Tent camping near Los Altos, California offers easy access to both coastal redwoods and chaparral ecosystems within a 30-mile radius. The region typically experiences moderate temperatures with seasonal fog patterns and average summer highs of 75-85°F, while winter lows rarely drop below 40°F. Weather conditions on the western slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains can differ significantly from the eastern slopes, with coastal areas experiencing up to 15°F cooler temperatures even in summer.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 6-mile loop trail at Uvas Canyon County Park provides multiple waterfall views. One camper notes, "Short hikes along the Uvas Creek and Swanson creek are right next to the campground. Trails are narrow and steep at some places but mostly shaded. Small waterfalls are the highlights of the trail."
Redwood forest exploration: 12-hour trek through the entirety of Ben Ries Campground at Butano State Park. "Did a 12 hour hike around the entire park. it was long but gorgeous!" according to one ambitious hiker who completed the circuit.
Ridge hiking for ocean views from elevated vantage points. The trail at Castle Rock State Park follows a west-facing ridge with multiple viewpoints. "Very green and lots of great vistas along the ridgeline on the hike in," reports one camper who visited during the off-season.
What campers like
Primitive sites with basic amenities: At Castle Rock Trail Camp, hikers appreciate the balance of wilderness with minimal facilities. "20 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings (when allowed). No other campers when I was there off season," one visitor mentioned about their solitary experience.
Varied site privacy: Many campers appreciate the spacing at Ben Ries Campground. "Overall, the sites are spaced apart nicely," says one reviewer who stayed at sites 5 and 6. Another camper recommends specific sites: "If you only have two people, site 3 is pretty private as well as 14."
Seasonal weather patterns: Most campers report comfortable temperatures year-round. A summer visitor to Butano State Park noted, "Night time was a lovely 55-59 degrees, easy to sleep, not too cold (first week in August)," while describing daytime coastal temperatures as "a cool 60's-70's but warm in the sun."
What you should know
Water availability varies significantly: At Half Moon Bay RV Park, full hookups are available, but primitive sites often lack reliable water. Castle Rock's communal water tank is frequently reported undrinkable, requiring hikers to "bring all our water in with us as well as water filters."
Campsite selection strategy: When booking at Ben Ries Campground, note that "The map for the campground is deceiving as they looked close together and connected but they were separate. If I were to come back and want two large sites to connect, I would choose either 6 and 8 or 10 and 13."
Shooting range noise: Daytime quiet can be interrupted near Castle Rock Trail Camp. "There is a nearby shooting range and you can hear the gunshots during the daylight hours," reports one camper who otherwise enjoyed the privacy and natural setting.
Tips for camping with families
Critter-proof camping: Local wildlife requires careful food storage. At Black Mountain Backpacking Camp, "The pit toilet and bear boxes on site take a lot of the stress out for beginner backpackers," making overnight trips more manageable for families with children.
Facilities cleanliness: Parents appreciate the well-maintained bathrooms at Uvas Canyon County Park. One visitor noted, "Extremely 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."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children can spot numerous species around campsites. One camper at Joseph D. Grant County Park mentioned, "Lots of beautiful wildlife," while others report seeing everything from banana slugs at Butano State Park to squirrels described as "aggressive" by off-season visitors.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: At Joseph D. Grant County Park, RVers should bring leveling blocks as many sites have uneven parking areas. One visitor to Uvas Canyon specifically warned, "If you plan to sleep in your car, you may want to take leveling blocks as I found the car parking spot to be not leveled at all."
Access limitations: Several campgrounds have restricted vehicle access. At Uvas Canyon, one visitor observed, "Not every site is able to car camp due to rocks blocking off the parking area but every campsite is pretty nice."
Alternative lodging options: RVers who prefer full hookups should consider Half Moon Bay RV Park. A month-long visitor reported, "Our site was a little tight, that would be the only thing I wish was better. Most of the other available sites are much larger with picnic tables and grills."
