T
Tamatha B.
Traveler
TravelerSanta Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
This is a great camp ground. Plenty of activities. Showers are clean, laundry room takes tap pay.
Glamping near Los Altos Hills, CA
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Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA and Mount Madonna County Park offer top-rated glamping campsites 30-45 minutes from Los Altos Hills, with safari-style canvas tents and spacious yurts among the best glamping options in the region. Costanoa offers safari-style canvas tents and luxurious yurts equipped with comfortable queen beds, premium linens, electricity, and climate control systems. "We had an amazing time staying in the yurt with all the comforts of home but surrounded by nature," one guest shared. Mount Madonna's glamping options include spacious yurts featuring wooden floors, lockable doors, windows with screens, and dome skylights. Both locations provide hot showers, clean restrooms, and access to camp stores with essential supplies. Private glamping pods at SkyWanda Sanctuary offer a boutique camping experience with electric hookups and picnic tables.
The redwood forests surrounding these luxury outdoor stays create perfect settings for hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography. Trails at Mount Madonna wind through dense forest with occasional ocean views on clear days, while Costanoa's location offers easy beach access with horseback riding and guided nature walks. A visitor noted, "The glamping site was perfectly situated to enjoy both forest trails and beach activities without sacrificing comfort." Many locations offer seasonal programs including stargazing events, guided nature walks, and outdoor yoga sessions. The region's Mediterranean climate makes these glamping destinations suitable year-round, though advance reservations are essential during summer weekends and holidays when boutique camping experiences fill quickly. Proximity to Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz beaches, and local wineries provides additional attractions beyond the glamping resorts.
Best Glamping Campgrounds near Los Altos Hills (24)
1. Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED
"We got one of the tent cabins, which are just adorable and so cozy. The sites are nice and distanced from each other, bathrooms were in great shape and it was pet friendly."
"We stayed in a tent cabin at the Huckleberry campground which was nicer than we thought it would be. It had just the right amount of space for my wife and I, our two daughters and all our gear."
from $35 / night
Check Availability2. Sanborn County Park
"RVs are pretty close to each other, but not too invasive. Restrooms and showers are clean and in a very decent condition. Each site has a table and a charcoal ."
"This is a nice camping away from the car experience. It's a short walk up a paved path from the parking to the campsites."
from $33 / night
Check Availability3. Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground
"We rarely make reservations to camp in California Beach Parks, as they are usually filled up weeks or even months in advance."
"Bathrooms and showers on site. We stayed in a spot without hookups and it was $35 per night. Gate staff was friendly and helpful."
from $35 - $165 / night
Check Availability4. Costanoa Coastal Lodge & Campground
"The sites have a picnic table, a fire ring, and wood-fenced platforms. What is confusing is that the platforms and tables are not always directly behind the site."
"But for a quick weekend jaunt for RV campers, this location slightly more than an hour from the Bay Area is hard to beat."
from $100 - $200 / night
Check Availability5. Pelican Point RV Park
"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! Yay!"
"Has hot showers & laundry room! A 5 min walk to the ocean as well. Super peaceful"
from $88 / night
Check Availability6. Sunrise Point at Candlestick Point SRA - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
"Dispersed camping outside the campground perimeters. Very quiet and this is the place if solitude is your thing. Bring lots of water. Walk in or 4wd accessible. Never have seen another human here."
from $40 - $150 / night
Check Availability7. Mount Madonna County Park
"Nice area ,lots of trails into redwoods and cedar trees, campsites were very roomy and flatish. Water was available, bathroom was clean.Nice place to get away from the heat."
"There's something for everyone here, RVers, tenters, and those who want to rent tent cabins. There are plenty of trails to hike, as well as equestrian trails. No bikes on trails though."
8. Lupin Lodge Nudist Resort
"Lots of space with bathrooms very accessible. Hiking and only minutes from San Jose. You feel like your in another world.
Check on-line for calender of fun events (when Covid changes)."
from $35 - $175 / night
Check Availability9. Uvas Canyon County Park
"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."
