Camping near Monterey, California
Discover and book the best campgrounds, cabins, caravan parks, and more.
- Monterey
Camping near Monterey
See the famed Monterey Bay, check out historic canneries, or visit a world-class aquarium in this coastal California city.
Top-rated stays
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SMR Carmel Camping
21 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents89 acres · Carmel By The Sea, CAWelcome to Saddle Mountain Ranch, RV and Campground!
We are located on 89 acres of forest land off Carmel Valley Road, just 5 miles from HWY 1. Nestled within oaks, Monterey pines, and redwoods, Saddle Mountain offers a great peaceful getaway for those seeking a break from the bustle of life.
On site seasonally heated pool (Mid May through Oct).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
*Please continue reviewing/monitoring California Travel guidelines as they may change and affect your reservation*
On site seasonally heated pool (seasonally), private hiking trail, playground, Foosball table and more. No refund for inclement weather during the Winter months.
We provide complementary Wi-Fi in designated areas of the park. We ask that there is no streaming at the Park so we can share Wi-Fi with all our guests.
Thank you!
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$36
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Babbling Bates Creek Hipcamp
4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Soquel, CAEnjoy a leisurely break from your outdoor activities at Soquel Vineyards tasting room and patio just 2 1/2 miles up the road or Bargetto Winery just a mile down the road. You can bring a bottle of your favorite wine or beer back to your campsite where you'll enjoy the peace and tranquility the forest has to offer.
Coastal adventures await you just 2 and 1/2 miles to the beaches in Capitola Village...another mile from there to the 'Hook' surf spot...a short walk from there along the cliffs to famed surf spot and home of Jack O'Neil (RIP) Pleasure Point and the 'Barrel Burrito' at the Point Market, a local favorite.
Enjoy some local craft beer and good eats at Nubo (New Bohemian Brewery) on 41st ave just a couple of blocks from the beach. For that fine dining experience, book a ride in a vintage car to the famed Shadowbrook Restaurant overlooking Capitola Village and beach.
When you're done exploring all that our coastal communities have to offer, come back to your sweet spot along the banks of Bates Creek and take in the wonderful sounds of nature.
Bring your own bedroll, pillow, towels and cooking equipment as well as flashlights and lanterns as this is 'camping' .
This camp is in a rural/residential neighborhood, so you will see homes along the road. It is a one lane road with a 15 mph speed posted and no exit as it ends at the Land of Medicine Buddha...you will hear the cars as they drive by..
Named for Joel Bates who settled in Santa Cruz County in the early 1850's.
In 1861, three Grover brothers and three other men established a lumber company called Grover and Company 2 miles north of Soquel along Bates Creek. The area came to be known as Grovers Gulch.
Bates Creek is one of the areas checked when doing an estimate of the bird population in Santa Cruz County.
Our camp spot is situated adjacent to Bates Creek and has access by a foot trail. As you explore the creek, you'll see many birds, perhaps a coyote or two and some fingerling trout if you're patient and quiet. You will also see fossils in the creek bed which tells a geographical story of the land and its relationship to the sea.
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$40
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The Enchanted Forest Retreat
22 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents45 acres · CAWelcome to the Enchanted Forest Retreat!We are a meditation retreat center with 45 acres of some of the most gorgeous redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains to enjoy hiking, creeks and small water fall exploration, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, star gazing, relaxation, meditation and more.Our campground has running water from a natural spring, Men and Women's Restrooms each with 2 toilets and 1 hot water shower and plugs for charging phones, laundry shed with sink and hot water, one BBQ grill by the fence up above the creek, and an outdoor amphitheater. We have meditation teaching at the amphitheater and campers are welcomed to attend for free.25 minutes to Silicon Valley - 25 minutes to Santa Cruz Boardwalk we're centrally located in the south bay. Dogs and kids are welcome - dogs must be picked up after and kept on a leash if other campers are present.Please note: This is camping - there may be bugs, critters, dirt, unpredictable weather (pack for the cold, just in case - we get surprise fog often!), early sunrise, no cell data, etc etc. It's not the Hilton - but it is gorgeous. ;)Shopping such as Safeway, Costco and the big box stores are 20 minutes away in Soquel; however, we have a charming little market (Summit Center) 3.5 miles away that has a great selection of groceries, drinks and hot foods, etc.Please feel free to reach out with any questions and we'll help however we can!
