Camping opportunities near Sunnyvale include both developed campgrounds and unique glamping accommodations in the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The region sits at elevations ranging from 500 to 3,000 feet, creating varied microclimates with summer temperatures 10-15 degrees cooler than the valley floor. Morning fog commonly forms under redwood canopies, creating a natural rain effect even during dry periods.
What to do
Archery practice at Mount Madonna: Mount Madonna County Park features a dedicated archery trail with 28 targets set along a wooded path. "We were there 3 days in a row and did 20 of the 28. It's really pretty and a cool challenge. Now my daughter's asking to put a target in the back yard," shares one visitor to Mount Madonna County Park.
Explore coastal trails: Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground offers direct access to a 4-mile coastal trail system perfect for hiking or biking. "You can walk for miles on the beach or on the bluff trails. Everyone is laidback which makes for a peaceful experience. Great sunsets!!" notes a camper at Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground.
Visit historical sites: Mount Madonna contains remnants of the William Randolph Hearst estate including white fallow deer descendants from his exotic zoo. "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," explains a visitor.
Waterfall hiking: Uvas Canyon County Park features multiple waterfall trails accessible directly from campsites. "The 25-site campground is relatively small, so camp sites are not big. That means this may not be for campers who like more privacy or quietness," reports a camper at Uvas Canyon County Park.
What campers like
Secluded redwood camping: Sanborn County Park provides walk-in tent camping among towering redwoods. "This is a nice camping away from the car experience. It's a short walk up a paved path from the parking to the campsites. The park provides carts to help with hauling gear, and storage boxes are provided at the site, near the picnic table," describes a visitor to Sanborn County Park.
Beach access: Sunset State Beach offers sites near ocean access. "We camped in the winter and had no reservations, but got a good spot anyway. Winter can be a very nice weekend!" shares one camper at Sunset State Beach.
Clean facilities: Many county parks maintain well-kept restrooms and showers. "Bathrooms and showers on site. We stayed in a spot without hookups and it was $35 per night. Gate staff was friendly and helpful," notes a Half Moon Bay visitor.
Family-friendly environments: Mount Madonna offers varied camping options including yurts popular with families. "Our friends stayed in one of the yurts and it was great, albeit a little cold for them at night. I believe there are 2 dog friendly yurts," shares a camper.
What you should know
Seasonal weather variations: The Santa Cruz Mountains experience significant temperature drops at night, especially under redwood canopies. "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. 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.
Limited cell service: Most mountain campgrounds have minimal connectivity. "Barely any cell reception, but wifi worked pretty well (we could have a video conference)," notes a Sanborn Park visitor.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during summer months. "We camp here every year in May or June. It's always fun. The tent cabins are super convenient," explains a visitor to the now-closed Big Basin, suggesting early season visits at other parks.
Site selection matters: Campgrounds vary significantly in site quality and privacy. "If you get a good sized site away from the bathrooms it is a wonderful experience," advises a Mount Madonna camper.
Tips for camping with families
Use equipment carts for walk-in sites: Several parks provide wheeled carts to transport gear. "The park provides carts to help with hauling gear, and storage boxes are provided at the site, near the picnic table," notes a Sanborn County Park visitor.
Consider dog-friendly options: Not all beaches allow pets. "No dogs allowed in the beach in the park but a short walk away there is a public beach that is dog friendly, so that was nice for our doggo," explains a Half Moon Bay camper.
Visit during weekdays when possible: County parks near Sunnyvale experience heavy weekend use. "During less crowded times (winter) this campground is one of the best. Extremely beautiful & peaceful surroundings. Lots of trees. Once we were the only campers there. Heaven! However when the campground is filled, it's noisy and there's no privacy," advises a visitor to Uvas Canyon.
Pack for cold nights: Even during summer, temperatures drop significantly after sunset. "It can get cold at night in the redwoods so the wood stove was great at night," notes a former Big Basin visitor about cabin glamping.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many mountain campground parking areas aren't level. "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," advises an Uvas Canyon visitor.
Limited big rig access: Most Santa Cruz Mountain roads have tight turns and narrow passages. "To get to Sanborn you will have to drive up a narrow road. We didn't have any issue with a 21' though," notes a visitor.
Hook-up availability: Several parks offer partial hookups. "The RV sites have both water and electric hookups which was great! There is a very convenient FREE dump station just inside the entrance to the park that we used as we departed," shares a Mount Madonna camper.
Inner vs. outer loop sites: For more privacy, select outer loop sites. "While the sites are a little close to each other, those on the outside of the loop had a great deal of privacy. Inner loop sites have none, but would be great if you were camping with friends," explains a visitor to Mount Madonna County Park.
