74 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground accommodates pets on leash throughout the campsite area, though dogs are not permitted on the beach itself. The campground features 50+ sites with electric hookups for RVs up to 40 feet, with shared water spigots available. Sites are closely positioned with limited privacy, particularly in the RV section. Pillar Point RV Park allows pets and offers full hookup sites right off the highway with beach access. Anthony Chabot Regional Park permits dogs on leash in the campground and on most trails, with sites that include picnic tables and fire rings. Dog-friendly campgrounds near Montara cover a wide range of setups, from RV sites with full hookups to standard tent campsites, giving travelers options depending on their gear and budget. Campsites at most pet-friendly locations include standard amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restrooms, though cleanliness varies by location.
For dog-friendly beach access near the campgrounds, Poplar Beach allows dogs off-leash, providing an alternative to the restricted state beaches. The coastal walking/bike trail that runs through Half Moon Bay State Beach extends approximately 4 miles and is accessible to leashed pets. Campers should be aware that many areas have significant tick populations, particularly in grassy sections and along trails. Several reviewers noted finding multiple ticks on their dogs after short walks, even when staying on paved paths. Wildlife encounters are common in these campgrounds, with deer, turkeys, and occasional skunks observed by campers. Most campgrounds require advance reservations through Reserve California or by phone, with fees ranging from $35 for tent sites to $56-65 for RV sites with hookups.
"We rarely make reservations to camp in California Beach Parks, as they are usually filled up weeks or even months in advance."
"No dogs allowed in the beach in the park but a short walk away there is a public beach that is dog friendly, so that was nice for our doggo."
from $35 - $165 / night
Check Availability"There’s a dog park close by if you want to go get down to the sandy beaches within walking distance great hookups water pressure is a little high."
"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!"
"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"
"Walking distance to shops and restaurants, walking and bike trails, beach access, and friendly staff!"
from $95 / night
Check Availability"Midweek in June the park, which is fairly large, is still nearly empty."
"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"
from $25 - $200 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $88 / night
Check Availability"Or Muni which takes about double the time including walk to the station. Great WiFi. It's a parking lot with close neighbors. Nice and clean facilities."
"It is a smaller park than many of the other redwoods parks in Northern California, so it was very nice and peaceful. Butano is a bit off the beaten path to get to, but so worth it."
"Large, user-friendly campsites surrounded by redwood trees. Great ferny hiking trails for every level of camper/hiker. Very easy access to campsites and near Pescadero and Highway One."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"What they do have are scores of hookup sites for $60 / night and three tent / drive-in no hookup water-only sites for $45 / night."
"Since it's a new campground, the trees are young and don't supply much shade, but since it's close to the SF Bay, the bay breeze helps."
from $45 - $65 / night
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TravelerBeautiful part, you can see the ocean from your site. There’s a dog park close by if you want to go get down to the sandy beaches within walking distance great hookups water pressure is a little high. If you don’t have a meter I recommend getting one it was at 80 psi which an older rig was older seals. It could easily blow a seal.
LegendHigh priced. Nice people at desk. Damon who helped us park was very friendly. Almost entirely high-priced big rigs, some of whom seem settled here but it's clean, 'orderly,' very quiet. Rigid rules keep the order; nice that no political flags/signs allowed. 2 dog parks and lots of grassy areas to take for a walk. Showers in locker-room/bldg, bathrooms nice and clean. Green grass. Also has laundry with 2.50 wash and.25 dry for 8 min. Skunk wandered by site in the night. Cool train sounds from nearby tracks at night. Was probably the most convenient to San Jose, otherwise we likely would've been in mtns. and too far away from town for our needs at the time. Would not be a regular choice for us.
ScoutPros: Has numerous amenities including hot (free) showers (cleaned daily), flush toilets, full hookup RV spots, laundromat, US Post office, fenced playground, dog park, drive in tent sites, and firewood for sale. Cons: expensive, sites are close and poorly defined and the after hours check in procedure doesn’t prevent overlapping.
TravelerWe had a very nice stay for a long weekend. The pull through spaces are extremely tight to the point that our slide out was hitting vegetation and our neighbors awning was about two feet from our Rv. But, if you expect that, it’s a great place to stay. Very clean, well maintained, and about a 20 minute walk to the ocean. Decent takeout from the restaurant and great cocktails! Very convenient dog park. We had almost the entire row to ourselves after checkout on Sunday. We will definitely return for the full experience when all restrictions are lifted, but will leave our two big dogs at home as there wasn’t much space for them.
