Tent camping near Davenport, California often requires preparation for significant temperature swings, with coastal fog rolling in during summer mornings and evenings while afternoon temperatures typically reach the mid-60s. The region sits along steep coastal mountains with elevations ranging from sea level to over 2,000 feet at locations like Black Mountain, creating distinct microclimates between beach and mountain camping areas. Many sites feature mixed oak and redwood forests that provide natural shelter from coastal winds.
What to do
Hiking on Monte Bello trails: At Black Mountain Backpacking Camp, campers can access an extensive trail network beyond the 1.5-mile hike to reach the campground. "The hike in is only 1.5 miles, but there's plenty of trail options to tack on more mileage on either the hike in or out," notes one visitor who appreciated the accessibility for beginners.
Explore local food options: Campers staying near Pescadero can visit local farms and markets. "The campground is very close to PCH/Highway 1 and the beaches are lovely. PCH is also dotted with farms and fruit stands, artisan pies, etc. The closest town is Pescadaro, and has a tiny main street with an excellent coffee shop, and grocery store with fresh baked pies, breads, jams, sauces, and a deli counter," explains a visitor to Butano State Park.
All-day park exploration: For those with energy to spare, some parks offer extensive trail systems. One camper at Butano State Park shared, "Did a 12 hour hike around the entire park. It was long but gorgeous!" This demonstrates the potential for full-day adventures directly from your campsite.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Ben Ries Campground in Butano State Park, the layout provides good separation between campsites. "Overall, the sites are spaced apart nicely," mentions one camper who carefully analyzed the campground map and site locations, adding, "If I were to come back and want two large sites to connect, I would choose either 6 and 8 or 10 and 13. If it's just two people, site 3 is pretty private as well as 14."
Clean facilities: Uvas Canyon County Park receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Super clean and maintained. Especially the bathrooms and showers. The sites are spaced out nicely and there is a water faucet and trash bins plus recycle every couple of sites," reports a recent visitor who appreciated the attention to cleanliness.
Coastal proximity: Manresa State Beach Campground offers easy beach access. "Beautiful views of the ocean just steps from your tent. During the summer months, whales and dolphins can be seen cruising through the ocean around sunset," notes one camper who enjoyed wildlife viewing opportunities directly from the camping area.
What you should know
Water safety concerns: Water availability and quality vary significantly across campgrounds. At Castle Rock Trail Camp, one experienced camper warns, "Although there is a communal water source at the campsite entrance, the water was deemed not safe to drink when I was there, and that had been the case for a while. The water tank apparently needs to be decontaminated."
Proximity to shooting ranges: Some campgrounds experience unexpected noise. One camper at Castle Rock Trail Camp mentions "There is a nearby shooting range and you can hear the gunshots during the daylight hours," which might disrupt the otherwise peaceful setting.
Wildlife precautions: Animals can be problematic at certain locations. At Uvas Canyon County Park, a camper reported, "Second time at the campground. Love this campground still but I'm pretty sure there is a wasp nest near 25." Similarly, at Butano State Park, a camper noted it is "a crumb free park and they take it very seriously," indicating strict food storage requirements.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with amenities: Uvas Canyon County Park provides family-friendly facilities. "This place is clean and family friendly. There were many families with small children. Many waterfalls along the trail," notes one visitor. Another adds, "The campsites and bathrooms are well maintained, and the camp host sells firewood."
Beach accessibility considerations: For families wanting beach access, consider the effort required. At Manresa State Beach, one camper notes, "It's a lot of work to haul your stuff from the drop off area to your site. It's a bit of a walk to the beach from the campground. It's a beautiful beach and not crowded however."
Weather preparation: Coastal tent camping near Davenport requires planning for temperature variations. At Butano State Park, a camper reported, "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, easy to sleep, not too cold (first week in August)."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV access: Portola Redwoods State Park offers some RV camping, but with significant limitations. The campground has electric hookups, sewer connections, and water hookups, though one local resident simply states, "Cold. Foggy. No amenities," suggesting a primitive experience despite the hookup availability.
Road access challenges: RVers should research road conditions carefully. The narrow, winding roads leading to many campgrounds in the Santa Cruz Mountains can be difficult for larger vehicles. At Seacliff State Beach, accessibility is better, but reservations are challenging as one camper notes, "Reservations are difficult to obtain. But well worth the effort. Full hookups in one area and dry camping in overflow area."
Site selection for size: For those with smaller RVs, Butano State Park has limited options. "The campsite has car camping and walk-in sites," explains one visitor who carefully studied the campground layout, providing details about which sites work best for different group configurations.
