The best yurt rentals near Seaside, California

Formerly known as East Monterey, the city of Seaside encompasses the area just northeast of Monterey to the point where the two separately governed cities really feel like one larger town. The city sits adjacent to Fort Ord Dunes State Park, a former military outpost that features a 4-mile-long beach, a sea-facing viewing platform, and a handful of interpretive displays. Seaside makes a fine base for exploring the Monterey Bay area, and you’ll find plenty of private camping options and Hipcamps a short drive inland.

97% (310)

Top-rated campgrounds

The outdoor kitchen with Eagle’s Nest/Game Dome in the background

Formerly known as East Monterey, the city of Seaside encompasses the area just northeast of Monterey to the point where the two separately governed cities really feel like one larger town. The city sits adjacent to Fort Ord Dunes State Park, a former military outpost that features a 4-mile-long beach, a sea-facing viewing platform, and a handful of interpretive displays. Seaside makes a fine base for exploring the Monterey Bay area, and you’ll find plenty of private camping options and Hipcamps a short drive inland.

97% (310)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

100%

(9)

29mi from Seaside · 3 sites · Lodging · Watsonville, CA

We only book one group at a time so whether you are a couple or a large group, you get the whole place privately to yourself. Our home is a short distance away in case you need anything. Located an hour drive from the bay area, Camp Cruz is a year-round glamping retreat in the redwoods ideal for people who want a private outdoor getaway in the forest without giving up basic living comforts. It is a perfect destination to unwind, recharge, and create special memories in nature. We are also only 30 minutes from Monterey/Santa Cruz for guests who want to enjoy the coastal cities. We offer guests 2 private bedrooms: the Raven’s Nest (an aircrete dome) and/or the Owl’s Nest (a yurt). More guests are welcome if you bring your own camping tents. There is a fully equipped covered kitchen with stove, fridge, barbecue grill, electric coffee maker, tables and chairs, and more. The kitchen also has a ping pong table. There is also a large geodome furnished as a game room with couches, a lounge area, pool table, foosball table, a stereo, games, and music equipment. There are clean composting toilets, hot showers, a propane fire pit, heaters for the cold, a hammock bungalow, a meditation pagoda, a deck overlooking a creek, and disc golf baskets. With a fair balance of sunlight and shade, we have a garden, some outdoor play equipment, and lots of open space to spread out and relax. Free wifi is available. We run a nonprofit outdoor education camp for underprivileged youth, and your stay supports our work. Winter lodging.... It can get seasonably cold in the Santa Cruz Mountains during the winter. If visiting in the winter, rest assured we have everything covered to enjoy your stay. We have propane heaters in all main spaces for your comfort. If the power goes out, we have a standby generator that will power up camp provided we are home to turn it on. We have a woodstoves in the Owl's Nest and Eagle's Nest. We provide a fire starter log for each woodstove for each night of your stay, and guests are responsible for bringing firewood to keep the woodstoves going for continued warmth throughout each evening.

2. Lupin Lodge

94%

(468)

39mi from Seaside · 77 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Los Gatos, CA

Lupin Lodge is a family-friendly, clothing-optional destination resort located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Our yurts are fully furnished with a queen-sized bed, heater, fan, electricity, and Wi-Fi. Alternatively, guests may choose to car camp or rent a campsite during their stay. Shared bathroom facilities, showers, and the Community Kitchen are located nearby and available to guests 24/7. Our property highlights include scenic hiking trails, our pool and hot tub area, sauna, tennis court, lounge area, and our Clubhouse Restaurant that serves Saturday night dinner. At Lupin, guests enjoy a quiet, comfortable escape into nature while remaining conveniently accessible by car, just 10 minutes from downtown Los Gatos.

3. Terra Cultura

95%

(225)

21mi from Seaside · 5 sites · Tents, Lodging · Aromas, CA

Our farm is nestled in the scenic hills of Aromas, CA, just 15 minutes away from the ocean. Whether you’re passing through on a road trip along California’s majestic coast, or looking to spend some time getting to know the lush landscape of the Central Coast, we welcome you with open arms! We are a nonprofit educational eco-arts farm and your booking supports environmental stewardship and arts education for underserved communities. Thank you for your support! We place the highest value on respect--for the land, and for the people, plants, and animals that call this area home. While you are here, please consider yourself a partner in stewarding this place.

