Cabins near Palo Alto, California range in availability depending on the season, with most locations sitting at elevations between 500 and 2,500 feet in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Redwood forests dominate the landscape, creating significantly cooler microclimates than the valley floor, with temperature differences often reaching 40 degrees cooler than nearby Gilroy or San Jose. Winter cabin camping requires additional preparation due to fog, rain, and temperatures that can drop into the 30s at night.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: At Big Basin Redwoods State Park, several trails lead to impressive waterfalls within walking distance of cabin areas. "Best thing about this campground is proximity to the Berry Creek Falls... a huge series of water falls on a super long and strenuous hike," notes Andrew D. The park features multiple waterfall access points with varying difficulty levels.
Archery trails: Mount Madonna County Park offers a unique 28-target archery course through forested areas. "There is an archery trail with 28 targets on a trail through the woods. We were there 3 days in a row and did 20 of the 28. It's really pretty and a cool challenge," reports April N. The archery trail requires bringing your own equipment and typically takes 3-4 hours to complete.
Wildlife observation: Cabin areas provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. "White fallow deer" descendants from William Randolph Hearst's exotic collection can be viewed at Mount Madonna County Park. As one visitor noted, "Near the ranger station there are pens with white fallow deer. They are descendants of the exotic zoo at William Randolph Hearst's mansion down the coast."
What campers like
Nature immersion: The cabin experience puts visitors directly among ancient redwoods. "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," advises Francisco N. about Big Basin Redwoods State Park. The giant slugs are a distinctive feature of the ecosystem and can be spotted throughout the area.
Clean facilities: Del Valle Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Very happy with our first camping experience at Del Valle. Our campsite (#139) could have used some shade, but we had plenty of space and the views were awesome... The facilities were clean and well maintained," writes Colleen S. Most cabin facilities provide free showers with hot water and regularly cleaned restrooms.
Weather relief: During summer heat waves, cabin locations provide natural cooling. "We drove 9 miles to Boulder Creek and found an epic swimming hole by Cafe to help cool us in the 95 degree heat," shares Jeannie B. Several creeks near cabin sites offer swimming spots during warmer months, with local residents often willing to direct visitors to the best locations.
What you should know
Accessibility limitations: Many cabin sites have restrictions worth noting. At Seacliff State Beach, "Camphosts are always present/available/helpful. Lots of dog walking, caution-fines are very hefty for being off leash," warns Serge B. Most state parks prohibit dogs on trails beyond immediate cabin areas, with fines ranging from $75-200 for violations.
Temperature variations: Pack for significantly colder conditions than valley forecasts suggest. "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose. We weren't prepared & had to drive into town & buy more clothes!" cautions April N. Cabins provide shelter but generally lack heating beyond wood stoves.
Pest considerations: Various wildlife may visit cabin areas. "Bring the spray. We drove 9 miles to Boulder Creek and found an epic swimming hole by Cafe to help cool us in the 95 degree heat," notes Jeannie B. about dealing with mosquitoes at Big Basin. Raccoons frequently visit cabin areas after dark, requiring secure food storage.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Cotillion Gardens RV Park provides family-focused facilities. "We spent 2 nights here with our 2&3 year olds. Sites are a little tight but worth being nestled in the redwoods. Lots of hiking and exploring right from the campsite. Kids liked the pool and clubhouse," shares Jacob B. The clubhouse offers indoor games when weather turns wet.
Creek exploration: Many cabin sites feature seasonal creeks children enjoy. "This campground has great bathroom facilities and 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," says Adventure M. Creeks typically run highest from December through May.
Biking opportunities: Several cabin locations offer cycling-friendly terrain. "Great campground for the kids to bike at but there are a few big hills so make sure they know how to use their brakes," advises Weston W. Bringing bikes allows families to cover more ground between hiking trails and amenities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When staying at Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday, choose carefully. "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," advises Andrea A. Back-in sites typically offer more space than pull-throughs at most locations.
Supply planning: Most cabin areas require bringing specific supplies. "Remember to go to the market before arriving. It's relatively close…say approximately 10 miles away," suggests Rowan B. Towns like Boulder Creek, Felton and Watsonville offer the nearest full grocery stores to most cabin sites.
Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies dramatically by location and provider. "Wifi like always is iffy and ATT is limited. 1 bar at site 30," reports Rowan B. Most cabin areas have limited or no cellular service, with some offering Wi-Fi only near office areas.
