Camping options around Montara, California span a diverse coastal landscape along the San Francisco Peninsula. Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground (Francis Beach) serves as a primary developed campground in the area, offering tent and RV sites with direct beach access. San Francisco RV Resort in nearby Pacifica and Pillar Point RV Park provide additional options for motorhome travelers. The region includes both established campgrounds with full hookups and a few walk-in tent sites that provide more secluded experiences within walking distance of the Pacific shoreline.
Most developed campgrounds near Montara require advance reservations, particularly during summer months and weekends. "The campground is full most of the time now. Make reservations," noted one camper about Half Moon Bay State Beach. Weather conditions vary significantly throughout the year, with coastal fog common in summer mornings. Fall often provides clearer, sunnier conditions, while winter brings cooler temperatures and occasional rain. Most campgrounds offer basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms, with varying levels of hookups for RVs. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the coastal region, though some campground Wi-Fi networks may be inconsistent.
The coastal setting defines the camping experience around Montara and Half Moon Bay. Campers frequently mention ocean views and beach access as highlights. One visitor described Half Moon Bay State Beach as having "awesome campground right by the beach" where you can "enjoy the sound of the ocean waves all night long." Mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles, from tent sites to RV hookups, though privacy between sites can be limited. Sites closest to the shoreline tend to fill fastest and receive the highest ratings from visitors. The Coastal Trail runs through several campground areas, providing walking and biking access along miles of scenic shoreline. Nearby amenities include restaurants, shops, and grocery stores within short driving distance of most campground options.
$35 - $165 / night
"We rarely make reservations to camp in California Beach Parks, as they are usually filled up weeks or even months in advance."
"Beautiful beach walking distance from campground. Bike or walking trails to wonderful beaches and places to eat. Short drive to many other areas. small but good size sites for where it is."
"If you want a great little place with quick easy access to San Francisco that has a great view of the ocean this place is great! And affordable!"
"Very nice park for an on the water location, I've been to some where you can't even turn without hitting someone."
$95 / night
"Walking distance to shops and restaurants, walking and bike trails, beach access, and friendly staff!"
"Great spot right off the highway and on the beach. Lots of activities and places to eat within walking distance. Surfing, walking/bike trails, kayaking….Pet friendly"
"The site was a pull through as well as our friends who were able to face the opposite way to have a common camp side with us. Of course the utility sides were in great position for that."
"From booking until leaving, we had a positive experience. Our site was a little tight, that would be the only thing I wish was better."
$25 - $200 / night
"as usual some spots are better than others but most close to restrooms and/or water. lots of poison oak and star thistle right off trail. great deterrent for kids to stay out of tick areas but id worry"
"Midweek in June the park, which is fairly large, is still nearly empty."
$40 - $75 / night
"The walk to the beach was 60 seconds and the ocean can be seen from the site. Cool ww2 structures. You get a code to open the gate uptop and drive down to park for your stay."
"If you plan to leave your cooler outside of the bear box make sure it has a lock or secure latch. 3- you get a gate code and parking pass to drive down, but have to walk your gear the last 500-1,000 ft"
$35 - $50 / night
"It's a great place to use as a basecamp for exploring the myriad of hiking trails that exist in the redwoods and nearby coastal hikes. "
"Given all that and its proximity to SF, I’ll be aiming to get reservations here every summer, and some winter seasons too."
"I decided to stay here, because it was the right location for my road trip, it was free, and I thought the view of the city would be excellent."
"Reasonably quiet on the side away from the road. Very safe, police patrols throughout the day/night. Good hiking areas nearby. Bathrooms and trash cans. Highly recommend as it is also completely free."
$88 / night
"We stayed here for approximately 2 weeks and loved the location."
"The facilities were kept clean and the location is unbelievable. It is expensive at $75 / night no hook up however it was very relaxed and we met lovely people here. Would return for one night."
ScoutThis spot is actually very ideal for people like me who was stressing every night while living in my car, I had multiple parking tickets while I was in San Francisco and got my car towed even so once I found out about this free camping rest area I jumped on it. Beautiful views that's a plus
TravelerJessica helped as to reserve the site 10a but when we went there it was so hard to access the site with our car .so we did call her and explain the situation she proposed a refund .we left the area waiting for the promised refund we called her the same night she didn’t answer and she send a message saying she will refund the day after .we called her the day after she said I will do when I get internet after that she said because of your behavior (calling her and asking for our money) she said I will not refund and go to the police
TravelerReservations and check-in were very easy. Stay at site 5 and and site 4 was right next us. Their house door was face our house door (see picture) and very little privacy. Otherwise, it is a very nice campground and everyone we met were so friendly. Their house door bathrooms and laundry room were very clean.
GuideThis is not a practical over night spot. You will not get sleep. It’s a hot spot for locals and tourists to come get wasted. It’s not safe either. Visit for the view, and find somewhere else to sleep.
