RV sites near Seaside, California range from beachfront parks within walking distance of the ocean to forest settings among ancient redwoods. Many campgrounds in the region experience significant temperature variations throughout the year, with coastal areas maintaining cooler temperatures even during summer months when inland temperatures rise. The area's proximity to the Pacific Ocean creates a unique camping environment where overnight temperatures can drop into the 40s even during summer.
What to do
Beach hiking trails: Near Marina Dunes RV Park, campers can access relatively uncrowded beaches with a short walk. "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," writes one camper.
Redwood exploration: The area offers multiple opportunities to experience California's famous redwoods. "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," reports a visitor to Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort.
Wildlife viewing: San Benito County provides opportunities to observe local wildlife in their natural habitat. A camper at Thousand Trails San Benito notes, "We found a lot of wildlife here to see. 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."
Train rides: The historic Roaring Camp Railroad offers steam train rides through redwood forests. "It was a short nice hike to the state park and the train through the red woods. Fun experience on a real steam locomotive," shares a visitor to Smithwoods RV Park.
What campers like
Proximity to state parks: Many campgrounds in the area provide convenient access to state parks. At Carmel by the River RV Park, campers appreciate the location: "This is a true RV park that many live in for long periods. Since part of 1 is closed, we had to detour. The bathrooms and showers were so nice and clean. It was a quick stay, as we headed to Pinnacles NP West for some hiking. Only 30 minutes away."
Family-friendly amenities: Recreational facilities make camping with children more enjoyable. A visitor to Thousand Trails Morgan Hill shares, "Great culture here - friendly, lots of things to do (pool, basketball, volleyball, horse shoes, playground, billiards, karaoke, tennis). We lost power twice here which was unfortunate but lasted 90 minutes once and 4-5 hours the other time."
Peaceful settings: Despite proximity to urban areas, many campgrounds offer quiet environments. "We were in site J, on the point. It was nice and big. Full hook ups. We had a great view of the San Lorenzo River and Henry Cowell State Park. The staff is great and helpful," notes a camper at Smithwoods RV Park.
Clean shower facilities: Modern bathroom facilities rank high on campers' priority lists. A reviewer at Yanks RV Resort reports, "Awesome new facilities - swimming pool, laundry, restrooms... get this, the WiFi works and is relatively fast (60mbps according to speednet)."
Guide
