Santa Cruz Camping Spots
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The following Santa Cruz camping spots are located along the nearby coast or in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek
831-338-8860
(25 miles NW of town in the Santa Cruz Mountains)
There are four different campgrounds here. Lots of coastal redwood trees. Mostly tent sites, but some RV and trailer sites. Also has tent cabins. (call 800-874-8368) There's a camp store with groceries, gifts and some camping needs as well. Lots of hiking and horse trails. Don't forget your insect repellent, you'll need it here.
Castle Rock State Park
15000 Skyline Blvd., Los Gatos
408-867-2952
In the Santa Cruz Mountains. Camp sites are primitive only, for backpackers to hike in to. Popular place for rock climbing, hiking and horseback riding.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
2591 Graham Hill Road, Scotts Valley
831-438-2396
RV and tent camping amongst oak trees. Individual sites don't have water. In the Santa Cruz Mountains, but just a short drive to Santa Cruz. Lots of hiking and horseback riding trails. A Redwood Grove has a nature trail. The park also has a nature center. There's fishing at the San Lorenzo River in winter and with a license. The day use area is near Felton and the Roaring Camp Big Trees Railroad.
Manresa State Beach
Watsonville
831-761-1795
831- 429-2850
This campground is on a cliff overlooking the beach. Hiking, swimming and surf fishing.
New Brighton State Beach
1500 Park Ave., Capitola
831-464-6330
(4 miles south)
On a tree-shaded bluff overlooking Monterey Bay. Camp with an RV, trailer or tent. Some hookups available. Activities include swimming at the beach, hiking or fishing. There are also family programs and seasonal junior ranger programs.
Portola Redwoods State Park Campground
9000 Portola SP Rd., Lahonda
650-948-9098
Camp amongst coastal redwoods and other trees. Nature trail and lots of hiking trails.
Santa Cruz Monterey Bay KOA Kampground
1186 San Andreas Road, La Selva Beach
831-722-0551
(Just south of Santa Cruz)Part of the larger chain, this Santa Cruz camping spot accommodates RVs, but also features special lodges, which hold 6 guests each. You can also come with just a tent.
Fun activities your family can do here include volleyball, basketball, swimming in the heated pool, lounging in the hot tub, renting bikes, playing horseshoes or climbing the wall, literally. There's even a miniature golf course. A train is a unique addition the smaller kids will love. Add to this an outdoor movie theater, a mechanical bull, a mechanical surfboard, a jumping pillow and a campfire theater. Who even needs to leave to go to the nearby Santa Cruz beaches or the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk! Some of these extra activities have an extra cost, and some are only open in summer plus some other weekends.
Seacliff State Beach
201 State Park Drive, Santa Cruz
831-685-6442
(about 10 minutes south)
Accommodates fully self contained RVs and camping trailers. No tents. There are some hookups available. Good views of Monterey Bay. There's a pier where you can fish, but the old concrete ship at the end is closed. There aren't trees, but the main picnic area is covered. You can swim at the beach. There's also a small visitor's center at this Santa Cruz camping spot.
Sunset State Beach Campground
201 Sunset Beach Road, Watsonville
831-763-7063
(16 miles south, near Watsonville)
They take RVs, trailers and tents. No hookups available. Fishing, if you have a license. This campground is under pine trees. Large sand dunes are between the campground and the beach. Activities include swimming at the beach or flying your RC glider. Conveniently located between Santa Cruz and
Monterey California.
If you'd like to recommend a place where you enjoyed a Santa Cruz camping experience, please feel free to
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