121 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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 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"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"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."
"Do not take highway 9 from Santa Cruz as the RV park will tell you. Our car navigation changed our route even after we were approaching 17 north. Keep your eyes out for the highway signs."
"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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GuideThere are many spot. It's a parking lot and the spots are very snug. The edge by the ocean lost a few.
Staff is kind, helpful and responsive. Area is clean and very peaceful. It's a bit pricey. Our standard spot was $150.
GuideLike most/all east bay parks, this is well appointed for the masses. It’s also surrounded by rolling hills and close to suburbia. For many, these are positives. As an east bay resident they are for me as well. Del Valle is a bit more removed than many east bay parks. From my location in Fremont, it’s a one hour drive. A pleasant drive for the most part. I camp to get away for a bit and almost always to mountain bike. As such, I seek parks that have trails. Del Valle has a map of many trails. They also appear on many of the mapping services used by mountain bikers. Review those and digest them if this is also your intention - these are east bay parka style trails. In other words, mostly steep and loose fire roads, with many “social trails” sprinkled between. If you are compelled to stay legit/legal trails, bring an ebike. Now on to the camping. I picked a spot as far removed from any booked spot on the map. I triple checked this up until the day before I arrived. I want solitude! When I arrived Thursday afternoon, I was surprised to see the sites just 3 spaces away, on both sides, occupied. This is a fairly compact area. And while I’m sure they’re lovely folks, this isn’t what I expected on a Thursday. Saturday? Sure. Anyway… be aware that these reservation services aren’t completely reliable in that regard. The bathrooms and showers are amazing! Clean, smell good, cared for. Noteworthy is the hot showers in the camp grounds are free and your one push of the button provides water for two minutes I'd guess. Very nice! The space, 135 for me, is okay. A couple trees for shade, a nice table and fire pit. It’s now dark and the noise is minimal - mostly from the group campsite just down the hill. I’ll update this with more details in the coming days since it’s a 4 day visit.
Update 1: it’s my first morning here. Using starlink as there is no cell signal to be found. What I noticed last night was that this park is directly below the flight path to the local airports. Every couple minutes last night, a plane would fly overhead. According to flight aware, they’re at about 10,000 feet. If this will ruin your getaway, you’ve been warned.
Update 2: On Friday night, the majority of the spots were filled. Many large groups of people with varying degrees of consideration, but to their credit almost all (except the barking German Shepard) were quiet by 10PM. It was a bit more crowded come Saturday morning. Some friends came to visit for a mountain bike ride, and we set off at about noon. I had been complimentary of the facilities and bragged that I'd be taking a nice shower after our ride. Unfortunately, upon our return, there was no hot water and no lighting in the showers. And, sadly, someone decided to remove the tags and hangers from their TJ Maxx haul and leave them all over the floor of two of the showers.
Verdict: I'd only come back here in the springtime when it's likely to be green and have some water in the arroyo and only during the week. The density and composition of the people here was akin to being at Costco on a Saturday, and I only did that once.
TravelerNothing like camping under the redwoods with sounds of streams nearby. Restrooms and facilities are clean and well maintained. Park Rangers are extremely nice and helpful.
GuideWe came in around 9pm. There's a board with names and site numbers on the office building. These are snug spots but we have enough room to put the slide out. It is a level gravel parking lot. There's not alot of places in San Fran to even day park. This is just fine. They do fill up fast. Called the next day to extend through Sat, they are booked solid.
Dog walk is through the gate at the back of the lot where abandoned railroad tracks are. There's a pond with some ducks and a walking path.
TravelerIt’s quite large compared to to other campsites. It was pleasant and have no complaints. Nothing special but hiking trails are fantastic.
GuideVery well run & clean. Mostly quiet. 20 minute walk to Capitola Village (north) or Seacliff (south). Some shady sites, some are exposed.
LegendLas Trampas is one of those wonderfully odd camping experiences that almost feels like you’ve discovered something you weren’t supposed to know about. Despite sitting on the doorstep of Danville and San Ramon, this 6,050-acre preserve quickly trades suburbia for steep ridges, oak woodland, grasslands and some terrific views across the East Bay. And camping here is decidedly primitive: the Corral Area is a single reservable group campsite for 17–50 people, rather than a conventional campground with individual sites. That means lots of privacy, lots of space and very little resembling a traditional developed campground.
While my earlier review goes into considerably more detail, I thought I’d revisit this campground with a quick topline of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS - along with a fresh batch of photos.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Remarkable feeling of seclusion considering you’re only minutes from the suburban East Bay, with Oakland lying just beyond; (2) Having essentially one primitive group camping area makes this feel more like your own private campground than a conventional campsite; (3) Picnic tables, BBQs, food-storage box and a drinking-water spigot provide just enough infrastructure without spoiling the primitive experience; (4) Direct access to a huge trail network with Rocky Ridge reaching 2,024 feet and panoramic views toward Mt. Diablo and the surrounding valleys; and (5) Abundant wildlife, seasonal wildflowers, grazing cattle and those beautiful rolling East Bay hills make the setting the real amenity here.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) This is group camping only, with a 17-person minimum, so it simply doesn’t work for a couple or small family looking for an ordinary campsite; (2) No hookups, showers or flush toilets - here, primitive means primitive; (3) Water at the campsite should be considered unreliable, so bring your own rather than betting the weekend on the spigot; and (4) Many of the best trails are steep, exposed and short on shade, which can make hot-weather hiking considerably more strenuous than the beautiful scenery initially suggests.
Insider’s Tip: Bring more water than you think you’ll need and make time for a ridge hike. Las Trampas is one of those places where climbing a few hundred feet completely changes your perspective especially when the suburban Bay Area seemingly disappears beneath you, which is precisely what makes camping here so unexpectedly special.
Happy Camping!
TravelerGreat place to stop overnight. I spent one night. Great views (obviously). Plenty of parking away from the crowd, quiet and secure.
Clean restrooms and trash cans everywhere.
ScoutThis is not a dispersed campsite , the locals are yuppies that think they run shit, we are supposed to be able to camp here 2 weeks at a time , I’m being ran off after 12 hours . I’m indigenous to north , ga being ran off public land in California
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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