Something not right about this place, aside from the misrepresentations about the property on their website. I booked an artstay but was so turned off by the road in and lies about the property I left without checking in... not that I could find the location for that. No cell service driving from Willits. Markers don't match their directions or picturesque descriptions. Long way from nowhere. Lots of splits on the roads. Kind of scary place to get lost. I don't trust people who lie. Ramshackle employee housing. Dead lower vineyard. Deliverance til you get up close to the farmhouse. Decided not to give it an overnight. The drive in looked nothing like the website photos. Made me wonder again about the no food in "cabins" cuz of supposed bears sighting thing. How is it you have bears with 2 penned cows, ostriches, and chickens? Probably more like vermin. (Isn't this suppose to be a 60 acre working farm? 2 penned cows???) This place is one lie after another. Told the owner I was like looking for a refund and she said ok, I could look for it. Seriously? read more

My family has been going here almost every year since my mom was 9 years old! This is an adorable family camp (they used to have a kids' camp too, but after Clive, one of the owners, passed away they had to cancel it) that's a little more low-key and DIY than some of the family camps out there. Daily schedule: wake up, head to the dining room for a delicious group breakfast, sit around in the sun reading and chatting (kids play in the barn and fields, help feed the animals, play games, etc.), then go back into the dining room for a delicious lunch (or sometimes they pack a lunch to go). Then everyone either heads down to the river or goes on a hike (and ends up at the river), then comes back up in time for dinner. The day ends with a camper-initiated campfire, complete with s'mores. In short: wake up, eat great food, sit around, eat great food, enjoy the outdoors, eat great food, sit by the fire, and go to bed. It's the ultimate in relaxation (there's no cell service) and family bonding. We're all so grateful that Tammy has kept the place going all these years (though some great traditions have been lost since I was a kid there). read more

We just returned from our first visit to Emandal with our 3-year-olds. The place is wonderful, but one thing that we weren't expecting was the quality of the FOOD! My god, it's a foodie's paradise. Everything made from scratch. Cream/yogurt/butter/cheese from the cows! Vegetables grown on site! It was incredible. We loved not having wifi and electronics. There is so much natural beauty to the farm and surrounding land. We will definitely return. read more

Emandal is an amazing, one-of-a-kind place. We spent one week at family camp in July 2011 with our two young children (18 months and 6 years old) and had a wonderful time. I was looking for a place where we could completely disconnect from the typical Silicon Valley life, and this is it. My kids didn't complain once about the lack of TV/iPad time. We were happy to put the iPhones away for a week to collect a bit of dust. Instead we spent lots of time at the river--climbing, playing, swimming, fishing, tubing, hiking; and a little time with the pigs, chickens, cows, ostriches, kitties. We ate loads of fresh berries off the vine, and enjoyed the communal dining. Even our little cabin was great--cool nights under fluffy duvets; mornings snuggling together. My kids never slept so well! You get really dirty. You'll probably get poison oak. And then you can't wait to go back. There's nothing scheduled or structured about this place, which is why I love it most. And the jam--THE JAM! And the people. And the campfires. And the smores... And the chance for kids to be kids--dirty, exhausted, happy kids. read more

What a great place. The food is out of this world and the property is a gem. It is a bumpy road out, but thats the county's job anyway. We just loved being off of electronics for the stay. A needed change. Cant wait to come back. read more

