Wife and I will be traveling to northern CA this summer and thought about stopping at Laguna del Sol for a day. Wondering if anyone on this board has been there.If so what are the accomodations like? I see they offer single rooms as well as park models. (we will have a small dog.) I see that it is CO except in and and around the pool, like most naturist resorts. Just curious what the level of nudity is in and around the grounds, restaurants etc. Also not clear to us if new comers are required to take a tour on their first visit. A tour might be nice but don't want to have our arrival time tied to a tour guide availability. May be arriving in the early evening. Thanks

We've been there, and yes, we had to have a tour appointment when we arrived. We were put on the back of a golf cart and driven around. It really seemed to be a waste of time, but that was the deal. We stayed in the hotel building across the pond, it was nice I suppose, nothing special. Seemed that most everybody was nude that we saw in and around the pools, and a mix everywhere else. We visited not long after they had arrested a murderer that was hiding out there (so it must have been 1999, quite awhile ago), he had killed a few people in Yosemite and was a member of Laguna Del Sol and was captured there. Also, they warned us to be careful if we took the trail over to the river, as the river also attracted neighborhood tough guys that had beaten a naked guest of LDS a few weeks before. We did do the hike, but as soon as we saw some people across the river we turned around immediately and headed back to the resort.

Keep in mind this is all now 14 yr. old information, but it's all I have... We live about 2 hours away from LDS and we still prefer to go to DSR, we never went back to LDS. I'm assuming since your name is PSP, you're well aware of DSR.

We stayed a few nights about 1.5 yrs ago and enjoyed LdS very much. We arrived very late in the evening and the office was already closed. The guy at the gate gave us directions to the "hotel", we finally found it and our room.

The room: LdS lists their accomodations and call these hotel rooms "deluxe or luxury" rooms and though they are clean, they are also dated, in need of sprucing up and are far from a "luxury" room but they are "deluxe" compared to the "standard" rooms that are cheaper. Those rooms are more like very small rooms ,8-10, under one roof and no private bathrooms but these use the bathroom building adjacent to the sleeping quarters.

The hotel "deluxe" rooms have private baths and a really nice sun deck just outside the sliding glass doors. It's got a great view of the lake/pond. We didn't use the sundeck because it was our first time and we wanted to see the place and sun out around the pool.

We checked in the following morning and never got a "tour." We gave ourselves a tour and then returned to the office to ask if someone could meet us over by the lake/pond to take our picture. To my surprise, I was told that if I brought my camera back to the office, they would consider "tagging" it and allowing me to take my own pictures. I did and they tagged it, had me sign a contract that I wouldn't take anyone elses picture or video and I was allowed to carry our camera around and take picture of the resort and of my wife and of us. I thought "THAT" was an awesome way to handle the camera issue that so many clubs and nudists just can't seem to handle.

The resort is, in a word ... awesome and we WILL return again. Though the "nightclub" was not open when we were there, the restaurant and bar were and the food was great and for what we drink ... you can't mess that up! We met a couple we'd met at a local club and spent a couple days with them. We ate our meals at the restaurant each day and didn't have a bad meal.

LdS is not different from any other club or resort with regards to it's people. Staff was nice, some residents were friendly, others were not so friendly. Most guests were friendly and asked where you were from and where you've visited and of course you always have those that are in their own little groups and are not friendly.

There are three camping areas. Two areas accomodate larger RV's and one area is smaller for small RV's (tent trailers) and tents. All camping areas are near the lake/pond. We used one of the resorts "paddle boats" and took a cruise around the lake and got in some exercise to boot!

It was difficult to find late at night. It's far enough off the freeway that you feel you've missed it. Knowing some of the landmarks, now, it'll be easier to find if we arrive late again but we will return and make sure we get there earlier in the day to enjoy most of that first day. We've also decided to take our motorhome up the next time. Some great spots for your RV. We did walk a trail but really didn't go far enough so that we never lost sight of the grounds.

While we were there ... the only people we saw that were covered or dressed were those in the office. My wife has had some sun damage issues and always took her SPF shirt along when she's had enough and we had no problems from the "clothing/cover up" police. We were naked everywhere as were almost all the people we saw. All I took was a towel everywhere and that was plenty.

Not sure if we just got lost in the shuffle ... but arriving around 9 pm got us past the "guided tour." I suspect that if you arrive late enough, where the "guides" are done for the day, you'll not have to take one but no telling if they'll make you take one the following day when you check in. They did not make us take one.

Enjoy your stay. We hope to get up there again very soon.

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Hi, Suzanne Schell, Laguna del Sol owner here. Thanks fireprof for your informative review! Just a couple of corrections: All 27 of LdS' rooms and park model cottages have private baths and always have. 2 of the park models allow pets (#1001 and #1002). Orientation tours are given every day from 10-3 this time of year, with no appointment necessary. A tour is not required for current AANR and TNS members. Since the resort covers 250 acres and has facilities spread across a wide area, new folks appreciate the guided goft cart tour to get them quickly acquainted with where everything is located. The tour also ensures that brand-new to nudism people fully understand the concept of wholesome nude recreation and are here for the right reasons. We have 60-80 first-time visitors a week this time of year.

For the most accurate information, just call the office at 916-687-6550 and visit www.lagunadelsol.com

Enjoying a record Memorial Day weekend crowd, with much thanks for the perfect weather!

