In honor of small business Saturday we’ve collected a list of some of the best mom and pop pie shops, hands-on yoga schools, stellar coffee roasters within a stone’s throw of our AutoCamp locations around the country. AutoCamp was created to put you right in the heart of some of the world’s coolest communities, and part of our focus is always on how we can support the local businesses and hidden gems that help make these places so much fun to discover.
Russian River
Founded by former university math professor Rich Moshin, this charming family run winery has been bottling sustainably farmed grapes since their first vintage of Pinot Noir in 1989. Set in the heart of Russian River wine country on Westside Road, Moshin uses a technique called gravity flow, which relies on gravity to transport the wine through each stage of the process, from crushing to cellaring and bottling, using less energy overall. Plan a tasting at their picturesque vineyard and sample their award-winning Pinot Noirs and Sauvignon Blanc.
No, there’s not actually wine in this granola! Named for Mendocino’s Cafe Beaujolais, where the original recipe originated, this crispy, crunchy, not-to-sweet granola has grown into its own independent wine country line that includes that signature Cashew & Coconut Granola alongside other granola flavors like Apricot Almond and Cherry & Cocoa Nibs. They also offer an Italian speciality called panforte, an intensely flavored cake made from dried fruit and nuts that’s traditionally paired with wine. The beautifully packaged products make a great souvenir or gift, and they ship anywhere in the country.
Healdsburg’s best bakery, Costeaux is also a must-stop for breakfast if you’re passing through—don’t miss their flaky croissants or buttery deep dish quiche. Stock up on their artisanal breads, like airy ciabatta, for eating by your campfire at AutoCamp or making sandwiches for the road—everything is baked in a hearth oven imported from Italy. Their other signature offerings are elaborate layer cakes that are perfect for birthdays. It’s not too late to mail one of their holiday packages to a loved one with a sweet tooth!.
If you’ve ever taken one of our restorative yoga classes surrounded by towering redwoods at AutoCamp Russian River, you’ve probably met Deneene Bell. The founder of Wild Sage Yoga, Deneene offers classes for all skill levels, designed to focus on grounding you, opening up your energies throughout the day, and awakening your body with guided stretching and meditations. When you’re not at Russian River, you can book one of her online classes and find her guided flows and tips on YouTube and Instagram.
Yosemite
When we wake up at AutoCamp Yosemite, we drink Mariposa Coffee. This family run roaster was founded in 1991, and their rustic cafe off the 49er trading post would look right at home in an old Western. But there’s also plenty of cutting edge ideas going into their coffee—ethical and sustainable production methods are core to their sourcing plan, and Mariposa takes extra steps to remove any undesirable chaff from the beans before roasting, before “sweating” the beans to ensure they have minimal moisture, which can shorten the shelf life. Their incredibly smooth blends are tailored to all different tastes, so you’ll have to try them all to find your favorite (have them shipped when you’re not staying with us).
In our Yosemite camp shop you’ll find delicious organic goods produced using regenerative land practices by this fifth-generation family farm (which dates back to the 1800s!) in the San Joaquin Valley near Yosemite. In addition to fresh goods like organic eggs and pasture-raised meats, Burroughs also packages their crunchy organic almonds in flavors like rosemary garlic and smoky BBQ—a perfect snack for hiking the trails of Yosemite.
The best way to close out a long day of hiking and exploring Yosemite is by pouring a glass of cold, crisp Sierra Cider—or as they like to call it, “campfire champagne”. Made from crisp, tart apples, Sierra’s hard ciders range from the refreshing and bubbly to Dry Summer Blend to the more traditional, semi-still Ol’ Fashioned. They ship to 38 states, so cross your fingers you live in one of them.
Cape Cod
Our Cape Cod team are regulars at this beloved cafe and coffee shop in Woods Hole, just a few minutes from AutoCamp. Opened in 1982, this quaint cafe is right off of the Shining Sea Bike path and bakes everything from scratch, every day. Grab a gooey cinnamon roll, giant blueberry scone, or fresh popovers to enjoy with a cup of coffee while planning your day, and don’t leave without getting one of their famous sandwiches or wraps to take to the beach. Oh, and did we mention the pies are amazing too? You really can’t go wrong.
If you’re one of the lucky AutoCamp Cape Cod visitors who’s experienced Sea State Food’s incredible raw bar pop ups with us, you need no further introduction to the impossibly fresh oysters, clams, and shrimp being served up by this sustainably minded sea farm. For everyone else, listen up—this is best seafood you will ever taste, sourced from a combination of Sea State’s local sea farm and a collective of sustainable wild harvesters. Owned by a young family who pivoted their oyster farm to an inventive seafood truck during the pandemic, Sea State highlights the incredible bounty of the Cape’s famously briny, creamy oysters and serves up specials like buttery lobster rolls and a shellfish-packed seafood stew.
Our AutoCamp General Store includes locally prepared grab-and-go meals made by Eat Your Heart Out, which is run by Johnson & Wales-trained chef Sean Dailey. With a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients, Eat Your Heart Out is also one of the Cape’s go-to even caterers for weddings, parties and celebrations—so if you’re planning on marking a big moment here, be sure to check them out.
The best part of being on the Cape is exploring the great outdoors, whether you’re paddleboarding through the coves, taking a kayak through the winding rivers and waterways that surround AutoCamp, or biking down the picturesque Shining Sea Bike Path. RideAway offers paddleboard, bike, and kayak rentals, along with excellent guided tours, beginner lessons, and even bike tune ups if you need one. Founded in 2008, RideAway is run by locals who are truly passionate about helping you explore the natural beauty of New England.
Joshua Tree
Located just a short drive from AutoCamp Joshua Tree in TwentyNine Palms, DEZ is a high desert take on a California deli offering super fresh salads, crunchy Bhudda bowls, and charcuterie plates along with Stumptown espresso drinks and coffee. This longtime small business is a local favorite and the perfect place to stock up on a healthy lunch for the trail. They also offer catering services if you’re looking to throw a party with us in the desert!
Created by Michigan transplant Marylee “Boo” Teichthesen McIntyre, who left the world of finance to return to her childhood love of baking, Boo’s Organic Oven is the go-to spot in Joshua Tree for pastries and pies. We love their soft cinnamon rolls and savory Greek pastries like spanikopita and stecca, as well as their huge selection of cookies, breads, and cakes. Boo’s also offers gluten-free and vegan options upon request so everyone can get a slice of the pie.
This contemporary arts initiative offers a diverse array of programming and exhibitions designed to support and explore the art being made in the desert frontier that is Joshua Tree. They offer yearly research residencies for artists to make work on the land, in addition to curating exhibitions both on-site and further afield, giving local artists exposure in cities like L.A. and New York. Community outreach is also core to BoxoPROJECTS mission, and they emphasize education and inclusion throughout their programming. Visit one of their current exhibitions while visiting AutoCamp Joshua Tree—or if you’re an artist who really falls in love with this land, apply for a residency. You can also support BoxoPROJECTS from afar by making a tax-deductible donation.
