Pet friendly camping near Belmont, California extends from coastal bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean to redwood-covered mountains in the Santa Cruz range. The region spans elevations from sea level to over 2,000 feet, creating microclimates with coastal fog and inland sunshine often occurring simultaneously. Coastal campgrounds near Half Moon Bay experience evening temperatures that can drop 15-20°F after sunset even in summer months.
What to do
Trail hiking with dogs: Anthony Chabot Regional Park permits leashed dogs on most trails with some trails featuring elevation changes of 500+ feet. "There is an extensive network of trails accessible from the campground. It's popular, especially on the weekends, and I'd recommend reservations," notes Amanda P.
Beach access: San Francisco RV Resort in Pacifica sits on a bluff overlooking the ocean with a coastal path. "Nice trail to walk along the water and cliff, nice restoration project going. Sunset was nice, crashing waves to sleep to were nice," shares Jan G.
Wildlife viewing: Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay offers birdwatching in the estuary. "There are many many trails for hiking and biking, and wildlife is plentiful. It is in the Coyote hills regional Park," writes Michael D.
Mountain biking: Trails throughout the region accommodate various skill levels with some technical sections. "I just needed/wanted a short getaway without driving hours from home. Since I'm used to this place for mountain biking, I figured I'd try camping here for a couple nights," a reviewer notes about Anthony Chabot Park.
What campers like
Ocean proximity: Pillar Point RV Park positions campers within walking distance of beaches and harbor activities. "Walking distance to shops and restaurants, walking and bike trails, beach access, and friendly staff!" shares Raven P.
Quieter weekday stays: Most campgrounds report significantly less crowding midweek. "Midweek in June the park, which is fairly large, is still nearly empty. The sites are fairly close to each other, which matters because one of the other campers is right next to mine," notes Ryan W. about Anthony Chabot Regional Park.
Clean facilities: Trailer Villa RV Park maintains well-kept concrete pads. "The grounds are clean; parking pads are concrete and flat; and drive lanes AND parking spots are wide and spacious for maneuvering large RVs," Tony C. reports.
Accessible nature: Campgrounds offer outdoor experiences without long drives. "Paradise an hour from the city. It is great for laid back camping! Karl the fog even likes it! Go check it out!" Kyla M. enthusiastically shares about Anthony Chabot.
What you should know
Site spacing concerns: Many campgrounds prioritize capacity over privacy. "Tight spaces, parties and music so loud you could hardly hear yourself inside your rig, and the camp host allowed dogs to roam off-leash. No longer a nice place to camp," cautions one reviewer about Pillar Point.
Evening weather changes: Coastal temperature drops require layering. "Great weather, lots of shade at the campsite and on the hikes. Coast was a cool 60's-70's but warm in the sun (the coast/beaches are windy), night time was a lovely 55-59 degrees," explains a Butano State Park camper.
Parking challenges: Some sites require additional planning for vehicles. "Pelican Point RV Park" gets busy, with reviewers noting price increases during peak seasons to $75-85 per night.
Reservation timing: Secure spots well in advance for weekends. "We stayed here for a few nights and thought it was clean and spacious. Close to the visitor center. We did some hiking as well, a popular and short hike is to Sempervirens Falls," advises Queenie M. about Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Cart-assisted walk-in sites: Sanborn County Park offers walk-in campsites with transport assistance. "This is a nice camping away from the car experience. It's a short walk up a paved path from the parking to the campsites. The park provides carts to help with hauling gear," explains Amanda P.
Nature programs: Some parks offer ranger-led activities during summer months. "They even have summer ranger programs but we didn't see many kids here," notes a Dumbarton Quarry camper.
Playgrounds and open areas: Facilities for children vary significantly between parks. "There's a great playground if you have small kids, and lots of gentle hiking trails," shares an NV reviewer about Dumbarton Quarry.
Wildlife education opportunities: Multiple parks feature interpretive displays about local ecosystems. Big Basin showcases redwood ecology while coastal parks highlight marine environments.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground offers full-hookup sites with oceanfront positioning. "This has it all. Beautiful beach walking distance from campground. Bike or walking trails to wonderful beaches and places to eat. Short drive to many other areas," raves Carina B.
Site leveling requirements: Some campgrounds require additional equipment. "Sites, though asphalt, require some leveling," notes Kim G. about Dumbarton Quarry.
After-hours procedures: Check campground policies for late arrivals. "After-hours check-in was a breeze, as the checkin instructions were taped to the main door of the office at the park entrance," shares Tony C. about Trailer Villa RV Park.
Maneuvering space: Urban RV parks often position rigs closer together than rural counterparts. "The other reviews are accurate about it just being a glorified parking lot. Most rigs have an excellent view of their next door neighbors slide out," warns a reviewer about San Francisco RV Resort.
