Camping spots near Loma Mar, California range from coastal beaches to redwood-filled mountain terrain, with elevations varying from sea level to over 2,000 feet along Skyline Boulevard. The microclimate creates significant temperature variations, with coastal areas typically 10-15°F cooler than inland campgrounds during summer. Most campgrounds implement strict food storage requirements due to wildlife activity, with bear-resistant containers required at many sites.
What to do
Coastal exploration: 20 minutes to beaches from San Mateo Memorial Park. A camper noted, "Santa Cruz is only 10 miles away. The campground is all natural! Trees and nature all around. Viewing areas that allow all to enjoy the stream at the back of the resort, and paths to take a closer look."
Redwood hiking trails: Several networks connect throughout the region. At Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, "There were a few trails that started from the campground, which was nice." Trails range from easy half-mile interpretive walks to strenuous all-day hikes.
Visit local towns: Pescadero offers food and supplies. According to visitors at Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA, "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 as well as sundry items."
Seasonal creek activities: During spring months, many campgrounds have accessible creeks for wading and exploration. One camper at Sanborn County Park shared, "A really neat camping experience so close to the South Bay Area."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Ben Ries Campground, "Overall, the sites are spaced apart nicely," offering more seclusion than many California campgrounds. Site selection matters for privacy levels.
Weather patterns: The region's moderate climate attracts year-round campers. One visitor commented, "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, night time was a lovely 55-59 degrees, easy to sleep, not too cold."
Diverse camping options: From tent-only walk-ins to full-hookup RV sites. At Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort, campers appreciate that "Hookups at every campsite: Water, Shore power, Cable" are available, while others value the tent camping areas.
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms despite heavy use. A camper noted, "Restrooms had 3 stalls and 4 free showers available. Cleaned and stocked daily." Regular maintenance across most sites helps maintain comfort levels.
Night sky viewing: Areas away from coastal fog offer stargazing opportunities. "Hard to find stars as you are canopied in trees but if you walk a little out, the night sky is dark and stars a plenty," observed one camper, highlighting accessible dark sky areas.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Campgrounds fill months in advance, especially for summer weekends. At Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground, "We tent camped here but most people had a trailer... the premium spots seem super worth it with panoramic views of the Pacific."
Fire restriction periods: Typically from May through November, with varying enforcement levels. One camper advised, "Fires are increasingly banned in the dry months (i.e most of the year) in California now," so check current regulations before planning campfires.
Wildlife precautions: Food storage regulations vary by campground but are strictly enforced. A visitor mentioned, "It is also a crumb free park and they take it very seriously," highlighting the importance of proper food management.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have narrow, winding access roads. "Getting to Sanborn you will have to drive up a narrow road. We didn't have any issue with a 21' though," providing perspective on RV access constraints.
Shower facilities: Many campgrounds offer coin-operated showers (typically 25-50 cents per minute). One visitor noted, "Bathrooms had private showers - 50 cents for 2 minutes. One shower ate my 2 quarters and didn't work, but the next one worked fine and had hot water!"
Tips for camping with families
Accessible trails: Seek out campgrounds with child-friendly hiking options. According to one visitor, "The sites are a decent size with lots of trees to climb on, hide in, and play on," making natural features part of the play experience.
Water features for summer cooling: Creeks and beach access provide heat relief. A camper at Memorial Park shared, "There is a little creek that's only about a quarter mile hike down a trail. The campground is only a 10 minute drive down to Pescadero State Beach."
Noise considerations: Campgrounds vary widely in noise levels and enforcement. "Rangers drove by each night to keep the larger parties quiet past 10pm," noted one camper, indicating varying levels of quiet hour enforcement across different campgrounds.
Activity planning: Many campgrounds offer ranger programs during summer months. "Very social camping place. So much to do. Great for families," reported one visitor, noting organized activities for children at some locations.
Supply availability: Most camping areas have limited on-site supplies. "Remember to go to the market before arriving. It's relatively close...say approximately 10 miles away," advised a camper, highlighting the importance of bringing essentials.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose sites away from high-traffic areas. "The sites at the bottom of the first loop with awesome sunset views are my favorite. Very grassy and 'outdoorsy' for a KOA," shared one RVer.
Hookup variations: Water and electric availability differs significantly between campgrounds. "We stayed in a spot without hookups and it was $35 per night," noted one camper, while full-hookup sites typically range from $50-65 per night.
Size restrictions: Many redwood campgrounds have height clearance issues. "There was plenty of room for it on site 105, however if it was any higher it would be hitting tree limbs," cautioned an RVer with a 25-foot trailer.
Dumping stations: Availability and waiting times vary significantly. "The line for the dump station wound through nearly the entire park," warned one RVer, suggesting planning for potential delays during peak checkout times.
Leveling challenges: Many sites require significant leveling equipment. "Our paved site was decently unlevel," noted one camper, indicating the need for leveling blocks and jacks at many area campgrounds.
