Tent camping near Montara, California primarily clusters at the boundary between coastal grasslands and redwood forests. Most campsites sit at elevations between 200-1,500 feet where fog frequently rolls in during summer evenings, making temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Winter camping often sees temperatures between 40-55°F with increased rainfall between November and March.
What to do
Beach exploration: 0.75 miles from Haypress Campground to Tennessee Beach along a flat, level trail accessible for most hikers. "There are owls perched in eucalyptus trees next to the campsite, and coyotes. Came across one on the way back from a sunset hike to the beach," reports camper Jill F.
Mountain biking access: Many campsites connect to multi-use trails where bikes are permitted. "You can either bike in or hike in" to Haypress Campground according to Jason Y., making it suitable for bikepackers looking to set up a basecamp.
Urban wilderness connections: Bicentennial Campground provides views of urban landmarks. "Gorgeous sunset and sunrise from camp or even better up the closest hill which is a 6 minute walk tops," notes camper August M. The campground offers "incredible view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city, and is a short drive into the city."
What campers like
Microclimate variety: Temperatures can vary by 20°F between coastal and inland tent sites. At Ben Ries Campground, "Coast was a cool 60's-70's but warm in the sun (the coast/beaches are windy), night time was a lovely 55-59 degrees, easy to sleep, not too cold (first week in August)," according to Kathleen C.
Redwood grove camping: Several campgrounds feature tent sites among towering trees. "Large, user-friendly campsites surrounded by redwood trees. Great ferny hiking trails for every level of camper/hiker," writes Renee W. about Ben Ries Campground, describing it as having "Peace and Quiet amongst Redwoods."
Low light pollution: Many tent sites offer stargazing opportunities away from city lights. "Hard to find stars as you are canopied in trees but if you walk a little out, the night sky is dark and stars a plenty," notes one Ben Ries camper.
What you should know
Tent pad sizing limitations: Most tent sites have specific dimensional constraints. At Pantoll Campground, "Sites are fairly close together in bunches (for example, 2, 3, and 5 were close, 6 and 7 were close, but there was a bit of space between the groups)," explains Erin S., who adds that "very few can accommodate a house-size tent."
Wildlife precautions: Food storage is strictly regulated across all tent sites. "It is also a crumb free park and they take it very seriously," notes a camper at Pantoll, while another mentions "lots of raccoons at night, so lock everything away."
Parking constraints: Many tent campgrounds have limited parking. At Pantoll Campground, "you'll need to drop your stuff off, find a place to park along the road, then come back to park in the evening when the parking lot clears." Jay S. adds the campground provides "some of the feel of a back country trip with none of the hassle."
Tips for camping with families
Dishwashing facilities: When tent camping with children, access to cleanup areas simplifies meals. Pantoll Campground "has a dishwashing station and most people cleaned up after themselves when using it," making it practical for families preparing multiple meals.
Site selection strategy: For groups with multiple tents, Steep Ravine Campground offers flexibility. "There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families," mentions Amber D. about the cabins, which provide alternatives to tent camping during inclement weather.
Educational opportunities: Kids can learn about local ecosystems and history at several sites. "The park itself has great hikes, thick with Redwoods, immediately you feel like you are in Ewok territory," describes Kathleen C., creating engaging natural settings for children to explore.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most tent campsites near Montara don't accommodate large RVs, but Half Moon Bay RV Park offers full hookups with proximity to hiking trails. "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. Great ocean views," notes Patrick J.
Seasonal considerations: RV sites fill quickly during prime months. "We enjoyed our 4 week stay. We stayed thru the month of Nov 2021, and left Dec 3, 2021," reports Gary R., suggesting off-season visits may offer better availability.
Parking size limitations: Most campgrounds limit vehicle size. "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," explains a camper at Half Moon Bay RV Park, one of the few spots accommodating larger vehicles in the region.
