Veteran's Memorial Park Campground offers convenient camping access in Monterey at elevations between 500-600 feet. The site sits on a hilltop with pine and oak forest coverage, providing cooler evening temperatures than beachfront locations even in summer months. Winter temperatures average 45-55°F while summer ranges from 60-75°F with significant morning fog.
What to do
Morning beach trips: 5 miles to several beaches. At Marina Dunes RV Park, campers appreciate the coastal location. "About a 5 min trek through sand and dunes and you'll find yourself at a beach not many people frequent. On Friday we were the only ones for as far as I could see. No exaggeration," notes James.
Kayaking with wildlife: 20 minute drive north. Moss Landing KOA Express provides excellent access to water activities. "You are minutes from launch points for both power or paddle sports. If you want a site seeing tour, they take off from the parking lot next to the KOA," explains Stephanie. The marina location makes wildlife viewing accessible: "You can easily walk to the marina area or onto the beach."
Golf access: public courses nearby. Campers note the proximity to local courses. "The golf course next to it is beautiful so bring your sticks or rent them from the clubhouse. One of the more affordable courses to play in the area," writes Jose J. about nearby options.
What campers like
Playground facilities: available for kids. Laguna Seca Recreation Area offers amenities beyond standard camping. "A pretty decent playground. My daughter spent most of her time here," reports Erin S., noting this makes the site family-friendly despite its unique racetrack location.
Hot showers: available at most locations. Campground bathing facilities vary in quality. "The bathrooms and showers are nice & well maintained. They offer free Wi-Fi," notes Chris regarding Saddle Mountain Ranch, adding that "many have privacy walls so you aren't looking at your neighbors campsite."
River settings: seasonal water access. Some campsites offer water features beyond ocean proximity. "The campsites we had were great. No other sites behind us. It felt secluded and private. The river was right across from us," explains Grace M., highlighting the natural amenities available at certain times of year.
What you should know
Cash-only policies: bring proper payment. Some campgrounds maintain strict payment requirements. "This campground requires cash or cheque payment. It's at the top of a hill so make sure you're prepared before arrival," advises Katherine J. about payment expectations.
Non-potable water: bring drinking supplies. Monterey County Fairgrounds and other sites have water restrictions. "The water is not potable, but bathrooms were very clean and the staff were so kind," notes Wendy S. about regional water quality issues. This requires planning ahead.
Weekend crowding: arrive early Thursday/Friday. Popular sites fill quickly before weekends. "We arrived the Friday afternoon before Memorial Day, all campsites were full but the host was kind enough to allow us to use the overflow spot," explains Lauren C., highlighting the importance of timing.
Tips for camping with families
Noise management: pack sound machines. Some campgrounds experience traffic noise. "It is also very loud here with the freeway right behind you. It didn't bother us in the day. At night I had a sound machine so it didn't bother us," shares Tonya C. about managing sleep conditions.
Plan for walking distances: beach access varies. Beach proximity marketing can be misleading. "More HWY 101 than beach. Nice clean park, with a lot of ways to stay, but it's a good half mile to the water," clarifies Paul R., highlighting the importance of realistic expectations when camping with children.
Activities beyond beaches: explore state parks. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground offers diverse options. "The campsites are secluded, there are threes everywhere and you get the basic amenities. Big Sur is just a short drive south and Monterey is just a short drive north," explains Kalai L., noting the proximity to multiple destinations.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: measure before booking. RV length limits vary significantly between campgrounds. "Our 40' double expando barely fit and you had to go into the neighboring sites just to access your hook ups etc. Waste hook up is inches from our picnic table," Ryan S. warns about tight spaces.
Road grade concerns: avoid steep routes. Access roads present challenges for larger vehicles. "Didn't bring the RV here but did tent camp, You need to carry your items in to the spots but that lets you spread out from other peeps if too noisy," advises Mike M., highlighting potential access issues.
Utility placement: check hookup locations. The physical layout of sites impacts comfort. "The location of the electrical/water is awkward," notes Kandi R., explaining the importance of checking specific site details before committing, particularly for pet-friendly camping in Monterey area.
