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Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground welcomes pets at its coastal sites with ocean views and beach access. Dogs must remain on-leash throughout the campground, with designated pet-friendly tent and RV sites available. Pillar Point RV Park provides full hookups for pet owners in a prime location near dog-friendly walking and bike trails along the coastline. Both campgrounds offer trash receptacles for pet waste disposal and picnic tables at most sites. San Francisco RV Resort in nearby Pacifica also accommodates pets with spacious sites featuring water and electric hookups. The campgrounds maintain pet policies requiring owners to keep dogs leashed at all times, clean up after their animals, and respect quiet hours to prevent excessive barking. Sites at these pet-friendly campgrounds range from $35-65 per night depending on hookups and location. Camping spaces can get crowded during peak season with limited privacy between sites.
Nearby Poplar Beach offers an off-leash dog area within walking distance of Pillar Point RV Park, providing pets space to run freely after being restricted to leashes at the campgrounds. The Half Moon Bay coastal trail system connects multiple pet-friendly campgrounds with accessible pathways for walking dogs. Campers report varying cleanliness of bathroom facilities, which can become particularly dirty during busy weekends when day-use visitors share amenities with overnight campers. Weather conditions along this stretch of coastline can change rapidly, with foggy mornings and windy afternoons common—pet owners should bring appropriate shelter and bedding for animals. The proximity to Highway 1 creates road noise at several campgrounds, particularly noticeable at Pillar Point where some reviewers mention difficulty sleeping due to traffic sounds. Most campgrounds in the area provide water hookups essential for pet hydration, though pet owners should still bring portable water dishes for excursions.
"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"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."
"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"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"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"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"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."
"We stayed here with our 2 dogs last November as a nice winter getaway from L.A. We got one of the tent cabins, which are just adorable and so cozy."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"clean washers and dryers available for a few $ Metro not far away to get into the city and a few stores in walking distance"
"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."
"Clean, has some views from far border of the hills but the spots are tight and there is not much to do but hook-up."
"After-hours check-in was a breeze, as the checkin instructions were taped to the main door of the office at the park entrance."
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.
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.
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.
GuideWe stayed here with our 2 dogs last November as a nice winter getaway from L.A. We got one of the tent cabins, which are just adorable and so cozy. The sites are nice and distanced from each other, bathrooms were in great shape and it was pet friendly. We got a package with the tent cabin that came with bedding, cooking utensils and firewood, so were pretty much set once we got there. The beds are comfy and the wood burning stove (photo attached) is the only source of heat. It is neat but BE WARNED...it gets COLD on those winter nights so make sure you a) have enough wood; b) are good at keeping fires going throughout the night; and c) have lots of dry wood. The wood that was left for us as part of our package was really wet and wouldn't burn so we had a very chilly night even with loads of sleeping bags and blankets. Other than that, we had a great experience and got to take the dogs for a great walk on the paved trails in the State Park. Can't wait to go back!
Francis Beach Campground at Half Moon Bay State Beach sits on the San Mateo County coastline, offering coastal camping just 4 miles north of Moss Beach. The area experiences frequent fog, especially during summer mornings, with temperatures typically ranging between 55-75°F year-round. Campsites here sit on a bluff directly overlooking the Pacific Ocean where campers can hear waves breaking throughout the night.
Beach hiking trails: The Half Moon Bay coastal trail system connects directly to Francis Beach Campground. "Great setting, awesome trails to trek, can get busy during the weekend. Redwoods galore and look out for the slugs please don't step on them," notes Francisco N. The 4-mile coastal walking and biking trail runs through the campground.
Whale watching: Visit during migration seasons (December-May) from the bluffs at San Francisco RV Resort. "When it's clear you can see the farralon islands 30 miles offshore. Saw a couple whales too," reports Tom H. The elevated position on the bluffs provides excellent viewing opportunities.
Off-leash dog beach: Take pets to Poplar Beach for unrestricted play. "If you want a dog friendly beach go just a little south to Poplar Beach where the doggos can roam free off leash and have a blast," advises Elliott B. This beach is within walking distance from Pillar Point RV Park.
Oceanfront tent sites: The walk-in tent sites at Francis Beach offer premium ocean views. "Lucky to have good weather and limited wind. Beautiful walk in site (about 200 feet from car). If you can get sites 36-38 go for it! Tent only for these sites," recommends Theresa N.
Proximity to services: Pillar Point RV Park sits close to restaurants and shops. "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," notes Brian O. Many amenities are within a 10-minute walk.
Wildlife viewing: Anthony Chabot Regional Park offers opportunities to see diverse fauna. "We love Anthony Chabot! The eucalyptus groves make the air smell wonderful, and there is so much wildlife to see (deer, turkeys, owls, etc.)," shares Amanda P.
Spacing between sites: Most RV parks in the area have tight spacing. "The spaces are 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," explains Ryan W. from Anthony Chabot Regional Park.
Bathroom maintenance: Restroom quality varies significantly by usage and timing. "The bathrooms are pretty clean, flush toilets, no showers, no hot water and no soap. There is potable water throughout the campground," reports Kathleen C. about Ben Ries Campground.
Highway noise: Road noise affects sleep quality at campgrounds near Highway 1. "Sleeping near a highway is a little loud at night... nice place to go explore the beach and trails," mentions Jesus R. about Pillar Point RV Park.
Beginner-friendly campsites: Ben Ries Campground at Butano State Park offers accessible sites. "Super user-friendly campsites that are good for beginners. Lots of great hiking trails in redwoods for all levels," recommends Renee W. The campground has potable water throughout.
Creek play areas: Look for campsites with water features for children. "This campground has a creek that runs through it that the kids loved playing in all day. The slugs were hanging out in trees all around us and it was so much fun looking for them," shares Adventure M. about Big Basin Redwoods.
Cabin options: For families new to camping, consider tent cabins at dog-friendly campgrounds near Moss Beach. "We stayed in a cabin in the huckleberry campground. The cabins were nice, and each cabin has 2 double beds, a table, and a wood stove," explains Kim P. These provide protection from coastal fog.
Hookup locations: At San Francisco RV Resort, bring extension cords. "Hookups are pretty far away and needed my sewer extension," notes C.W. Most sites require at least a 25-foot sewer hose.
Reservation timing: Book dog-friendly campgrounds near Moss Beach well in advance during summer. "This has it all. Beautiful beach walking distance from campground. Bike or walking trails to wonderful beaches and places to eat. Short drive to many other areas," shares Carina B. about Francis Beach, which often books 6 months ahead.
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites away from day-use areas for more solitude. "Most sites are within redwood groves. We'll definitely go back!" shares Lizzy C. Look for buffer zones of vegetation between sites to create natural privacy barriers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Moss Beach, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Moss Beach, CA is Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Moss Beach, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 74 dog-friendly camping locations near Moss Beach, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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