Only an hour south of San Francisco in Pescadero, my weekend away to Costanoa was one of my most rewarding (and inexpensive) escapes I had living in the United States.

For me, it was the perfect place to step out of my daily grind, unwind and re-connect with myself. For those of you, who (like me) are more for ‘glamping’ than camping, this is a flawless solution. For around $150 per night you can sleep in a readily made-up tent bungalow, equipped with all your basics: bed, blankets, lamps, and bedside table. They are understated enough for you to feel like you are doing something fun and simple, but outfitted to a standard that will keep the ladies happy. Each bungalow is a fair distance away from the next so you still get the feeling you’re on your own little adventure in the middle of nature. There’s something about this place that brings you back down to earth. It’s authentic, raw and invites you to just sit still for a moment.

Whether it’s live music and a BBQ at the Pine Tent while all the kids dance around and play games, a horse-riding lesson or star-gazing – the focus is on the simple things. Their on-site restaurant, Cascade Bar & Grill, is alluring. They use local, organic and handcrafted ingredients and there’s no surprise they maintain a commitment to sustainability by working with local family farms, organic growers, and fair trade producers. They even have an onsite ‘farm’ which is an oversized veggie patch, complete with a few very well dressed scarecrows.

The added benefit of staying here is they have bathrooms – and not the usual bathrooms you would find at a campsite, but well-maintained bathrooms attached to a sauna and an outdoor area where you can sit by the fire. If this is camping, sign me up!

One of the most beautiful things about this place is its stunning location on the protected California coastline. We woke up early one morning and set-off on the most beautiful hike, through winding forests, sand dunes and rocky shoreline – it was magical. At Costanoa, their goal is to help you discover the pace of nature, and without a shadow of doubt – you do.