Tiny Homes in California are the Ultimate Nature Vacation

California has always drawn visitors by the millions not just because of its cities, but because of the abundance of parks and natural areas in the state, which stretches across most of the country’s Pacific coast. One of the best ways to experience all that nature is by camping, but of course, not everyone is a fan of such rustic living. For those people, staying in a tiny house is a great option. In fact, these homes are ideal for glamping, which is essentially camping in accommodations that are more luxurious than normal camping.

Tiny homes in nature are ideal for a vacation retreat for short periods or longer times away. If you like camping, a tiny home can be a great upgrade, taking away a lot of the work involved in pitching a tent and making camp.

Whether you want to buy a tiny home in nature as a get-away or if you just want to rent one because you’re curious about the experience, there are many options. Check out these great, unique tiny homes that you stay in while enjoying all that California has to offer.

Stylish and Cozy Off-Grid Tiny House

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

You would think that a tiny house in and of itself is minimalist but Canadian builder Minimaliste Houses takes that to an entirely new level with its Eucalyptus tiny home. Not only is the home airy and stylish, it’s totally off-grid but still durable enough to stand up to harsh northern California coastal weather. 

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

The 28-foot long home is energy efficient and gets its power from 260-watt roof-top solar panels. Plenty of natural daylight and superior thermal insulation mean that it’s cozy as well as entirely self-sufficient. All the home’s electrical needs — including appliances — are fed with eight batteries and a 4,000-watt inverter.

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

This tiny house has a clean, modern look both side and out. Covered in white cedar panels on the outside, it looks like a contemporary cabin get-away. On the inside, the feeling is open and airy despite the tiny footprint thanks to large windows and an extra high ceiling. A neutral palette creates a clean background with white walls and natural wood flooring and accents. A little touch of industrial flair comes from the steel pipe railings along the stairs and the dual sleeping lofts.

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

The bathroom has all the necessities including a large stand-up shower and a combo washer and dryer. It also features a composting toilet for sustainability. The U-shaped kitchen is designed for a cook and features bamboo countertops, a large sink, a propane oven space-saving slide-out floor-to-ceiling pantry. Overall it’s a gorgeous design that leaves nothing wanting!

Bay Area Couple’s DIY Tiny Home Has a Fireplace

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

This DIY tiny home was the ideal way for an industrious couple to enjoy living in the San Francisco Bay area without the notoriously sky-high costs. In just seven months, the due built their 300-square-foot dream home on a 28-foot long trailer

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

The resulting home is eco-friendly and ideal for the couple, one of whom is a full-time student. Doing most of the work themselves (with a little help from family and friends) they created a functional home that is bright and open, featuring white walls and a high ceiling. A good number of windows bring plenty of natural light into the industrial farmhouse style interior.

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

The compact living room has a loveseat that pulls out into a futon and even features a gel fireplace that is cozy and warm in the colder months. Floor to ceiling bookshelves provide lots of storage and a little reading nook is surrounded by windows and makes a perfect little escape for reading and daydreaming.

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

The metal kitchen may be compact but it has enough room for a full-size refrigerator and an oven with a four-burner stovetop. Behind a sliding barn door, the bathroom has a  full shower and vanity along with a composting toilet.

A Tiny House Undaunted by Extreme Climate

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

Fresh and clean with a contemporary flair, the Noyer Tiny House by Minimaliste is designed to be comfortable in any climate, meaning that you can take it from the beach to the coldest mountains without a work. Taking up a mere 315 square feet, the home is designed for a full-time couple or single person. The stylish exterior features two types of paneling, which makes it very attractive. The roofline too is a little different, giving it a distinctive profile.

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

The cozy space includes a living area, dedicated office space, a kitchen, sleeping loft and a bathroom. All the interior spaces have a clean design and benefit from a  combination of closed storage space along with some open shelving.  In the expertly designed bathroom, there’s enough space for a composting toilet, a vanity, shower, storage cabinets and a washer/dryer combo. Whether this versatile tiny home on wheels — which starts at CAD$118,500 — is a permanent home or a home base for traveling, it has plenty of function and all the comforts of home.

See Yosemite From a Tiny House with Llamas

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

Not a fan of camping? Then rent this tiny house in Oakhurst for your visit to explore Yosemite National Park. Located just 17.6 miles from the park’s south entrance, the house has all the basics you need in a home base while you’re visiting. Oh, and there are two resident rescue llamas that live there too! This home has a “real” bathroom with a hot shower, flushing toilet, and a sink. The upper loft is just for storage and the bedroom — complete with a queen bed — is on the main floor, along with the kitchen. It’s all decorated in a cozy farmhouse style.

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

This tiny house is located in a quiet community that lets you get close to nature and have a real retreat away from the hustle and bustle. There’s also a mini-deck attached to the house overlooking the yard and llamas that you can use for relaxing. Unlike most other tiny houses or rentals, this one has some societal benefits: 15 percent of the proceeds support local charities and the entire house was built by an organization that helps rehabilitate individuals recovering from homelessness and addiction by tea giving them building skills and jobs.

Try Out Life on a Farm in a Tiny House

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

Being featured in Magnolia Journal by Joanna Gaines alone is enough to attract renters, but this super cute tiny home lets you try out living on a farm. The cargo home is located on a private farm amid the fields and puts you amid the crops and animals. In fact, there are two tiny homes on the property.

