Mount Madonna County Park sits in redwood-covered hills between Gilroy and Watsonville, offering camping at elevations ranging from 1400-1900 feet. The park features a diverse trail system with hiking paths that wind through redwood forests and along ridgetops, creating opportunities for wildlife viewing. Winter temperatures can drop 40 degrees colder than surrounding valley areas, with fog often creating natural rain underneath the redwood canopy.
What to do
Explore beach access trails: At Marina Dunes RV Park, campers can trek through sand dunes to reach less crowded coastal areas. "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," reports one visitor.
Visit historical sites: Discover the remains of the old Hearst property at Mount Madonna County Park, where fallow deer from William Randolph Hearst's exotic collection still reside. "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."
Try archery: Mount Madonna offers a unique 28-target archery trail that winds 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," shares one camper who visited with their daughter.
Explore cave systems: The hiking trails at Pinnacles Campground lead to bat caves and slot canyons. "The 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."
What campers like
Secluded beach access: Campers appreciate the private beach areas near glamping sites close to Seaside, California. "About a quarter of a mile walk in sand" leads to less crowded beaches from Marina Dunes RV Park, where "on Saturday there were maybe 30 people," making it feel like your own private coastal retreat.
Clean, modern facilities: Sunset State Beach offers well-maintained bathrooms and pay showers that campers consistently rate highly. "Nice campsite within driving distance on the Bay area on a 1 night stop on the way down to Big Sur," with the convenience of bear lockers for food storage.
Natural forest ambiance: The redwood setting at Mount Madonna creates a microclimate where trees harvest fog to create their own rain. "In the morning it's raining under the redwood trees but not under the madrone or tan oak trees, which is wild," notes a camper who appreciated this unique natural phenomenon.
Wildlife viewing: Various campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Pinnacles, "there was a lot of wildlife" including rabbits and birds, while Mount Madonna features deer viewing opportunities at the small remaining herd from the Hearst collection.
What you should know
Temperature variations: The coastal mountains create dramatic temperature shifts. "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 a Mount Madonna visitor who experienced the significant elevation-based temperature drop.
Wildlife precautions: Multiple campgrounds report active wildlife, particularly at Pinnacles Campground. "Raccoons...everywhere...seriously leave your car locked, these little buggers were not afraid of humans," cautions a visitor, highlighting the importance of proper food storage.
Site privacy varies: Campground layouts offer varying degrees of seclusion. At Mount Madonna, "sites 416 and 417 are also big with hidden spots back off the road for pitching your tent," while other campgrounds have sites "a little close together" with limited privacy barriers.
Reservation challenges: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "If you can get a reservation here (which is VERY difficult) you will have the best time," notes one camper about Sunset State Beach, indicating the need to plan well ahead.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access considerations: Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday offers family-friendly water recreation that appeals to children. "Huge bouncy pad, a climbing wall, ping pong tables, a swimming pool, pedal go karts, the list goes on and on," making it ideal for active families with varied interests.
Kid-friendly activities: Beyond swimming, campgrounds offer various recreational options. "We enjoy the Halloween and other theme weekends" at Santa Cruz KOA, says one regular visitor who camps there "3-4 times a year" with their family.
Designated play areas: Multiple camping areas feature playground equipment. "Big playground, nice store, warm pool. It's perfect for families," reports a parent traveling with a toddler who appreciated the family-oriented amenities.
Site selection for noise control: When glamping close to Seaside with children, consider site location. At the Santa Cruz KOA, one visitor recommends "booking away from the jump pillow or playground, unless easy playground access is important, because the spots are pretty noisy."
Tips from RVers
RV site considerations: Salinas-Monterey KOA offers dedicated RV sites but warns about the terrain. "Some of the back in sites for tent trailer are a pain to get into but very nice setup with private dishwashing station and cook space."
Size limitations: Many glamping sites near Seaside have restrictions on RV size. One visitor to Marina Dunes notes, "It's hard to get bigger RVs into spots also. We have a 35' 5th wheel and there are only some spots that will fit it."
Road access challenges: Steep access roads can present difficulties. "First off the road coming to the campground is very steep, could be challenging for some rigs," warns a visitor to Saddle Mountain Ranch, cautioning RV drivers about potential access issues.
Highway noise considerations: RV parking areas often face more road noise than tent sites. "Close to the highway with a fairly easy on and off although it's a little confusing at first. All day/night highway noise but it starts to become white noise after a while," reports a Salinas-Monterey KOA camper.