GuideGreat 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
TravelerNo matter what site you reserve, all the site are amazing! We had #108. Near the bathroom, wash room, garbage dumpsters. The only con was the windy road! I eat sour patch kids to help with getting car sick. Easy to find. The site is pet friendly. You can only walk the dogs at paved areas, no trails. Our dogs still had fun. The redwood trees were amazing! Definitely an experience you will never forget!
LegendWe rarely make reservations to camp in California Beach Parks, as they are usually filled up weeks or even months in advance. While meeting up with some friends in Half Moon Bay we happened along the campsite and simply enquired if they had an open site for the night. They did, and we ended up staying for 2 nights due to a cancellation. It never hurts to ask!
The campsite is a nice quiet stretch of grass, live oak trees, and beach shrubs about 30 vertical feet above the Pacific beach shoreline. While you get away from the blowing sand, you get to hear the pounding ocean at night. I can’t imagine a more gentle lullaby, frankly. The sites themselves are a little close quarters, but all provide just about enough space for a long camper and a tow/towed vehicle as well. For a small camper like us, there’s even enough room to have a friend visit.
The sites offer electrical and water hookups, additionally there is a dump station just as you exit the camping area. Showers and flush toilets are available, but also used by all the beach goers in the area, so you know what they look like....never clean.
The town of Half Moon Bay offers pretty much everything you need in terms of restaurants or grocery stores. Riding your bike, or walking along the path toward town for a well-earned brunch should definitely reach the top of your to-do list while you’re there. We had brunch at Mavericks Creparie and dinner at the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company. Both are absolutely fantastic!
Beachcombing, sunbathing, swimming, horseback riding, and skim boarding during the warmer months also are great ways to fill up the day. The beach path goes for miles in either direction so you can get some exercise off of the main roads.
ScoutGreat location to the city and Muir woods. Good stores near by. Narrow sites. No room for awning. Close to gather. Sites are gravel and level. Nice area for pets with view.
LegendMidweek in June the park, which is fairly large, is still nearly empty. The sites are fairly close to each other, which matters because one of the other campers is right next to mine (46) and doesn't understand basic camp etiquettes like not using generators all night or letting their dog wonder through other sites and the bathroom areas off-leash. Still the campsites all have decent views–though best ones abut the lake on the map. They look close to the lake on the map but they are actually way up high above it. There are trails running throughout the park and around the lake that are a mix of wider open trails and narrower, through the woods, but groomed trails with plenty of up and down to make for a good hike.
Lots of birds and wildlife–beware says the sign...all the signs, but I mostly only saw turkeys and a few water birds. Because the camp was empty, I moved over to site 56 when it was clear my neighbor was a camp d-bag. It was a pull through with a downhill slope in the site but not in the drive. The views and solitude over here were great with the setting sun through the trees, and the knowledge that the Bay in the distance.
There were a few other weird vibes in the park, namely some e-bikers charging up phones at the bathroom drinking 40s and smoking joints, while watching very loud sitcoms on the charging phones. They seemed mostly harmless, and were gone well before dark.
The warm waters* of Lake Chabot was beautiful and tempting as a siren, but don't touch it, or let your dog touch it, unless you want to get mutated like the Ninja Turtles...
Actually, that is a bad example. That would be awesome. The water will make you sick or your (or your pets) skin break out in a real not fun way. It is toxic. It will not make you a Ninja Turtle.
The showers were great. Hot and FREE!
Finally, this is a well-kept park with proactive rangers only limited by their working hours, and despite it being quite accessible to Oakland, the park felt like camping in the wilderness, even though I could hear cheers echoing through the canyon from a graduation somewhere below.
The road in is fairly winding with a bit of a drop down the cliff. If you're heading in at dusk or dawn, go slow. You will see deer stepping through the road.
*I don't know if it was warm. I didn't touch it.
Coastal campgrounds near Montara, California provide year-round access with average temperatures ranging from 50-65°F throughout the year. The Pacific coast location means fog is common during summer mornings, typically burning off by midday. Many campsites in this area sit on bluffs overlooking the ocean or nestle among coastal redwoods with varying degrees of wind protection.
Hiking coastal trails: Several miles of trails run along bluffs and through wooded areas near Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground. "You can walk for miles on the beach or on the bluff trails. Everyone is laidback which makes for a peaceful experience. Great sunsets!!" notes Jill F.