"A nice small campground nestled in the eastern side of Santa Cruz Mountains, west of Morgan Hill, easily accessible off of Highway 101."
from $34 / night
Check Availability10. SkyWanda Sanctuary
from $75 - $95 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 18 min from San Jose, CA
- 34 min from Santa Cruz, CA
- 37 min from San Francisco, CA
- 1 hr 7 min from Vallejo, CA
Recent Glamping Photos near Los Altos Hills, CA
14 Photos of 24 Los Altos Hills Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Glamping Reviews near Los Altos Hills, CA
290 Reviews of 24 Los Altos Hills Campgrounds
- TTamatha B.Traveler
Treasure Island MH and RV Park
Henry in the office is amazing. Bathrooms are clean. laundry room very large and has many washers and dryers. Subway close walk, MUNI is at the park entrance. A gas station and Grocery store are both across the street.
- jjacqueline P.
ScoutPelican Point RV Park
Has hot showers & laundry room! A 5 min walk to the ocean as well. Super peaceful
- DDoug O.Traveler
Marina Dunes RV Park
Our favorite place. We have stayed here 14 times. Always clean.
Tim P.TravelerThousand Trails Morgan Hill
Great Campground
I liked this Thousand Trails resort because it’s more like camping. The staff is amazing. The facilities are great amazing big pool. The only problem I had is they didn’t have any sewage hook up, but I have a tote so it wasn’t that big of a deal.
- Lauren S.
GuideHalf Moon Bay State Beach Campground
Beachside getaway
We stayed at Francis Beach Campground, we snagged a spot the week of since they release a few throughout the week. I’m so glad they do that for locals!
Campground is well maintained, there was an individual picking through the trash though so we made sure to lock up some stuff.
Sites are easy to get in and out of, pretty spacious. The middle sites aren’t too great, but the ones bordering the beach and the bike trail are very nice. We loved our spot, we had a trail right behind our trailer onto the beach!
Dump station is $10. Fresh water smelled a bit off, but we filled up and just used it for washing up.
- TTom H.Guide
Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
Great place for kids, lots to do.
Koa’s in this area are typically expensive and this is no exception. But, for families it may be worth it. Playground, jumping, bouncing area, dog yard. Lots to do. It has good shower facilities, bathrooms are clean. For retirees and older folks, it may not be worth it. Not much room between sites and lots of kids for the nervous folks. My site (35) was electric and water only with a dry creek behind us. My only beef (and it was not only with the campground, but with irresponsible dog owners) was the piles of poop I had to pick up before I could safely walk around. Come on people! If you own a dog, please take care of them and pick up after them. Otherwise, the location was convenient, the place was clean (exception noted) and I will likely return.
Lee D.
LegendSanta Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
Many options for families
General: So many options, including full hookup back-in or pull-thru sites, sites with just w/e, pet sites, nine different types of cabins, and tent sites. Some sites are paved and some are gravel.
Bath/Shower: The one closest to our site had a women's and men's restroom, and the showers are individual units but shared for both genders. I expected a more upscale shower (it was ok but a little tight, skimpy on hooks and no bench).
Activities/Amenities: So many amenities including a pool and hot tub, playground, jump pad, climbing “palms”, rec center with bike rentals and concessions, and a train (I’ve probably missed a few). Laundry is available on site (operated via an app and your phone).
Although this is not our preferred type of camping, after five nights in California State parks with limited amenities, we stayed here for hot showers, laundry, and full hookups for van maintenance. This was a typical KOA in many ways, but one thing that was different was that we had to wear wristbands, and there was a gate to enter and leave. While it should have made us feel safe, I wondered why there were extra security features.
- Lee D.Legend
Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground
Popular coastal camping
General: 52 RV/tent sites, four walk-in oceanfront tent sites, and a hiker/biker camp. 28 sites have electric hookups. No sewer (there is a dump station) and shared water spigots.
Site Quality: Sites are paved with room for an additional vehicle and are level. Some sites have decent spacing between them, but others have no privacy/separation (the internal sites with electric have less privacy). IMO, sites 48 and 16 are the best sites.
Bath/shower: Two bathhouses each with all-in-one toilet/sink combos. They could use a little TLC. Showers are standard CA state park requiring tokens to use. Did not use them.
Activities/Amenities: There are three trails for easy ocean access. Beach is long and ok for walking, but in the springtime, the beach is littered with “blue sailfish”. Dogs are not allowed. Walking north is better than south. The 7.5-mile Half Moon Bay Coastal multi-use trail is easily accessible from the campground. Little Free Library. There is a host on site who sells firewood for $15 from 4:30-9:30 pm daily.
There are not many camping options in this area, and the campground was fully booked during the week in mid-May. We had to make reservations several months in advance and could only get two nights, and we had to move sites. Four stars due to the lack of privacy between many of the sites.
