Glamping & nature retreats with Alter Experiences. Sleep in the trees under the stars & rediscover the joys of pristine nature & the great outdoors. Blue Jay Nest is our glamping playground in the Cleveland National Forest, Laguna campground. This fun and cozy space features 4 bell tents, as well as our double bubble 2 story tree tent and trillium hammocks. Blue Jay nest is nestled among giant pine and conifer trees for a private setting. It's located right next to toilets/showers. Laguna Mountain is one of the highest peaks in San Diego at an elevation of over 6,000ft. It's part of the Cleveland National Forest network and one of the most bio-diverse habitats in all of Southern California. It features some of the tallest pine, conifer and oak trees in the region, as well as beautiful open space preserves as far as the eye can see. The area is extremely remote and secluded. Our glamping sites are located in the communal campgrounds of Laguna./El Prado campgrounds, right off Sunrise Highway. The closest town is Julian about 30 minutes away. It's about a 15 minute drive to Lake Cuyamaca. The drive along S1 Sunrise HWY is an experience in itself, with contrasting landscapes between our mountain forests and the Anza-Borrego desert. Your site comes with a combination of both tree tents, bell tents and hammocks. Bell tents are fully outfitted and spacious with therapeutic mattress and / or sofa bed (s). They are staged with the ultimate comfort and luxury in mind, featuring rugs, plush floor pillows, solar powered lights and propane heater. Our Tenstile tree tents are a lightweight treehouse that uses 3 anchor points to create a "living space" suspended between trees. Our Tentsiles are fun, safe & bring a whole new dimension to the camping experience. Our elevated tree tents offer a very unique nature immersive and outdoor experience. Your glamping site also comes with standard hotel amenities, private lounge area, outdoor kitchen space & outdoor fire-pit. Enjoy camping without the hassle! Facilities & Amenities: - Hot shower/bathroom available with either flush toilet. - Your tree tent comes complete with sleeping pad, sleeping bag & pillow. A floor lounge area is provided underneath your tree tent. Our tree tents can accommodate 2 or 3 people per unit. - Drinking water provided - Towels, soap and shampoo are provided - Hanging compartments & bins to keep things organized - Firepit is provided for your lounge & seats around the campfire (wood fires only permitted in designated fire pits) - First Aid Kit - Camp kitchen with cooking & serving utensils - 22' Blackstone Griddle, portable cooker, pots/pans, kettle, mugs, essential spices & oils, coffee, hot chocolate & sugar. All you really need to bring is your cooler & food to last for your trip. You also have the option to eat at nearby restaurants, including The Outpost. Please be aware that you'll be staying in a communal campground in the recreation area. Our sites are very private with your own area, kitchen, fire-pit and parking. Only bathroom facilities are shared with other campers. Alter Experiences operates multiple affiliate locations in the San Diego backcountry, as well as in collaboration with the Descanso Ranger District office of the Cleveland National Forest. Our glamping retreats are designed to offer the most comfortable outdoor experience possible, while providing all the camping equipment and amenities you will need. We take all that's fun about camping & combine it with modern comfort & state of the art equipment. It's an outdoor & nature immersive experience unlike any other. Look us up and join our glamping tribe for exclusive offers, give-aways and much more. Alter Experiences LLC operates under permit of USFS. This institution is an equal opportunity employer. One of our team members will be on site when you arrive to give you a short orientation on the site layout, safe practices & tree tent gear. You'll be staying in the Cleveland National Forest and you must abide by all federal laws and regulations. We'll go over all of this with you upon your arrival. In the heart of San Diego county are the sky islands of the central mountains - a place where nature & wildlife thrives. This very unique & bio-diverse environment covers hundreds of acres of state park, national forest, as well as historic, eco-logical & archeological preserves. The region is characterized by its natural beauty, heritage & small town charm, which represent this destination's true tourism appeal. It’s one of the last places left in Southern California where you'll find unspoiled nature, rare wildlife & the solitude of mountain forests. We’re a proud historic community dedicated to small town values, responsible tourism, & environmental conservation. As the stewards of these pristine regions, our community is very passionate about ensuring its