Cabins near Seaside, California sit on a coastal stretch where the Monterey pine forests meet the Pacific Ocean at elevations ranging from sea level to 500 feet. Morning fog frequently blankets cabin sites until midday, especially during summer months when temperatures typically range from 50-75°F. Most cabin rental areas require advance preparation for the seasonal weather shifts common to this microclimate.
What to do
Archery practice: At Mount Madonna County Park, visitors can access a dedicated archery trail with targets. "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," notes a visitor.
River tubing: The river at Big Sur Campground & Cabins offers summertime water recreation with equipment rentals available. A camper shares, "The campground has a river running right thru the middle, our campsite was just 10 ft from the river with tubing available for rent and rope swings into the water!"
Heated swimming: Multiple cabin locations feature heated pools for year-round swimming. "A large heated pool and various hiking trails to keep you occupied," comments a visitor about Saddle Mountain Ranch, while another reviewer mentioned that at Salinas-Monterey KOA, they offer "nice facilities and a heated pool."
Wildlife viewing: Cabin guests frequently spot local wildlife including deer, raccoons, and coastal bird species. A visitor to Pinnacles Campground noted: "The campground is split by a creek which has a lot of critters, rabbits, chipmunks(?), quail, mice, and raccoon. My campsite was right next to a common raccoon path."
What campers like
Hot showers: Many cabin facilities feature well-maintained shower facilities, though availability varies. One camper at Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday noted, "Paved roads for bikes, huge playground, nice store, warm pool. It's perfect for families."
Family-friendly amenities: Cabin campgrounds often include kid-specific recreation options. A visitor to Saddle Mountain Ranch shared, "Lots of activities for younger kids. Convenient location, lots of amenities. Cabin was super nice to stay in after a week of car camping! Kitchenette, bathroom, hot water. Perfect."
Proximity to beaches: Cabins provide easy access to coastal recreation areas. A Marina Dunes RV Park visitor reported, "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."
Redwood settings: Several cabin locations feature old-growth redwood environments. A reviewer at Ventana Campground mentioned, "All of the sites are under beautiful big Redwood trees which gave it a magical feel! We found it to be clean, in good repair, and the hosts were very warm and welcoming."
What you should know
Price variations: Cabin costs fluctuate significantly by season and amenity level. At Marina Dunes RV Park, a camper noted, "It is $160 to stay there. I have a camper van and I didn't need all the hook up. There is a Best Western right next to this place were we ended up getting a room instead as that was less expensive."
Noise considerations: Several cabin areas experience noise from highways, airports, or neighboring sites. A visitor to Monterey Pines RV Park - Military explained, "It is located on a public-accessible military-run golf course right on top of the regional airport. I mean, right on top of. The airplanes will warm up within site of my RV and take off over top of us."
Limited cell service: Many cabin locations have restricted connectivity. At Big Sur Campground & Cabins, a reviewer observed, "There's no wifi and no verizon cell service," while another mentioned how this can be a positive: "There's no cell service, which honestly is the best part!"
Reservation requirements: Most cabin facilities require advance booking, particularly during summer months. A Pinnacles Campground visitor advised, "Can reserve everything. Good area for tenors too. Camp store is small and so our other facilities."
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Plan for morning activities before afternoon heat in summer months. At Pinnacles Campground, a visitor suggested, "We usually do a early morning hike and then spend the afternoon cooling off at the pool," noting that "summer is not the best time to go. It gets hot and you can't have fires."
Playground options: Several cabin locations feature dedicated play areas for children. A Santa Cruz KOA visitor mentioned, "TONS of activities on site- huge bouncy pad, a climbing wall, ping pong tables, a swimming pool, pedal go karts, the list goes on and on."
Wildlife education: Prepare children for wildlife encounters, particularly raccoons which are common at most cabin locations. A Pinnacles Campground visitor warned, "Raccoons…everywhere…. seriously leave your car locked, these little buggers were not afraid of humans."
Site selection: Request specific cabin locations when families need proximity to restrooms or play areas. A Mount Madonna visitor recommended, "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."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Several cabin areas have unusual utility connection placements. A visitor to Marina Dunes noted, "The location of the electrical/water is awkward," while another mentioned at Monterey Pines RV Park - Military that "Half of the sites had water and electric but no sewer. The other half includes sewer."
Leveling challenges: Some cabin and RV sites require significant leveling equipment. A Monterey Pines visitor explained, "Sites need renovation and they claim it is coming. 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."
Advance research: Check site specifications carefully before booking cabins for RV access. At Cabana Holiday RV Park-cabins, a visitor recommended, "This KOA has everything you need. The streets are wide and the pull-ins are easy to access."
Limited seasonal amenities: Some facilities reduce services during off-peak months. As noted about the Santa Cruz KOA, "We were there the first of January (off season) so some amenities were not offered but we had an enjoyable time."
