Sunset State Beach Campground is located near Watsonville, California, featuring coastal terrain with sandy beaches and dunes. The area experiences temperatures ranging from 50°F to 70°F, depending on the season. Nearby attractions include the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, offering opportunities for exploration and recreation.

Sunset State Beach Campground

Looking for the best campgrounds near Watsonville, CA? Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Watsonville. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Watsonville, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Watsonville

The Best Camping Near Watsonville, California

Campground is quiet except those who run their generators all day and play the radio loud. It is spread out. (But still close, you do see your neighbors.) The camp ground is between fields and the ocean. Site 25 has amazing views but also can be breezy. Or windy. Old but clean bathrooms with coin showers. Water close to sites. 

Quiet nice views

My husband and I love to stay here because of the nice walk to the beach. Restrooms and shower are dated , but clean. 

Close to beach 

It’s so peaceful and beautiful here! I will say, there is practically no service. which personally i enjoy because you get to be away from the world for a couple of days. the walk to the beach from the site i was in was also sort of a trek, it is definitely very different for anyone who is not in good shape, but once you get over the hill, the reward is so worth it! 

Love it!

Clean restrooms. Great site (26) with room between others. Friendly staff and hosts. Quick walk to scenic ocean views. Amazing sunsets! Great experience all around. 

First timer

This is a nice enough campground if you need a place to stay, but it's not our first choice for when we need something in this area. The sites are sort of awkwardly spaced and placed, and it's hit or miss if you get something level or private.  I think for tents this is a better campground, but for us in an RV it wasn't the greatest. But overall, still very nice, and it's a nice walk to the beach. Dogs are allowed on the beach.

  

We didn't have good cell reception (we did have some) in the campground, but on the beach the reception was great.  Showers were $0.25/min and they take quarters.  No dump station on site, and no hookups.

  

We took the "trail" to the beach one time, overgrown and grassy, and were all covered in ticks afterwards. Stick to the paved roads if you're walking to the beach, unless they mow or clean up the trail.  There's also a group camping area here.

Nice

We’ve camped all along the coast and had high hopes for this spot, but it didn’t quite meet expectations. The sites feel very close together and are a bit awkwardly arranged, making it a tight fit—especially for anything larger than a small camper. We're in a 22’ van/motorhome crossover and were fortunate to find a level spot, though most sites we saw were not level. The beach trails could use some maintenance as they’re currently in rough shape. This campground might be a better option for tent campers, but for RVs, it’s not ideal.

Not the Best Fit for RV Campers

It was my first time beach camping so i didnt know what to expect. 
Was a bit breezier than im use to with the mountains. Not a lot of trees around. 
It is nice not dealing with a lot of bugs since youre by the beach and all.
The bathrooms and showers were well maintained.

Photos of Sunset State Beach Campground

Real photos from real campers