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

That said, they have everything you need to relax and explore in comfort. The tiny house is equipped with a queen-sized Murphy bed, a full bathroom, your own outdoor grill, and a  rooftop deck. Other amenities include free WiFi, parking and tv. Located in Tulare, California, it is in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

The entire space has a touch of farmhouse appeal and plenty of shiplap to make you feel in the moment. The interior living space is all on the main floor, while outside, the roof features the deck, which give you expansive views. Large windows give you a great view of the property that you can enjoy. When you’re not relaxing in the tiny house, guests can walk around the farm, pet the animals and admire the vegetables. 

A Tiny House Made for Fun Near Santa Barbara 

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

Some tiny homes, like this one near Carpinteria, California, are made for enjoying the indoors as well as the outdoors. A scant mile from the state beach, the brand new tiny house not only has 400 square feet of living space but an outdoor deck that doubles its size.

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

Ideal for anywhere from one to four people, it has two sleeping lofts and a gorgeous cantina window that not only lets in lots of light but opens up to the deck, making it easy to pass food and drinks between the two. Add a little music and you won’t want to leave the deck in the evenings! The home is equipped with a bathroom that has a shower and toilet as well as a kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, washer and dryer and electric range. There’s also TV and free Wi-fi if you need it.

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

Outside, a fully fenced-in yard make the place pet-friendly.  With the beach so close by, beach toys are available, including boogie boards, soft top surfboards and umbrellas are available. This tiny house has everything you need as a home base for enjoying the beach in this beautiful and popular part of California.

A Big Camping Experience in a Micro Cabin

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

Exploring the Sierra National Forest and Yosemite is a big adventure and these micro cabins are the perfect home base for exploring. Measuring a tiny 120 square feet, these cabins are designed for travelers going solo or for couples. And, being located just 20 miles from the south gate of Yosemite, they are super convenient. 

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

Despite their micro size, the cabins feel more spacious because they are arched and feature walls that bow outward. They offer plenty of amenities, including climate control, a queen-sized bed made of memory foam, a mini fridge, strong Wi-fi — and pour-over coffee and tea. Each one also an LED lamp next to the bed has a Qi wireless charging station. Because of their stint footprint, the cabins share centralized bathroom facilities, so each one also comes with a bath tote full of all your necessities, including a robe and lantern. Safe and secure, each cabin has a smart lock with a separate PIN code. 

A Rustic, Eco-Friendly Art Studio Retreat

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

Located in a gentrified neighborhood of San Diego, California, this art studio retreat is a step up from camping and an ideal place to relax or explore the area. Just minutes from most of the major San Diego attractions — should you want to venture out — it is designed for “green conscious” travelers and “glampers.” The antithesis of a chain hotel, this art studio retreat has a small footprint on the environment and a big impact on the soul.

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

The space is a “one-of-a-kind place is for the adventurous, creative life-loving, soul seekers, artist type, nature-lover, and unique traveler” and while it has all the amenities you need, it also functions with the environment in mind. It has a Loveable Loo, which is a composting toilet, not a flush model.

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

The electricity comes from solar house panels and all the water from the cabin drains into the garden onto the plants. The retreat has a bohemian vibe and plenty of little luxuries from a microwave, French press coffee maker and George Forman grill to a queen size bed with comforters and an outdoor shower. As the sun goes down, you can relax by a fire in the Mexican Chiminea fireplace. 

Go Glamping in a Tiny House Near Mt. Laguna

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

One of the best ways to try out tiny house living is to go glamping and this spot in Mt. Laguna is an ideal getaway. Located near San Diego, California, the tiny house offers a place for up to four people to rest and relax after a day full of adventures exploring the area. The Mt. Laguna area is popular because it is a nature spot but still close enough that you can go into San Diego. Guests will be surrounded by towering pines and lush greenery, and have easy access to great hiking paths, including the Pacific Crest Trail.

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

This tiny house features a double bed and two sofa beds that are fully equipped with linens. It also has plenty of little luxuries too, such as heating and air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a small kitchen a stove, refrigerator and coffeemaker. For a night off from cooking, guests can visit the on-site restaurant. In the evening, extend the time spent outside around the private fire pit, capping off a marvelous glamping get-away.

Take a Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

For a glamping experience with a twist, try out a retreat in the Calabasas Glamping Bus. Located in Monte Nido, near Malibu Creek State Park, the bus offers up spectacular views of the mountains and forest. It is actually part of a larger retreat, consisting of a guesthouse and main house on three acres of land. The property includes a natural pool and hot tub and there are many trails for hiking and biking in the area.

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

On the inside, guests will find spacious accommodations for up to four people and a sophisticated yet rustic decor style. While the sofa converts to a double bed, there’s also a separate bedroom with a queen-size bed.

Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet
Glamping Getaway in a Converted School Bus wall pallet

The kitchen has all the necessities, from a refrigerator, stove, and oven to a small dinette for two. The bathroom offers up a full shower and a composting toilet. A secondary outhouse provides another option. Best of all, outside the bus, a cozy open-air deck has a futon couch and nearby an outdoor dining area features a table for six. Oh, and yes, there’s a hammock between two trees beckoning you to come relax.