RV sites near Portola Valley, California sit at elevations between 200-2000 feet in San Mateo County, surrounded by coastal redwoods and oak-studded hillsides. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F, while winter brings cooler conditions with occasional fog and light rain. Most campsites in this region require advance reservations due to high demand, especially during summer months when sites fill 2-3 months ahead.
What to do
Hiking access: Sites at Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort offer direct trail connections to surrounding natural areas. "There is a little trail that goes down to the River where you can find a neat little beach. It's a goofy little descent/climb to get there and out but worth it," notes Jaime C.
Steam train experiences: Several campgrounds are within 10-15 minutes of Roaring Camp Railroad in 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," reports David H. from Smithwoods RV Park.
Mountain biking: The Pacifica area offers coastal biking opportunities with ocean views. "Nice bike trail right on the water," mentions Mike M. who stayed at San Francisco RV Resort.
Beach exploration: Half Moon Bay provides beach activities within 5-10 minutes of nearby RV parks. "From the park 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," shares Patrick J.
What campers like
Ocean proximity: Half Moon Bay RV Park provides walking distance to coastal views. "Lots of great beaches and an excellent trail that goes on forever within walking distance," according to Gary R.
Wildlife viewing: Some RV sites offer opportunities to spot marine mammals. "When it's clear you can see the farralon islands 30 miles offshore. On the downside the 'campsites' are close together...but everyone is friendly and the overall vibe is good," explains Tom H.
Recreational facilities: Morgan Hill RV Resort features extensive on-site activities. "Great culture here - friendly, lots of things to do (pool, basketball, volleyball, horse shoes, playground, billiards, karaoke, tennis). We lost power twice here which was unfortunate but lasted 90 minutes once and 4-5 hours the other time," shares Derek & Kristen A.
Tree cover: Redwood camping provides natural shade. "Sites can get a bit tight, but there are definitely some gems hidden in the redwoods. Close to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, which is definitely worth checking out," writes Tim & Cleo D.
What you should know
Site spacing: Most RV parks in the region feature closely-spaced sites with limited privacy. "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," reports Lise R. about her experience at Pillar Point RV Park.
Seasonal weather challenges: Coastal fog frequently affects ocean-view sites. "Spectacular sunsets over the pacific if the fog permits," mentions Tom H.
Utility hookup limitations: Many sites require extension cords or hoses. "I had to use a 6 foot extension on the sewer hose. Shore chord was fine as was the water spigot," notes Patrick J.
Connectivity issues: Cell service and WiFi vary significantly by location. "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," explains Summer E.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly activities: Cotillion Gardens RV Park offers multiple recreation options. "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.
Supervised swimming: Facility pools typically operate seasonally with varying hours. "Spent 2 nights here with our 2&3 year olds. Sites are a little tight but worth being nestled in the redwoods. Kids liked the pool and clubhouse," reports Jacob B.
Bike-friendly environments: Many parks have paved areas for children's bikes. "The location is mostly flat and surrounded with Redwoods. Shady and sunny locations; larger and small RV spots. Kids could ride bikes freely, heated pool (90 degrees), clean shower and restroom," notes Jessica D.
Organized activities: Some larger campgrounds run scheduled programs. "In mid October the campground is still running kids activities daily and they're good!" shares Derek & Kristen A.
Tips from RVers
Approach routes: Access roads to mountain campgrounds require careful navigation. "Getting there takes some attention. 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," warns Patrick J.
Hookup planning: Trailer Villa RV Park and similar facilities offer standardized connections. "The park is clean, in a nice area and close to San Jose and San Francisco. I really liked how our site was level and easy to get to," shares Kim O.
Leveling challenges: Many sites require adjustment equipment. "The sites are not level," reports Linda S.
Urban convenience: Several RV sites provide access to metropolitan amenities. "We stayed here as we had baseball game tickets in SF during our RV trip. Close to city and in a safe area. Liked sleeping to the sounds of crashing waves and was able to use full hookups," explains Sary W.
