glamping in sonoma county wine country
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I have always been a fan of camping. I think there's something about being in the middle of nowhere that really makes me feel at peace. But being out in the middle of nowhere also has its downsides, as you can imagine. So when we found Wildhaven in Healdsburg, CA it was like finding the best of both worlds! We could go camping, but without all the extra planning involved in a real camping trip. I mean, not having to set up a tent was enough to sell me on it, but they also have clean bathrooms, running hot water for showers, and a queen bed. Yes, you read that right. There’s no sleeping on an air mattress at Wildhaven.
Glamping, otherwise known as glamorous camping, is perfect for that “I’m outdoorsy in that I like to drink on the patio” kind of person. You get to be one with nature without actually sleeping with nature, if you know what I mean.
photo by sonoma county drone company
We went to Wildhaven in the middle of winter, which might have been a little ambitious but it sounded fun. We actually ended up getting the best weather during the day (I think it hit 70 degrees in the afternoon), it was just the nights that were very chilly. Luckily you can barely notice when you’re by a fire pit. The tents did have a space heater, but it wasn’t quite enough to make a real difference. So luckily we brought a bunch of extra blankets (included a heated one) that kept us fairly warm throughout the night. Update — they now have heated mattress pads; they got them two days after we left. 🙃
where is it?
Wildhaven is located right on the Russian River in the heart of the wine country so it’s the perfect spot for lots of outdoor activities. It’s also a short drive to downtown Healdsburg so you never feel too far out there.
I will warn you, it’s located directly off a busy road so if you’re sensitive to noise at night, you’ll definitely want ear plugs. There are constantly cars driving by.
what is there to do?
During the day we were able to walk down and go fishing in the river. Okay, well Jamie went fishing and I just sat and watched with beverage in hand. In the summer I could picture myself working really hard on a tan right there — it would be such a perfect spot to be. If you’re up for exploring, Wildhaven is situated right in the heart of Healdsburg. You can drive 5-10 minutes and enjoy the most amazing wine tasting, restaurants and shopping. Downtown Healdsburg is a must do if you are wanting to explore.
Also, if you go with a group, Wildhaven has lawn games like corn hole that you can play as well.
what do i pack?
Wildhaven gives you a whole run-down of their suggestions on their website but you don’t need much — that’s one of the appeals. You’ll basically need clothes and toiletries, a lantern (it’s really hard to play games in the dark), food and a cooler, plus cooking supplies (if you plan to cook and not get take out). Oh, and wine. Lots of wine. But in case you forget that they have a general store on the property where you can buy some 😉. And if you get cold like me, I highly suggest bringing an extra blanket.
what to wear?
Honestly, anything goes when it comes to glamping looks. I did a mixture of camping style (think leggings, sweatshirts and Uggs), wine country style (a dress and booties) and a blend of both (like the overalls and brown mules as seen above). If you aren’t planning on leaving the camp ground, there really isn’t any need to bring more than camping clothes — you’ll be at the river or by the fire most of the time. However, if you want to explore the wine country, you’ll need to be prepared with the right clothes. You are not going wine tasting in camping clothes. I won’t allow it.
If you go in the winter, pack warm clothes (duh) but I would suggest things like extra socks and leggings to wear under pants. I don’t fool around with being cold. I haven’t been there in the summer yet, but I image I would spend most of the day in a bathing suit and shorts.
pro tips:
You’ll want extra fire logs. You can buy bundles from the campsite for $10, but you can also go to Walmart on your way and grab them for $6. If you’re like us and want to spend all night out by the fire, plan to use 2-3 bundles per night.
Bring an extension cord. The tent has electricity inside but an extension cord let’s you use stuff outside or on the deck. I plugged in the heated blanket and brought it out to the picnic table with me ☺️
The Reeses S’more. If you plan on doing s’mores by the fire, make sure you bring a pack of Reeses with you. Swap it out for the regular Hershey’s bar; trust me. You will not be disappointed.
what i packed
