Who Owns AutoCamp?
AutoCamp is a California company owned by Neil Dipaola, who is the founder of the hybrid campsite-hotel company. He launched Autocamp six years ago with the vision of creating a hotel composed entirely of chic, aluminum Airstream travel trailers.
There are several different AutoCamp locations throughout strategic main tourist hubs in the US, although the company is expanding slowly and deliberately and focuses mostly on the West Coast area. However, the company is slowly expanding in the East Coast area, as well.
AutoCamp takes glamping to the next level and seeks to be the market leader in luxury camping experiences coupled with environment-responsible vacationing and sustainability.
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What Activities Can You Do At AutoCamp?
In addition to staying at a furnished Airstream in a popular tourist location, AutoCamp offers different experiences to go along with the stay. For example, you can participate in the Falmouth Road Race Weekend with Tracksmith on the Cape!
AutoCamp activities are a mirror of the heart and passion of the company’s leadership: each enjoys the outdoors and makes sure they facilitate different experiences in the area for an unforgettable time.
Meanwhile, the Airstream units themselves are located in amazing areas so that just the stay itself without any activities is already quite a treat. There are s’mores nights, fire pits for BBQ or chairs to do some stargazing at night.
For anyone who has never stayed in an Airstream and is curious what it’s like and whether they would enjoy it, this is a great way to find out. It’s definitely a destination vacation and a great alternative to cookie-cutter mainstay hotels.
AutoCamp Yosemite
Direction: Located off the CA-140/Central Yosemite Hwy, about 40 minutes’ drive from the Yosemite National Park Gate, the park is located close to Midpines. The closest towns are Mariposa to the South and Briceburg to the North.
Booking policies: Bookings canceled or modified within 14-day window prior to arrival will result in forfeiture of 100% of estimated room charges plus tax.
Check-in/Check-out times: After 4PM and before 10 AM
Special amenities:
- Clubhouse
- General store
- Dining
- WiFi, coffee, tea
- Spa-inspired bathrooms
- Swimming pool (seasonal, heated)
Local attractions:
- Yosemite National Park
- Skiing, snowshoeing
- Alpaca herd
- Wineries
- Guided hiking tours
Suite interiors:
Source: autocamp.com
AutoCamp Russian River
Directions: Located off CA-116 right next to Russian River, North of Vacation Beach, AutoCamp Russian River is about 10 miles from Sonoma Coast State Park and the Pacific Ocean.
Booking policies: Bookings canceled or modified within 14-day window prior to arrival will result in forfeiture of 100% of estimated room charges plus tax.
Check-in/Check-out times: After 4PM and before 10 AM
Special amenities:
- Clubhouse
- General store
- Complimentary Linus Bike rental
- Spa-inspired bathrooms
- Complimentary WiFi, tea and coffee
- 5-minute drive to Russian River
- Yoga
Local attractions:
- Wine-tasting
- Redwood Forest exploration
- Kayaking down Russian River
- Drive down Bohemian Highway
- Birding
Suite interiors:
Source: autocamp.com
AutoCamp Cape Cod
Directions: Located North of Falmouth, close to Buzzards Bay, this AutoCamp is off MA-28. It’s located on the southwest side of the Cape Cod Peninsula.
Booking policies: Bookings canceled or modified within 14-day window prior to arrival will result in forfeiture of 100% of estimated room charges plus tax.
Check-in/Check-out times: After 4PM and before 10 AM
Special amenities:
- 5 minutes’ away from local beaches and downtown Falmouth
- Clubhouse
- All-day dining incl. BBQ Kits
- Spa-inspired bathrooms
- Complimentary WiFi, tea and coffee
- Direct access to Shining Sea Bikeway
Local attractions:
- Access to Martha’s Vineyard
- Deep sea fishing off the Cape
- Spend the day at Wood Neck Beach
- Bike on the breathtaking Shining Sea Bikeway
Suite interiors:
Source: autocamp.com
AutoCamp Joshua Tree
Directions: Located right off CA-62, or Twentynine Palms Highway, this AutoCamp is located right next to Joshua Tree National Park.
Booking policies: Bookings canceled or modified within 14-day window prior to arrival will result in forfeiture of 100% of estimated room charges plus tax.
Check-in/Check-out times: After 4PM and before 10 AM
Special amenities:
- Clubhouse with lounge and fireplace
- General store
- Spa-inspired bathrooms
- Complimentary WiFi, tea and coffee
- Swimming pool (seasonal, heated)
- Yoga and wellness class
Local attractions:
- Cholla Cactus Garden
- Visit Skull Rock
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Extreme Adventures
Suite interiors:
Source: autocamp.com
How Much Does AutoCamp Cost?
The rates are somewhat steep, compared to a hotel stay, but one has to consider the cost of an RV rental, the access to a coveted location and the convenience factor of not having to tow,set-up or stress out about the RV itself (since it’s all done for you).
The rates range from $186-$475/night and vary greatly based on season, location and any events or accommodation selection. When booking through a third-party site, one can actually find deals up to 50% off.
