Best Campgrounds near Salinas, CA
Campers near Salinas, California have easy access to several great camping spots, including Pinnacles Campground and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground. Pinnacles Campground sits inside the national park where many campers come to hike among unusual rock formations and watch for California condors. The summer heat can be intense here, so bringing extra water is essential. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground lets you sleep among redwoods not far from dramatic coastline views, but you'll need to book well ahead as spots fill quickly, especially in summer. Kirk Creek Campground sits right on a cliff above the Pacific, giving you constant ocean views from a more basic camping setup. Getting to these campgrounds often means driving curvy roads that might challenge larger RVs or trailers. Wildlife like raccoons and occasionally bears will get into your food if you're not careful about proper storage. California Veterans Memorial Park Campground is closer to Salinas and has good facilities with roomy campsites. The staff keeps the bathrooms clean and is helpful with local information. Weather varies dramatically between locations - the coast can be foggy and cool while inland areas bake in summer heat. The Salinas area works well as a starting point whether you want to camp by the ocean or in the mountains.
