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Pescadero camping includes several state parks within a short drive of this small coastal town. Taylor State Park Campground sits among redwoods with clean restrooms and defined campsites. Campers at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park sleep under ancient trees with good trail access from camp. California Veterans Memorial Park Campground has larger sites that work well for families who want some space between neighbors. New Brighton State Beach Campground puts you right by the ocean with quick trips possible to nearby Capitola. Weather around Pescadero stays mild most of the year, making camping possible even in winter months. The best camping happens in spring and fall when there are fewer people and temperatures stay comfortable. Summer brings more crowds but warmer days that are great for swimming and hiking in the parks. Winter camping is quieter and still doable, though you'll need extra layers at night. Most Pescadero area campgrounds have flush toilets, drinking water taps, and tables at each site. Several campgrounds also include shower buildings and electric hookups for those who want more comfort. Hiking trails, fishing spots, and wildlife watching are all within reach of the camping areas. The beaches near camp are good for walking and checking out tide pools when the ocean pulls back. You can grab supplies and food in Pescadero itself without driving far from your campsite. Book your spots well ahead of time since these coastal campgrounds fill up fast, especially on weekends. Double-check that your chosen campground is open during your planned visit, as some close seasonally.
"Not far from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area in California. When you arrive it's like stepping in to a whole other world. Huge redwoods blanket the mountain and line every site."
"So sad the devastation of last month's fires on the oldest state park in California, home to thr biggest redwoods south of San Francisco."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"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."
"This campground is a hidden gem. 20 car camping spots and 17 walk-in spots. Everything here is very shaded with tons of trees. The walk-in spots are easy to manage if you don't have a huge tent."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"About 20 mins from small town, about 1/2 hr from Pescadero State Beach, about 45 mins from Half Moon Bay, about an hour from San Francisco…all estimates without traffic, of course."
"There is a little creek that's only about a quarter mile hike down a trail. The campground is only a 10 minute drive down to Pescadero State Beach so we went there after we broke camp."
from $35 - $50 / night
Check Availability"But for a quick weekend jaunt for RV campers, this location slightly more than an hour from the Bay Area is hard to beat."
"There is a nice playground next to an equally nice café called the pinecone. The weather here is cold just a heads up be prepared for wind and overcast weather."
from $100 - $200 / night
Check Availability"We rarely make reservations to camp in California Beach Parks, as they are usually filled up weeks or even months in advance."
"Beautiful beach walking distance from campground. Bike or walking trails to wonderful beaches and places to eat. Short drive to many other areas. small but good size sites for where it is."
from $35 - $165 / night
Check Availability"This is a nice camping away from the car experience. It's a short walk up a paved path from the parking to the campsites."
"Great walk-in campground so close to home in the South Bay Area (albeit walk is slightly uphill)."
from $33 / night
Check Availability"This is a nice campground in a great part of California with lots of hiking and beaches nearby. The bathrooms were clean and well kept."
"There were bigger sites that would've suited us better but it was a nice little tucked in site. The poison oak is prolific. Our site was literally surrounded by it."
from $7 - $35 / night
Check Availability"The parking lot for the trail head is just a bit further down Hwy 35. "
"There is a nearby shooting range and you can hear the gunshots during the daylight hours."
from $8 / night
Check Availability"They are a bit narrow, so much of the camp side you will have a close look at your neighbors utilities. When the park is full, it is close. Go on weekdays, not as busy and more room is likely."
"Sites surrounded by redwoods, friendly helpful staff, close to attractions."
"Camped with electricity and water, situated on a bluff near the ocean. Easy walking distance to the water, nice roomy campsites with fire rings and tables. Not too close to other campers."
"New Brighton is a jewel on the California coast. Camping is on a bluff above beach and you must walk down stairs to get to the beach. Camping in the woods with the beach below is perfect."
from $35 - $185 / night
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TravelerBeautiful part, you can see the ocean from your site. There’s a dog park close by if you want to go get down to the sandy beaches within walking distance great hookups water pressure is a little high. If you don’t have a meter I recommend getting one it was at 80 psi which an older rig was older seals. It could easily blow a seal.
GuideThis was a very urban park with the majority of obviously long term campers. Lots of geese and lots of bird droppings all over the park. Expensive for the value
LegendGeneral: So many options, including full hookup back-in or pull-thru sites, sites with just w/e, pet sites, nine different types of cabins, and tent sites. Some sites are paved and some are gravel.
