Glamping in New Cuyama

2020 has been all about exploring local nature for me, and I’m checking off all of the places on my to-do-list this year. We finally got the check off Blue Sky Center in New Cuyama off the list. It’s only a 2 hour drive from Los Angeles, and the perfect weekend glamping trip! It’s right off of right off Highway 66 where you rent a cute hut, and they have all of the glamping essentials — a fire pit, restrooms, and a shared kitchen. Each hut has an electric outlet so that you can charge your phone, work from your laptop or run a heater if you need to. We stayed in the Gable hut and loved it. There are a total of 5 huts to stay in, and you can also camp on site too. There’s something about being out in nature that makes me tune out of everything stressing me out, and it was the perfect reset button I was needing.

I always love doing a bit of history research whenever I visit a new place, and a fun fact I learned is that it’s called New Cuyama because it’s named after the Chumash Indian word for “clams” due to the millions of petrified prehistoric clamshell fossils that are found in the surrounding areas. How cool is that? It’s definitely a rancher and farming town, and there’s even a cowboy totem on Highway 66 right when you get into town. There’s so much charm in this funky roadside town!

Anyone else getting major Oregon Trail vibes? These pop-up huts were so unique. They’re designed in Santa Barbara by Shelton Huts and made of steel and plywood frames with glass windows and doors. Pretty cool for a glamping experience!

We went right at the first storm of the year which wasn’t part of our plan but it was really nice to hear the sound of the rain all night. Though it is covered, it is still a hut and I would recommend going when the weather is warmer. They provided heaters that we used all night and were a total lifesaver. I’d probably pack a heated blanket as well next time because we were pretty cold at night.

We ate most of our meals at Cuyama Buckhorn down the street. It’s an adorable country motel that was recently remodeled. It has a great restaurant to boot. It’s essentially the only restaurant in town and they had great food and a coffee bar so we we’re all set! We got takeout there and then took it to the huts and ate at the outdoor tables, and enjoyed nature.

Things to Do

This is the desert, and there’s not a whole lot to do out there but there are definitely some places to check out while you’re there. While we weren’t exploring we were reading, sippin’ wine around the fire, and making s’mores in the fire pit.

Eat at Cuyama Buckhorn Motel: A really cute recently remodeled motel in town. They have a great coffee shop for your morning latte, as well as a cool bar in non-pandemic times.

Take an outdoor shower at the campsite: It was a bit cold while we were there, but it they have an outdoor shower that looked like a cool thing to do to shower in nature in the summertime!

Wine Tasting at Condors Hope: a local vineyard to wine taste at. We didn’t get to visit this time, but will next time we’re in the area. Fill out the form on their site ahead to book.

Visit the local antique store 1952 Vintage Finds: a small shop with a cute selection of vintage.

Go hiking on the local trails: a few of the nearby trails are at Aliso Canyon, Carrizo National Monument, Reyes Creek, Wind Wolves Preserve, and Ballinger Campground. The area looks gorgeous in springtime.

Wine Tasting at Sagebrush Annie’s: another local vineyard to wine taste at. Call ahead to book.

Enjoy the sunset: there’s nothing like a sunset out in the wide open. Definitely plan a hike or walk to enjoy the sunset out there.

Eat at The Place in Ventucopa: an old school burger spot about 30 mins down the highway. A place to get breakfast, burgers and beer.

What to Pack

On top of your normal packing list, here are a few things I’d recommend you bring along…

• Flashlights (the bathroom is a walk in the dark)

• Warm clothes (it can get chilly at night)

• Any food you want to bring, there’s not a lot out there and there is a full kitchen on the property! Don’t forget to bring stuff to make s’mores, duh!

• Games to play

• Books to read