Glamping Comes to Dairy Creek Golf Course in San Luis Obispo County
Dairy Creek Golf Course in San Luis Obispo County, California, is preparing to diversify its offerings with the addition of an eco-camp, known as Nightsky, catering to glampers and wellness enthusiasts. This change comes after a significant reduction in available water resources due to a decrease in the California Men’s Colony prison population.
Water Supply Challenges Prompt Diversification
Josh Heptig, the San Luis Obispo County Parks Golf Superintendent, explained that the golf course previously relied on reclaimed water from the California Men’s Colony for irrigation. “The prisoners provided the reclaimed water to help irrigate the golf course so when the prison population got cut in half we lost 60% of our water so in the process of that we lost half of our golf course,” Heptig told KSBY. Heptig clarified that the reclaimed water was not intended for drinking.
Nightsky Eco-Camp: A New Outdoor Experience
Nightsky, owned by a hospitality company that similarly operates the Marcerro restaurant on the golf course property, aims to provide a comfortable outdoor experience. “Nightsky is our way of delivering a comfortable way to experience and recreate in the outdoors particularly for folks who may not be comfortable sleeping in a tent,” said David Smith, Nightsky owner, according to KSBY. The eco-camp will also feature wellness amenities such as yoga sessions, a sauna, and cold plunges.
Local Reactions and Opening Timeline
Anatoly Mezhov, another Nightsky owner, highlighted the appeal of San Luis Obispo County as a location, stating, “We couldn’t think of a better place to do it than San Luis Obispo given the abundance of nature and adventure that San Luis Obispo represents,” as reported by KSBY. Local golfers expressed mixed reactions, with some welcoming the idea and others voicing concerns about potential noise levels. “It’s actually a good idea,” said Craig Cummings, a Shell Beach resident, in an interview with KSBY. Jerilyn Moore, from Morro Bay, expressed concern about noise impacting her game. Tom Sheller, visiting from Minneapolis, noted it was the first time he had seen such a setup.
Pricing and Availability
Nightsky is targeting a summertime opening, with prices expected to be in the high hundreds of dollars per night, varying based on the day of the week and season.
Josh Heptig’s Background
Josh Heptig is the Director of Golf Course Operations with San Luis Obispo County Parks & Recreation, overseeing Morro Bay, Chalk Mountain, and Dairy Creek golf courses. According to GCSAA, Heptig has been a member of the GCSAA for 17 years and earned his BS in Golf Course Management from Kansas State University in 2001. His profile on the GCSAA website details his involvement in the Central California GCSA, where he has held various leadership positions.