Can “Glamping” Offer an Alternative to Napa Hotels?

Chris d CraikerALA

In my earlier days, an Airstream trailer was looked upon as a cheap throwback to another era. The Mid-Century design had rounded stainless steel frames that celebrated the new American freedom to tour the Country independently and safely. In the 1950s, these portable structures were everywhere in America. The “I Love Lucy” show and nefarious other comedy series celebrated them initially, then quickly relegate them to the American cultural trash heap.

The idea that these Airstream units would survive and flourish in our era to become luxury hospitality accommodations seems remote, but what goes around, comes around……. sometimes with a vengeance 60-70 years later.

At the Napa City October Planning Commission hearing, a proposal was heard for just such a project. The company, AutoCamp, in partnership with local design professionals, has been working on converting a 12.5 acre property on the west side of the Silverado Trail near the Hagan intersection. The plan is to pepper the site with 100 airstream units and yurts for Glamping, a rather fanciful camping vacation experience, without the tents and bad cooking. This will not be a KOA-style campground where guests haul in their campers or RVs for an overnighter.

Autocamp has eight completed facilities with two more in construction. There are about 20 Glamping sites in northern California, 12 in the Wine Country. The rates start as low as $40/night in 3-unit facilities up to $175/night in 20 units in fancier facilities. I’m sure the rates will be seasonally adjusted. The proposed rate for this site is in the mid $300/night with $200/night as the lowest.

One can’t pass judgement on a project without visiting the site and getting into the weeds…no pun intended. When visiting the site, one notes it is lower than the Trail and covered with trees with wide open spaces. The plans call for saving most of the trees and existing foliage. The latest General Plan suggests a density up to 2 units per acre or potentially up to 25 units. However, a proposal for 4 units gained no traction with the Planning Commission, partially because of the flood plain.

As many as 20 of the proposed Airstream units will be in the flood hazard area and they will have to be moved to another site from November through April. Interestingly, November and April are among the most popular times to visit Napa. The four-lot subdivision would have required a considerable amount of dirt fill whereas this proposal will require far less fill for the 3 main buildings in the center with the parking lots.

Traffic and access appear to be the most critical elements of the proposal. The traffic report stipulates less 50 car  trips per hour at peak check in. Most of the traffic will be on weekends and their report states the camp will not add significantly to the daily commute on the Trail. Visitors will be arriving from Trancas since there will not be a left turn lane for anyone traveling north on Silverado coming from Lincoln. Instead, the proposal is for a right-in and right-out only at the access point. Left turns are typically more dangerous, however, this has been a major sticking point if there should be a left turn lane into the property for visitors coming from the south, supposedly because there’s limited space on the opposite side of Silverado.

What I don’t see is a landscape plan. If so many trees are being saved, they should be shown with their drip lines, or outer edges. The planting pallet throughout should be fire resistant and native plants and foliage. I’m pleased they didn’t propose a Vanity Vinyard for fake charm.

While there will be a road all around the site where the units will be placed saving the existing trees, all guests will park in the central parking area next to the main facilities. Unfortunately, the parking lot was designed by civil engineers as if it was a strip mall, very uninviting. It certainly could use more landscaping and a better design. After all, this is supposed to be a wilderness campsite, not a Macy’s mall.

There are a large number of residents that oppose the project and bring up good points that should be considered. The Autocamp proponents try to make a case that this will serve families with young children that will have a chance to see nature. The reality is, the guests will be mostly older adults without appendages, visiting Napa for wine tasting and great food options. Families with kids will go to the KOA sites, not a Glamping site. I’m not sure if that’s wrong, but it should be clear who the customers will be.

The Autocamp proponents insist this will be “budget friendly” however checking in with the Guerneville Auto camp, a two-night stay will be around $618.00 with tax. So much for families on a budget, but that’s still less than the current $900.00 per weekend in a Napa Hotel.

There will be a long two thousand foot walkway that will be converted into a Class A bike trail , a great benefit to the community, I just hope it’s maintained. As an occasional biker, I see how the bike path around Copia has not been maintained as well as it should be. I would hope that the trail could be extended in both directions.

I understand there will be campfire pits that will only burn supposedly “Goodwood“, whatever that is. The proponents say they will not allow fires on restricted days, but that won’t stop people from lighting up. I believe all of the pits should be propane gas only with timers. It’s cleaner, safer and better to control.

Personally, I think the speed limit on Silverado should be reduced from the 40 mile an hour to35 or 30. Nobody drives 40 on that stretch, they’re all pushing 50 at least. Here is a chance to use traffic calming along the trail. It would make a lot of sense to include a left turn lane from the south and widen the street and post lower speeds here. I’m curious to see what kind of signage and lights they will introduce. This will also act to slow traffic on the Trail.

I’ve looked at the architecture of the buildings which have a very contemporary clean industrial look. While it would seem that a more rustic country look would be appropriate, I believe this design is merited. It goes well with the Airstream units with a very Mid-Century Americans uniqueness.

This is a project that I believe deserves to go forward and be approved by the City Council. While I usually don’t comment on proposed projects, I feel this is something that will be a benefit to the city. It’s unique and could be fun. Napa needs more visitor opportunities and accommodations. We have enough big hotels for now.

Chris d Craiker ALA/NCARB came to Napa in 1994 to open a B&B when the accommodations were few and basic. It’s changed a bit since then.