By Last Updated on June 17, 2023
There’s glamping… and then there’s glamping. I’m not talking about sleeping in the great outdoors in a tent, with or without cushy beds or with or without indoor toilets. I’m talking about staying in an Airstream vacation rental, the newest popular pop-up hotel for RV-type vacations.
Airstreams, aka “Silver Bullets,” have become trendy in recent years, and since 2009, Airstream sales have drastically increased. There’s no doubt this nostalgic icon has found its way back into the heart of the American road traveler.
Airstream was founded in 1932 by Wally Byam, a California outdoorsman who designed a teardrop-shaped wooden trailer for his wife who wasn’t so keen on camping in a tent. He chose the name Airstream as it sounded fast and aerodynamic.
The sleek aluminum exteriors haven’t really changed over the years, though the interiors have been modernized to provide a more refined and pleasant camping experience. As a matter of fact, many owners have converted these mobile dwellings into more stationary glamping pads and suites.
For those of us fascinated by this travel option, staying in an Airstream allows the opportunity to “try before you buy,” as they are a pricey purchase. And potential buyers need to make sure they have a vehicle big enough to haul the Airstream.
We’ve pulled together some Airstream vacation rentals around the country where you can try out this growing trend of vacationing without having to “set up camp.”
Glamping in the Vines, Vineyard Airstream: San Diego, CA
You can’t beat the combination of staying in an Airstream on an estate vineyard. You can do just that at Domaine Artefact Winery.
A stay in this colorful Boho-vibe Airstream rental offers vineyard views surrounded by sycamores and oaks in the rolling hills of lovely Escondido, a San Diego bedroom community.
The two-bedroom, half-bath trailer also features a kitchenette, deck and patio where you can relax with a bottle of wine and warm up around your own cozy fire pit.
Creekside Airstream: North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains
How’s a glamping experience in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains sound? Glamping Silver Stream sits on 58-acres of secluded forest and meadows with a bubbling creek just off the front porch. The 30-foot, elegantly furnished Airstream Classic Limited offers one-bedroom, two-baths under a tin-roofed open enclosure structure.
The Creekside property has a fire pit and stainless-steel gas grill along with a nearby rustic building housing a washer, dryer, and outdoor shower.
Airstream Resort Living: Navarre Beach, Navarre, FL
Your adventure awaits in this two-bedroom Airstream that can sleep up to four guests in the northwest Florida Panhandle. A private bath also has a separate shower.
The rental is located in the Santa Rose Waterfront RV Resort located on Santa Rosa Sound. Featured amenities include a pool, beach, fishing pier, fire pit pavilion, gym and laundry area. The stay also includes a grill, bicycles, paddleboards, kayaks and beach chairs.
Retro Airstream: Wimberley, Texas
Renovated with a retro twist, this cute vintage trailer known as “The Daisy” is situated in Texas’ picturesque Hill Country. The airstream sits on 10 lovely acres of oak and elm groves lining Smith Creek. While you may feel a world away, the shopping and dining of downtown Wimberly is only three miles down the road.
The one-bedroom rental also boasts a deck, hot tub, spacious outdoor shower for two and outdoor fire bowl for yes, making S’mores.
Desert Airstream Safari Trailer: Tucson, Arizona
Let’s head to the beautiful Sonoran Desert for this Airstream rental situated in the lower Catalina Foothills.
Guests will find plenty of privacy along with incredible panoramic desert views. The one bedroom can sleep up to three guests, and includes a full bath, kitchen, living room and granite patio with an outdoor dining area.
It’s close to some of the area’s best golf courses, hiking trailheads and restaurants.
Retro Airstream with Ocean View: Santa Barbara, CA
Who doesn’t love Santa Barbara, often dubbed the American Riviera? Yes, it has luxury resorts and charming boutique hotels, but it also offers a unique way to enjoy this Pacific region… by Airstream.
The trailer sports two-bedrooms that can sleep up to six guests, one full bath, kitchen, deck/patio and balcony. One of its top features is a private Jacuzzi to enjoy the stunning Pacific sunsets.
Though you’ll find plenty of peace and serenity, the Airstream is a short five-minute drive to the beach and downtown area. Hiking trails are right around the corner from the property.
Hip Scandi Cabin & Airstream: Asheville, NC
The owner calls this property “vintage camp meets Scandinavian modern” in this unique rental that has not only a newly-built cabin, but an Airstream located near the cabin.
Situated in the bucolic rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the property is indeed a delightful mix of modern and vintage touches. It’s ideal for nature lovers with its expansive creek-side patio, outdoor hot tub, outdoor seating around a fire-pit and one-acre of private space.
Step Back in Time: Vintage Airstream in Ennis, TX
This 1974 Airstream Sovereign has been restored to capture many of its original features making visitors feel as though they’ve stepped back into the past.
The one-bedroom, one-bath on a 27-acre property offers two beds along with pastoral views and memorable sunsets. Guests have everything they need in this trailer including an outdoor patio, a fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs, a private hot tub and a large swimming pool for summer use.
Airstream Urban Campsite: Pasadena, CA
Located in beautiful Altadena on the outskirts of Pasadena, this 2012 Limited Eddie Bayer Airstream set among trees makes guests feel like they’re camping in the mountains.
Two can sleep comfortably in the one-bedroom, one-bath trailer that offers a luxury glamping experience. Situated on spacious grounds offering privacy and breathing room, the rental also includes a lagoon-like pool, spa and a babbling creek.
The nearby San Gabriel Mountains are walking distance and sport amazing hiking and biking trails. Old Town Pasadena is just a few miles drive away.
Vacation rentals are fun. These Airstreams offer the best of both worlds, a glamping adventure with all the modern conveniences and a nostalgic step-into-the-past of simpler times and throwback memories.
What do you think?