RV camping near The Sea Ranch, California ranges from riverfront sites to coastal parks with varying terrain and facilities. The Russian River area maintains consistent 45-65°F temperatures during winter months, while coastal sites experience significant fog and wind throughout summer. Most campgrounds within 30 miles require advance planning for weekend stays, especially during peak summer season from June through August.
What to do
River activities: 15-minute access from River Bend Resort to swimming holes along the Russian River. "The private beach is great for kids (and adults). Easy swimming without a strong current. Lots of shallows but a deep swimming hole are for adults too," notes one camper.
Water recreation: Free equipment at The Aurora RV Park & Marina for lakeside camping. "They offer FREE canoe/paddle boating. Bathrooms are kept clean and mike, the owner is amazing," according to a visitor. Access includes kayaks for exploring Clear Lake.
Fishing opportunities: Year-round at multiple coastal locations within 25 miles of The Sea Ranch. "You can fish right from your camp spot if you get a spot right on the water," reports a guest at The Aurora RV Park. Morning hours typically yield better catches according to regulars.
What campers like
Coastal proximity: Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park offers marine wildlife viewing and harbor access. "You can see the Milky Way at night while listening to the soft foghorn and every now and then a soft bark of a seal. Nice solid metal fire pits to sit around at night making smores," one reviewer mentions.
Beachside camping: Several parks provide direct beach access within walking distance of campsites. "We had a dry spot right on the marina side so the view was nice," notes a camper at Porto Bodega, adding that "the fishermen docked in the marina start getting ready at about 4:30am! They are not quiet."
Family amenities: Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort features recreational facilities for children. "We were just a few steps from the pool, which was clean, but pretty cold. It didn't seem like it was heated. The splash pad was a family favorite. The petting zoo, was also super cute and the animals seemed like they were well taken care of," shares a recent visitor.
What you should know
Off-season camping: Winter options remain limited along the coast. Thousand Trails Russian River offers year-round access but with reduced services. "This is a rustic park with no sewer hookups, so you need to bring a sewer caddy, and also, they have laundry onsite. They are remodeling and repairing and it is coming along very nicely," notes one camper.
Site leveling: Bring blocks for coastal parks where terrain slopes. "I am reasonably ok at backing in my travel trailer but this place is a mess. I parked in wrong spot, moved to the right one, the power pedestal did not work," reports one Russian River camper.
Wildlife awareness: Raccoons frequent coastal parks without raccoon-proof containers. "They have raccoons but don't tell you that, we didn't leave anything out but had muddy footprints all over our table in the morning! Their garbage cans are not raccoon proof so every morning there's garbage scattered around."
Tips for camping with families
Bathroom facilities: Check before booking since many parks limit shower access or charge extra. "The womens shower was so-so clean but there was hair left in the drains and on the walls. One shower in the mens bathroom had no hot water," notes a visitor to The Aurora RV Park.
Entertainment options: Caspar Beach RV Park & Campground provides beachfront access with forest camping. "It has a wonderful tent camping area back away from RV's in the Redwoods and many other trees. RV parking was neck to neck but I enjoyed the sense of community and friendliness," shares one visitor.
Activity restrictions: Some parks limit child-friendly activities. "It's not the best for families though. No bike riding or scooting, so we had to walk them to the walking path. They also mention a few times about well behaved children," reports a Bodega Bay camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request outer rim at many parks for better privacy. "Interior RV sites seem to be full-time residents and very cramped. Tent sites near the river are unbelievably cramped. Bathrooms are well-maintained," advises one River Bend Resort visitor.
Hookup issues: Test all connections upon arrival. "I parked in wrong spot, moved to the right one, the power pedestal did not work. Had to walk to office because phone number on check-in sheet did not work," cautions a Russian River RV Campground visitor.
Space limitations: Slide-outs impact neighboring sites at waterfront locations. "If your neighbor has a slider you are wall to wall," notes a visitor to The Aurora RV Park, adding that the "lakeside spots are very tight together-and require backing in."
