T
Tamatha B.
Traveler
TravelerSanta Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
This is a great camp ground. Plenty of activities. Showers are clean, laundry room takes tap pay.
Glamping near San Gregorio, CA
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Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA offers luxury glamping accommodations just a short drive from San Gregorio, featuring upscale safari tents and cozy yurts with modern comforts. This coastal retreat provides electric hookups, comfortable bedding, and private outdoor spaces where guests can enjoy the ocean breeze. One reviewer noted, "The atmosphere here is wonderful. It's quiet and right on the beach." Mount Madonna County Park also offers glamping options with scenic yurt accommodations nestled among redwood forests, providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional camping. These structures include real beds with linens, electricity, and heating for year-round comfort, while maintaining a connection to the natural surroundings through large windows and outdoor seating areas.
The coastal location of these glamping sites creates opportunities for memorable outdoor experiences and beach exploration. Guests staying at Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA can walk directly to pristine beaches for swimming, beachcombing, or sunset viewing, while Mount Madonna County Park offers miles of hiking trails through redwood forests and mountain terrain. Both locations maintain environmental sustainability practices with low-impact structures and energy-efficient designs. A visitor described their experience as "beautiful views and peaceful surroundings with all the comforts you need." The geodesic domes and canvas tent options available seasonally provide unique overnight experiences with panoramic views of the Pacific coastline, creating memorable stays for couples and families seeking upscale outdoor accommodations without sacrificing comfort or environmental consciousness.
Best Glamping Campgrounds near San Gregorio (18)
1. Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground
"We rarely make reservations to camp in California Beach Parks, as they are usually filled up weeks or even months in advance."
"Bathrooms and showers on site. We stayed in a spot without hookups and it was $35 per night. Gate staff was friendly and helpful."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $35 - $165 / night
2. Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED
"We got one of the tent cabins, which are just adorable and so cozy. The sites are nice and distanced from each other, bathrooms were in great shape and it was pet friendly."
"We stayed in a tent cabin at the Huckleberry campground which was nicer than we thought it would be. It had just the right amount of space for my wife and I, our two daughters and all our gear."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $35 / night
3. Costanoa Coastal Lodge & Campground
"The sites have a picnic table, a fire ring, and wood-fenced platforms. What is confusing is that the platforms and tables are not always directly behind the site."
"But for a quick weekend jaunt for RV campers, this location slightly more than an hour from the Bay Area is hard to beat."
Check Availabilityfrom $100 - $200 / night
4. Sanborn County Park
"RVs are pretty close to each other, but not too invasive. Restrooms and showers are clean and in a very decent condition. Each site has a table and a charcoal ."
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $33 / night
5. Pelican Point RV Park
"The best thing about this place was how clean the bathrooms were. A lovely change! We arrived late with no booking and received a really warm welcome and they had space for us! Yay!"
"Has hot showers & laundry room! A 5 min walk to the ocean as well. Super peaceful"
Check Availabilityfrom $88 / night
6. SkyWanda Sanctuary
Check Availabilityfrom $75 - $95 / night
7. Treasure Island MH and RV Park
"Bathrooms are clean. laundry room very large and has many washers and dryers. Subway close walk, MUNI is at the park entrance. A gas station and Grocery store are both across the street."
8. Mount Madonna County Park
"Nice area ,lots of trails into redwoods and cedar trees, campsites were very roomy and flatish. Water was available, bathroom was clean.Nice place to get away from the heat."
"There's something for everyone here, RVers, tenters, and those who want to rent tent cabins. There are plenty of trails to hike, as well as equestrian trails. No bikes on trails though."
9. Sunrise Point at Candlestick Point SRA - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
"Dispersed camping outside the campground perimeters. Very quiet and this is the place if solitude is your thing. Bring lots of water. Walk in or 4wd accessible. Never have seen another human here."
Check Availabilityfrom $40 - $150 / night
10. Sunset State Beach
"Clean bathrooms with running water. Very very very safe. Lots of families but again, super safe and beautiful"
"Close to the beach, hot showers, fire pits"
Drive Time
- 42 min from Santa Cruz, CA
- 48 min from San Francisco, CA
- 56 min from San Jose, CA
- 1 hr 18 min from Vallejo, CA
Recent Glamping Photos near San Gregorio, CA
12 Photos of 18 San Gregorio Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Glamping Reviews near San Gregorio, CA
244 Reviews of 18 San Gregorio Campgrounds
- TTamatha B.Traveler
Treasure Island MH and RV Park
Henry in the office is amazing. Bathrooms are clean. laundry room very large and has many washers and dryers. Subway close walk, MUNI is at the park entrance. A gas station and Grocery store are both across the street.