Bath/Shower: The one closest to our site had a women's and men's restroom, and the showers are individual units but shared for both genders. I expected a more upscale shower (it was ok but a little tight, skimpy on hooks and no bench).
Activities/Amenities: So many amenities including a pool and hot tub, playground, jump pad, climbing “palms”, rec center with bike rentals and concessions, and a train (I’ve probably missed a few). Laundry is available on site (operated via an app and your phone).
Although this is not our preferred type of camping, after five nights in California State parks with limited amenities, we stayed here for hot showers, laundry, and full hookups for van maintenance. This was a typical KOA in many ways, but one thing that was different was that we had to wear wristbands, and there was a gate to enter and leave. While it should have made us feel safe, I wondered why there were extra security features.
ScoutA very nice and well kept spot to park and enjoy Santa Cruz. You are close enough to walk to the beach and several restaurants. The sites are very close together. We were pleased on how clean and neat the area is kept. The temperatures were amazing for July.
LegendGeneral: 52 RV/tent sites, four walk-in oceanfront tent sites, and a hiker/biker camp. 28 sites have electric hookups. No sewer (there is a dump station) and shared water spigots.
Site Quality: Sites are paved with room for an additional vehicle and are level. Some sites have decent spacing between them, but others have no privacy/separation (the internal sites with electric have less privacy). IMO, sites 48 and 16 are the best sites.
Bath/shower: Two bathhouses each with all-in-one toilet/sink combos. They could use a little TLC. Showers are standard CA state park requiring tokens to use. Did not use them.
Activities/Amenities: There are three trails for easy ocean access. Beach is long and ok for walking, but in the springtime, the beach is littered with “blue sailfish”. Dogs are not allowed. Walking north is better than south. The 7.5-mile Half Moon Bay Coastal multi-use trail is easily accessible from the campground. Little Free Library. There is a host on site who sells firewood for $15 from 4:30-9:30 pm daily.
There are not many camping options in this area, and the campground was fully booked during the week in mid-May. We had to make reservations several months in advance and could only get two nights, and we had to move sites. Four stars due to the lack of privacy between many of the sites.
GuideI loved my stay here! I had a lot of tasks and couldn't have asked for a better place to accomplish them. I particularly appreciated the close coastal access, the birds and the clean, comfortable surroundings. Staff was welcoming and friendly throughout my stay. Highly recommend this gem!
GuideVery nice for a one night stop. Very windy road to get to the park. Sites are well kept and have a solid amount of room. Super clean bathrooms and good free showers. Lots of wildlife to see and hear (coyotes). Didn’t get 5 starts cause it was quite busy with loud neighbors!
TravelerReally wonderful spot to be. They have multiple camping options and day pass options. For RV setups your choices are parking, water only, and the works (water, electrical, waste dumping with fire pit and camping table).
Its a bit far from anything but if youre just looking to camp, charge, and relax then this is the spot for you. They have showes, bathrooms, and laundry on site.
Final notes, there are multiple hiking trails and wildlife to see, including a lovely group of Turkeys who don't mind you getting a little close for photo ops.
ScoutNice staff, hot clean showers, great location, good campsites
Pescadero camping offers visitors access to the dramatic San Mateo Coast and the dense redwood forests that define the Santa Cruz Mountains. The region sits at an elevation ranging from sea level to over 2,000 feet in the nearby hills, creating distinct microclimates throughout the area. Most camping sites near Pescadero, California experience coastal fog patterns, especially during summer mornings, with the fog typically burning off by mid-day.
Tidepooling at low tide: Francis Beach Campground offers easy access to tidepooling opportunities. "We stayed in a spot without hookups and it was $35 per night. Gate staff was friendly and helpful. No dogs allowed in the beach in the park but a short walk away there is a public beach that is dog friendly," notes camper Michell C.
Hiking through redwood forests: Castle Rock State Park provides excellent hiking opportunities on their trail system. "The hike itself is great, offering sweeping views of the Santa Cruz mountains and the Pacific ocean to the west. There's even a waterfall right at the beginning of the hike," shares Nathaniel S., who recommends taking the ridge trail for best views.
Visiting local farms: Nearby Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA makes a good base for exploring local agriculture. "PCH is dotted with farms and fruit stands, artisan pies, etc. The closest town is Pescadero, and has a tiny main street with an excellent coffee shop, and grocery store with fresh baked pies, breads, jams, sauces, and a deli counter," writes Kathleen C.
