The Mendocino coastline sits where steep coastal mountains meet the Pacific Ocean, creating a diverse landscape of beaches, forests, and rivers. With an average summer temperature of 65°F and winter lows around 40°F, the climate allows for year-round glamping near Mendocino, California. Most luxury camping options in the area require advance booking, especially during summer months when oceanfront sites fill quickly.
What to do
Beach exploration: 3-mile hike to private shorelines at Jackson Demonstration Forest where "Jackson State Demonstration forest is about 6 miles from fort Bragg on hwy.20 Campground is about 3 miles down a dirt road down into the forest from the highway." The Noyo River runs through the campground, offering access to water activities.
Wildlife watching: Early morning viewing when camping at Manchester State Park Campground where you can spot coastal wildlife. According to a camper, "There is a nice mile long trail that leads down to the beach. If you would rather drive and park there is a nice lot right by the dunes and the day use fee is included with your camping pass."
Night sky viewing: Stargazing after 9pm when light pollution diminishes. One visitor noted, "No city lights to speak of = incredible stargazing. Oceanside = fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves." The coastal location provides unobstructed views of constellations and occasional meteor showers.
What campers like
Secluded beach access: Private shoreline at luxury glamping sites where public access is limited. A visitor at Westport Beach RV Park and Campground shared, "The waves are loud, the cell service sucks and the Wi-Fi is very spotty…which makes it a perfect spot to get away! If you get a premium spot, you are almost right on the beach, which is pretty private since there's no public access."
Waterfront amenities: Full service comforts at upscale glamping locations with modern facilities. One camper commented, "We spent 4 nights here with our travel trailer. We had a site with full hook ups, including sewage (no need for dumping station!!). This is a great campground that is right on the beach! It has showers, flushing toilets, a little store, fire wood for sale, dish washing station, and even WiFi!"
Forest camping options: Woodland alternatives to beach locations for those seeking tree cover and shade. A visitor to Jackson Demonstration Forest noted, "Beautiful, clean and peaceful. Plenty of trails to explore and Noyo River meanders through the center. It was self pay upon arrival and the whole place was welcoming."
What you should know
Site availability fluctuates seasonally: First-come, first-served sites may be available even during peak times at certain locations. A camper at Manchester State Park observed, "Nearly all the other campgrounds on the CA coast require a reservation 6 months in advance for weekends, with weekday availability not much better. This small campground had a number of empty spots available at 8pm on a Saturday."
Weather considerations: Coastal fog and wind can affect camping conditions year-round. Pack layers and rain gear. One camper advised, "Some spots are more exposed to the wind so if you have a tent or tent trailer you may want to check in with the host to find a spot that is more sheltered."
Limited cell service: Communications can be intermittent at luxury glamping sites despite amenities. According to a visitor at Mendocino Magic, reception is minimal throughout the property, but this contributes to "Beautiful secret. Cannonball camp! Hiking, canoeing, swimming!" where guests can disconnect from technology.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Kid-friendly swimming options at campgrounds with protected water access. A visitor to Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort shared, "We stayed in one of the premium hot tub sites, where you get your very own hot tub. Highly recommend, my kids absolutely loved it and so did I! We were just a few steps from the pool, which was clean, but pretty cold."
Bike-friendly campgrounds: Open spaces for children to ride safely away from traffic. At Manchester State Park, one camper noted, "Mostly open sites, all were fairly secluded. Big spaces, clean area and ocean sounds abound. Kids loved it to ride their bikes around and I stressed less knowing there were few, if any, cars passing by."
Entertainment options: Scheduled activities at family-oriented luxury camping sites. "Designed for families, this KOA a lot. A petting zoo, water play, pool, arcade and events. We were there for movie night. They had a big screen and showed a film for the kiddos," reported one visitor to Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Access road conditions: Some glamping locations near Mendocino have challenging approach routes. A visitor to Narrows Lodge Resort warned, "The road is a little tight to get into this resort (1 lane road with traffic going both ways with few pull offs) but the views are absolutely amazing! We stayed in the Lakeview spot and had the entire place to ourselves during the week."
Site spacing and privacy: RV site dimensions vary significantly between campgrounds. At Westport Beach RV Park, a camper observed, "Lots of pics of the beach which is wonderful. Here is the campground when it's full up. Very close rigs." Consider booking during shoulder seasons for more space.
Electric and water hookups: Premium glamping sites typically offer full connections. According to a visitor, "The campground is nice and quiet. Plenty of space without being noisy. But I'm not sure how they've justified charging $58 per night for no basic trash disposal (you have to take all trash with you) and only portable toilets on site."
