Vintage meets modern at this urban Airstream lodging experience tucked inside an old roadside trailer park that’s been operating continuously since 1922.
Santa Barbara used to be my playground when I was younger. I didn’t attend college there but quite a few of my friends did and I have a lot of great memories from those long ago days. Most of my visits in recent years have been day trips to see local historical sites such as the “Queen of the Missions” or Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park. It had probably been at least 25 years since I actually spent the night there, so when I decided to take a 2-day Wilderness First Aid certification course at UCSB, a weekend stay at Santa Barbara AutoCamp sounded like it could be a fun way to reacquaint myself with the city.
AutoCamp is part of a 35-space RV park that’s been in operation for over 90 years. Located in the heart of Santa Barbara and recently named “Best Airstream Hotel in the West” by Sunset Magazine, its five polished aluminum trailers offer sleek modern interiors to weary road warriors looking for a unique place to stay as they road trip through California’s Riviera.
The 31-foot 1964 Airstream Sovereign I stayed in came with the following amazing features:
– Private bedroom with queen bed plus a full pull-out bed in the lounge (plush linens provided)
– Luxurious bathroom with deep-soaking bubble bath tub
– Spa bathrobes and (Malin+Goetz) bath products
– Modern kitchen with cooking supplies
– Patio with electric grill and adirondack chairs
– Two complimentary beach cruisers (with helmets)
Opened in 2013, each Airstream can sleep up to four people and has been renovated by a local architect using sustainable construction methods and materials.
![“Each Airstream has been uniquely designed to connect yesterday with today, without giving up modern comforts,” says [architect Matthew] Hofmann. “Our spaces also help connect people with their inner souls and outer environment… and one way we did this was to maintain simple lines and remove the clutter.”](http://i0.wp.com/strayngerranger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/13221313_10154157720036484_399398989347101103_o.jpg?resize=750%2C563)
It was the perfect size for me but I couldn’t imagine more than two people being able to enjoy the space at the same time, even with all its modern comforts.
The bathrooms in all five trailers have been expanded in order to create a sense of luxury.
The trailer I stayed in (#5), was advertised as having the best equipped bathroom…
…and I have to admit, a dip in my deep-soaking, air-bubble bathtub after a full day of exploring nearby Los Padres National Forest felt pretty damn good.
The custom-designed sound system with speakers throughout my suite also was a nice touch.
My bedroom was a little tight but that didn’t stop me from getting some much needed rest in the comfortable Queen size bed that sat in the back of the trailer. Santa Barbara AutoCamp mixes classic Americana style with modern design to create an exceptional urban Airstream lodging experience and is located only one mile north of downtown Santa Barbara and three miles from the beach. I would definitely recommend AutoCamp for those looking for a unique experience while road tripping through California’s Central Coast. For more information and reservations, visit autocamp.com/location/santa-barbara/.
The post SANTA BARBARA AUTOCAMP appeared first on STRAYNGER RANGER.