A massive new ‘glamping’ resort is coming to SLO County. See what’s planned
A plan to transform a 26-acre plot of land into a recreational vehicle and “glamping” outdoor resort in Atascadero got approval from the city planning commission to move forward.
At its Tuesday meeting, the Atascadero Planning Commission unanimously approved the construction of Del Rio Ranch, an expansive outdoor resort from Cal Coast Communities with a focus on tourism, entertainment and commercial uses.
Located on the southeast corner of Del Rio Road and El Camino Real, Del Rio Ranch’s outdoor lodging resort will consist of 98 RV spaces and 70 glamping sites for cabanas, cabins and airstream trailers.
On top of the outdoor uses, the site will add 22,000 square feet of commercial space topped by an 18-room hotel, along with site amenities such as a clubhouse, two pools, spa buildings and a range of structures related to resort operations, according to the staff report.
Here’s what the Planning Commission approved — and what future glampers can expect from the outdoor resort.
Del Rio Ranch to cater to RVs, glamping
The majority of Del Rio Ranch’s outdoor resort area is contained to the eastern side of the property, separated from El Camino Real by the commercial spaces and planned event venue that will run along the street.
RVs and glampers will check into the property on a new road to be built on the southern end of the property near an RV service station before parking at one of the spaces within the resort area.
Each campsite will include one shade tree, while premium RV sites include barbecue pits and the largest sites accommodating fire pits, according to the staff report.
RV sites will be outfitted with electric, sewer and water utility hook-ups, while glamping sites will include most of the same amenities as RV spaces, with the addition of hot tubs for some premium sites.
The Del Rio Ranch plan calls for resort amenities including a spa, ice cream shop and other retail uses arranged along a paseo. The resort’s clubhouse will be connected to the two pools, along with food and drink service areas.
On the southeast corner of the site, an event room is planned to host private events.
Near the event room, an event lawn will double as the site’s main drainage basin, with a main stage proposed near the southwest corner of the property for small concerts and other performances, protected from the road by a screening wall.
The project will provide 247 on-site parking spaces, and will add a new public road aligning with the southern most entry to the Mission Oaks on the opposite side of El Camino Real from the resort.
The commercial corner on El Camino Real and Del Rio Road is expected to include two main buildings framing a central outdoor plaza, which are expected to host restaurants and entertainment uses.
What’s next for Del Rio Ranch?
With the Planning Commission’s approval, the project will next be heard by the Atascadero City Council at an uncertain date.
No phasing or build timeline for the project has been proposed, though the clubhouse, at least one of the pools, the new public road, all main internal access roads and all frontage road improvements must be completed before RV sites and glamping areas can be occupied.