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$70
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Redwood Paradise Camping
9 sites · Lodging, Tents5 acres · CA5 acre property surrounded by 300ft+ tall redwood trees. Very green and lots of shade. These are the amenities/facilities you will have free access to: Pool, Pool chairs and umbrellas, Deck area with sunset view, Trampolines, zip line, hammocks.
THERE IS A 1 MINUTE WALK TO THE CAMPSITES 1-5!
For poolside and Oak tree campsite is closer to the parking.
FOR ALL CAMPSITES
Free coffee in the mornings on the deck!
If you have pets make sure to include the extra fee please!
We are very near the Lost Empire Hiking trail less than a mile away!
We ask you to please let us know your ETA before coming as there is spotty connection.
Thank you!:)
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$98
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Santa Cruz Bayview Retreat
4 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · CAExperience everything the Bay Area has to offer from this mountain top site. Roughly 50 minutes to any city in the Bay Area, this site is ideal for any person looking for an adventurous getaway retreat.
The Serenity and privacy make this an uncommon, yet ideal romantic place to stay. This site is sheltered by the manzanitas and pines of this chaparral community.
Adventure seekers will find paradise here! Mount Madonna Park with miles of trails is 20 minutes down the road. You can dump your septic there as well! Horseback riding rentals are located near the park as well as an archery range.
Demonstration forest is 15 minutes down the road, with miles of mountain biking. Spend a day at one of the beaches in Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos, Rio Del Mar, Davenport, Half Moon Bay, Monterey, or Carmel and return to your private oasis. Or Explore Silicon Valley from this centrally located parcel.
Kim Son Meditation Center and Mount Madonna Center are approximately 15 minutes away. There are also wonderful wineries throughout the mountains here.
The trip to the site will begin with a three mile drive on a private dirt road. Being on the very top of a mountain brings more seasonality than the surrounding cities. Please be prepared for any kind of extreme weather. Summer: Shade is highly recommended it can get into triple digits. *Spring/fall: Temperatures are generally mild but high winds are possible. *Winter: Typically cold and windy. *During rainy/muddy conditions 4x4/AWD is highly recommended. It is possible for it to get windy, foggy, rainy, hot and sunny, and even sometimes snowy.
Please note: the nearest grocer is 30 minutes from this site. Emergency supplies are available for delivery to your campsite. Cell phone reception is good on most carriers. Pets are allowed. Enjoy your time howling at the moon, star gazing, bird watching/wildlife viewing, or relaxing with your favorite libation.
Don't forget your camera!
Since this is our first year renting our land we have found that August is a high wasp season time in the mountains. We are doing everything humanly possible to hunt down each and every Wasp for your enjoyment. With this in mind we ask you use the provided bug repellent, keep the lid to the trash closed, and do not pour grease anywhere you do not want wasps.
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$60
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Santa Cruz's Rudy Ranch
5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents8 acres · Boulder Creek, CAIf you're looking for an ADULTS ONLY, beautiful and quiet place to camp, rest, kick back and hear the birds and wind in the trees, you've found it! While we do enjoy the energy of young children, we live in a very quiet neighborhood and have made the decision to exclusively host mature guests looking for a restful retreat. We have also decided that we will not make exceptions to this decision and invite those looking for a family experience to continue their search on the Hipcamp platform. There are many family friendly hosts excited to accept children of all ages! We ask those interested in enjoying our property with us to read through all of the information we provide prior to requesting to book. Happy HipCamping!
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Silicon Valley View
4 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · CA We created this space for everyone to enjoy.
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Coyote Mynt Ranch, Paso Robles
5 sites · Lodging, Tents42 acres · CAOur 42 acres is located at the beginning of the award winning Adelaide Wine trail in Paso Robles.
Our ranch was once home to a horse boarding and breeding ranch which bred Paso Fino horses, known for their beautiful gait.
Having been a horse ranch, it left us with some nice trails that you can enjoy during your stay.
We have some nice uphill walks to view your local surroundings while sitting to enjoy a glass of wine or you morning cup of coffee/tea.
We are on a well out here so at times you may get a sulphur/mineral smell to the water.
Please bring your own drinking/cooking water.
It is safe to shower, my hair feels so much thicker!
