El Granada sits on the rugged San Mateo coastline where cool marine air keeps summer temperatures between 55-70°F nearly year-round. The area's campgrounds range from sea level to 1,500 feet elevation in the coastal mountains, creating diverse microclimates for campers. Winter camping requires preparation for persistent fog and temperatures that can drop into the 40s overnight.
What to do
Hiking coastal bluffs: At Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground, trails connect directly to miles of shoreline exploration. "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," notes Carina B.
Beach access: Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground offers a different coastal experience with trails and stream access. "There is a paved path that runs for at least a mile or so along the creek, that used to be the old railroad line through that area. They have informational signs all over the place providing historical or ecological information," explains Joseph F.
Tide pool exploration: The beaches near El Granada feature accessible tide pools during low tide periods. "I've seen deer in the seaside vernal pools, wild miniature ocean bunnies boxing in the morning sunshine, and a great white shark off the cliffs one fine day," shares Nikata L. about her experiences near the coastal camping areas.
What campers like
Campsite privacy: Many glamping spots close to El Granada, California provide some separation between sites. "The sites are a decent size with lots of trees to climb on, hide in, and play on. You can get 'add on' packages with the cabins, which include things like sheets and pillows for the beds, propane lanterns, and cooking items," explains Kim P. about the cabins at Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
Ocean proximity: "We stayed here for approximately 2 weeks and loved the location. Pros: 5 minute walk to the beach, grounds are up kept, everyone is pretty laid back," shares Deanna B. about her stay at Pelican Point RV Park. The constant sound of waves creates a peaceful backdrop for sleeping.
Temperature variation: Coastal glamping near El Granada offers cool evenings even during summer months. "It can get cold at night in the redwoods so the wood stove was great at night. Each campsite has a fire pit with a grill cover which made it easy to cook dinner," notes one camper about their experience in the area's forested camping spots.
What you should know
Reservation challenges: Many premium sites book quickly, especially during summer and weekends. "This has probably been one of my favorite campgrounds! The sites were very spacious," notes Adventure M., though most popular spots require booking 3-6 months ahead.
Weather unpredictability: The coastal fog can roll in quickly, dropping temperatures 15-20°F in minutes. "Bring layers of functional clothes since the weather on the coast of the SF bay can be anything from roasting to foggy frigid cold during the day and night year round. Don't just look at weather online and go," advises Patrick O. about camping at Steep Ravine Campground.
Limited facilities: Some glamping locations have restricted shower hours or water conservation measures. "The best thing about this place was how clean the bathrooms were. A lovely change! We arrived late with no booking and received a really warm welcome and they had space for us!" shares Sam B. about their glamping experience near the coast.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated programming. "We attended a presentation on the wild birds in the area that an employee provided, and then he took us on a hike through Costanoa and over to the ocean. He was awesome and the hike was great!" says Dave about Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA.
Beach safety: Coastal currents can be dangerous for children. "If you want a dog friendly beach go just a little south to Poplar Beach where the doggos can roam free off leash and have a blast," mentions one reviewer, indicating the variable conditions between beach access points.
Wildlife opportunities: Coastal camping provides unique wildlife viewing chances for children. "The slugs were hanging out in trees all around us and it was so much fun looking for them," notes a family camper about their redwood forest camping experience, highlighting natural features children often enjoy.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Most coastal RV sites have specific advantages and limitations. "The pull through spaces are extremely tight to the point that our slide out was hitting vegetation and our neighbors awning was about two feet from our Rv. But, if you expect that, it's a great place to stay," shares Andrea A. about coastal RV camping.
Hookup availability: Water and electric access varies significantly between sites. "Spaces for RVs are unpaved and additional cars are on cement. Hookups are pretty fast away and needed my sewer extension," notes C.W. about Treasure Island MH and RV Park, highlighting the need to bring extension cords and hoses.
Parking challenges: Some glamping locations near El Granada require unloading at a distance from actual sites. "We did have to hike in to our site, but the campground provides big carts to take your stuff. The only issue is they didn't have a lot of the carts available, so we had to wait for someone to return theirs," explains Julie D. about her camping experience in the area.