Guide to Los Altos Hills
Mount Madonna County Park and Sanborn County Park offer rustic glamping options within 30 minutes of Los Altos Hills, California. The area sits along the eastern slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains at elevations ranging from 400 to 3,000 feet. Winter temperatures often drop 15-20 degrees lower than nearby valley locations, creating cooler camping conditions even during summer months.
What to do
Waterfall hiking trails: At Uvas Canyon County Park, trails lead to multiple small waterfalls along Uvas and Swanson creeks. "To hike to each fall it's about 6ish miles with just a few hundred feet of total elevation gain. The trails are large and well defined for an very entry level experience," notes one visitor. Remember that stream access is prohibited in certain areas.
Archery practice: Mount Madonna County Park features a dedicated archery trail with 28 targets set up along a forested path. "We were there 3 days in a row and did 20 of the 28. It's really pretty and a cool challenge," shares one camper. The course offers a unique alternative to hiking and allows beginners to try the sport.
Beach walks and horseback riding: Half Moon Bay beaches are accessible from several nearby glamping sites. A visitor to Francis Beach Campground notes, "You can walk for miles on the beach or on the bluff trails. Everyone is laidback which makes for a peaceful experience. Great sunsets!!" Some locations offer guided horseback rides along coastal trails.
What campers like
Free hot showers: Unlike many campgrounds that charge per minute, Mount Madonna County Park provides free showers. "Bathrooms have soap & TP and kept clean," mentions one camper. This amenity ranks highly with reviewers who appreciate clean facilities after dusty hikes.
Unique wildlife viewing: The redwood forests host interesting wildlife beyond typical deer and squirrels. "The slugs were hanging out in trees all around us and it was so much fun looking for them," reports a family at Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Mount Madonna also features a small herd of white fallow deer near the ranger station, descendants from William Randolph Hearst's exotic animal collection.
Quick access from Silicon Valley: Sanborn County Park provides an escape without lengthy travel time. "Perfect for even just a 12 hour getaway," notes one reviewer. The proximity allows weekend camping without taking Friday off work, though expect more crowded conditions on summer weekends.
What you should know
Temperature fluctuations: Mountain locations experience significant temperature drops after sunset. One visitor to Mount Madonna warns, "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose. We weren't prepared & had to drive into town & buy more clothes!"
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies dramatically between campgrounds. At Uvas Canyon County Park, "Verizon cell service worked at the campground" while other carriers may not. Some locations offer limited WiFi near bathroom facilities or entrance stations only.
Campsite selection matters: Site privacy and size vary considerably within each campground. At Sanborn County Park, "Some campgrounds have tables and others don't - some are too close to others but the higher up hill, you're closer to the trail heads." Research specific site numbers before booking, especially during busy seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA offers structured activities for children. "Great child friendly KOA Campsite. Friendly staff, a lot of activities for children with the upcoming Halloween events," notes a visitor. Many locations feature weekend ranger programs during summer months.
Bicycle-friendly options: Several parks have good internal road systems for kids learning to ride. At Mount Madonna, campers report: "Great campground for the kids to bike at but there are a few big hills so make sure they know how to use their brakes."
Walk-in sites with cart assistance: Families with young children appreciate the wagon carts provided at certain campgrounds. "The park provides carts to help with hauling gear, and storage boxes are provided at the site, near the picnic table," explains a camper at Sanborn County Park. This allows easier transport of camping supplies from parking areas to tent sites.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground offers electrical hookups but in limited numbers. "Limited electrical hookups. Tenting camping and RVs," advises one visitor. Reserve well in advance, especially for weekend trips during summer months.
Size restrictions: Most local campgrounds have length limitations for RVs. Narrow access roads with tight turns make navigating difficult for larger vehicles. A visitor to Sanborn County Park cautions, "RV sites are basically parking lot with 4' strips of grass in between."
Dump station access codes: Some parks require special codes to access dump stations. "Ranger was useless. You need codes for the gate after 7pm, the showers, and the RV dump and they don't volunteer that info, you have to ask," warns an RVer at Sanborn County Park. Request all necessary access information during check-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping
campsite near Los Altos Hills, CA?
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Los Altos Hills, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Los Altos Hills, CA is Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED with a 4.7-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find
glamping camping near
Los Altos Hills, CA?
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Los Altos Hills, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 glamping camping locations near Los Altos Hills, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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