- jjacqueline P.
ScoutPelican Point RV Park
Has hot showers & laundry room! A 5 min walk to the ocean as well. Super peaceful
Tim P.TravelerThousand Trails Morgan Hill
Great Campground
I liked this Thousand Trails resort because it’s more like camping. The staff is amazing. The facilities are great amazing big pool. The only problem I had is they didn’t have any sewage hook up, but I have a tote so it wasn’t that big of a deal.
- Lauren S.
GuideHalf Moon Bay State Beach Campground
Beachside getaway
We stayed at Francis Beach Campground, we snagged a spot the week of since they release a few throughout the week. I’m so glad they do that for locals!
Campground is well maintained, there was an individual picking through the trash though so we made sure to lock up some stuff.
Sites are easy to get in and out of, pretty spacious. The middle sites aren’t too great, but the ones bordering the beach and the bike trail are very nice. We loved our spot, we had a trail right behind our trailer onto the beach!
Dump station is $10. Fresh water smelled a bit off, but we filled up and just used it for washing up.
- TTom H.Guide
Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
Great place for kids, lots to do.
Koa’s in this area are typically expensive and this is no exception. But, for families it may be worth it. Playground, jumping, bouncing area, dog yard. Lots to do. It has good shower facilities, bathrooms are clean. For retirees and older folks, it may not be worth it. Not much room between sites and lots of kids for the nervous folks. My site (35) was electric and water only with a dry creek behind us. My only beef (and it was not only with the campground, but with irresponsible dog owners) was the piles of poop I had to pick up before I could safely walk around. Come on people! If you own a dog, please take care of them and pick up after them. Otherwise, the location was convenient, the place was clean (exception noted) and I will likely return.
Lee D.
LegendSanta Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
Many options for families
General: So many options, including full hookup back-in or pull-thru sites, sites with just w/e, pet sites, nine different types of cabins, and tent sites. Some sites are paved and some are gravel.
Bath/Shower: The one closest to our site had a women's and men's restroom, and the showers are individual units but shared for both genders. I expected a more upscale shower (it was ok but a little tight, skimpy on hooks and no bench).
Activities/Amenities: So many amenities including a pool and hot tub, playground, jump pad, climbing “palms”, rec center with bike rentals and concessions, and a train (I’ve probably missed a few). Laundry is available on site (operated via an app and your phone).
Although this is not our preferred type of camping, after five nights in California State parks with limited amenities, we stayed here for hot showers, laundry, and full hookups for van maintenance. This was a typical KOA in many ways, but one thing that was different was that we had to wear wristbands, and there was a gate to enter and leave. While it should have made us feel safe, I wondered why there were extra security features.
- Lee D.Legend
Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground
Popular coastal camping
General: 52 RV/tent sites, four walk-in oceanfront tent sites, and a hiker/biker camp. 28 sites have electric hookups. No sewer (there is a dump station) and shared water spigots.
Site Quality: Sites are paved with room for an additional vehicle and are level. Some sites have decent spacing between them, but others have no privacy/separation (the internal sites with electric have less privacy). IMO, sites 48 and 16 are the best sites.
Bath/shower: Two bathhouses each with all-in-one toilet/sink combos. They could use a little TLC. Showers are standard CA state park requiring tokens to use. Did not use them.
Activities/Amenities: There are three trails for easy ocean access. Beach is long and ok for walking, but in the springtime, the beach is littered with “blue sailfish”. Dogs are not allowed. Walking north is better than south. The 7.5-mile Half Moon Bay Coastal multi-use trail is easily accessible from the campground. Little Free Library. There is a host on site who sells firewood for $15 from 4:30-9:30 pm daily.
There are not many camping options in this area, and the campground was fully booked during the week in mid-May. We had to make reservations several months in advance and could only get two nights, and we had to move sites. Four stars due to the lack of privacy between many of the sites.
- KKimberly W.Guide
Costanoa Coastal Lodge & Campground
Outstanding coastal access and amenities!
I loved my stay here! I had a lot of tasks and couldn't have asked for a better place to accomplish them. I particularly appreciated the close coastal access, the birds and the clean, comfortable surroundings. Staff was welcoming and friendly throughout my stay. Highly recommend this gem!
Guide to San Gregorio
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near San Gregorio, CA?
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near San Gregorio, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near San Gregorio, CA is Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 29 reviews.
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San Gregorio, CA?
What is the best site to find glamping camping near San Gregorio, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 glamping camping locations near San Gregorio, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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