Monterey County offers diverse glamping options beyond the popular lake destinations. The area surrounding San Lucas sits at approximately 470 feet elevation in a valley between the Santa Lucia and Gabilan mountain ranges, creating varied camping microclimates. Winter temperatures range from 35-65°F while summer can reach 90-100°F, influencing campground selection across seasons.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Limekiln State Park provides accessible trail options leading to scenic falls. "The trails are easy and worth it. The waterfall is pretty and runs to the ocean," notes a visitor at Limekiln State Park Campground. The park combines coastal access with forest exploration.
Cave exploration: Pinnacles National Park offers unique geological features including bat caves that create memorable adventures. "Pinnacles have some great hikes, there are bat caves to explore, lakes and slot canyons. We really enjoyed hiking thru caves and tight places. Super fun for adventurous kids," explains a camper from Pinnacles Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Lake options provide good angling for multiple species. At Lake San Antonio - North Shore, "Fishing was great from shore in morning and dusk," reports a visitor who anchored their boat to shore during their stay.
What campers like
Diverse ecosystems: The region offers both forest and beach environments within short distances. "Whether you love the forest or the beach, there's something for everyone," shares a camper from Limekiln State Park Campground. This diversity allows visitors to experience multiple landscapes during one trip.
Wildlife viewing: Campgrounds throughout the region feature abundant animal sightings. "Many here will tell you about the raccoons! The campground is split by a creek which has a lot of critters, rabbits, chipmunks(?), quail, mice, and raccoon," explains a visitor to Pinnacles Campground, highlighting natural encounters common in the area.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies away from urban light pollution provide stellar viewing. At Upper Sweetwater Recreation Area, one camper experienced "Fresh Air (despite being surrounded by bad air on all sides) + Nature (deer, quails, turkeys, coyotes in one night) + Dark New Moon Skies means Bright Stars with Clear View of the Milky Way."
What you should know
Seasonal water conditions: Drought impacts water levels at lakes, affecting recreation options. "During the drought the water level has dropped significantly as well as the quality of the water. Some years the lake is almost dry," cautions a visitor to Lake San Antonio North Shore about variable conditions.
Limited phone service: Multiple campgrounds have no cellular connectivity. At Upper Sweetwater Recreation Area, "you'll lose reception about half way getting there (at least with Verizon you will)...very quiet. AMAZING sunset view. one of the best i've seen. just wished there was signal, for safety reasons."
Campsite proximity considerations: Many campgrounds feature sites close together, affecting privacy. "Ventana Campground is a tent only campground...That being said, I did find it a little disappointing just how close the campsites are to each other here, meaning you're not going to get anything close to a secluded camping experience," notes a camper at Ventana Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Some campgrounds offer swimming pools as alternatives to lake swimming. A visitor to Pinnacles Campground shared, "They have a pool that will be full of kids but feels really refreshing after a hot hike." This amenity provides cooling options during hot summer days.
Early morning activities: Schedule hikes and outdoor adventures before midday heat. "If you camp here in the summer it'll be really hot, but the good news is there is a swimming pool at the campground. We usually do a early morning hike and then spend the afternoon cooling off at the pool," recommends a Pinnacles camper.
Site selection considerations: Research specific sites for family needs before booking. At Ventana Campground, "It should be noted that all sites are tent only sites and some are very small or have very steep elevation changes which could be problematic for larger tents or those with mobility restrictions," warns a visitor, emphasizing the importance of site research.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups vary significantly between campgrounds. At Lake Nacimiento Resort, "Our campsite was pretty ideal! We were in pine knoll with a great view of the lake!" The campground offers tent, RV, cabin, glamping and yurt options with electric hookups and thirty-amp service.
Size restrictions: Many glamping sites near San Lucas have limitations for larger vehicles. "Ventana Campground is a tent only campground, which I love as I feel like it's harder and harder to find now a days. They can't accommodate RV's, motor homes, travel trailers or pop-up tent trailers," notes a visitor about limitations at some sites.
Dump station access: Plan ahead for sanitation needs. "And there is water stations throughout. Also a dump station on the way out. Can reserve everything," advises a visitor to Pinnacles Campground, highlighting available facilities for RV campers.
