Camping spots near Capitola, California range from redwood-shaded tent sites to coastal RV parks within a 20-mile radius. The area sits at the northern edge of Monterey Bay where coastal fog often creates dramatic temperature drops of 20-30 degrees between daytime and evening hours. Camping facilities are typically busiest from May through September when water temperatures in Monterey Bay reach their annual peak of 58-62°F.
What to do
Hiking through redwood groves: Trails through ancient forests are accessible at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground. "We stayed here while visiting family in Felton, we are from Michigan. Was such a awesome place to camp. Clean, and quite. Plenty of hiking trails," notes Nona A. The park provides convenient access to both forest and nearby town amenities.
Beach exploration: The coastline offers various beach activities with access points at multiple campgrounds. "The beach had plenty of litter and even a decaying seal which was a little unpleasant," reported Hattie R. about New Brighton State Beach, highlighting the sometimes raw nature of coastal exploration. Beach conditions vary seasonally with tides and recent weather patterns.
Visit nearby attractions: Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort serves as a strategic base for exploring regional points of interest. "Short distance drive to Santa Cruz wharf and boardwalk," mentions one reviewer. The resort positions campers between forest and coastal attractions with typical driving times of 10-20 minutes to popular destinations.
Kayaking opportunities: Water activities are readily available, particularly in protected inlets. "Easy walk into the marina area or onto the beach," reports Patrick J. about Moss Landing KOA Express, noting the convenient water access. Many campgrounds offer equipment rentals or are situated near kayak launch points for exploring the protected waters.
What campers like
Proximity to beaches: Sunset State Beach earns praise for its coastal setting. "You can walk down to the beach, take a trip to the henry cowel redwoods, go ride bikes in santa cruz. We have so much fun," shares Tiffany W. The beach access requires a moderate walk from most campsites, with distances varying from 5-15 minutes depending on your specific site location.
Privacy between sites: While site spacing varies, some campgrounds offer more separation. "The sites were quite large and had the needed amenities. The shower had hot water and the restrooms were cleaned each morning," notes Fiona W. about Manresa State Beach Campground. Privacy levels differ significantly between weekday and weekend occupancy periods.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness receives consistent mention at Mount Madonna County Park. "Absolutely soo clean and a great place to camp without having to travel so far. Bathrooms are constantly cleaned and showers are free and clean," states carolina M. Most campgrounds provide showers, though some require quarters for operation.
Variety of camping options: From tent sites to cabins, the area offers multiple accommodation styles. "We stayed in one of the airstreams they have for rent there. The family loved it- it was the perfect size for us and everything worked and the outdoor patio had heavy duty tables and chairs along with fire pit and even a Weber grill," shares jay about Santa Cruz KOA.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most popular sites book well in advance, especially during summer. "Hard to find a spot here these days but a great camping spot above the beach," observes Willow M. about New Brighton State Beach. Peak season typically requires reservations 3-6 months ahead, particularly for weekend stays.
Weather patterns: Coastal fog and temperature fluctuations affect camping comfort. "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose," warns April N. about Mount Madonna County Park. Pack layers regardless of season as temperatures can drop significantly after sunset.
Wildlife encounters: Local wildlife regularly visits campgrounds. "We suffered the consequences when we awoke to a family of raccoons raiding the box," shares Austin C. about Sunset State Beach. Food storage requirements are strictly enforced at most campgrounds, with bear boxes provided at many locations.
Site sizes and spacing: Campground layouts vary widely in the region. "The sites are close together. The place is old, but it has a great location," notes Linda S. about Cotillion Gardens RV Park. Site dimensions range from compact spaces under 25 feet to more spacious options exceeding 40 feet at select locations.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreation: Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday offers numerous family-friendly amenities. "TONS of activities on site- huge bouncy pad, a climbing wall, ping pong tables, a swimming pool, pedal go karts, the list goes on and on," reports Daniel D. These activities typically operate from 9 AM to 9 PM daily.
Beach accessibility: Consider beach approach when camping with children. "It's a walk to the beach from the campground. I've been camping here for 20 years," explains Carl N. about Sunset State Beach. Some beach access points involve stairs or steep paths that may challenge families with very young children or mobility concerns.
Noise considerations: Campground quietness varies substantially. "We stayed here in our TT in March 2018 for spring break. It's a nice relatively quiet campground on a bluff, above a fairly calm ocean beach," shares Keith B. about New Brighton State Beach Campground. Weekends generally feature more family activity and associated noise than midweek stays.
Safety features: Campground security measures provide peace of mind for families. "Security guy was awesome, kind, friendly, helpful! We arrived at 11:30 pm - exhausted, with no reservation, asking for a tent site. No problem! He quickly got us registered and put us in a site with empty sites on each side of ours," notes Barb K. about Santa Cruz KOA.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RV campers should prepare for potentially uneven sites. "Our paved site was decently unlevel," mentions Hattie R. about New Brighton State Beach. Many experienced RVers recommend bringing leveling blocks regardless of campground descriptions.
Hookup locations: Some campgrounds have inconvenient utility placement. "I had to use a 6 foot extension on the sewer hose. Shore chord was fine as was the water spigot," notes Patrick J. about Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort. Extension cords and longer hoses prove useful at several area campgrounds.
Dump station access: Plan for potential wait times when using dump facilities. "The line for the dump station wound through nearly the entire park," warns Alma L. about New Brighton State Beach. Some RVers recommend using facilities during off-peak times (weekdays or early mornings) to avoid lengthy waits.
Site size limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. "Sites can get a bit tight, but there are definitely some gems hidden in the redwoods," advises Tim & Cleo D. about Cotillion Gardens RV Park. RVs exceeding 35 feet may find limited options, particularly at older state park campgrounds in the region.
