Episode Details

Sponsored by The Mountain Air | Sponsored by Benny’s Pizza | SLOFreeParking

Two Australians meet in California, discover one of San Luis Obispo’s most striking landscapes, and decide to build a hospitality experience that works with the land instead of over it. Adam welcomes Nightsky Camps co-founders David Smith and Anatoly “Toly” Mezhov for a conversation about the 45 elevated tented suites taking shape at Dairy Creek, where the comfort of a boutique hotel will meet the silence, space, and adventure of the outdoors.

David and Toly share how their different backgrounds in hospitality, finance, design, and development came together around a shared vision for what they call “hotel meets campground.” They explain why Nightsky is designed less around a particular age or type of traveler and more around a mindset: people looking to disconnect from the chaos of modern life and reconnect with nature, each other, and SLO CAL. The conversation also explores their partnership with San Luis Obispo County, the value of restraint in development, dog and family-friendly accommodations, and why the surrounding landscape is not simply the backdrop. It is the experience.

Adam also gets the story behind Marcerro, the restaurant already open at Dairy Creek Golf Course. With seasonal coastal California cooking, cocktails, local wine, and an approachable menu led by Chef Trey, Marcerro is designed to serve golfers, travelers, and locals looking for anything from a casual Tuesday meal to a memorable SLO CAL night out. Plus, David makes the case for the burger, Toly stands firmly behind the Cobb salad and tuna tartare tacos, and Adam attempts to determine whether the in-room teepee belongs to a child, a dog, or whichever one claims it first.

Nightsky Camps is currently slated to open in Fall 2026. Guests interested in booking early can join the Stargazer program with a $50 deposit for priority access to the reservation calendar and eligibility for an opening discount of up to $200.

• Explore Nightsky Camps

• Join Nightsky Stargazer Early Access

• Learn About Nightsky Sustainability

• Follow Nightsky Camps on Instagram

• Explore Marcerro

• View the Marcerro Menu

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