preservation for generations to come. San Diego's backcountry is home to numerous museums, touristic centers, venues & many other recreational attractions. Rancho Cuyamaca State Park & Cleveland National Forest feature a labyrinth of over 70 designated trails totaling over 150 miles. Streams & waterfalls abound in one of the densest concentrations of Pine, Conifer & Oak Tree forests in Southern California. Wildlife such as deer, turkey & hawks frequent the area regularly. One of the best ways to truly immerse yourself in our vast Mount Laguna forest trails is by mountain bike. We offer mountain bike rental services, or you can also hike. There are numerous trails to choose from within walking distance of your site. One of our most popular venues in Mount Laguna is The Outpost by Valley Farms. They have some exquisite food and a full bar. The Mount Laguna Visitor Center is located just across the street from the Outpost and another place to visit. The Lake Cuyamca restaurant offers a variety of delicious plates & libations, as well as activities like fishing and boating. The historic town of Julian offers a multitude of tours, attractions, restaurants & shopping. Take a stroll down Main Street & don’t forget to try our world-famous Julian pie. Our local brewery Nickel Beer has some of the best craft beer in San Diego. Menghini Winery & Volcan Mountain Winery are one of our most popular attractions, along with our local orchards & u-pick farms (seasonal) The Julian Station & Wynola are an attraction in themselves. Jeremey’s on the Hill offers farm-to-table cuisine, or you can visit Wynola Pizza & Bistro for some delicious pizza & craft soda. Head on over to the Julian Station afterwards for libations ranging from wine, craft beer, cider, mead & komboucha. Julian Hard Cider & Julian Ciderworks are a must try! Quecho's Mexican food is another local favorite. There is no shortage of unique attractions & activities to choose from while visiting the San Diego Backcountry. Enjoy all the beauty & wonders this region has to offer. Please act safely and responsibly while visiting the backcountry. The backcountry is remote & rural environment at elevations of up to 6,000 feet. You're likely to get winded much faster than normal at these higher elevations. Be extra careful if doing strenuous activity & drink plenty of water. Allow plenty of time for driving mountain roads and hiking over rugged terrain. Weather can change quickly up here & sudden storms are common in the summer. Be prepared! Consider taking raingear, a hat, & wearing sturdy shoes or hiking boots. Snowfall is common in the winter months. The road can become even more dangerous under these conditions. Check the forecast & travel advisory before coming. High temperatures are common in the summer, but can occur throughout the year. Heat exhaustion & heat stroke can result from continued exposure to high temperatures & inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. Adults require two quarts of water per day & four quarts or more for strenuous activity at high elevations. We have very limited facilities like gas stations & public restrooms. You can't always count on cell service or GPS to be working up here. Use a forest recreation map, topographic maps & guides. Get advice from experienced backcountry travelers. If you are hiking, backpacking, or exploring at any time of year, take someone with you & make sure someone else knows your exact travel plans. Safe driving requires alertness. The backcountry road system is different from streets & highways. Road conditions vary & roads are used by a variety of travelers. Licensed high clearance vehicles, recreational vehicles, horseback riders, mountain bikes & hikers are common sights on the back roads. The route leading up to the backcountry is a single lane windy mountain road. Drive safely & be extra cautious. Make sure you have a full gas tank & that your car is in optimal running condition. If you're driving slower or hauling a trailer for instance, pull over to the side when possible & make way for other passing drivers. Winter Vehicle Travel - Snow conditions result in closure of some roads & highways over mountain passes. Tire chains may be required. Winter travelers should carry tire chains at all times and be prepared to spend long periods of time in the car. Carry blankets or sleeping bags, a shovel, water, food and other necessities, & travel with a full tank of gas. Alter Experience operates under permit of the Cleveland National Forest. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. - No loud music is allowed at the campsite - Fires only allowed in designated fire pits. Never leave open fire unattended. - Pets are allowed in the campground, but not in the tents. You must bring an enclosure for your pet. Pets must be on a leash at all times - Quiet hours from 9pm-8am