Francis Beach Campground at Half Moon Bay State Beach sits just 7 miles south of San Gregorio, offering both tent and RV camping options within walking distance of the shoreline. The campground provides fire rings, picnic tables, and coin-operated hot showers. Winter months typically see less crowding and cooler temperatures, with foggy mornings common throughout the year along this stretch of coastline.
What to do
Beach hiking: Explore the miles of sandy beaches accessible from Francis Beach Campground. One visitor noted, "You can walk for miles on the beach or on the bluff trails. Everyone is laidback which makes for a peaceful experience. Great sunsets!!"
Redwood forest exploration: The forest trails at Big Basin Redwoods State Park offer opportunities to see ancient trees. "More than 140 campsites available with flush toilets, water, and large campsites for groups. Rangers drove by each night to keep the larger parties quiet past 10pm," reports one camper.
Horseback riding: Mount Madonna County Park provides equestrian activities for those interested in exploring on horseback. A visitor mentioned the park "offers equestrian activities, an archery range, and opportunities for large groups to gather in one of their many beautiful group sites."
What campers like
Privacy in redwoods: Mount Madonna County Park offers sites with more seclusion. "While the sites are a little close to each other, those on the outside of the loop had a great deal of privacy. Inner loop sites have none, but would be great if you were camping with friends."
Outdoor spaces: Campers appreciate the coastal locations with direct beach access. "Short walk to the beach. You can walk for miles on the beach or on the bluff trails. Everyone is laidback which makes for a peaceful experience."
Cleanliness: Many campsites maintain high standards of cleanliness. A Mount Madonna visitor noted, "Bathrooms and showers were clean. Like everything else in this campground, they were clean and well maintained."
What you should know
Weather preparation: Coastal locations experience significant temperature changes. At Sunset State Beach, campers advise to "bring your layers, the wind is chilly!" The temperature difference between mountain and valley locations can be dramatic, with one camper noting, "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose."
Seasonal crowds: State beaches can get crowded during peak season. "The campground is full the whole summer and sometimes the bathrooms suffer from overuse. Campsites are close together and not private."
Campsite variety: Sites vary considerably in size and privacy. A visitor to Francis Beach Campground described, "We arrived on a Sunday night and the beach was a madhouse. Considering the $35 price tag to pitch a tent, we were a bit disappointed. The campground is likely much nicer in the middle of the week."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly biking: Sanborn County Park provides areas for children to ride bikes. A parent visiting Mount Madonna advises, "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."
Wildlife viewing: Take children to see the white fallow deer at Mount Madonna County Park. "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."
Beach activities: Sunset State Beach offers family-friendly beach access. "We stayed here for three nights and it was beautiful! You can walk down to the beach, take a trip to the Henry Cowell redwoods, go ride bikes in Santa Cruz."
Tips from RVers
RV site selection: At Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA, "The sites at the bottom of the first loop with awesome sunset views are my favorite. Very grassy and 'outdoorsy' for a KOA."
Hook-up access: Francis Beach Campground offers electrical hookups for RVs. "This has it all. 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."
Space considerations: RV sites at some campgrounds can be tight. A visitor to Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA observed, "The pull through spaces are extremely tight to the point that our slide out was hitting vegetation and our neighbors awning was about two feet from our RV."