Sanborn County Park provides walk-in tent sites situated in redwood forest terrain, requiring a short uphill hike from the parking area. The park maintains wheeled carts for transporting camping equipment to sites, though availability may be limited during peak check-in times. Tent sites feature picnic tables, food storage lockers, and charcoal-only grilling areas, with hiking trails connecting directly to campsites. The park enforces quiet hours which some visitors report are not consistently observed during busy weekends, particularly with larger camping groups.
What to do
Hike through towering redwoods: At Big Basin Redwoods State Park, visitors can access numerous trails varying in difficulty. "Great setting, awesome trails to trek, can get busy during the weekend. Redwoods galore and look out for the slugs please don't step on them. If you need a place to chill this is the spot," notes Francisco N.
Explore coastal hiking trails: The Ben Ries Campground at Butano State Park offers varied terrain for day hikes. "Did a 12 hour hike around the entire park. it was long but gorgeous!" shares Tyler B. The park combines redwood forests with coastal access. "If you hike up to the ridge on a clear day you can see the ocean. There is also an old landing strip on the hill you can hike to as well," reports one camper.
Visit nearby beaches: From Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, access to Santa Cruz beaches is approximately 15 minutes away. "This is a nice campground in a great part of California with lots of hiking and beaches nearby," explains Darrin L. Beaches offer a contrast to the redwood camping experience and provide additional recreational options.
What campers like
Private, spacious redwood sites: At Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, "Our site was private but easy to get to trails, showers, bathrooms. Etc. If you have littles the roads are paved so a scooter or bike could be fun," shares Chesney S. Sites vary in size and privacy, with some offering more seclusion than others.
Easy access to supplies: Campers appreciate the proximity to towns for necessities. "Great spot to camp, close to grocery stores and gas stations," notes Willow M. about Henry Cowell. This accessibility makes pet friendly camping near Santa Clara especially convenient for forgotten items or unexpected needs.
Clean facilities with hot showers: Del Valle Campground maintains well-kept bathroom facilities. "The facilities were clean and well maintained. We didn't interact with staff/rangers too much, but the few we did talk to were very friendly and helpful," reports Colleen S. Regular maintenance of facilities is consistently noted across reviews.
What you should know
Limited cell reception: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Sanborn County Park, cell reception is minimal though WiFi is available with varying stability. In contrast, Dumbarton Quarry Campground offers "excellent cellular reception on all carriers," according to Blake H.
Tick and poison oak awareness: Several parks require caution regarding local plant and insect hazards. "Keep in mind that if you walk the single track trails with your dogs, you'll be spending some quality time with them later picking off ticks. Be aware of the poison oak as well," warns Lori T. about pet friendly camping experiences.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Santa Clara fill quickly, especially on weekends. "Hard to find a spot here these days but a great camping spot above the beach," notes Willow M. about New Brighton State Beach. Reservations often open 6 months in advance and fill immediately for summer weekends.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with recreation access: Anthony Chabot Regional Park offers family-friendly amenities. "The park has multiple picnic areas, and plenty of space for folks/kids to play around. There are also some trails for short and longer hikes," shares Ignasi M. Sites near playgrounds or open areas provide additional entertainment options.
Consider cabin options: For families new to camping or during unpredictable weather, cabins offer comfort with outdoor access. "We stayed in a cabin in the huckleberry campground. The cabins were nice, and each cabin has 2 double beds, a table, and a wood stove. It can get cold at night in the redwoods so the wood stove was great at night," describes Kim P.
Bring wheeled transport: At walk-in sites, having additional transport helps with children and gear. "My husband and I stayed here with our 2 dogs for a weekend. It was a last minute decision to go camping and we were able to make a reservation I think only a week in advance, and there was availability. We did have to hike in to our site, but the campground provides big carts to take your stuff," explains Julie D.
Tips from RVers
Select appropriate sites: New Brighton State Beach Campground accommodates various RV sizes, but site selection matters. "We stayed here in our TT in March 2018 for spring break. It's a nice relatively quiet campground on a bluff, above a fairly calm ocean beach. We had one of the electric sites in the interior of the campground," reports Keith B.
Check hookup availability: Hookup options vary significantly between parks. "RV sites are basically parking lot with 4' strips of grass in between, But it was March and mostly empty. Tent sites are hike in up hill and nicely spaced in the woods," explains Daren W. Some parks offer water and electric only, while others provide full hookups.
Plan for dump station waits: At popular parks, plan extra departure time for sanitation services. "Warning: the line for the dump station wound through nearly the entire park," cautions Alma L. about New Brighton State Beach. This can significantly impact departure schedules during peak season weekends.
Traveler