Beach activities: Access to numerous beaches makes this area ideal for water activities. "Short walk to the beach. You can walk for miles on the beach or on the bluff trails," reports Jill F. about Francis Beach Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Many campers report wildlife sightings from their sites. At Anthony Chabot Regional Park, "There is an extensive network of trails accessible from the campground. It's popular, especially on the weekends, and I'd recommend reservations," according to Amanda P.
Visit local farms: The area surrounding Butano State Park features numerous local farms. "PCH is also dotted with farms and fruit stands, artisan pies, etc. The closest town is Pescadaro, and has a tiny main street with an excellent coffee shop, and grocery store with fresh baked pies, breads, jams, sauces," reports Kathleen C.
Ocean views: Many campsites offer direct ocean views. At San Francisco RV Resort, "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. Walgreens, Safeway, and a couple coffee shops, local bakery and restaurants all walking distance," says Tom H.
Redwood groves: Several campgrounds feature old-growth redwoods. "The park itself has great hikes, thick with Redwoods, immediately you feel like you are in Ewok territory. Lots of varying levels as well," notes Kathleen C. about Ben Ries Campground.
Proximity to urban amenities: Despite natural settings, most campgrounds provide good access to nearby towns. "This RV park is great! We did a same day drop-in reservation for an overnight stay over the phone. After-hours check-in was a breeze, as the checkin instructions were taped to the main door of the office at the park entrance," reports Tony C. about Trailer Villa RV Park.
Walk-in sites with privacy: Select campgrounds offer walk-in sites with greater privacy. "The campsite has car camping and walk-in sites. If it's just two people, site 3 is pretty private as well as 14," suggests Kathleen C. about Ben Ries Campground.
Site spacing varies significantly: Campgrounds range from spacious to extremely tight. At Pillar Point RV Park, "Great spot right off the highway and on the beach. Lots of activities and places to eat within walking distance... Only cons are the extremely busy road is right next to the park, it can be very loud and when the park is full the spaces can get pretty tight," warns Raven P.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during peak seasons. Anthony Chabot fills quickly: "It's popular, especially on the weekends, and I'd recommend reservations," advises Amanda P.
Weather preparedness: The coastal climate brings fog and wind. "Also, cold here in the summer. Pack for fall weather," notes Royce C. about coastal camping areas.
Bathroom cleanliness varies: Facility maintenance differs across campgrounds. "The bathrooms are pretty clean, flush toilets, no showers, no hot water and no soap. There is potable water throughout the campground, recycle bins, trash bins (animal proof) and bear lockers and firepits at each site," reports Kathleen C.
Choose sites away from roads: For families with children, select sites away from busy roads. "Only cons are the extremely busy road is right next to the park, it can be very loud," cautions Raven P. about Pillar Point RV Park.
Look for nature programs: Some parks offer educational activities. At Anthony Chabot Regional Park, "We love Anthony Chabot! The eucalyptus groves make the air smell wonderful, and there is so much wildlife to see (deer, turkeys, owls, etc.)," mentions Amanda P.
Consider walk-in site access: When camping with young children, note the distance to walk-in sites. At Francis Beach Campground, "lucky to have good weather and limited wind. 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," shares Theresa N.
Be aware of variable pet policies: For pet-friendly camping near Montara, California, policies vary by location. "Butano State Park, Ben Reis was an excellent experience... It is also a crumb free park and they take it very seriously," notes Kathleen C.
Hookup locations: At many parks, hookups may require extensions. "The spots are tight. Staff is great! Laundry hot tub pool are always clean. Right on the ocean (on a cliff)!" notes Corrie G. about San Francisco RV Resort.
Site selection for privacy: Where possible, select end sites or those with natural barriers. At H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound, "Stayed for two nights, great view. Reasonably quiet on the side away from the road. Very safe, police patrols throughout the day/night," advises Steinar G.
Budget considerations: Prices vary dramatically based on location and amenities. "Price is higher than other places but this close to the city with all of the amenities a pretty good deal," notes Luke D. about San Francisco RV Resort.
Length restrictions: Many coastal sites have length limitations. "The campground features 50+ sites with electric hookups for RVs up to 40 feet, with shared water spigots available," according to reviews of area campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Montara, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Montara, CA is Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Montara, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 74 dog-friendly camping locations near Montara, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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