Mount Madonna County Park features cabin camping among second-growth redwoods at 1,900 feet elevation, with temperatures often 40 degrees cooler than nearby valleys. Watsonville's cabin accommodations span rustic structures to modern rentable units with varying amenities. Several parks within a 30-minute drive offer cabin options suitable for different camping preferences.
What to do
Hiking trails from campsite: At Mount Madonna County Park, trails connect directly to campsites. "This particular site has a trail leading directly to the vast network of hiking trails. Huge bonus for us and we were pleasantly surprised that not one person used our site as a cut through," notes one visitor at Mount Madonna County Park.
Visit the fallow deer enclosure: A unique attraction at Mount Madonna includes white fallow deer descendants from William Randolph Hearst's 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 camper.
Beach access: For ocean lovers, Marina Dunes RV Park offers paths to less crowded beaches. "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," shares one visitor at Marina Dunes RV Park.
Try the archery trail: Mount Madonna offers a unique 28-target archery course through the woods. "There is an archery trail with 28 targets on a trail 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," reports a camper.
What campers like
Climate differences: The mountain locations provide relief from valley heat. "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose," advises a camper at Mount Madonna County Park.
Spacious campsites: Many visitors appreciate the size of certain sites. "Our site (418) was huge and private. There is a large vacant campsite across the road that's reserved for docents but it was empty when we were there so we had the cul-de-sac all to ourselves," notes one reviewer.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness receives consistent praise. "Absolutely soo clean and a great place to camp without having to travel so far. Bathrooms are constantly cleaned and showers are free and clean," writes a visitor at Mount Madonna.
Dog-friendly trails: Unlike many state parks, some county parks allow dogs on trails. "This is a county park that allows dogs on ALL the trails. It's hard to find that sometimes so we greatly appreciated how dog friendly it was," mentions a camper.
What you should know
Theft concerns: Some campers report security issues at certain locations. "MAKE SURE YOU LOCK UP YOUR VEHICLE, campground seems to attract people who like to rip off campers. Our car and our good friends car was liberated," warns a visitor at Thousand Trails Morgan Hill.
Weather preparation: Coastal fog creates unique microclimates. "This is the only place I've seen the redwood trees harvest the fog and make their own rain, which is pretty cool. In the morning it's raining under the redwood trees but not under the madrone or tan oak trees," describes a camper.
Campsite privacy varies: Site selection matters for privacy. "While the sites are close together, 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," advises a visitor.
Reservation difficulties: Many popular cabins book quickly. "I would give the bag 4 stars as a car camping bag, but I don't think that is really its designed purpose. It gets 5 stars as a duffel for short trips or to use going to and from the office/gym," notes a reviewer.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Santa Cruz KOA offers numerous family activities. "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," shares a visitor at Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday.
Cabin sizing: Consider family size when booking. "We stay at this KOA 3-4 times a year. We especially enjoy the Halloween and other theme weekends they have. They have made tons of improvements over the last 10 years we have been going. Sites range from tent sites, RV sites, to full size cabins," explains a camper.
Pool availability: Heated pools extend swimming seasons. "We have a two and a half year old and it's perfect for us in a 28' fifth wheel. Paved roads for bikes, huge playground, nice store, warm pool. It's perfect for families," notes a KOA visitor.
Noise considerations: Site location affects noise levels. "I would recommend booking away from the jump pillow or playground, unless easy playground access is important, because the spots are pretty noisy," advises a family camper at Santa Cruz KOA.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Some parks have unusual utility layouts. "Nice rv park by the beach. Bathrooms and showers are great. Downside is the store is closed on Sundays. Also, $190 a night plus $20 to choose your spot is wild. The location of the electrical/water is awkward," notes a visitor at Marina Dunes RV Park.
Site sizing and access: RV site dimensions vary significantly. "This place is okay it's just small and loud. It's hard to get bigger Rv's into spots also. We have a 35' 5th wheel and there are only some spots that will fit it," cautions an RVer at Marina Dunes.
Biking access: Consider paved surfaces for family biking. "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 a camper at Saddle Mountain Ranch.
Highway noise levels: Proximity to roads affects experience. "It is very loud here with the freeway right behind you. It didn't bother us in the day. At night I had a sound machine so it didn't bother us. Our neighbors ended up leaving after a day because of the noise," shares an RVer.
