Cabins near San Martin, California provide overnight accommodations within the rolling hills and redwood forests of Santa Clara County. The area experiences warm, dry summers with temperatures typically reaching 80-90°F and mild winters averaging 40-60°F. Most cabin locations sit at elevations between 500-1000 feet, creating cooler microclimates than the surrounding valleys.
What to do
Trail hiking and biking: Mount Madonna County Park offers extensive hiking trails through redwoods and along ridgetops. "Beautiful county park in the redwood forest of the coastal range. Varied sites and multiple campgrounds make for a choice option for everyone," notes Patrick H. about Mount Madonna County Park.
Archery practice: The archery trail at Mount Madonna features 28 targets on a winding forest path. "There is an archery trail with 28 targets on a trail through the woods. We were there 3 days in a row and did 20 of the 28. It's really pretty and a cool challenge," explains April N.
Beach day trips: Access to coastal areas provides opportunities for beach activities. "We made 2 day trips to Monterey and Carmel by the Sea and spent time in Morgan Hill and Gilroy," mentions Derek & Kristen A. from their stay at Thousand Trails Morgan Hill.
Swimming pools: Many cabin locations offer swimming amenities during summer months. "The pool was huge and well loved," according to Jennifer H. describing Thousand Trails. Similarly, Cotillion Gardens offers a pool that kids particularly enjoy.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate sites with enough space between neighbors. "Our site (418) was huge and private. There is a large vacant campsite across the road that's reserved for docents but it was empty when we were there so we had the cul-de-sac all to ourselves," shares April N. about Mount Madonna County Park.
Unique wildlife viewing: White fallow deer can be spotted at certain cabin locations. "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 a visitor to Mount Madonna.
Clean facilities: Many cabins near San Martin have well-maintained bathrooms and common areas. "Absolutely soo clean and a great place to camp without having to travel so far. Bathrooms are constantly cleaned and showers are free and clean," reports Carolina M. about her experience at Mount Madonna County Park.
Hiking access: Direct trail access from cabin sites ranks high with visitors. "This particular site has a trail leading directly to the vast network of hiking trails. Huge bonus for us," explains Lori T. at Mount Madonna.
What you should know
Temperature variability: Mountain cabins can be significantly cooler than surrounding areas. "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose. We weren't prepared & had to drive into town & buy more clothes," warns April N. about Mount Madonna.
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons are common visitors at many cabin sites. "Raccoons everywhere.... seriously leave your car locked, these little buggers were not afraid of humans," cautions Theresa N. about Pinnacles Campground.
Cabin size considerations: Some cabins may be smaller than expected for larger groups. "Spots are way too small. My slide almost sat on the neighbors table," mentions Mike W. regarding his experience at Cotillion Gardens.
Seasonal fire restrictions: Fire regulations change throughout the year based on conditions. "Summer is not the best time to go. It gets hot and you can't have fires," advises Sha C. about Pinnacles during summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Look for cabins with dedicated recreational facilities. "Lots of hiking and exploring right from the campsite. Kids liked the pool and clubhouse," shares Jacob B. about Cotillion Gardens RV Park.
Swimming options: Pools provide relief during hot weather. "The pool is great though it was too cold to use it while we were there," notes Tina M. about her stay at Morgan Hill.
Bicycle safety: Campgrounds with paved roads work well for children with bikes. "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," recommends Weston W. at Mount Madonna.
Dog-friendly trails: Some cabin locations welcome dogs on their trails. "This is a county park that allows dogs on ALL the trails. It's hard to find that sometimes so we greatly appreciated how dog friendly it was," mentions Lori T. about Mount Madonna.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability: Electric and water connections vary widely between cabin locations. "The RV sites have both water and electric hookups which was great! There is a very convenient FREE dump station just inside the entrance to the park that we used as we departed," notes Lori T. from Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday.
Site leveling: Many RV pads require additional equipment for proper leveling. "Sites are not level," reports Linda S. about her experience at Morgan Hill.
Internet connectivity: Cell service can be limited but some locations offer alternatives. "No AT&T service for me, but free WiFi was available so it was fine," explains Jessica R. about her stay at Cotillion Gardens.
Access considerations: Some cabin areas have challenging entrance roads. "Entrance is a little nerve racking on your first visit, but once you're at your site you can relax," advises Ben T. about staying at Cotillion Gardens.
