Camping near Salinas, California spans from coastal sites to inland mountain retreats across a 1,500-foot elevation range. Many campgrounds experience significant temperature variations between day and night, with coastal locations generally 10-15 degrees cooler than inland sites during summer months. Sites within the region often serve as convenient base camps for exploring both the Monterey Peninsula and inland hiking destinations.
What to do
Kayak with wildlife: At Moss Landing KOA Express, visitors can easily access kayaking opportunities to see local marine life. "Kayaking or take a guided tour by experienced guid. See Sea Otters and tons of birds," notes Carina B., who also mentions the area is "a must not miss" with "lots to do."
Stargaze at the observatory: Fremont Peak State Park offers unique night sky viewing opportunities about 40 miles from Salinas. "The huge draw is the observatory on the premises. Pick your visit to coincide with one of the stargazing or sun programs offered by the observatory volunteers. We were able to look through their massive telescope and see Jupiter," explains Kate L.
Hike diverse trails: The Mount Madonna County Park trail system provides extensive hiking options through various forest types. "The park has some unique features. Near the ranger station there are pens with white fallow deer. They are descendants of the exotic zoo at William Randolph Hearst's mansion down the coast," explains April N., who also enjoyed the "archery trail with 28 targets on a trail through the woods."
What campers like
Beach proximity: Campers appreciate oceanfront locations that offer easy beach access. "Moss Landing is a small town and we have stayed here several times. Campground is nicely located and within walking distance to restaurants and shops. There is a great bird sanctuary where you can ride your bike or hike around. Seals barking out your door," shares Nancy L. about her experience at Moss Landing KOA Express.
Affordable camping near attractions: Veteran's Memorial Park Campground offers budget-friendly sites close to Monterey. "This first come first serve campground is amazing! It's only $35 a night with one extra vehicle costing only $9 more," reports Chris M., who adds it's "super easy self registration with availability on most weekdays and weekends if you get here before mid afternoon."
Variety of accommodations: Many campgrounds offer options beyond traditional tent camping. At Saddle Mountain Ranch, visitors can choose "a luxury gazebo situation which came with a queen bed (heated mattress) a fire pit and your own propane grill," according to Rosa L., who notes "there are areas for tents and RV's as well and priced accordingly."
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Several campgrounds report regular animal visitors. "Raccoons are very active here so be sure to lock all of your food away and don't leave anything out through the night," warns Marta T. about Pinnacles Campground. Similarly, at Mount Madonna, campers should "keep an eye out" as one visitor noted seeing "a few skunks and one wandered right into our campsite at night."
Weather variations: Temperatures can change dramatically between locations and times of day. "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose," cautions April N. about Mount Madonna County Park, adding "sometimes the fog whistles through on a stiff breeze so not only is it cold but also clammy wet."
Water considerations: Water availability varies widely between campgrounds. At Laguna Seca Recreation Area, "all of the available water is non-potable due to the level of arsenic," explains HandL C., while multiple reviewers emphasize the importance of bringing your own drinking water.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds offer features specifically for children. Saddle Mountain Ranch provides "lots of activities for younger kids," according to Tim F., who found it to be a "kid friendly grounds" with "convenient location, lots of amenities."
Consider campgrounds with recreation options: Facilities with additional activities keep children entertained. At Mount Madonna County Park, visitors note it's a "great campground for the kids to bike at but there are a few big hills so make sure they know how to use their brakes," advises Weston W.
Choose sites away from noise sources: For families needing uninterrupted sleep, site selection matters. At Mount Madonna, campsite 325 was "right next to the bathroom, which was convenient but made things noisy around bed time and in the morning. Wouldn't recommend this site if you like to sleep in while camping," notes Darin D.
Tips from RVers
Check site access challenges: Many campgrounds have difficult approaches. At Saddle Mountain Ranch, "the road coming to the campground is very steep, could be challenging for some rigs," warns Mike M., while at Marina Dunes RV Park, Tonya C. notes "it's hard to get bigger RV's into spots" and specifically mentions difficulty with their "35' 5th wheel."
Verify hookup placement: Some campgrounds have inconveniently positioned utilities. At Marina Dunes RV Park, "the location of the electrical/water is awkward," according to Kandi R., which can create setup challenges depending on your RV configuration.
Consider premium site reservations: At some locations, paying extra for site selection provides benefits. Kandi R. notes that Marina Dunes RV Park charges "$190 a night plus $20 to choose your spot," but this can be worth it for RVers needing specific site characteristics for their rig size or slide-out requirements.