4. Epic Views at Lago Lomita Vineyards

34mi from Seaside · 2 sites · Lodging · Los Gatos, CA

Our yurt and treehouse are located on Lago Lomita Vineyards with a view of the entire Monterey Bay. We've been hosting guests since 2015 and are looking forward to meeting you! Both our treehouse and yurt listings are unique experiences. They both are adjacent to the Tierra Madre Vineyard Block and have awesome views of the entire Monterey Bay/Pacific Ocean. We are located on 44 acres high atop the Santa Cruz Mountains but close to all the major beaches and Silicon Valley. Please be aware this is camping in nature, along with squirrels, spiders, falling leaves, etc. and nature is not always for everyone. There is a 45ft. ladder to climb to get into the treehouse. The view at sunset is spectacular. Featured on the first page of top Glamping destinations in California, in National Geographic's 50 States, 500 campgrounds. Both sites include a trunk of goodies: Complimentary trunk of goodies that is filled with muffins, mugs, creamer, sugar, coffee, croissants, cards, champagne & wine glasses & wine opener! We acquired the property in 1991, shortly after the Lexington Fire (1985) and Loma Prieta earthquake (1989). At that time, the entire property has degenerated into disrepair, and all the vineyards had been overwhelmed by the wilderness. In 2011, we started the herculean effort of clearing away the wilderness, resurrecting all the vineyards and renovating our home. In 2014, we started replanting the vineyards, and opened our tree house to visitors in 2015. Just like us, I think you will fall in love with this property, and enjoy every minute of your time here. We look forward to your stay. Robin and Mark

Stories from the community

Margaret

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Lupin Lodge

This is a unique place to be sure. Loved being able to just walk around freely without clothes and feel absolutely one with nature. The family of deer were just cohabitating right there with you. Absolutely gorgeous yurt. Loved the amenities like the hot tub, sauna, lounge, etc.

Lizzy

September 2025

1 night at Lupin Lodge

This is such a sweet and friendly place! And I love the freedom of the clothing optional policy. I always felt totally safe and comfortable.

Mollie

August 2025

1 night at Lupin Lodge

Great welcoming space. My partner and I enjoyed all the amenities, community kitchen, pool, pool table, basketball hoop, and trails. This community camp has been curated y love of the space.

Nick

July 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Terra Cultura

Yurt was great! The overall area could use some love but we really enjoyed our time there. Great for anyone who can go with the flow

E

Eva

July 2025

Weekend Trip to Terra Cultura

The yurt was clean and cozy. The heater worked so well and I loved having a kitchenette. The bed was very comfortable! We love the yurt. It is obvious how much love and effort is poured into it. Thank you! We loved the alpacas, the evening fog in the Eucalyptus trees and the cat. We found the compost toilet to be more comfortable than we thought as well.

eevee

May 2025

2 nights at Terra Cultura

our anniversary! a sweet kitty cat welcomed us. we crunched through eucalyptus leaves and we're greeted by turkeys and jays and lizards. the yurt was so cozy and had all the comforts of home, but we could still hear the leaves rustling in the wind at night and needles pattering gently on the canvas roof. not a far drive from watsonville, good food there and great thrifting! a little further and you're at the beach! great location, magical sleeping arrangements! thanks Travis and Emory and the rest of the residents and staff 💜

L

Locksley

May 2025

Weekend Trip to Terra Cultura

The yurt was well equipped and it was lovely hearing the sounds of the forest throughout the day/night. The shower gets nice and hot, and the view is amazing. We really appreciate the yurt upgrade we were given! It made the birthday weekend with my partner even more special. I highly recommend staying here.

Christi

May 2025

With pets

2 nights at Terra Cultura

Terra Cultura is a hidden gem. Copper (my dog) and I enjoyed our little adventure immensely. I loved hearing the wind move through the eucalyptus tress while in the yurt an identifying the various bird calls. I saw a great horned owl soaring through the trees and heard its song each night. Copper met his first alpaca! Emory and the other resident were lovely people and easy to chat with. I highly recommend a visit to Terra Cultura!

Amber

May 2025

Weekend Trip to Terra Cultura

Chose this location as a midway point between Santa Cruz and Monterey. The Yurt was cozy and had everything we needed. Emory was very helpful and quick to respond to any of our needs. We enjoyed our stay!

