Glamping close to Cupertino, California offers a diverse range of experiences across an elevation range of 200 to 3,000 feet in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The region experiences mild temperatures year-round, with summer highs rarely exceeding 85°F and winter lows typically above 40°F. During summer months, campgrounds fill quickly, with weekend reservations often booking 3-6 months in advance.
What to do
Beach exploration: 30-minute drive to coastal options where the mountains meet the Pacific. "The ocean is about a 30 min drive away. The nearby beaches of Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz provide additional exploration opportunities," notes a visitor to Mount Madonna County Park.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning offers the best opportunities. At Big Basin Redwoods State Park, one camper shared, "The slugs were hanging out in trees all around us and it was so much fun looking for them."
Hiking through waterfalls: Multiple trail options available year-round. A visitor at Uvas Canyon County Park remarked, "There are hiking trails that we haven't yet had time to explore," and another noted, "Small waterfalls are the highlights of the trail, but kids will enjoy playing in the water on hot days."
Archery: Dedicated facilities at several parks in the region. One camper at Mount Madonna County Park mentioned, "There is an archery trail with 28 targets on a trail through the woods. We were there 3 days in a row and did 20 of the 28."
What campers like
Seasonal flexibility: Year-round access with distinct seasonal experiences. A camper at Sanborn County Park shared, "During less crowded times (winter) this campground is one of the best. Extremely beautiful & peaceful surroundings."
Clean facilities: Regular maintenance reported at most campgrounds. At Francis Beach Campground, a visitor noted, "Very nice beach camping spot. The atmosphere here is wonderful. It's quiet and right on the beach."
Diverse accommodation types: Multiple options beyond traditional camping. A camper at Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday mentioned, "There are plenty of options on how to stay—RV sites, cabins, tent sites, you can even book one of the campgrounds Airstreams!"
Privacy levels: Site selection matters depending on preferred experience. "If you can get sites 36-38 go for it! Tent only for these sites," advised a Francis Beach Campground visitor about selecting sites with more seclusion.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Prepare accordingly in mountain locations. A visitor to Sanborn County Park mentioned, "No cell service. Miles of Great hiking."
Booking requirements: Reserve well in advance for popular sites. "This is a great spot for people looking to get away and camp but not trying to drive for 3-4 hours to do so. Made a reservation night-of on a Friday," shared a camper at Uvas Canyon County Park.
Temperature variations: Pack for all conditions regardless of season. A camper at Mount Madonna County Park warned, "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose."
Site specifics: Research individual sites before booking. A visitor to Uvas Canyon County Park advised, "If you plan to sleep in your car, you may want to take leveling blocks as I found the car parking spot to be not leveled at all."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Look for sites with dedicated facilities for young campers. At Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday, one visitor shared, "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."
Noise consideration: Choose sites strategically if sleeping schedules are important. "I wouldn't recommend booking near the jump pillow or playground, unless easy playground access is important, because the spots are pretty noisy," advised a KOA visitor.
Wildlife education opportunities: Morning and evening offer best viewing times. A camper at Uvas Canyon County Park noted, "Lots of birds. Good to be disconnected, but if needed, Verizon cell service worked at the campground."
Water play options: Several locations with creek or beach access. "This campground has a beach that dogs are allowed to walk on and beautiful places to hike. There is horse back riding available," explained a visitor to Francis Beach Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Varies significantly between campgrounds. A visitor to Sunset State Beach reported, "Nice lots on a cliff above the beach protected from the wind by some doug firs and eucalyptus."
Site sizing: Research carefully before booking. A Mount Madonna County Park visitor advised, "Site 211 was listed as 30' trailer but that was definitely not the case as it was a weird triangle parking area. We made it work and enjoyed the park."
Road conditions: Some locations require navigation skills on narrow roads. "Getting to Sanborn you will have to drive up a narrow road. We didn't have any issue with a 21' though," shared one RVer.
Dump station locations: Plan accordingly as not all sites have facilities. At Mount Madonna County Park, a camper noted, "There is a very convenient FREE dump station just inside the entrance to the park that we used as we departed."