Pet friendly camping near Soquel, California offers access to both redwood forests and coastal beaches within a 15-20 mile radius. The region sits at elevations ranging from sea level to 2,600 feet, creating microclimates where summer temperatures can vary by 15-20°F between coastal and inland sites. Most campgrounds in the area require advance reservations through state or county reservation systems, with booking windows opening 6 months ahead.
What to do
Hike through old-growth redwoods: At Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground, multiple hiking trails start right from the campground. "There were a few trails that started from the campground, which was nice," notes Queenie M. For families, the park offers educational nature walks with "plenty of hiking trails" according to Nona A.
Visit historical sites: The region contains interesting historical ruins. Mount Madonna County Park features the remnants of cattle baron Henry Miller's summer home. "Nice hikes right from the site or you can drive up to where the old homestead was and see some ruins," shares Weston W. The park also maintains pens with white fallow deer, descendants from William Randolph Hearst's exotic collection.
Beach activities: Beaches offer space for recreation without crowds. At Manresa State Beach Campground, the shoreline remains relatively uncrowded even during summer months. "Beach was clean and not crowded. Beautiful sunset views," writes Laura D. During summer evenings, visitors can spot marine wildlife: "During the summer months, whales and dolphins can be seen cruising through the ocean around sunset," according to Cara V.
What campers like
Clean, private bathrooms: Many campgrounds feature well-maintained facilities. At Sunset State Beach, the bathrooms receive regular maintenance. "Well maintained/clean facilities. Restrooms and showers were clean, and some even have baby changing stations," notes Mon M. This attention to cleanliness extends to other campgrounds in the region.
Varied camping options: Beyond standard tent and RV sites, several campgrounds offer alternative accommodations. Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday provides unique rental options: "We stayed in one of the airstreams they have for rent there. The family loved it- it was the perfect size for us and everything worked and the outdoor patio had heavy duty tables and chairs along with fire pit and even a Weber grill," shares Jay.
River access: Several campgrounds feature access to the San Lorenzo River. Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort offers a path to the water: "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," explains Jaime C. Uvas Canyon County Park features multiple waterfalls and streams perfect for cooling off during hot weather.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Campground layouts vary significantly. At Uvas Canyon County Park, "some campsites are much larger and more private than others." Kyle H. advises roof-top tent campers: "We scoped out a few sites which are more flat, and also have the picnic table near the parking spot. They are: 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 12."
Beach access routes: Coastal campgrounds typically require a walk to reach the beach. Manresa State Beach Campground sits on a bluff above the ocean: "The camp is a bit on the bluff and not directly on the beach, but you can get down there with a short walk," explains Austin C. Similarly, "It was an easy 5-7 minute walk down to the beach" according to Laura D.
Weather preparedness: Coastal fog and temperature variations require planning. At Mount Madonna County Park, "it is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose," warns April N. Morning fog commonly creates unique microclimates: "In the morning it's raining under the redwood trees but not under the madrone or tan oak trees, which is wild."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer dedicated recreation areas. The Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday provides numerous options: "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," explains Daniel D., making it ideal for families with children of various ages.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children enjoy watching local animals. At Mount Madonna County Park, kids can see the white fallow deer exhibit. "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," notes April N., providing an educational opportunity.
Biking-friendly sites: Several campgrounds feature paved roads suitable for children learning to ride. Mount Madonna offers terrain for young cyclists: "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," advises Weston W. This provides recreation options directly within the campground.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many sites require equipment for proper setup. At Cotillion Gardens RV Park, "Our paved site was decently unlevel," according to Hattie R. For car camping, Uvas Canyon presents similar challenges: "If you plan to sleep in your car, you may want to take leveling blocks as I found the car parking spot to be not leveled at all."
Dump station logistics: Plan accordingly for waste disposal. At New Brighton State Beach, "the line for the dump station wound through nearly the entire park," warns Alma L. In contrast, Mount Madonna provides convenient facilities: "There is a very convenient FREE dump station just inside the entrance to the park that we used as we departed."
Site size limitations: Some campgrounds have tight spacing between sites. At Cotillion Gardens RV Park, "Spots are way too small. My slide almost sat on the neighbors table," cautions Mike W. Before booking, check specific site dimensions as many older campgrounds were designed before larger modern RVs became common.
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