RV sites near Capitola, California offer both coastal and forested camping experiences within a 30-mile radius. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-75°F with morning fog common at coastal locations. Campgrounds in the Santa Cruz Mountains maintain cooler temperatures year-round due to significant redwood tree cover, while sites closer to Monterey experience consistent coastal breezes.
What to do
Hiking near state parks: Access Henry Cowell State Park directly from Smithwoods RV Park in Felton. "There is a little trail that goes down to the River where you can find a neat little beach. It's a goofy little descent/climb to get there and out but worth it," notes one camper at Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort.
Beach activities: Marina Dunes RV Park provides beach access within walking distance. "About a 5 min trek through sand and dunes and you'll find yourself at a beach not many people frequent. On Friday we were the only ones for as far as I could see. No exaggeration," writes one reviewer.
Train rides: The Roaring Camp Railroad runs near multiple campgrounds in Felton. "It was a short nice hike to the state park and the train through the red woods. Fun experience on a real steam locomotive," explains a visitor at Smithwoods RV Park.
Wine tasting: Multiple wineries operate within 15 minutes of camping options in Morgan Hill. "Close to local wine tastings and even had Safeway close enough for grocery delivery," mentions a camper at Thousand Trails Morgan Hill.
What campers like
Redwood cover: Many campgrounds in the region offer significant shade from mature redwoods. "This campground is covered entirely by redwoods with plenty of shade for a cool vacation," shares a visitor at Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort, adding that it creates "a perfect woodsy campsite."
Private beach access: Less crowded coastal access points are available near certain campgrounds. "The real reason to camp here is the beach. About a 5 min trek through sand and dunes and you'll find yourself at a beach not many people frequent," notes a camper at Marina Dunes RV Park.
Weather conditions: The Santa Cruz Mountains maintain moderate temperatures even during summer heat waves. "Scotts Valley is lovely in summer, no high heat like the valley," reports a camper at Santa Cruz Ranch Campground.
Swimming pools: Several RV parks maintain heated pools for guest use. At Gilroy Garlic USA RV Park, a visitor notes: "The pool is small, yet well-kept and we had it to ourselves every time we went each day."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: While WiFi is available at most campgrounds, cell signals vary widely. "No cell service but good WiFi was provided, however it would go out late at night after 10 pm until the morning time," reports a visitor to Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort.
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow entry roads. At Carmel by the River RV Park, visitors warn "the road in is basically a one lane road. Pray you don't encounter oncoming traffic," though most add "you will make it without any trouble."
Tent camping limitations: Many RV parks have limited tent options. At Santa Cruz Ranch Campground, a tent camper notes: "They had a small plot to the side of the rest of the rv slots with a little grass to pitch a tent. Not secluded at all from the hustle and bustle."
Reservation requirements: Availability is extremely limited during summer months without advance booking. Sites at Thousand Trails Morgan Hill often require booking 6+ months in advance for summer weekends.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Multiple campgrounds maintain dedicated recreation areas. At Cotillion Gardens RV Park, families appreciate that "there's a pool, hiking trails, a little river. So beautiful and peaceful here."
Biking opportunities: Several parks offer safe riding areas for children. At Gilroy Garlic USA RV Park, "the park was perfect for the kids biking around through the short- and long-term areas."
Recreation facilities: Shared amenities often include game rooms and sports courts. "Lots of recreation. We had an Uber come get us and it worked. There for a sports event in Morgan hill. Got propane filled, nice staff," reports a visitor to Thousand Trails Morgan Hill.
Safety considerations: Campgrounds with limited river access require supervision. One visitor to Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort noted they "felt safe, with my young kids, that everyone was driving slowly and respecting the rules."
Tips from RVers
Hookup configurations: The placement of utilities varies between parks. At Marina Dunes RV Park, campers note "the location of the electrical/water is awkward" requiring extended hoses or cables at some sites.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven sites at certain locations. At Monterey Pines RV Park - Military, "sites need renovation and they claim it is coming. Their answer to uneven sites is to give you pieces of wood to try and level. Good luck, I saw some raised up 2-3 feet."
Space constraints: Site dimensions vary significantly between parks. One RVer at Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort mentioned it has "cozy tight quarters but just enough room for a picnic bench, fire pit and hanging out area. Spots were leveled with dirt."
Extended stay considerations: Some parks have significant numbers of long-term residents. A visitor to Gilroy Garlic USA RV Park observed: "There are likely long term rentals, but I couldn't point them out because all the sites were neat and clean with flowers and landscaping. The park was super quiet."
