Tent camping near Monterey, California typically experiences mild temperatures ranging from 50-70°F year-round, with mornings often shrouded in coastal fog that burns off by midday. The combination of redwood forests and Pacific coastline creates distinct microclimates where temperature can vary by 15-20 degrees between inland and coastal sites. Most tent sites remain open year-round, though winter campers should prepare for occasional rainstorms and muddy conditions.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Uvas Canyon County Park offers multiple waterfall trails within walking distance of the campground. "The hiking trails along the Uvas Creek and Swanson creek are right next to the campground. Trails are narrow and steep at some places but mostly shaded. Small waterfalls are the highlights of the trail, but kids will enjoy playing in the water on hot days," notes a visitor at Uvas Canyon County Park.
Beach exploration: Manresa State Beach provides direct shoreline access with relatively uncrowded beaches. "Beautiful views of the ocean just steps from your tent. During the summer months, whales and dolphins can be seen cruising through the ocean around sunset," reports a camper at Manresa State Beach Campground.
Rock climbing: Castle Rock State Park offers excellent climbing opportunities combined with camping. "This is sweet hike in trail camp. We have used it for two purposes. First when were were climbing in Castle Rock State Park and this was our hub and second when we were doing the Skyline to the Sea Trail and wanted a easy first day," explains a visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Keep an eye out for local fauna while exploring trails. At Andrew Molera State Park, one camper mentioned, "Saw quails and deer around the campground," while another observed marine life: "Wonderful private cove with a river emptying into the Sea."
What campers like
Scenic river sites: Many campgrounds feature creekside spots that offer both visual and auditory benefits. At Ventana Campground, a camper enjoyed how "a small creek went right through my campground and ran off onto a small waterfall. I slept like a log every night listening to the sound of the flowing creek."
Natural hot springs: Some areas offer hiking access to natural hot springs. "The best part about this site — and the reason why so many hikers make the 10 mile trip with 1000+ ft elevation range (3000 ft up, 2000 ft down) — is of course, its NATURAL HOT SPRINGS!!! There are 2 finished tubs with water at about 100 degrees," shares a backpacker at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Privacy between sites: Tent campers often value separation from neighbors. At Butano State Park, "The sites are spaced apart nicely. 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."
Off-season solitude: Winter camping offers a different experience with fewer crowds. One camper at Castle Rock noted, "No other campers when I was there off season. Very green and lots of great vistas along the ridgeline on the hike in."
What you should know
Water availability: Reliable water sources can be an issue at some locations. A camper at Castle Rock Trail Camp warns, "Although there is a communal water source at the campsite entrance, the water was deemed not safe to drink when I was there, and that had been the case for a while. The water tank apparently needs to be decontaminated."
Reservation challenges: Some of the most popular sites book months in advance. "I had to book it six months out," mentioned a camper at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, while another noted, "Drove in Saturday night in January to find maybe the last spot so book ahead if you can!"
Walk-in requirements: Several tent campgrounds require hiking from parking areas. At Andrew Molera State Park, there's "a 1/4 mile hike from parking to camp sites," while Manresa notes, "It's a lot of work to haul your stuff from the drop off area to your site."
Weather considerations: Coastal fog and wind affect camping conditions. A Manresa camper advises, "It was pretty foggy in the morning but that burned off and gave way to a nice warm(ish) day (in June). Wind picks up in the afternoon- bring layers!"
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with kid-friendly terrain: Look for campgrounds with gentle terrain and natural play areas. At Andrew Molera State Park Campground, "Having access close to the beach and forest as well was great," though families should note the "1/4 mile hike from parking to camp sites."
Consider bathroom proximity: With children, convenient facilities matter. At Pfeiffer Big Sur, one family camper reported, "The campsites we had were great. No other sites behind us. It felt secluded and private. Close to the bathrooms. And the bathrooms were clean."
Check for nearby creek access: Water features entertain children for hours. A visitor to Uvas Canyon observed that "kids will enjoy playing in the water on hot days," though parents should supervise closely near water.
Pack for variable temperatures: Coastal temperature swings require preparation. A Manresa visitor notes, "Wind picks up in the afternoon—bring layers," while evening temperatures at Ventana were described as "a lovely 55-59 degrees, easy to sleep, not too cold (first week in August)."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Many tent camping areas near Monterey restrict larger vehicles. At Ventana Campground, clear rules state "NO RVs. NO HOOK UPS. NO GENERATORS," and many sites specify "tent only."
Narrow access roads: RV drivers should research road conditions. One camper at Nacimiento Campground notes, "There's about a 45 min drive to get there and you will need a 4x4 to get into certain areas," while another mentions, "There really isn't room for RV's or campers (I think the limit is 25 feet)."
Alternative camping methods: Some RV restrictions can be bypassed. At Ventana, "We did see a few of the rental company camper vans and trucks with roof tents or small campers on top," suggesting smaller vehicles remain viable options.
Electrical limitations: Most tent-focused areas lack hookups. A visitor to Pfeiffer Big Sur notes the camp features "NO electric-hookups, NO fifty-amp-hookups, NO thirty-amp-hookups," requiring self-sufficient power solutions.
