Glam camping: Rethink the pitched tent

Camp in style with a new generation of streamlined trailers and deluxe tent cabins

Camping never looked so stylish

Photo by E. Spencer Toy

Camping never looked so stylish

A streamlined teardrop trailer, hanging lanterns, mod shade structure set the scene at Sunset's Menlo Park headquarters.

Table, chairs, and lanterns from Ikea. Cooler by Coleman. Umbrella by Brelli. Deck chairs by Gallant & Jones. Teardrop trailer by Vacations-in-a-Can. Shade structure by Aaron Jones. Turf by SYNLawn.

Teardrop trailer from Vacations in a Can

Photo by E. Spencer Toy

Teardrop trailer: Cozy camping without a tent

This little room on wheels is so easy to handle, it can be hitched to a Mini Cooper.

Its standard design includes a bed, kitchen, and cabinets, but custom add-ons get as crazy as espresso makers and solar showers.

Teardrops range from $3,500 for used to $12,000 for a custom model. Buy or rent them at Vacations in a Can (from $175 for two nights) in Penngrove, California. (Read more in Sunset's July 2010 issue!)

Teardrop trailer kitchen

Photo by E. Spencer Toy

Teardrop trailer: Kitchen on wheels

A mobile kitchen pops up from the back of the trailer.

Tin dishware from Sundance Catalog. Cooler by Coleman. Glass canteen and stainless steel lunch box set from The Curiosity Shoppe.

Airstream trailer

Photo by E. Spencer Toy

Airstream trailer

The iconic Airstream is a mini hotel on wheels. Most have gas burners, showers you can actually stand up in, and an ingenious amount of storage space. It's smooth to tow, with a retro interior that conjures up a first-class train cabin circa 1955.

A good starter model is the 16-foot Bambi Sport, which can be pulled by a midsize SUV (from $30,000 used).

Chairs and table from DWR. Cooler from Coleman. Umbrella by Brelli. Perforated-paper banners from mexevents.com.

 

Airstream trailer: Inside

Photo by E. Spencer Toy

Airstream trailer: Inside

The kitchen and dining area in this 25-foot Airstream International has room for 4 to dine in style.

Airstream trailer: Inside

Photo by E. Spencer Toy

Airstream trailer: Apartment on wheels

With this much room, you can "think about decorating the same way you'd decorate an apartment," says Sunset style editor, Miranda Jones.

A kitchenette with microwave, stovetop, refrigerator, and freezer lets you enjoy home cooking on the road, too.

Patio outside the Airstream trailer

Photo by E. Spencer Toy

Instant patio

Kick back outside your Airstream with chairs and table from DWR and an umbrella by Brelli.

Camping picnic

Photo by E. Spencer Toy

Instant outdoor dining room

Create a summertime fiesta with a table and chairs from Ikea and deck chairs by Gallant & Jones.

The Brelli umbrella creates easy shade for any table. Just pop the handle in a vase filled with sand.

Colorful picnic set

Photo by E. Spencer Toy

Mix and match

Colorful melamine plates from Ikea make it fun to set the table. Plastic glasses are sturdy enough for the dishwasher and reuse all summer. Plastic folding chairs pack away when not needed.

 

Tent camping redefined: The luxury tent from The Resort at Paws Up. (At the Montana location, this comes with your very own camping butler!)

Photo by E. Spencer Toy

Tent camping redefined

We borrowed this luxury tent from The Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, MT, where “roughing it” means canvas platform tents with oil paintings hanging above feather beds, terry-cloth robes as fluffy as Big Sky Country clouds, and elk-antler bedside lamps.

At the resort, the tent also comes with a camping butler who welcomes you back from a hike with frosty iced tea, fresh-baked cookies, and fresh fruit. From $725.

Luxury camping at Paws Up

Photo by E. Spencer Toy

Tent camping redefined: Feather beds

Forget the air mattress. There’ll be no sore necks after a night on “The last best bed” in the luxury tent from The Resort at Paws Up.

Tent camping redefined: Outdoor porch

Photo by E. Spencer Toy

Tent camping redefined: Outdoor porch

A place to savor morning coffee or something to sip at sunset.

Welcome to Camp Glam

Photo by E. Spencer Toy

Welcome to Sunset's Camp Glam!

Camping got glam at Sunset's Celebration Weekend 2010. Sign by Charlie Carlisle.

Glam camping team

Photo by E. Spencer Toy

Meet the Glam Camping team

Sunset magazine's Jess Chamberlain, Miranda Jones, and Sarah Gaffney.

Glam camping exhibit at Sunset's 2010 Celebration Weekend

Photo by E. Spencer Toy

More about Celebration Weekend

Get details about our Glam Camping sponsors and more special exhibits at Celebration Weekend 2010.

Click ahead for more scenes from the weekend.

Celebration Weekend: Test garden

Photo by Sheila Schmitz

Celebration Weekend: In the test garden

A trellis bench frames the view of the test garden's raised garden beds and other edible plantings.

Celebration Weekend: Test garden

Photo by Sheila Schmitz

Celebration Weekend: In the test garden

Maggie Leininger and Jane Broome of Morgan Hill, CA, get inspired by the towers of potato plants created by Sunset test garden coordinator Johanna Silver.

"I like how organized they are. They'd make a great backdrop for my other plantings," Leininger says. "I'm going to try it."

Celebration Weekend: Savor the Central Coast Courtyard

Photo by Sheila Schmitz

Celebration Weekend: A new tradition

Sisters Cynthia Spencer of Union City, CA, and Valerie Johnson of Stockton, CA on their third Celebration Weekend.

"It's our day," says Johnson while sipping Paso Robles white wine in the Savor the Central Coast Courtyard. "It's our girls' day out."

Celebration Weekend: Food vendors

Photo by Sheila Schmitz

Celebration Weekend: Street-food alley

Karisa Curtis of Menlo Park chooses a Sweet Vanilla cupcake from the Kara's Cupcakes Karavan.

Among the other restaurants on wheels: Gelateria CiCi, Fruit n' Exotica, Liba Falafel Truck, Sam's Chowder Mobile, and Seoul on Wheels.

 

Celebration Weekend: Cooking stage

Photo by Sheila Schmitz

Celebration Weekend: On the cooking stage

Mixologist and author Maria Hunt gives tips on making a memorable cocktail.

"Bitters add complexity and interest," she says. Serving suggestion: peach bitters in a Champagne cocktail, with a slice of peach.

Celebration Weekend: Paint a pot

Photo by Sheila Schmitz

Celebration Weekend: Paint a pot

Danielle and Sara of Fremont, CA, paint terra cotta pots in the hands-on garden booth.

Celebration Weekend: Secondhand Sunset

Photo by Sheila Schmitz

Celebration Weekend: Secondhand Sunset

One-of-a-kind finds and items from the Sunset prop room fill the Secondhand Sunset booth.

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