Camping options near Pebble Beach, California span from the redwood-covered mountains of Santa Cruz to the coastal plains around Marina. The terrain varies from flat coastal areas to rolling hills with elevations reaching 300-600 feet inland. Many campgrounds experience morning fog, especially from June through August, with temperatures typically ranging from 55-75°F year-round in the region.
What to do
Hiking at Henry Cowell State Park: Access trails directly from Smithwoods RV Park in Felton, where redwood forest paths connect to miles of hiking options. "We stayed in site J, on the point. It was nice and big. Full hook ups. We had a great view of the San Lorenzo River and Henry Cowell State Park," notes one visitor to Smithwoods RV Park.
Beach access from Marina: Walk about a quarter mile through sand dunes to reach less crowded beaches. "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," shares a visitor to Marina Dunes RV Park.
Steam train experience: Take a historic train ride through redwoods near Felton. "It was a short nice hike to the state park and the train through the red woods. Fun experience on a real steam locomotive," explains a camper who stayed at Smithwoods RV Park.
Wildlife viewing: Look for local wildlife, especially in more rural locations. A visitor to Thousand Trails San Benito reports, "We had Condors above our cabin, deer around us, wild pigs crossing the roads. Its amazing! My favorite part of our California trip was staying here!"
What campers like
Quieter beaches: Find less crowded coastline access points near Marina. "The real reason to camp here is the beach. About a 5 min trek through sand and dunes and you'll find yourself at a beach not many people frequent," notes a visitor to Marina Dunes RV Park.
Redwood forest settings: Stay directly under towering trees for natural shade and cooler temperatures. "The campground was nice. We found a lot of shady sites to choose from. There is a lot of wildlife here to see. Deer wandered through camp at all times of the day," explains a visitor to Thousand Trails San Benito.
Family amenities: Many parks offer recreational facilities for kids. "Kids could ride bikes freely, heated pool (90 degrees), clean shower and restroom, plus laundry room. Staff is very friendly and Sant Cruz beaches are 15min away," reports a visitor to Cotillion Gardens RV Park.
Park shuttles: Some RV parks near Carmel offer transportation services to nearby attractions. "Very nice and well managed campground with many amenities, including a shuttle. Quiet," notes a visitor to Carmel by the River RV Park.
What you should know
Road access challenges: Several parks have narrow access roads. "The road in can be tricky if you meet head on with another RV, but don't let that happen stop you," advises a camper about Carmel by the River RV Park.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies greatly, especially in redwood areas. "Be ready for no cell or WiFi. We occasionally got 1 bar of cell service in our site if we stood in a certain spot. (AT&T) There was WiFi up at the office but it was inconsistent," reports a visitor to Smithwoods RV Park.
Highway noise: Some parks experience road noise, particularly those closer to major routes. "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. Our neighbors ended up leaving after a day because of the noise," notes a Marina Dunes RV Park visitor.
Beach access difficulty: Walking through soft sand can be challenging for some visitors. "Beach requires a brutal walk through soft sand. It'll work as a landing point for a couple nights, but don't plan on this being a nice campground to enjoy your vacation at," warns a Marina Dunes camper.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Look for parks with dedicated recreation areas. "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)," shares a visitor to Thousand Trails Morgan Hill.
Swimming options: Check if pools are heated, especially during spring and fall. "The kids loved the resident cats. The pool was huge and well loved. Lots of recreation," notes another Morgan Hill visitor.
Game rooms: Some parks offer indoor recreation spaces. "The games room was a lovely treat as well as the free coffee in the morning," explains a Carmel by the River RV Park visitor who appreciated these amenities.
Distance to beaches: Consider travel time to coastal attractions. "Santa Cruz is only a 10 minute ride down Hwy 9. Mostly for RV camping but there are several tent sights," reports a camper from Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared with leveling equipment at some parks. "Sites need renovation and they claim it is coming. Of course they have said that for the last 3 years. Their answer to uneven sites is to give you pieces of wood to try and level. Good luck, I saw some raised up 2-3 feet," notes a visitor to Monterey Pines RV Park - Military.
Hookup locations: Check hookup placements before setting up. "The location of the electrical/water is awkward," mentions a Marina Dunes RV Park visitor, highlighting a common frustration.
Space considerations: Many rv parks near Pebble Beach have tighter spacing than forest service campgrounds. "Spaces are tight. The place is old, but it has a great location," reports a Cotillion Gardens RV Park visitor.
RV size limitations: Confirm your vehicle length can be accommodated. "We have a 35' 5th wheel and there are only some spots that will fit it. It looks like motorhomes fit in a lot of these spots okay," advises a Marina Dunes RV Park visitor about rv camping near Pebble Beach.
