles. If we leave this place better than we found it, we will be rewarded with years of natural wonder. If you’re unfamiliar with The Big Sur Pledge, I encourage you to familiarize yourself prior to heading out to this beautiful area.
• Plan on really disconnecting here…there is no cell service on the property, and very limited wifi is only available at the lodge/restaurant (open from 7:30am-9:30 pm).
• This is a private property and only registered resort guests are allowed to tour/walk the ground (this policy is a gift to guests…on my recent stay the property was nearly fully booked, but I always felt I had the property to myself).
• Quiet hours are enforced from 9:30pm to 8am (absolutely no amplified music, parties, etc.). It’s an incredible treat to fall asleep to the sound of ocean waves and wake up to birds chirping and elephant seals trumpeting.
• Restrooms and showers are located at the lodge, and are open 24 hrs for guests camping and staying in yurts.
• As of this writing, prices range from $100/night for campsites to $600+ for one of the Autonomous Tents. Often there is a two night minimum for reservations (and no matter how long you stay, you’ll wish you had just one more day😉).
Nearby Big Sur Places of Interest:
Salmon Creek Falls
Ragged Point Hike
McWay Falls
The North Autonomous Tent and the Nest pictured at Treebones Resort
Enjoying an evening on the deck of the North Autonomous Tent at Treebones Resort
“If you can come to a place that’s built with love and passion, you can feel it the moment you get there.” – John Handy
“If people go away feeling a bit closer to the land…if they go home feeling refreshed, we feel we’ve done our job.” – Corinne Handy
Over 30 years ago John and Corinne Handy traveled this coastline on their honeymoon, and years later they returned and purchased the land which they have lovingly transformed into Treebones Resort. Nate and I travelled this coastline ten years ago on our honeymoon, so in some ways I feel a kindred connection to the Handy’s and the never-ending love story you can develop with this land. From the incredibly kind and helpful staff to the fantastic food and the epic Big Sur views, Treebones welcomes you to enjoy a truly special getaway with sweet dreams, adventures, and memories. I can’t wait to return for my next trip to make more magical Atounomus Tent memories.
To book your own stay with Treebones, click here, and join me for a virtual visit in my Behind the Blog YouTube video at the top of this post. Until next time, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
The deck and fire pit of the Autonomous Tent at Treebones Resort
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I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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This week we're taking a road trip along the California Central Coast to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, nicknamed "mini Yosemite". With its hiking trails, towering coastal redwood trees, abundant wildlife, and lodging options (including camping and Big Sur Lodge cabins), this CA state park along Highway 1 is one of the top places to go in Big Sur. Read this travel guide for all the park details.