All in a Good Nest's Sleep

A befitting way to get a bird's–eye view of Big Sur's beauty? Camp out in a human nest! Big Sur Treebones Resort (famous for its luxury yurts along the Pacific Coast) offers a truly unique way to spend the night in nature with its large, woven-wood art "nest" installation. Spread your wings for an unorthodox escape. You'll climb a 10-rung wooden ladder and enter the aerial wonder, perched in a cliff-front tree eight feet off the ground. The nest fits two people, and a full-sized futon mattress adds extra cushioning. Sticks from the abode frame the cliffy Big Sur coastline as the ocean stretches into the horizon. There's also a ground-level campsite and picnic table below, in case the weather gets wild. You'll have to bring your own sleeping bag, but that's the extent of roughing it here: Nest guests get full access to the Treebones hot tub, pool, and on-site restaurant and sushi bar. Here's a small tip: Arrive at check-in by bicycle, and the staff will hook you up with a free bottle of wine. A little birdie told you.

BONUS: Five minutes north of Treebones is Sand Dollar Beach, the largest sand beach on the Big Sur coast. A 0.7-mile out-and-back trek leads to the beach, a superb spot for sand dollar and jade scouring.

Big Sur Treebones Resort is located at 71895 Hwy. 1 in Big Sur. The nest books quickly: To make reservations, call Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at (877) 424-4787. Two-night minimum stay, $150/night for two guests. No dogs. To reach Sand Dollar Beach, park in the lot on the western side of Hwy. 1, located 3.6 miles north of Treebones. Sand Dollar Beach is dog-friendly.