GuideSites are jammed together and lots of families with screaming kids. If you’re old and cranky, it probably isn't the vibe you’re after. If you have kids, maybe this would work for you. Bathrooms are old and dirty—a park service employee came by at one point on a Saturday but the women's bathroom was still out of soap and paper towels when she left.
TravelerI stayed here for one night on a week day. One of the most beautiful campgrounds I’ve stayed at. Lots of tall trees that offer shade and privacy. Restrooms and shower facilities are clean, although a bit old.
TravelerThe least expensive sites are very close to neighboring campers. Although drive through site and premium site have more space as price for site increases. We'll kept and convenient to Bay Area. Very nice and helpful staff.
TravelerThis place only allows a single overnight at a time, but you can come back a week later, I think. There seems to only be a single park ranger and she explained their camping policies and they seemed complicated. Or, I was just frustrated because I had just misplaced my wallet after taking it out to see if I had cash for the overnight fee, and I wasn't listening. Anyway, this place is awesome. It's peaceful and there is a sense of stillness despite there being a few dozen people walking throughout at any given time.
GuideWe showed up to the spot before sunset, but for a Tuesday night on a random week, we didn’t need to get there so early, the spots never fully filled up overnight. The view of the bay is beautiful, and access from the bridge makes this super easy when going north, but it never got quiet when we were there, and we woke up to loud voices near the car very early in the morning. The bathrooms were present but worse than a standard rest stop.
Camping near Montara, California offers unique coastal experiences within a microclimate zone that receives approximately 30 inches of annual rainfall, primarily between November and March. The terrain combines forested hills with beach access points along Highway 1, creating distinct camping environments depending on which side of the highway you choose. Sites closer to the ocean generally experience temperature swings of 10-15 degrees between day and night.
Beach exploration: Visit Pelican Point RV Park, where campers report "a 5 minute walk to the beach" and mention seeing wildlife during coastal walks.
Hiking coastal trails: The Coastal Trail connects multiple camping locations, providing ocean views year-round. As one visitor to Pillar Point RV Park noted, there are "walking and bike trails, beach access, and friendly staff" all within walking distance.
Fishing opportunities: Several campsites provide access to local fishing spots. The marina area near Half Moon Bay RV Park gives campers options "to 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."
Ocean proximity: Campers consistently mention the sound of waves as a highlight. At Francis Beach Campground, visitors appreciate that it's "quiet and right on the beach. Some RV spaces with hookups back right up to the sand/vegetation."
Walk-in tent sites: For those seeking more separation from RVs, specialized tent areas receive positive feedback. One camper described Francis Beach Campground's options: "beautiful walk in site (about 200 feet from car). other sites were crowded (more of a parking lot) but amazing location with access to beach."
Clean facilities: Many campsites maintain well-kept bathrooms and showers. A visitor to San Mateo Memorial Park highlighted that "the staff does an excellent job at keeping the place spotless and cleaning the bathrooms and showers."
Campsite density varies significantly: While some locations offer privacy, many coastal sites position campers close together. One camper at San Francisco RV Resort observed, "These spaces were so cramped. Couldn't put our awning out... The neighbours slide was a foot from our door."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area fill quickly, especially for weekends and summer. Sites with ocean views book fastest, often months in advance. The region follows California's ReserveCalifornia system with its 6-month booking window.
Weather patterns: Coastal fog is common year-round but especially from May to August. A visitor to Anthony Chabot Regional Park noted temperature differences: "The weather, though hot in the Bay Area at this point, was quite nice. The breeze and shade of the park made for a very comfortable setting."
Look for educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer junior ranger programs during summer months. Beaches provide tide pool exploration at low tide.
Consider inland options: When coastal campgrounds are full, drive 20 minutes inland for alternatives. A visitor to Memorial Park found it "Great for camping or just getting out for the day with family and friends" and mentioned it's "a super cool town. The Park was secluded and lots of shade."
Plan for temperature changes: Pack layers for all family members as temperatures fluctuate widely. Morning fog often burns off by midday, requiring both warm clothes and sun protection.
Size limitations: Most coastal RV sites accommodate vehicles under 40 feet. Larger rigs should call ahead to confirm access. A camper at Half Moon Bay RV Park mentioned, "Our site was a pull through as well as our friends who were able to face the opposite way to have a common camp side with us."
Hookup variations: Water and electric connections vary by campground, with some offering full hookups while others provide electric only. One RVer at Pillar Point RV Park recommended "hookups are pretty fast away and needed my sewer extention."
Consider wind exposure: Coastal sites experience strong ocean winds, particularly in afternoons. RVers should secure awnings and bring stabilizers, as Pacific winds can gust unexpectedly throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Montara, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Montara, CA is Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 26 reviews.
What parks are near Montara, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Montara, CA that allow camping, notably Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore.
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