Accessible creek play: San Mateo Memorial Park campers appreciate the creek access. "Quiet, safe, family friendly near San Francisco... There is a little trail that runs through, creek running through, clean but old bathrooms, spacious sites," shares Lisa H.
The contrast of environments: Butano State Park's Ben Ries Campground provides forest camping with ocean proximity. "A little bowl full of redwoods, a creek and great hiking. If you hike up to the ridge on a clear day you can see the ocean," explains MarinMaverick, noting how the park provides both redwood and coastal experiences.
Private hike-in sites: Campers at Sanborn County Park appreciate the walk-in camping experience. "This is a nice camping away from the car experience. It's a short walk up a paved path from the parking to the campsites. The park provides carts to help with hauling gear, and storage boxes are provided at the site, near the picnic table," notes Amanda P.
Crumb-free policy: Some campgrounds enforce strict food storage rules. At Butano State Park, "It is a crumb free park and they take it very seriously. There is no cell service," reports Kathleen C., reminding campers to be meticulous with food storage.
Variable weather conditions: Coastal fog can make camping chilly even in summer. "Great weather, lots of shade at the campsite and on the hikes. Coast was a cool 60's-70's but warm in the sun (the coast/beaches are windy), night time was a lovely 55-59 degrees," shares a Butano State Park camper.
Reservation challenges: Securing campsites requires advance planning. "Great campground outside of town. Large spaces out spots. Books out fast and hard to get into," explains Janelle H. about New Brighton State Beach.
Look for natural playgrounds: San Mateo Memorial Park provides family-friendly features. "Family friendly, easy hiking, creek running through, clean but old bathrooms, spacious sites, only 2 bathrooms with showers," notes Lisa H., mentioning the creek is particularly popular with children.
Check for weekend activities: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park offers educational opportunities for kids. "This is a great campground to camp with your family. Hiking and biking trails, nature walks, showers, flush toilets, it has it all for the not so campy campers," explains camper J.d. E.
Consider site privacy: Memorial Park campers recommend checking site layouts. "Some sites are very private, some right on top of each other," advises Lisa H., suggesting families request specific sites based on their privacy needs.
RV site selection matters: At Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA, site choice is important. "I do recommend paying a bit more for the more spacious sites. Next time I'm going for the ones with the patio, those people looked quite happy," notes Alma L., who upgraded her rating after a second visit.
Prepare for narrow access roads: RVers heading to Sanborn County Park should consider road conditions. "To get to Sanborn you will have to drive up a narrow road. We didn't have any issue with a 21' though," explains Ignasi M., providing practical advice for larger rigs.
Check for dump station wait times: New Brighton State Beach visitors should plan for potential delays. "Warning: the line for the dump station wound through nearly the entire park," advises Alma L., suggesting RVers allow extra time during checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is overnight camping allowed at Pescadero beaches?
Overnight camping is not permitted directly on Pescadero State Beach itself. For legal camping options near the beach, you'll need to use established campgrounds in the area. Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA is one of the closest options to Pescadero beaches, offering various accommodation types including tent sites and RV hookups. Another option for RV travelers is Half Moon Bay RV Park, which provides pull-through sites and helpful staff to assist with reservations and check-in. Beach camping along the California coast is typically restricted to designated campgrounds with proper facilities.
Where can I find camping spots near Pescadero State Beach?
Several campgrounds are available within a short drive of Pescadero State Beach. Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground is located about 15 miles north along Highway 1, offering beachfront camping with convenient access. The campground has sites that occasionally have same-day availability, though reservations are recommended. For a more forested experience, San Mateo Memorial Park is approximately 30 minutes inland from Pescadero State Beach, featuring spacious sites surrounded by trees with clean facilities, a camp store, and access to hiking trails. Both locations provide good bases for exploring the Pescadero coastal area.
What campgrounds are available in Pescadero, California?
Pescadero offers several camping options in and around the area. Until its indefinite closure, Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park was a hidden gem near Pescadero with both car camping and walk-in spots surrounded by redwoods and offering hiking trails. For current options, Sanborn County Park provides a pleasant camping experience with a short walk from parking to campsites, storage boxes at each site, and clean bathrooms. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground is another alternative within driving distance of Pescadero, offering clean facilities and access to both hiking trails and nearby beaches.
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