Aaron

April 2025

Group trip

1 night at Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

The property is so amazing! My group and I loved staying here for a night. Beautiful creek going right through the property, plenty of places to sit or lay back and enjoy the peaceful sounds of the mountain redwood forest. Great sheltered outdoor kitchen and huge BBQ grill, we cooked up a feast. The hot showers were a most welcome feature. Amenities for guests are so plentiful we didn't even have time to enjoy them all! Ismael was really helpful and responsive to my questions as I was planning out our camping trip. He's super down-to-earth and it was a pleasure to meet and chat a bit in person. Would love to come back again!!

R

Ryan

April 2025

Weekend Trip to Terra Cultura

Incredible spot with very nice hosts! The Yurts were STOCKED with games, cookware, and additional blankets and everything else one might need and not realize. We had the best time and will definitely be coming back!!

Dre

March 2025

Weekend Trip to Terra Cultura

Terra Cultura was a lush and serene place to spend the weekend. Emory and Travis were warm, helpful, and responsive to our inquiries and needs. I highly recommend staying in the Skyline Yurt. It's simple and spacious with more amenities (running water, heat, good light) than I thought possible in a yurt.

K

Kasey

March 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Terra Cultura

The yurt had many more features than expected! The fridge, hot plate, and sink were a nice surprise and really added to the comfort of our stay. The property was beautiful and offered the perfect serene farm getaway.

P

PRATEEK

February 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Terra Cultura

We loved the Yurt and the overall experience! Will definitely do this again.

Adrienne

December 2024

Weekend Trip to Terra Cultura

We had a very relaxing stay. The property is well maintained and the yurt was very cozy and comfortable. The property is not really a hiking or camping vibe, but it has a beautiful view of the surrounding hills and trees. The compost toilet was not my favorite experience but it was clean. The yurt had everything we needed to cook and enjoy the space.

Other options near Seaside

Mt Madonna County Park

27mi from Seaside · 114 sites · Watsonville, CA

Discover the unparalleled beauty of Mt. Madonna County Park, a hidden gem in Santa Clara County that offers a unique blend of majestic redwood forests and stunning vistas. Spanning 4,605 acres, this regional park is a true representation of the Santa Cruz Mountain range, providing visitors with an immersive natural experience. As you explore the park, you'll be captivated by the breathtaking views of the Santa Clara Valley to the east and the picturesque Monterey Bay to the west. The diverse landscape transitions from towering redwoods to oak woodlands, dense chaparral, and serene grassy meadows, making it a perfect destination for nature enthusiasts. Visitors can delve into the rich history of the area, learning about the Ohlone Indians who once hunted and gathered here, as well as the cattle baron Henry Miller, who cherished his summers in this idyllic setting. For those seeking adventure, Mt. Madonna Stables offers horseback trail rides, allowing you to experience the park's beauty from a different perspective. Whether you're hiking, picnicking, or simply soaking in the tranquility of the pristine redwood forest, Mt. Madonna County Park promises an unforgettable outdoor experience. Come visit today and make it a regular retreat!

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best yurts near Seaside guide

Where to go

The Monterey Peninsula

Just south of Seaside, the Monterey Peninsula offers tons to see and do, from taking a scenic seafront drive to visiting Point Pinos Lighthouse, which dates back to 1855. Don't miss Carmel at the southern end of the peninsula, where you can tour an 18th-century mission or simply stroll around town checking out its famously quirky storybook houses.

The San Francisco Peninsula

North of Seaside, the San Francisco Peninsula features a mix of sandy and rocky beaches and a whole lot of redwood trees. This area makes for a great hiking day trip from Seaside, though you may want to stick around to set up camp in one of the many inland state parks.

California's Central Coast

Stretching south from Monterey Bay until the southern end of Ventura County, California's Central Coast is known for gorgeous beaches—many of which have year-round campgrounds—along with some of the state's most lauded wine-growing areas. The Big Sur coast, a short drive south, offers some of the finest views in the region along with dense forests full of hiking trails and camping spots.

When to go

Like Monterey, Seaside has a mild climate and gets a lot of visitors throughout the year. Summer weekends are particularly busy, as is the third full weekend of September, when the annual Monterey Jazz Festival brings tens of thousands of visitors to the area. Come in winter to see migratory whales make their annual journey past Seaside's shores.