Thanks Suzanne ... I got that room info from another guest and probably heard them wrong. We love LdS ... just live too far away to get there as much as we'd like.

FP <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like it might be a good idea to give the place a try. Since my wife and I have been to several naturist resorts and beaches and are not new to nudism, probably don't need the tour and lecture on the "the concept of wholesome nude recreation".

Was wondering if the resort allows single men and what kind of gender balance we can expect. No big deal, just curious.

Thanks again to everyone for your responses.

You won't be disappointed, regardless of the tour or no tour. Tours do not bother us and usually when we tell the desk or the tour guide that we are members elsewhere, that we've been doing this for over 39 years and have visited numerous clubs and resorts, they don't lecture us on nudism.

What I found to be a refreshing and common sense approach to picture taking is LdS's policy on cameras. I was so glad to have been able to take our camera with us while we toured the grounds and take pictures of each other. It's important to us as we keep photo albums of our nude travels to share with our nudist friends.

Laguna Del Sol ... it's truly worth the drive and visit. And, I'm not a paid spokesperson! hahaha

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PSP,
I would like to chime in on Laguna Del Sol.

My wife and I have been going since 2001, though until 2007 it was only 4 or 5 times a year. Since 2007 we go about every two weeks from Memorial Day through the end of October.
As for rooms, if you want a kitchen, get a Park Model, as mentioned, the Deluxe Rooms over in "The Whitehouse" are nice and clean, nothing great, but nice. The standard rooms should be reserved for those on a tight budget.

The full and partial 'nudity rate' is pretty high, weather allowing, which in Wilton, CA is pretty much always from Mid- May though most of October. You will see ladies with various wraps / sarongs and some men with them.

You can be fully nude everywhere, even the restaurant and night club, of course a towel is required to sit. Speaking of the night club, they have a really nice one, very spacious and the music is played at a decent level allowing you to talk to your table mates, etc. They play a good mix of music, slightly 'older' music early on and getting a little more modern and hipper as the night goes on. Rock, Country (with a number of line dances), R&B, they play it. They have two great bartenders with a full bar and VERY reasonable drink prices. The club is open for dancing every Friday and Saturday night, if it is a slower weekend (no events) Friday nights might be sparser in attendance, but Saturday nights are always well attended.

FireProf had a lot of good info, though I would say there are more than three camping areas, it just depends on how you define an area, but there are a lot of places to camp, be it in an RV or trailer. I know you are interested in the rooms, but as others may see this, just want to point this out.

I would recommend the tour, it is short and the place is so large and offers so much that it helps to have things pointed out.

Though the facts that banude pointed out about Carey Stayner (the killer) are true, it would have been best left out of this thread, it was so long ago and does not represent the place or people that attend or live there.

Single men are welcome, for a while they have to be a member of AANR or TNS, but I do not think that applies. I would guess that about 80% or more of folks there are couples, 15% single men (most are regulars) and some single women. With that said, it is a very welcoming place, though I will admit, single men have it a bit rougher until they meet some folks, but as couple you will find many couples coming up to you and introducing themselves to you, etc.

The management is not heavy handed, but if someone does act in appropriately the staff or even the regulars will put an end to it really fast. You will safe and welcomed.

If you have Facebook, take a look at their page, the photographer (a member) has added a lot of GREAT pictures, their web site has been really slow, but the Facebook page is fast. Also look at Google Maps or Earth, you will see the size and many of the amenities.

If you have any more questions, please ask.

Probably true. There was no reason for me to have mentioned the Stayner situation in this thread. I did so only because it was in the general time frame of our visit, which I admit was long ago. A fair comment LJ, I should have left it out.

Thanks=you answered all my remaining questions. Sounds like a very nice resort

My husband and I were there just last weekend and had a terrific time, even though the place was packed. No loungers to be found at the pool after 9AM. We stayed in the luxury rooms, which we normally do. Since it was a holiday weekend, they had dances Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We did walk the trail to the river - I just wished I had worn sneakers instead of flip flops. The restaurant was just okay this time. Monday morning we waiting over 30 minutes for our food, and it was cold by the time it came, but we were so hungry we ate it anyway. We became members a year and a half ago, and haven't regretted it. Especially like that we can go to Mira Vista in Tucson for two weeks at member prices. We have rented a condo there for a week at a time and enjoyed not only that resort but the surrounding Tucson area. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised by the lovely surroundings at LDS. Just understand if you want to go off site for a meal, it is a little bit of a drive to find restaurants and grocery stores. Oh, yeah, and Suzanne and Wayne are really nice people and enjoy meeting everyone! Planning to go for a week in July and renting one of the mobile homes.

Oh, yeah, and one other thing. They had a live band playing music at the pool during the day on Saturday - and even the band was nude! They were really good. They had a dj on Sunday afternoon playing music too. And a blood drive as well. Always something going on there!

If you are paying for an accomodation,do you still have to pay a daily use/membership fee? Also, how hard are the park models to get if you have a pet. My understanding is that there are only 2 park models that accept pets, or is that incorrect? Thanks

If you are not members, you do have to pay the daily membership fee, which I believe is $27 per person or so. And yes, there are only 2 park models that allow pets. If you have a tent or RV, it doesn't matter if you have a dog. And they even have a fenced dog park there...