My family and I LOVE this place!!! It is truly one of my favorite places on earth... as you can see from some of my reviews, I am rather picky about what I like! I have attended the family camp just once and am scheduled to return this coming August. The family owned and run farm is named after the founders Emma and Al (Em-and-al) and once you go you will be hooked! The entire staff truly make you feel welcome and part of the family... they also attract people from all over the world making for a rather diverse mix of staff and customers. The food is extremely fresh (being you pick and gather some of it yourself) Most meals are eaten at the dining hall, (pancakes with fresh farm made berry syrups, eggs and breakfast meats), BBQ dinner at coopers cove( if possible swim to the cove and have someone meet you there with fresh clothes and towels and walk back... so much fun) pizza on the lawn (fresh pizza of all kinds cooked in there outdoor wood burning brick oven) and last but not least the packed lunch day (so you can have a day where you don't have to get out of the river till dinner) though out the week you can always find fresh breads, pies, cookies and hand churned (the old fashion way) ice creams. also the fresh farm made jams and syrups you get to eat all week can be bought to take home as gifts Before I forget my daughter and wife are vegan and the staff are unbelievably accommodating!!! The farm is a working farm... they still have crops and animals to tend to, as a guest you can decide wether you would like to experience the farm life, (which my family and I usually do) spend all day at the river or lounge around reading, playing games, or doing art projects, just try not to miss the meals. if you wake up early you can help milk the cows, between breakfast and lunch there is usually cookie making for the kids (and who ever else wants to help) the cookies are for after lunch desert, shortly after lunch is the egg gathering and slop for the pigs... all really fun, especially for the little ones and for those of us who aren't afraid to get dirty and a while before dinner if you so chose you can help churn the fresh ice cream! also there are times when you can go and assist the gardeners in harvesting if the want the help... and other than spending the day at the river reading books, which is heaven for me. My wife and daughter have volunteer to help in the kitchen. Eel river and has tons of hiking trails and sights to explore... if relaxing is your thing each cabin has its own hammock and those old round chairs that are all over are really really comfy... plus the serene scenery cant be beat! Things to remember, no cell service or TV's and you are reminded that electronics are not allowed. Can not speak and write highly enough of this place and can not wait till August so the family and I can return. read more

My family just came back from a 4 night stay on the farm. The accommodations on the farm are extremely clean for camping. Cabins have a sink with running water, electricity, and nice clean bedding and sheets. Also found on the camp grounds are clean toilets and showers. The food is fantastic. After a day on the river or hiking it's truly a pleasure to enjoy made from scratch healthy meals. My kids are picky eaters but while on the farm they loved the food! There are opportunities to help with farm chores such as gathering eggs, picking berries or milking the cow. I just wish there were just more organized activities for the kids to participate in during the afternoons. I found out they no longer have guests do making pickles activity which one of my kids was really looking forward to then was disappointed in not having the opportunity to make them. Days will usually consist of breakfast and after breakfast going to the river or hiking then coming back for a delicious lunch. Then there is a big lull time in the afternoons in which there's time to read, take a nap or go for a massage. The kids are usually running around during this time playing. Next in the late afternoon right before dinner there are some farm chores such as milking the cow or gathering eggs. Then it's time for a fantastic dinner. After dinner people usually gathering around the campfire. Also the printed directions could have been better. We got lost and took over an hour and asking a not so friendly at first local for directions to finally be able to get to the farm. My car does not have GPS and once you are outside of the town Willits there is no cell reception. However, once on the farm the staff is extremely friendly and so are the other guests. The place is magical. Once there my normally not too social or outgoing kids made friends with the other children there and had a fun time playing ball and catching lizards within there made up LCC (Lizard Catching Club). read more

In my opinion, it doesn't get any more lovely than this, and the food is outstanding. My 5th visit is coming and I can't wait.

