Rv sites near Hollister, California offer camping options in rolling hills 30 miles inland from Monterey Bay. Summer temperatures often reach the upper 90s, while winter nights can drop below freezing. Many campgrounds in the area serve as convenient bases for exploring Pinnacles National Park, known for its California Condor population and hiking trails.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at Pinnacles: San Benito RV Campground provides access to Pinnacles National Park's wildlife. "Pinnacles NP has lots of great hikes, bird watching is a thing out here and home to the California Condors," notes Tyler V., who stayed at San Benito RV and Camping Resort.
Beach excursions: Marina Dunes RV Park offers a secluded beach experience about an hour's drive from Hollister. "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," says James.
Golf outings: Active duty military and veterans can enjoy golfing near Monterey Pines RV Park. "The golf course next to it is beautiful so bring your sticks or rent them from the clubhouse. One of the more affordable courses to play in the area," according to Jose J.
What campers like
Natural surroundings: Campers appreciate the wildlife at Thousand Trails San Benito. "We had multiple deers wondering the grounds so be sure to put your food away," shares Alberto C. Another camper, Samantha N., was amazed by the diverse wildlife: "We had Condors above our cabin, deer around us, wild pigs crossing the roads."
Recreation facilities: Thousand Trails Morgan Hill offers many activities. "Great culture here - friendly, lots of things to do (pool, basketball, volleyball, horse shoes, playground, billiards, karaoke, tennis)," writes Derek & Kristen A. The campground runs organized activities: "In mid October the campground is still running kids activities daily and they're good!"
Convenient location: Casa de Fruta RV Orchard Resort combines camping with food options. "Perfect place to stop! Lots to see & do with the Casa de Fruta fruit stand, Wine & Deli stand, Burrito & Taco stand," says Emily L. The family-oriented atmosphere includes unique wildlife: "Peacocks running around add a whole new dimension."
What you should know
Limited tent camping options: Most campgrounds near Hollister focus on RV camping with limited tent facilities. Santa Cruz Ranch Campground has minimal tent options: "Came here last minute on a surf trip to Santa cruz so its partially our fault, but this place is not the best for tent camping in my opinion. They had a small plot to the side of the rest of the rv slots with a little grass to pitch a tent," explains Mauriel O.
Seasonal temperature variations: San Benito can get very cold in winter. "Seems like fun on the summer I went on the winter and the place is very cold," reports Andre P. In summer, high temperatures can make some amenities unusable: "We went here for the first time end of July when it can be hot toddy. It was only low 90s."
Maintenance issues: Some campgrounds report maintenance challenges. At Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort, one camper noted: "It looked the place needed a tune up, not bad, just a little run down and things needed to be fixed."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly activities: Gilroy Garlic USA RV Park offers space for children to play. "The park was perfect for the kids biking around through the short- and long-term areas," says Jason M. The campground also features a well-maintained pool that families can enjoy.
Seek shaded sites: Summer temperatures make shade important. "Our site was shady enough, though not all sites appeared so lucky," reports Patricia O. about San Benito RV Campground. Sites with tree cover provide relief during hot days.
Check on-site stores: Some campgrounds have limited store hours or selections. At Marina Dunes, "The store closed at noon on Saturday and wasn't open Sunday, so don't forget anything." Santa Cruz Redwoods offers basics: "Check in office has the essential camping supplies if you forget something at home. (Ice, snacks, batteries, souvenirs)."
Tips from RVers
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. At Carmel by the River RV Park, "the road in is basically a one lane road. Pray you don't encounter oncoming traffic," warns Dave N. Another camper advises, "Unless you're driving a sports car, definitely DO NOT drive on Lorales Grade! It's a narrow, windy, dark road with a 17% grade."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven sites requiring adjustments. At Monterey Pines RV Military Park, "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."
Hookup positioning: RVers should note utility placement at some parks. At Santa Cruz Redwoods, "Bring your sewer hose extension. Most other sites had them from what I could see." Some parks have unusual utility layouts: "Full hook-ups, although for some strange reason they are at front of site."
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