Who else spent their childhood dreaming of having a secret treehouse hideaway they could call their own?
Whether your own fantasy treehouse was the quintessential kids-only clubhouse (à la To Kill A Mockingbird and The Sandlot) or something a bit more sophisticated (like the Swiss Family Treehouse), there’s just something universally cozy yet thrilling about having your own private little space tucked away amidst the tree canopy.
And if you’re like me, that childhood dream is still alive and as strong as ever…no matter how old you get.
I’ve slept in my fair share of imaginative accommodations over the years, but my recent stay in a treehouse in the Santa Cruz Mountains most closely resembled the ultimate “secret hideaway” fantasy from my younger years…but with a grownup twist.
For starters, it’s a true-blue, ACTUAL treehouse; there are no stairs here my friend—you’ve got to climb the ladder if you want into the clubhouse 😉. There’s a pulley system for getting your luggage up there (HOW FREAKING COOL), as well as electricity, WiFi, and a heater for those chilly NorCal evenings.
As for the views? Well, you’re surrounded by rolling hills, forested mountains and vineyards, and the elevation is high enough that you can see allllll the way to Monterey Bay.
Sounds pretty dreamy, right? Welcome to Lago Lomita Vineyards!
We booked our stay in the Lago Lomita treehouse via Airbnb, and as soon as we stepped foot on the property, we could tell it was a place that was truly special.
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Establishing the vineyard was clearly a labor of love for owners Robin and Mark; after greeting us upon arrival, the first thing they did was invite us to tour the property and hear the history of Lago Lomita.
Then, it was time to check into—er, climb into—our treehouse!
What is it actually like to spend the night “glamping” in a treehouse?
In a word: MAGICAL.
But to be less cliche (and more descriptive), hanging out in the treehouse all afternoon and evening was insanely peaceful. Derek and I checked in around 2pm, and only left the comfort of our little hideaway to use the bathroom and to enjoy a sunset stroll among the vines.
We were mesmerized by the endless shades of blue and green visible from the treehouse: the vibrant green vineyards below us, the dark forested hills and sage-colored shrubs, the foggy gray-blue coastline, the dark blue mountains in the distance and the cornflower sky…
I also loved simply leaning back in the Adirondack chair and looking up at the trees directly above us, with the wind rustling the leaves and the golden afternoon sunlight filtering through the branches.
Mostly we soaked in the silence, which was broken only by an owl hooting in the distance or a twig snapping somewhere in the woods.
As the hours passed, we watched the fog roll in and completely blanket the coastline in a layer of soft white—one of my favorite quirks of the NorCal coast.
We even had a picnic dinner up in the treehouse! Before checking in, we stopped in at the nearby Summit Store to grab sandwiches, a bottle of wine, rosemary crackers, a wedge of brie, and salami. And for dessert? A mini banana cream pie (for me) and a slice of strawberry cheesecake (for Derek).
Sunset was beyond amazing—it started off painting the landscape in shades of vibrant gold, deep copper and amber, then softened into pastel pink, pale purple and baby blue. Just pure magic from start to finish!
As the sun sank below the hills and the evening temperatures dropped, we retreated inside our glamping tent to snuggle up beneath the comforter. With the added warmth of the small portable heater and the string lights lining the tent, we were simply as cozy as could be as we drifted off to sleep.
What else should you know before booking a stay in the Lago Lomita treehouse?
Although the treehouse is equipped with WiFi and electricity, it is important to remember that you’re still sleeping in a tent in a tree. That means you need to be cool with giving up just a few modern comforts…like a bathroom!
We did have access to a beautiful, fully functioning bathroom inside the main house, but climbing down the ladder in the dark to pee before bed was a liiiittle nerve-wracking.
It can also get windy and chilly up in the treehouse, and there’s always the possibility of sharing the space with some bugs and small critters—it’s their home you’re visiting, after all!
Over the past several years, the Santa Cruz Mountains has become one of my favorite under-the-radar regions in California…and destinations like Lago Lomita Vineyards are exactly the reason why.⠀
I love finding unique, funky accommodation to stay in (and this treehouse really IS amazing) but what I loved even more about this experience was escaping to someplace so peaceful and completely immersed in nature.
“Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”—John Muir
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Have you ever glamped before? If so, where and what were the accommodations like? Would you ever sleep in this treehouse Airbnb in California?
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