RV parks near Palo Alto sit within the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, offering convenient access points to both Silicon Valley and coastal destinations. Most facilities are situated between 20-200 feet in elevation, with coastal options experiencing more moderate temperatures year-round compared to inland locations. Cell service strength varies significantly depending on the specific location's terrain and proximity to urban infrastructure.
What to do
Coastal trails exploration: Half Moon Bay RV Park provides access to an extensive coastal path system. "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., who stayed at Half Moon Bay RV Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The coastal RV parks offer chances to spot marine life. At Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort, "It sits in the redwoods next to the San Lorenzo river in Felton Ca. Beautiful setting and great place for the kids to run around and have fun. Santa Cruz is only a 10 minute ride down Hwy 9," according to Pat F.
Urban exploration: Use San Francisco RV Resort as a base for city trips. "This is an interesting rv park on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It has a ca beach town feel, but is just 20 minutes from San Francisco. Walgreens, Safeway, and a couple coffee shops, local bakery and restaurants all walking distance," writes Tom H.
What campers like
Ocean proximity: Pillar Point RV Park offers waterfront camping with convenient beach access. "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," reports BRIAN O.
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained amenities at Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort. "Well maintained, super clean restrooms. Not much in the way of extras like a well stocked store, trails, or a fancy playground but the cleanliness and professionalism of the staff makes up for it," shares Jaime C.
Peaceful woodland settings: Cotillion Gardens RV Park offers a tranquil forest environment. "Clean, quiet campground nestled in the big trees. Friendly staff and a quick drive into the Santa Cruz beach communities," notes Kevin in his review.
What you should know
Space constraints: Most RV parks in the region have limited space between sites. At Pillar Point RV Park, expect "Tight spaces, parties and music so loud you could hardly hear yourself inside your rig, and the camp host allowed dogs to roam off-leash," according to Lise R.
Variable pricing: Palo Alto area RV accommodations can be costly compared to other regions. At Santa Cruz Ranch Campground, one reviewer noted simply "122 US$ for one night," highlighting the premium pricing in the region.
Accessibility trade-offs: Joseph D. Grant County Park provides a more natural experience but with fewer amenities. "We came in November, just in time for a temperature drop and some nice gusts. I'm not going to hold the chill against this area because I didn't dress accordingly," writes Sophie S., emphasizing the need to prepare for weather changes.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation amenities: Smithwoods RV Park offers multiple family-friendly features. "We went there with our 5 children from Sunday-Thursday in October. The location is mostly flat and surrounded with Redwoods. Shady and sunny locations; larger and small RV spots. No tent camping. It backs into Henry Cowell State Park and you can walk into it. The river was visible from our spot over a small fence. Kids could ride bikes freely, heated pool (90 degrees), clean shower and restroom," reports Jessica D.
Programming for children: Thousand Trails Morgan Hill runs structured activities. "In mid October the campground is still running kids activities daily and they're good! Great culture here - friendly, lots of things to do (pool, basketball, volleyball, horse shoes, playground, billiards, karaoke, tennis)," writes Derek & Kristen A.
Natural exploration: Cotillion Gardens offers outdoor discovery opportunities. "I loved this campsite! Plenty of trees for shade, there's a pool, hiking trails, a little river. So beautiful and peaceful here," shares Ariya B.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: At Trailer Villa RV Park near Palo Alto, the concrete pads make setup easier. "The park is clean, in a nice area and close to San Jose and San Francisco. We really enjoyed our stay. I really liked how our site was level and easy to get to," writes Kim O.
Local connectivity: Internet access varies widely between parks. At Smithwoods RV Park, "We'd love to stay for weeks if we could log into work! The reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 was because the wifi was only there if you were at the front office using it. We didn't get service if our family members needed to contact us since they were staying in town," notes Summer E.
After-hours arrival: Many Palo Alto area RV parks accommodate late check-ins. "After-hours check-in was a breeze, as the checkin instructions were taped to the main door of the office at the park entrance. The grounds are clean; parking pads are concrete and flat; and drive lanes AND parking spots are wide and spacious for maneuvering large RVs," reports Tony C. about Trailer Villa RV Park.