I LOVE this place!!! It is truly one of my favorite places on earth... and I am rather picky about what i like so that is saying a lot!!! I have attended there family camp just about every summer since i was 4 years old while i grew up... and although I have not been able to go for a while now that I am out of the house and on my own, Emandal is never far from my mind! The family owned and run farm is named after the founders Emma and Al (Em-and-al) and once you go you will be hooked! They all truly make you feel welcome and part of the family... they also attract people from all over the world making for a rather diverse mix of staff and customers. There are several different weeks to chose from for family camp, I would suggest trying a few different weeks to find the group you best fit in with (each week has a core group of repeat attendees). They have the best, freshest food you will ever have, in fact I believe that one has never truly had good food unless they have eaten here! Most meals are had at the dining hall except for 4, breakfast up at the cabins (pancakes with fresh farm made berry syrups, eggs and breakfast meats), BBQ dinner at coopers cove( if possible swim to the cove and have someone meet you there with fresh clothes and towels and walk back... soo much fun) pizza on the lawn (fresh pizza of all kinds cooked in there outdoor wood burning brick oven) and last but not least the packed lunch day (so you can have a day where you don't have to get out of the river till dinner) though out the week you can always find fresh breads, pies, cookies and hand churned (the old fashion way) ice creams. also the fresh farm made jams and syrups you get to eat all week can be bought to take home as gifts (that's what my family always did... our friends would get mad if we didn't bring them some). the food is soooooo good its what inspired me to become a pastry chef... but enough about the food you get it, its amazing! The farm is a working farm... they still have crops and animals to tend to, as a guest you can decide wether you would like to experience the farm life, spend all day at the river or lounge around reading, playing games, or doing art projects (I would suggest dabbling in all, the are so many wonderful experiences to be had), just try not to miss the meals. if you wake up early you can help milk the cows, (a must do, at least once in your life), between breakfast and lunch there is usually cookie making for the kids (and who ever else wants to help) the cookies are for after lunch desert, shortly after lunch is the egg gathering and slop for the pigs... all really fun, especially for the little ones and for those of us who aren't afraid to get dirty and a while before dinner if you so chose you can help churn the fresh ice cream! also there are times when you can go and assist the gardeners in harvesting if the want the help... (i have learned a lot from doing this over the years) and other than spending the day at the river my favorite thing to do is go to the kitchen ask them to bake pies for everyone for desert with the pitchers of freshly picked berrys that me and the other kids spent all day picking! and if all that is not enough for you the large property has a lake, is on th Eel river and has tons of hiking trails and sights to explore... if relaxing is your thing each cabin has its own hammock and those old round chairs that are all over are really really comfy... plus the serene scenery cant be beat! Its true that there is no cell service or TVs but in my mind isn't that the purpose of getting away from it all... and if you really need the phone there is one in the office (its a good idea to bring a calling card if you would like to use it)the lack of all thet hassle of the outside world realy brings familys together... i think a large part of who i am is thanks to all my time spent at Emandal and the relationships i have formed with Tami and her family, the staff and my fellow repeat costumers... (RIP Clive, we all love you!) I strongly recommend that you go, your bound to have a good time! im sorry for rambling, i just LOVE this place soooo much, just be happy i don't have the time to tell you all that i know and all my childhood story's (my friends get there ears yapped off a lot about this place)... places like this are sadly a dieing breed and i hope and pray that Emandal will still be around so one day when i have kids they can grow up with the same experiences... and hopefully i will be able to make it up to camp next summer! i hope some of this was helpful to you ;D read more

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I think Gina K's review nails it. My family (I'm a 59-year old male) has been there 5-6 times for late-September weekends, and can't say enough good about the place. Virtually no chance you won't enjoy your stay there. If. If you can afford it. I was planning to take my family for another late-September weekend this year (2010) for old time's sake, this time with girlfriends of my two older sons in tow, making 7 of us altogether. But if I'm doing the math right, that will cost me $2,000 ($298 per adult x 6, plus $210 for our young teenager), even before I invest in luxuries such as gasoline for the drive up and back. I'd love to do it, but the prices would need to come down a very great deal before I would. I don't know how we used to afford it years ago, but I vaguely recall it was only about $500 back then, for two adults and three young children. read more

What the other reviews have not mentioned: the cabins are rustic, simple and pleasant. each cabin has running cold water and really nice beds and bedding. the bathrooms are flush and the showers are hot but they are a few steps away. some of the showers have a view of the surrounding hills. I think this place is like heaven. Mom heaven! after a meal there are no dishes for me to do, all I have to do is put my dish in the magic window and it is whisked away to be cleaned. later on, a bell rings and food, delightful, interesting wholesome food, appears on the table. In between meals we hang out with family, take hikes, do crafts, read books under the shade of the apple trees, swim in the river, look for rocks or lizards, collect eggs, pet the pigs, swing in the hammock. some people go fishing or ride mountain bikes down the road. to some up: it is easy camping but with a nice bedroom and clean towels and no cleanup. there is a lot of walking at this camp. read more

I went to this camp with my brother back when they had the children's camp from the time i was 8 to 14. This is such a beautiful place. I remember crying every year because i had to leave. I took joy in every aspect of the camp, from the hikes and meals to yes even the chores. I recommend this camp for anyone and everyone. read more