Friend of a Friend • Vintage Van B&B Glamping

A Beloved Vintage Van Bed-and-Breakfast

Come visit the redwoods, artist hangouts, Tribal cultural centers, and glorious beaches of northern Humboldt County!

We welcome you to stay overnight in a quiet neighborhood in a vintage Ford Chateaux Centaurus with plush teal interior, handcrafted woodwork, and all the amenities: full size bed with cozy bedding, off-grid phone and electronics charging station, camping lights, beach towels, card games, free breakfast, free toiletries, and an en-suite toilet.

The van is located in a semi-rural neighborhood (with chickens, horses, and at least one donkey…plus resident deer, fox, skunk, etc.) within walking distance of the Arcata Airport, an Intercity bus stop, extensive dog-walking fields and Clam Beach.

We are LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC-friendly

If you’ve never overnighted in a van, this is a great way to try out #VanLife.

• The queen bed features a down comforter on top of a cushioned bed topping on top of a 4-inch foam mattress topper. Extra blankets are stored in the cabinet above the bed.
• The van interior includes two plush middle seats and two wooden folding tables that can serve as work tables, game tables (games provided), or dining tables.
• Rechargeable lights are located along the upper cabinetry.
• There is a fully charged Jackery power station for powering your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or other devices.
• Please let your hostess know if you need assistance with operating, managing, or replenishing any of the amenities provided.
• The van is stocked with waterless cleansing options including complimentary body wipes and dry shampoos. (Guests can arrange to use the host’s shower; and you may enjoy booking a hot tub at the local Cafe Mokka coffee shop.)
• Drinking water is contained in two water bottles – please let your host know if they need replenishing.
• Extra dishes and games are in the middle upper cabinet.
• The self-contained camping toilet is top-of-the-line with a flush and bidet option.

Yep, Breakfast is included!

In the morning you’ll be treated to a picnic basket breakfast delivered to your door (served between 8:30 – 10:30 AM; choose between 3 options) with a Stanley thermos filled with hot water for French-press (plunger) coffee, tea + cream + sugar, etc. (100% Fairtrade organic).

Room Service Breakfast Options (*):

• 1 – homemade oatmeal + toppings (V, GF, LF, halal)
• 2 – multigrain toast + local jams + margarine + local honey (V, LF, halal)
• 3 – white or brown rice + furikake (V, GF, LF)

(*) As a professional caterer, your host is prepared to handle any additional food sensitivities, as long as they are clearly stated in advance.

Your host lived, travelled, and worked in this van for over eight years, and loved every minute of it! She truly wants every guest to have a positive, memorable experience. To that end, please note the following:

• The van is a wonderful option for the more adventurous traveler, and for folks accustomed to tiny spaces. Your host has done her best to balance nightly fees with what it costs for her to keep the van clean, well-stocked, and fully insured.
• The full bed has a 4” foam-and-pillowtop mattress topper covering the existing bed, which measures 58” wide and 61” long (weird, but that’s how they made things in 1995!). The bed is perfect for side sleepers (your host is 5’10” and always slept comfortably), but not recommended for people over 6 feet tall or for a couple who are both on the tall side.
• Extra complimentary supplies, including hand soap, antibacterial cleanser, room freshener, etc. are provided.
• A lovely wee fire-engine red trashcan is provided; For recycling and composting, check with your host.

• Ask your hostess about getting free admission to the Sequoia Zoo (featuring a Redwood Sky Walk) and the Clarke Historical Museum (which has a wonderful collection of Tribal basketry and regalia, along with unique historical displays).
• We want you to be comfortable! Please note that because we left the two middle seats in place, although there is plenty of room to move within the van, the set-up may prove challenging for significantly larger-bodied humans, and is not ADA accessible in that you cannot roll a wheelchair into the unit.
• The van is screened by heavy vegetation on one side and a wooden fence on the other. The side and rear windows all have pull-down shades, and there is a privacy windshield covering the front of the van.

• The average temperature range in the area is a pretty perfect low-to-mid 50s to the low 70s (it’s a bit chillier in the winter, and a bit warmer in the summer), and can change rapidly during any given day, so the key is always dressing in *layers*.
• All of the van’s side windows can be partially opened, allowing for cross-ventilation. Inside is a rechargeable fan, ceramic heater, extra blankets, and hand/foot-warming packets.
• Van quirks: this is NOT a regular high-top van, so most people will not be able to fully stand up in the van, but the ceiling is plush teal: a soft landing for everyone’s heads. Also, the middle side door and back doors only open from the inside — this is an excellent extra security measure, but can prove pesky.

We are located within an easy 10-15 minute walking distance of the renowned Hammond Trail, with miles upon miles of hiking and cycling possibilities towards Trinidad to the north, and Arcata to the south.

An intercity bus service provides hourly transport to the nearby towns of Arcata and Eureka, and is located a mere 200 meters from the van. All intercity buses in Humboldt County have bike racks which are easy to use; however, if you are a biking aficionado, you may find the nearby Hammond Trail system to be a terrific resource for points both north and south.

If you have any other questions, please contact the phone number provided in the advert. Calls or texts welcome, and if you’d like a live FaceTime tour of the van prior to booking the space, that can be arranged.

**More detailed information will be provided during our initial conversation, including maps for getting to the location and how we handle pets and safety concerns, along with house rules. Our exact address and directions will be provided once your lodging reservation is completed. We accept Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, all major credit cards, and cash. No foreign currency or bitcoin.