The Mendocino coastal area near Albion sits at approximately 174 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures averaging 55-65°F and winter temperatures ranging from 40-55°F. The moderate climate creates year-round camping opportunities with ocean influence providing cool nights even during summer months. Coastal fog frequently rolls in during mornings and evenings, particularly from May through August.
What to do
Beach access near campgrounds: At Westport Beach RV Park and Campground, campers enjoy direct beach access. "It's an open campground split into two sides with, I'd estimate about 20-30 spots total... you have a front row view to the ocean. It's as if you're on the edge of the cliff," notes camper Chani K. The beach is a short walk from campsites, providing easy sunset viewing.
Explore tidepools: Fort Bragg area campgrounds provide access to marine ecosystems. Near Pomo RV Park & Campground, "Access to the ocean is quick, and there are multiple bike & hiking trails nearby," according to Hannah S., who also notes the "nearby tidepooling scene" as a highlight. Tidepools are best explored during low tide.
Kayaking and paddleboarding: The marina and river access at Dolphin Isle Marina & RV Park create water recreation opportunities. "The site we are on is located between a marina and the Noyo River. It allows for easy access for paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming and seals, sea lions and other wildlife," reports one camper. Kayak and SUP rentals are available next door.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many RV parks near Albion prioritize site separation. At Pomo RV Park & Campground, "Each site has shrubbery around it. It feels like you are in a world by itself," writes Loren P. Another camper notes, "Sites have tons of trees/greenery in between so it feels very secluded."
Ocean views from RV parks: The elevated position of many coastal campgrounds provides scenic vistas. Harbor RV Park in Fort Bragg features "sites with a great view of the ocean," according to harry S. Another camper notes it's "Located next to Pomo Bluffs Park and over looking the ocean and the Noyo River/Bay."
Wildlife viewing: Campsites near the coast offer nature observation opportunities. At Dolphin Isle Marina & RV Park, one camper reports, "Last night a 6 point deer walked past our site. The site we are on is located between a marina and the Noyo River. It allows for easy access for paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming and seals, sea lions and other wildlife."
What you should know
Access road challenges for remote sites: Some coastal camping areas require preparation for rough terrain. At Usal Beach Campground, "The road was a bit rougher than expected (took us roughly 45 min from the paved road to camp). People made it down in mini vans but I personally wouldn't try it," warns Connor M. Another camper describes, "The road itself is rough and could be very unsettling for anyone trying to do this trip in a vehicle without good off-road clearance."
Shower situations: Many campgrounds charge for shower use. At Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground, "Showers coin operated," notes marcus K. Another camper details, "For $5 you should get a good shower but you won't here. When my quarters ran out and I put more in, all I got was cold water."
Weather considerations: The Mendocino coast experiences significant temperature variations and fog. Westport Beach RV Park requires campers to "Get chilly @ night so be prepared!" according to Rebecca A. At Harbor RV Park, the oceanfront position means exposure to coastal weather patterns.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: For families with younger children, Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort provides numerous attractions. "We stayed in one of the premium hot tub sites, where you get your very own hot tub. Highly recommend, my kids absolutely loved it and so did I! We were just a few steps from the pool, which was clean, but pretty cold," reports Erika L., who also mentioned "The splash pad was a family favorite."
Beach camping accessibility: When camping with children, consider proximity to beach access. At Westport Beach RV Park and Campground, "The beach is a short walk from there, too, and we were able to have privacy up until later hours when some other campers joined us," notes one reviewer.
Indoor entertainment options: Weather can change quickly on the coast, so consider campgrounds with indoor options. Pomo RV Park & Campground has "a good supply of books/games that you can borrow from the main office," according to Hannah S.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for space: Many RV parks near Albion, California offer varying site sizes. At Pomo RV Park & Campground, "Make sure you look through the pictures of each site on the reservation page. They all are slightly different in size, privacy, and whatnot," advises Michael C., who adds, "There are several sites that 'share' a common open space if you're in a group, and a large group area which looked to have 5 or 6 sites all comingled."
Utility connections: Different RV parks offer varying hookup options. At Harbor RV Park, "What you get is a space to park, water, electric and sewage," says harry S. Another camper notes that at Pomo RV Park & Campground, "It appears the sewer system doesn't cover all the sites, so the further back in the campground you go, there won't be any."
Wi-Fi and connectivity: Internet access varies between RV parks. At Pomo RV Park & Campground, "Internet access is available throughout, and when I ran speedtest I was getting 170Mbps down, which is incredible," reports Michael C. However, another camper warns, "Definitely expect to be off the grid as Service and WiFi are pretty intermittent."
