Lupin Lodge

A historic naturist resort, opened in 1935 in the Santa Cruz Mountains above Los Gatos, half an hour from Silicon Valley but in a completely different world: largely wild land, redwoods, deer, meadows and terraces on several levels. The property is run by a woman, something the resort explicitly highlights, and is open all year round. You can sleep in furnished yurts with a double bed, air conditioning and linen, in a tent, in your car or in an RV without hook-ups (with a surcharge for water and power). There is a pool, a hot tub, a sauna, tennis and volleyball courts, pétanque, a children's play area, a clubhouse with a common room and a restaurant that opens only on certain days. The calendar is packed: nude yoga at weekends, life-drawing art workshops, movie nights, bonfires, pool parties, volleyball tournaments from April to October. Naturism is formally optional, but it is the norm and becomes compulsory in the pool, sauna and hot tub. The rules state the aim of welcoming people of every age, gender, gender identity and sexual orientation. Recent visitors describe a rustic, quiet place that is welcoming to beginners; criticisms concern uneven maintenance, cleanliness that is not always impeccable and the narrow, steep access road, not recommended for those arriving with a trailer or a large RV. Dogs not allowed.