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Established Camping

Manresa State Beach Campground

Warning 4 Alerts are In Effect

There are 4 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

One vehicle is included in the camping fee. Additional funds may be collected on site for up to 1 additional vehicle at a nightly rate.

The following campgrounds of the Santa Cruz District are collectively restricted to an occupancy limit of 30 days by the same person(s), equipment or vehicles in any calendar year: [CCR 4455(a)]

Big Basin Redwoods State Park (Including Little Basin sub-unit)

Butano State Park

Castle Rock State Park

Half Moon Bay State Beach

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Manresa State Beach

New Brighton State Beach

Portola Redwoods State Park

Seacliff State Beach

Sunset State Beach

 

Modification Policy :  If you need to change your arrival/departure date and/or site, you must call ReserveCalifornia at 1-800-444-7275 or log into ReserveCalifornia.com by 6 p.m. the day before arrival. Visitors will be charged a modification fee per reserved campsite for change in dates, sites, parks, extending or shortening stay requests. Two modifications may be made to an existing reservation.  The park does not handle modifications to reservations.

 

Thank you for your patience as we finalize the 2026 inventory. Please continue to check back. We will be releasing the inventory as soon as it becomes available.

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Manresa State Beach Campground, near Watsonville, California, is a fantastic destination for those looking to enjoy the beauty of the coast while camping. With sites that offer a good amount of privacy thanks to the surrounding trees and bushes, you can kick back and soak in the stunning ocean views just a short walk away.

The campground is pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure. Visitors often rave about the clean bathrooms and the convenience of having drinking water available at many sites. As one camper noted, “The beach was clean and not crowded,” making it a perfect spot for a relaxing day by the waves.

If you’re up for some exploration, the beach is easily accessible, and you might even catch a glimpse of whales or dolphins during sunset. Just be prepared for a bit of a trek from the drop-off area to your site, but the beautiful surroundings and the chance to unwind by the ocean make it worth it. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer stay, Manresa State Beach Campground has a laid-back vibe that’s hard to beat.

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Location

Manresa State Beach Campground is located in California

Detail location of campground

Address

205 Manresa Uplands Road
Watsonville, CA 95076

Coordinates

36.91617 N
121.849258 W

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Access

  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Connectivity

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    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
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    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
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    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

9 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 30, 2025

Beautiful!

I stayed in site 5 and the walk from my car was not far. I enjoyed this campground!

Site5
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Manresa State Beach Campground by Stephanie B., July 30, 2025
  • Review photo of Manresa State Beach Campground by Stephanie B., July 30, 2025
  • Review photo of Manresa State Beach Campground by Stephanie B., July 30, 2025
Reviewed Apr. 17, 2025

Large campsites with beach access

This campsite was lovely. The sites were quite large and had the needed amenities. The shower had hot water and the restrooms were cleaned each morning. I loved that the beach was easily accessible for my morning walk. The many flowers were also lovely to wake up to.

Site18
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Manresa State Beach Campground by Fiona W., April 17, 2025
  • Review photo of Manresa State Beach Campground by Fiona W., April 17, 2025
  • Review photo of Manresa State Beach Campground by Fiona W., April 17, 2025
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jul. 6, 2024

Right on beach!

First time visiting, We stayed at site 63 for two nights June 30 and July 1st. Sites are very private and seperated by bushes and trees. The loading zone was a short walk to our site. It was an easy 5-7 minute walk down to the beach. Beach was clean and not crowded. Beautiful sunset views. Only complaints are that the bathrooms were filthy. One of the showers wasn’t working and robbed us of $2. They need to put a quarter change machine for coins for the showers. We had to drive to KOA to get change to shower. We will definitely come back !

Site63
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Manresa State Beach Campground by Laura D., July 6, 2024
  • Review photo of Manresa State Beach Campground by Laura D., July 6, 2024
  • Review photo of Manresa State Beach Campground by Laura D., July 6, 2024
  • (11) View All
Reviewed Apr. 11, 2022

Nice spot near the ocean

Short walk from parking to camp sites. Clean bathrooms. Water spigot at many sites, Wi-Fi is pretty variable at different place around the campsites. Easy walk down to the beach, close to town if you need anything.

