Glamping options near Annapolis, California are situated in a coastal region characterized by redwood forests, high elevation marine terraces, and a Mediterranean climate with foggy mornings. The Manchester/Mendocino area experiences average summer temperatures between 55-65°F, with winter temperatures rarely dropping below 40°F. Most campgrounds remain open year-round despite seasonal rainfall patterns from November through April.
What to do
Lighthouse exploration: 8 miles from Manchester Beach. Point Arena Lighthouse can be visited during a day trip from your glamping site. "It's beautiful hinder the trees, with an excellent location to make beach access pretty convient too. Being so close to the beach though, it gets COLD at night," notes a guest at Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA.
Kayaking on the Russian River: 45 minutes inland. Many campgrounds offer equipment rentals for water activities. "This place has it all. Great restaurant just outside the property, well stocked general store, arcade, park, and oh yes beach front access where the river does a nice bend," reports a visitor at River Bend Resort.
Wine country excursions: 90-minute drive. Several glamping sites serve as bases for Napa Valley tours. "We've spent most of our twenty years of camping together off the beaten path, avoiding the likes of anything KOA, but for our RV's maiden voyage we thought we'd start with the Manchester Beach KOA, and we were very glad we did. We stayed for four days, enjoying everything the area has to offer from Mendocino to Point Arena."
What campers like
Private beach access: 1-mile walk from some sites. Direct beach routes from glamping accommodations provide hiking opportunities. "It is so wonderful. The campground is just above the driftwood beach offering walks in solitude with the breaking waves in the background," shares a guest at Manchester State Park Campground.
Enclosed glamping options with heating: Available at multiple sites. Cabins and yurts offer protection from coastal weather. "We usually rent a cabin. The cabins have heaters with is definitely nice. They also have beds, but the beds are really uncomfortable, it's just a pad on top of a slat wood frame, remember to bring a foam topper."
Communal facilities: Vary by location. Many sites offer shared spaces for group activities. "This KOA has large tent sites and a HUGE kitchen with 3 electric stoves and several sinks and microwaves for camper use. They have movies each night and have lots of trees for shade. No sprint cell signal but good WiFi," reports a visitor at Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Prepare offline activities. Connectivity varies widely across glamping sites. "We normally prefer less crowded campsites, but this was a nice compromise along the way," notes a camper at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA.
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires preparation. "We visited on a weeknight in June and almost all of the campsites were vacant. The grounds were impeccably clean and freshly mown, and the camp host was very friendly and helpful. All bathrooms are vault toilets, and there are no sinks available. Water spigots are located throughout the campground, though."
Road access challenges: Some sites have narrow approaches. "The road is a little tight to get into this resort (1 lane road with traffic going both ways with few pull offs) but the views are absolutely amazing! We stayed in the Lakeview spot and had the entire place to ourselves during the week," reports a camper from Narrows Lodge Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Check activity schedules. "Playgrounds, swimming pool, lots of space to run and scream. We stay when visiting the area and endure the screaming kids. The kids do have fun, I give them that. But this is not wilderness camping. It's camping among giant caravans and lots of families," advises a visitor at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA.
Swimming spots: River access requires safety planning. "The private beach is great for kids (and adults). Easy swimming without a strong current. Lots of shallows but a deep swimming hole are for adults too. The camp store is cute and there's a brewery next door if you want a meal out. There are several playgrounds which are fun for kids. And an arcade."
Nighttime temperatures: Pack extra layers for all seasons. "Went up the coast in June knowing it would be hard to find a spot. Just as I thought our chances were running thin we stumbled across this place. Mostly open sites, all were fairly secluded. Big spaces, clean area and ocean sounds abound. Kids loved it to ride their bikes around."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for wind protection: Request sheltered spots. "The sites are all decent sizes. With walkways between so that people hopefully don't walk through your site. The restrooms and showers were impeccably clean. There are RV, tent, and cabin sites."
Hook-up availability: Call ahead for specifics. "Very nice and cozy place. I will definitely recommend," notes an RVer about The Aurora RV Park & Marina, which provides various options for power and water connections.
Rental alternatives: Consider cabin options for convenience. "We rented a camping yurt and we were so surprised how big it is! We received a key to our own bathroom and shower! They had a sink to wash dishes in and a place to clean our fish. We rented a motor boat for a few hours to explore the beautiful lake. Pet friendly."
