Santa Clara County offers RV camping near Milpitas, California with diverse terrain ranging from foothills to oceanfront. Most campgrounds operate year-round with temperatures typically ranging from 50-80°F, though summer weekends can reach the 90s. Cell service varies significantly between locations, with mountain sites having more limited connectivity than valley locations.
What to do
Hiking near RV sites: Joseph D. Grant County Park provides immediate access to trails with varied difficulty levels. "We camped here for one night to test our pandemic project...a van conversion. The hiking is quite beautiful and the woodpeckers were busy storing acorns," notes one visitor at Joseph D. Grant County Park.
Steam train excursions: Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort offers proximity to historic train rides. "Santa Cruz is only a 10 minute ride down Hwy 9. Beautiful setting and great place for the kids to run around and have fun," says a camper at Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort. Another camper mentioned, "We could hear the train whistle in the daytime coming from Roaring Camp Railroad."
Ocean activities: RV parks on the coast provide direct beach access. "Walking distance to shops and restaurants, walking and bike trails, beach access, and friendly staff," reports a reviewer staying at Pillar Point RV Park. "Surfing, walking/bike trails, kayaking...Pet friendly."
What campers like
Redwood camping experience: Multiple parks offer camping directly under mature redwoods. "We went in mid March on a Thursday and the place was at capacity. The facility was clean and everyone was friendly," shares a camper at Smithwoods RV Park. "The location is mostly flat and surrounded with Redwoods. Shady and sunny locations; larger and small RV spots."
River access: Several parks feature access to local waterways. "It backs into Henry Cowell State Park and you can walk into it. The river was visible from our spot over a small fence," notes a Smithwoods visitor. "Kids could ride bikes freely, heated pool (90 degrees), clean shower and restroom, plus laundry room."
Family-friendly amenities: Thousand Trails Morgan Hill offers extensive recreation options. "The kids loved the resident cats. The pool was huge and well loved. Lots of recreation," explains a camper at Thousand Trails Morgan Hill. Another camper adds, "In mid October the campground is still running kids activities daily and they're good! Great culture here - friendly, lots of things to do (pool, basketball, volleyball, horse shoes, playground, billiards, karaoke, tennis)."
What you should know
Varying site sizes: Site dimensions vary considerably across parks. "Big Trees Everywhere! Clean, quiet campground nestled in the big trees," reports a camper at Cotillion Gardens RV Park. However, another notes, "Sites are a little tight but worth being nestled in the redwoods."
Internet considerations: Cell and WiFi service varies significantly. "Be ready for no cell or WiFi. We occasionally got 1 bar of cell service in our site if we stood in a certain spot (AT&T). There was WiFi up at the office but it was inconsistent," explains a Smithwoods visitor.
Reservation planning: Most parks fill quickly during peak seasons. "Beautiful mature trees all over campground. The bathrooms need to be cleaned more often. Sites are not level," reports a visitor to Thousand Trails Morgan Hill. Another notes, "We had a nice site and there was no one on either side of us. The bathrooms were a short walk down hill. They were clean with flushing toilets."
Tips for camping with families
Recreation facilities: Cotillion Gardens offers multiple family activities. "We have stayed here several times. It sits in the redwoods next to the San Lorenzo river in Felton Ca. Beautiful setting and great place for the kids to run around and have fun," shares a visitor. Another camper adds, "I loved this campsite! Plenty of trees for shade, there's a pool, hiking trails, a little river."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Parks offer chances to see local fauna. "Saw a lot of bunnies and a bobcat on the way out," notes a Joseph D. Grant visitor. "The camp host was friendly. They also sell ice which was nice to grab for the cooler."
Accessibility considerations: Some parks accommodate larger family groups. "We have camped in the group area with 8 trailers and other spots on site great weather," mentions a Smithwoods visitor. "Kids love this place."
Tips from RVers
Oceanfront considerations: San Francisco RV Resort offers unique oceanfront parking. "This is an interesting rv park on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It has a ca beach town feel, but is just 20 minutes from San Francisco," explains a visitor. Another notes, "On the downside the 'campsites' are close together… it's more like a parking lot than a campground, but everyone is friendly and the overall vibe is good."
Level parking challenges: Some parks have terrain issues. "From the park you can head about a quarter of a mile and walk or ride the coastal path all the way to the marina or south to the Ritz Carlton," notes a camper at Half Moon Bay RV Park. Visitors to Thousand Trails Morgan Hill mention, "No full hookups but dump station was convenient."
Road access limitations: Navigation to some parks requires careful planning. "Entrance is a little nerve racking on your first visit, but once your at your site you can relax," explains a Cotillion Gardens visitor. "Bathrooms are a little dated, no cell service but good WiFi if your close to the office."
