The Grounds

A true Eco Resort, Treebones Resort‘s top priority is leaving as light a footprint on the earth as possible. They truly care about the surrounding ecosystem and strive to preserve its beauty. And let me tell you, it is beautiful. Big Sur is home to majestic cliffs with sheer drops into the ocean and stunning redwood forests that extend for miles. You can’t get over how gorgeous the views are here. And sunsets from the top deck of the resort? Unforgettable.

So, what’s a yurt, you ask? It’s a portable Mongolian hut-like circular fabric structure with wood lattice frames raised on platforms. One of these babies could be all yours for a few days while in Big Sur, just 60 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Treebones has 16 yurts available (starting at $263/night), with about half having full ocean views. Included in your yurt are comfy queen beds, a futon, an adorable little fireplace, and -praise the lawd- a sink with drinkable water. The resort has two large restrooms with toilets and showers available for use, so don’t worry about rinsing off after a long hike. Though things got a little tricky waking up in the middle of the night with full bladders, with beds, heaters, and a roof, we could get used to yurt living.

If you want to go even more rustic, Treebones also allows seasoned campers the ability to rent out campsites on the grounds. However, their real camping gem is the much talked-about “Human Nest.” To take a quote from the resort’s website, the Human Nest is “an unusual work of woven wood art,” complete with full size futon mattress, wooden ladder, and nearby water access. Located in a prime spot on the grounds, the Human Nest has an unobstructed view of the Pacific. Just be prepared to book months in advance as we learned that, at this time, the Human Nest (which goes for $150/night) is completely booked until late December.

It doesn’t stop at inhabitable nests and comfy yurts. Treebones has nature-centric attractions throughout the property, including: a koi pond, a garden that provides the lodge restaurant’s produce, kodama zome (see photo below), and a treehouse built by “Treehouse Master” Pete Nelson.

Dining

I have to say, knowing we were “glamping,” we were a little nervous about the food situation + yurts. We even brought rations of granola, just in case, because we’re not pleasant people when we’re hungry. Fortunately, our concerns were not an issue. The main lodge not only has a cantina where you can stock up on snacks (Read: Chaco Tacos!), beer, wine, toiletries, and gear, but it also houses a superb restaurant. With a menu filled with seasonal produce grown right on the property, the dishes are fresh, delicious, and exactly what you need after a long day of exploring.  Going on a long hike the next day? Fill out their take-away lunch form at night, and pick up yummy sandwiches to eat on the trail the next morning.

We also quickly learned that Treebones Resort is a local go-to for sushi. Yes, you read that correctly. Treebones is also known for their famed sushi spot, Oceanview Sushi Bar. Serving up unique dishes inspired by nature, sushi chef Sarah does not disappoint. If the tasty sushi rolls don’t keep you coming back for more, the fun party atmosphere and beautiful sunsets will. However, note that the sushi bar does not take reservations, and with only 10 seats, the list fills up quickly. Get here early, especially on the weekends.

Activities

For hikers and nature enthusiasts, Big Sur is the perfect playground. There are dozens and dozens of scenic hikes within miles of the resort. We recommend doing a bit of research before choosing a hike as they vary greatly depending on experience level and scenic features. We chose the 4.5 mile Ewoldsen Trail within Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, which includes gorgeous ocean views and plenty of redwood forest action.

The park is also across the street from McWay Falls, which was very convenient for sightseeing purposes. Although there is no beach access, it’s no wonder this waterfall is such an iconic Big Sur image as the 80 foot fall cascading onto the beautiful beach is quite a sight for sore eyes.

Want to work on your tan instead of working out? Visit one of the many sandy beaches up the coast, including San Simeon, a beach located about 25 miles south of Treebones. San Simeon is also home to hundreds of elephant seals, which lounge right on the beach in droves. If you’re lucky, you might catch sight of a humpback whale out at sea like we did. The photo opps are endless here.

Don’t forget to check out Bixby bridge while you’re in the area! You’ll undoubtedly pass over it while exploring different hikes throughout the region – it’ll make for a great addition to your Big Sur photo album 🙂

The Experience

Surrounded by the beauty of nature after taking in another radiant sunset, it’s easy to see why Treebones Resort has become a bucket list destination for travelers across the country. Visitors can experience the serenity of reconnecting with the outdoors while having access to “glamping” amenities (like sushi!). With a backdrop that would make your screensaver jealous, Treebones is a perfect getaway from the technology-laden fast-paced world we live in. It exemplifies a respect and appreciation for the environment that is absolutely contagious. I know I’ll be back. And next time, I’m coming for the Nest.

Tell us. Would you try flirting with yurting? Would you brave a night in the Human Nest?