Of course, you have to bring additional items to customize your stay (see list below), and that can add to the vacation budget. If you add on any of the experiences, be prepared to pay extra for those. Bringing a pet or paying a smoking fine are both expensive ticket items no one wants to pay.
AutoCamp offers seasonal deals, location-specific promotions (such as 4th night free or 10% off during a weeknight stay), while some third-party sites offer a 20%-50% discount, as well.
What Do You Need To Bring To AutoCamp?
According to their Website, these are the essentials one should consider bringing when visiting an AutoCamp:
“Depending on the weather and season, we suggest layers for changing weather and sun protection throughout the day and warmer layers, jackets, and warm hats for the evening.
- Pajamas for sleeping (can be chilly at night depending on season)
- Warm socks
- Swim suit
- Sun hat, baseball cap, and beanie (also available for sale in our shop)
- Sunglasses
- Headlamp/flashlight
- Walking or hiking shoes
- A backpack to carry all your adventuring goods
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Book
- Card games.”
Source: (https://autocamp.com/the-essential-autocamp-packing-list/)
In addition to that, these are the cooking items the company suggests to bring these items along:
- “Extra cooler if you bring lots of food (small space living means our mini refrigerators have limited capacity)
- Ingredients for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner if you plan on cooking your own meals during your stay
- Cooking oil and spices (we provide salt and pepper)
- Camping stove (most suites don’t have a stovetop)
- Tents at AutoCamp Russian River include coolers and not mini refrigerators.”
Source: (https://autocamp.com/the-essential-autocamp-packing-list/)
All other essentials are provided by AutoCamp for an enjoyable and carefree stay.
AutoCamp Reviews
A visitor from the UK left a very detailed list of feedback items based on their June 2022 stay at the Yosemite location:
“Mixed bag staying at this campsite for 3 nights:
Pros:
– styling is cool throughout the campsite
-tents are really spacious, we had a tent overlooking the lake which was lovely
– BBQ and chairs for outside are good
– beds in tent really big and comfy
– pool is nice
– happy hour at clubhouse and can buy some basic bits like snacks, some dinner food if you can’t be bothered to bbq every night, nice souvenirs
Cons:
– lack of facilities if you’re staying in a tent, no sinks which is strange when you have to prepare and cook food and when we asked a staff member what sink we could use after cooking /bbq they were very unhelpful and seemed confused at the request, we had to use the sink behind the bar – there is no communal sink area at all!
– lots of staff members were rude and dismissive
– food at the clubhouse not great – we had frozen bacon in the burrito which we had to send back and no apology or reduction in bill […redacted for brevity’s sake…]
– we had a family of cats living under the decking under our tent, not ideal when you’re trying to relax and bbq ! Lots of people feeding them which was not a good idea as it meant they were a bit of a nuisance. Again campsite could take steps to relocate them perhaps.
All in all for the price we paid and the way the camp was marketed it didn’t meet our expectations.”
A visitor from San Diego stayed at the Russian River location in December 2021 and this is what she had to say: “Lovely property with many mature trees. Well designed and stylish. Campers all have individual fire pits. Surrounding town isn’t a huge draw unless you want to spend time in the Armstrong forest, which is amazing. Unfortunately, it’s mostly closed right now due to fire and downed trees. About 2 mile hike is the longest you can make it without rangers telling you to turn around. Breakfast is included – pastures, granola, coffee. WiFi and cell reception very spotty. Had some minor problems with ants. Showers warm and spacious. Beds cozy. Complimentary yoga offered some mornings in the teepee.”
FAQs:
What happened to AutoCamp Santa Barbara?
It is difficult to find any reliable details on this, although this is probably a mix of 1. Cost (and the company’s small, slow, deliberate growth)-perhaps the ROI was not as lucrative 2. Community’s stigma of “living in an RV”, even though this is a different venue and 3. Re-prioritizing post-2020 (many RV camps either shut down, down-sized or changed their operations model and locations).
There were several past visitors who complained that $700 for a 2-night stay was too steep of a price, but if that was the overall feedback and the bookings just weren’t there, Santa Barbara is an expensive location to keep in operation with low booking numbers.
Especially with the strict COVID-policies in California from 2020 into 2022, many tourists chose to stay away from areas that were mostly locked down for any tourism.
Can you smoke at AutoCamp?
AutoCamp is a non-smoking property. If you are caught smoking cigarettes or cannabis, there is a $350 cleaning fee. This also includes cigars, e-cigarettes, candles or incense, as well.
Are there bears at AutoCamp Yosemite?
Since this camp is located at the foothills of the Sierra Mountains, you will occasionally see wildlife, such as wild turkeys, deer and yes, even a bear can be part of that wildlife.
Is AutoCamp pet-friendly?
For an additional fee of $75, well-behaved pets are allowed, with a 2-pet and max weight of 80 lb per pet policy.
Does AutoCamp provide towels?
AutoCamp provides basic linens, which includes bedding and towels.
Does AutoCamp have a microwave?
The Suites do have a convection microwave for their visitors’ use.
Is there Wi-Fi at AutoCamp?
AutoCamp offers complimentary WiFi throughout the property and at each suite.