Site21
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed May. 29, 2019

Busy but nice beach camping

Stopped here on a one night stay on the way down to Big Sur.  Had campsite #1 which was decently sized and right in the middle of the camp.  The camp is a bit on the bluff and not directly on the beach, but you can get down there with a short walk.  There were a ton of families here so it was a bit loud, but not too bad.

Would stay here again

Site001
  • Review photo of Manresa State Beach Campground by Austin C., May 29, 2019
  • Review photo of Manresa State Beach Campground by Austin C., May 29, 2019
  • Review photo of Manresa State Beach Campground by Austin C., May 29, 2019
Reviewed Jul. 30, 2018

Pristine camping close to beach

The drive in was a little confusing. We got most of our turns right the first time around and still spent a while circling trying to tell if we were where we were supposed to be. Site was nice- pretty close to neighbors, but plenty of bush between us to make the site feel somewhat private. Bathrooms were nice and clean. It would be awesome if there were someone working as a greeter/camp host all hours, but we figured out what was what eventually. It was a bit of a downhill walk to get to the beach, which was awesome. It was pretty foggy in the morning but that burned off and gave way to a nice warm(ish) day (in June). Wind picks up in the afternoon- bring layers!

Reviewed Jul. 11, 2018

Amazing sunsets!

Beautiful views of the ocean just steps from your tent. During the summer months, whales and dolphins can be seen cruising through the ocean around sunset.

Site54
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Manresa State Beach Campground by Cara V., July 11, 2018
Reviewed Jun. 16, 2017

Private beach, dog friendly, clean campground

I've been to this campground a handful of time, and keep coming back. Walk up sites, clean restrooms, private beach, you can bring the pup and it's off the beaten track a bit. There are a LOT of raccoons, so pack up your stuff well. There are bathrooms and showers.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Manresa State Beach Campground by Lizzy C., June 16, 2017
  • Review photo of Manresa State Beach Campground by Lizzy C., June 16, 2017
Reviewed May. 31, 2017

Beautiful Beach

It's a lot of work to haul your stuff from the drop off area to your site. It's a bit of a walk to the beach from the campground. It's a beautiful beach and not crowded however. This beach camping has some sites where you can have some privacy but mostly it's just a mass camping area. Way more spread out that the near by New Brighton SB Campground. It's an interesting set up. Not my number one pick but there's nothing wrong with it.

Month of VisitJune

Frequently Asked Questions

What do reviews say about Manresa Uplands State Beach & Campground?

Manresa State Beach Campground offers spacious sites with good privacy, separated by bushes and trees. The campground sits on a bluff with a 5-7 minute walk down to a clean, uncrowded beach with beautiful sunset views. Amenities include clean restrooms, hot showers that are cleaned daily, and water spigots at many sites. Wildlife sightings include whales and dolphins during summer months. The campground is popular with families but maintains a peaceful atmosphere. Some sites require hauling gear from the parking area, though loading zones minimize the distance. WiFi is available but signal strength varies throughout the campground.

How do I make reservations for camping at Manresa State Beach?

Manresa State Beach Campground offers both reservation and walk-up camping options. For advance planning, make reservations through ReserveCalifornia, the official booking system for California State Parks. Be aware that the reservation process can be competitive for summer dates, so booking well in advance is recommended. For those preferring spontaneity, walk-up sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact California State Parks for current reservation policies and availability information.

Is there a map of Manresa State Beach Campground?

Yes, maps of Manresa State Beach Campground are available through the California State Parks website and at the entrance station upon arrival. The map shows the campground layout, including the location of individual sites, restrooms, water spigots, loading zones, and the path to the beach. Having a map is particularly helpful as some visitors note the drive in can be initially confusing. For the most current and detailed map, check the official California State Parks website or contact the park directly.