RV camping options near Union City, California span from oceanfront properties to redwood-surrounded parks within a 40-mile radius. The area sits within California's Mediterranean climate zone with mild winters and warm, dry summers. Vehicle size restrictions vary significantly between parks, with some oceanside locations limiting RV length to 35 feet while inland parks accommodate larger rigs.
What to do
Beachside hiking trails: At Pillar Point RV Park, campers can access walking and bike trails directly from the campground. "Walking distance to shops and restaurants, walking and bike trails, beach access, and friendly staff!" reports Raven P.
Redwood forest exploration: Near Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort, multiple hiking trails lead through ancient redwood groves. "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," notes Jaime C.
Wildlife watching: The Pacific coastline offers opportunities for marine mammal sightings from several campgrounds. "When it's clear you can see the farralon islands 30 miles offshore. On the downside the 'campsites' are close together," shares one camper about coastal viewing.
What campers like
Oceanside ambiance: Half Moon Bay RV Park receives praise for its location and community feel. "From the park you can head about a quarter of a mile and walk or ride the coastal path all the way to the marina or south to the Ritz Carlton. Great ocean views," notes Patrick J.
Urban access with nature: Joseph D. Grant County Park offers a wilderness escape close to urban areas. "We camped here for one night to test our pandemic project...a van conversion. The hiking is quite beautiful and the woodpeckers were busy storing acorns," reports Sophie S.
Family-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds include recreational facilities for children. "We spent most of our time with relatives, so we didn't have a lot of time to use the amenities, but there were lots of kids around using the playground, bicycling, playing basketball, and swimming in the pool," explains one visitor.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Most rv sites near Union City, California feature tight spacing, particularly at oceanfront locations. "If you have slide outs, careful to not hit your neighbor!" warns one camper at Trailer Villa RV Park.
Reservation requirements: For most parks, reservations must be made well in advance, especially during summer months. "We did a same day drop-in reservation for an overnight stay over the phone. After-hours check-in was a breeze, as the checkin instructions were taped to the main door of the office," reports Tony C.
Utility connections: Many parks offer full hookups but require extension equipment. "I had to use a 6 foot extension on the sewer hose. Shore chord was fine as was the water spigot," notes a camper about their experience at an area campground.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation facilities: Cotillion Gardens RV Park provides numerous activities for children. "Plenty of trees for shade, there's a pool, hiking trails, a little river. So beautiful and peaceful here," says Ariya B.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds maintain better security than others. "I felt safe, with my young kids, that everyone was driving slowly and respecting the rules," reports Brittany F. about her experience camping among the redwoods.
Entertainment options: Many parks offer indoor recreation for rainy days. "There was also a large clubhouse with foosball, ping pong and arcade games which is open from 9am - 9pm. My daughters used the clubhouse while I set up camp."
Tips from RVers
Cell coverage and internet: Network connectivity varies widely between parks. "Marginal cell coverage. Camp WiFi is acceptable. Need to use WiFi to supplement cell service," advises Charlie G. about camping in the redwoods.
Navigational challenges: Some RV sites near Union City have challenging access roads. "Getting there takes some attention. Do not take highway 9 from Santa Cruz as the RV park will tell you. Once there, it was a pleasant check in. Roads to the sites are narrow, so again, keep your eyes pealed," warns Patrick J. about Marin RV Park.
Site selection strategy: For larger RVs, requesting specific sites can improve the camping experience. "The drive lanes AND parking spots are wide and spacious for maneuvering large RVs," notes one satisfied camper about their experience at a local RV park.
