Campgrounds surrounding San Juan Bautista sit at elevations ranging from near sea level to over 2,000 feet in the coastal hills. Most facilities operate year-round with mild winters averaging 40-65°F and summer temperatures typically reaching 85-95°F during peak season. The region features a mix of open valley campsites and wooded mountain options within a 30-mile radius.
What to do
Hike at Pinnacles National Park: Located about 30 miles from San Juan Bautista, the park offers unique wildlife viewing opportunities. "Pinnacles NP has lots of great hikes, bird watching is a thing out here and home to the California Condors," notes a visitor at Thousand Trails San Benito.
Beach exploration: Several rv parks serve as bases for coastal adventures. "About a 5 min trek through sand and dunes and you'll find yourself at a beach not many people frequent. On Friday we were the only ones for as far as I could see. No exaggeration," shares a camper about Marina Dunes RV Park.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to see local wildlife. "We had wildlife (saw a bobcat and heard owls at night), and a pretty flat and roomy tent site," writes one camper about Thousand Trails San Benito. Another adds, "Deer wandered through camp at all times of the day. You can see wild boar passing along the hillsides. We also saw a couple of foxes one evening on the perimeter."
What campers like
River access: Several rv parks near San Juan Bautista offer water features. "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," shares a camper at Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort.
Shade and natural settings: Despite the region's warm climate, many campsites offer tree cover. "This campground is covered entirely by redwoods with plenty of shade for a cool vacation," notes a visitor to Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort. Similarly, at Thousand Trails Morgan Hill, a camper appreciates the "Beautiful mature trees all over campground."
Recreational facilities: Many rv parks in the San Juan Bautista region offer amenities beyond basic camping. "Great culture here - friendly, lots of things to do (pool, basketball, volleyball, horse shoes, playground, billiards, karaoke, tennis)," writes a visitor to Thousand Trails Morgan Hill. Another camper noted they have "Multiple lodges and a recreation center so plenty to do."
What you should know
Cell service variability: Connectivity can fluctuate significantly. A camper at Thousand Trails San Benito notes: "Cell service here wasn't good either," while another mentions: "Disconnect from the World" as a feature of staying there.
Site leveling challenges: Uneven terrain affects many campgrounds. "Sites need renovation and they claim it is coming. Of course they have said that for the last 3 years. Their answer to uneven sites is to give you pieces of wood to try and level. Good luck, I saw some raised up 2-3 feet," reports a visitor to Monterey Pines RV Park.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry roads. "The road in is basically a one lane road. Pray you don't encounter oncoming traffic," warns a camper about Carmel by the River RV Park. Another adds: "Unless you're driving a sports car, definitely DO NOT drive on Lorales Grade! It's a narrow, windy, dark road with a 17% grade."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Campgrounds with structured recreation appeal to families. "Walking trails and daily activities for the family. Had multiple deers wondering the grounds so be sure to put your food away," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails San Benito.
Kid-friendly areas: Consider campgrounds with dedicated play spaces. "They had a tv, games and arts for the kids in the clubhouse. The pool was closed for the winter but I can't wait to visit again," shares a camper at Thousand Trails San Benito.
Safety considerations: Some camping areas require extra attention with children. "Park does have a lot of those devil spikes in the grass so beware of those with the dogs or bare feet. I did see someone bare foot walking and I was confused as how he was not stepping on them little spiked mines/thorns then it happened and he went down having to crawl back to the road and get shoes."
Tips from RVers
Reservation timing: For rv parks near San Juan Bautista, off-season visits offer advantages. "I recommends staying here in the off season because you will basically have the place to yourself which makes it pleasant," advises a camper about Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort.
Site selection: Carefully research site options when booking. "The sites were level with dirt. No tent camping allowed in RV sites," notes a Santa Cruz Redwoods RV visitor. At Casa de Fruta RV Orchard Resort, "The camp sites are close together, btw," according to one RVer.
Utility considerations: Hookup configurations vary across parks. "For some strange reason they are at front of site," notes a visitor about utilities at Monterey Pines RV Park. At Santa Cruz Redwoods, a camper reports, "Hookups at every campsite. Water, Shore power, Cable," making it clear what's available.