On the ranch you will see that we have 2 donkeys, Desi (black) and Lucy (light grey).
Along with our donkeys we have to friendly goats, Fiona (brown) and Sadie (white), they love carrots.
but please stick to one carrot a day each, we don't want to over feed them.
We also have chickens which means have farm fresh eggs. $5 for 1/2 dozen.
Up on the hill you will see Connie a cow and her buddy Samuel, the bull. they love carrots but please do not go into their pasture. She'll think you're bringing food and gets very dangerously excited.
Please feel free to walk the property and become one with nature while observing the local indigenous floral and fauna.
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$75
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Enney's Ranch
4 sites · Lodging850 acres · San Miguel, CAEnney's Ranch is one of the few remaining grain and cattle operations on the Central Coast. We dry farm and malt barley, wheat and rye for local breweries and distilleries. We have a small herd of cattle and rotate them between the fallow fields. Our goal is to maintain the natural beauty of the ranch and share it with you.
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$85
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Hartley Farms Organic Orchard
12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents37 acres · San Miguel, CABarbara & Dan bought these 37 acres in 2005. It had no improvements. The only thing it had going for it was a 200-year-old oak tree, and its location in the heart of wine country. We would come up and camp under the tree, and plant. In 2007, we drilled a well. In 2008, Dan proposed under the tree, and we brought in power. We have continued to make improvements since. We built a little house, then we built a big house, we added farm animals, kids, fruit trees, a jam line, a pond, and more keep coming! So come up and enjoy the farm like we did in the good old days! See you at the Farm!Pitch your tent or park your RV on our 37-acre farm. The campground connects to a hiking trail that takes you to a 2-acre landscaped garden, or to our friendly goats & chickens. You are a short drive to local wineries, or downtown nightlife. No power, or showers here, but the outhouse is one of those fancy solar powered deals with running water and a flushing toilet. Add some farm fresh eggs from our chickens, or a jar of our organic jam, and cook up your breakfast, or head in to town for a fresh baked cinnamon roll.
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Red Dragonfly Ranch
4 sites · RVs, Tents38 acres · Groveland, CAIn 2020 Red Dragonfly Ranch was opened and named in honor of the previous owners sister who would visit her in a form of a Red Dragonfly.
June 2022 Red Dragonfly Ranch was purchased and is now ran by the Goldstein family. We wanted to keep the name to continue to honor her sister and the unique continued presence of red dragonflies on the property. As a family ran campsite you will meet a few of us and we are all here to help in any way. Our goal is to make a Hip Camp that our campers can fully enjoy and have the property be the destination of choice when visiting Yosemite or the gold country of the Sierra’s. The Red Dragonfly Ranch is conveniently located. We are only 30 minutes from the entrance to Yosemite and only minutes away from the beautiful town of Groveland " The Gateway to Yosemite" and all the hidden gems in between.
There are chickens who lay eggs daily and we are working on maintaining the many raised beds, our goal is being able to have our campers feel free to pick fresh herbs, fruits and veggies for their pleasure. There is a year round spring fed creek to cool off in and shade is plentiful.
Rv's are welcome , but we are boondocking only.
Follow us on instagram @red_dragonfly_ranch
Please shoot us a message if you have any questions.
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$59
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Yosemite's Ferretti Farm
5 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Groveland, CANestled at the end of a back street in downtown Groveland is this little gem of a property. We are loving a mistreated 1.3 acre parcel back to health and enjoying meeting some wonderful people in the process.
Check out our different listings to see what fits your needs best.
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU TAKE THE TIME TO READ THE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROPERTY BEFORE REQUESTING TO BOOK. *There is a sneaky question we ask you to give us the answer to when you request to book.*
We are a Hipcamp that caters to SELF-SUFFICIENT campers who have experience and realize that this is a step above what camping REALLY means. If you need a camp host available at all times, this is not the Hipcamp for you, as our host lives on-site and keeps an eye on things, but is not always there.
We are a peaceful place in historic downtown Groveland to enjoy
in your own tent, or in your RV under the same pines and oaks that fill Yosemite National Park.
We are an ever-evolving, 4 year venture on a property that has been mistreated for years and we are loving it back to health on a very limited budget. We are a place that has a super cool, vintage, outdoor kitchen with cold water, and a small propane bbq.
**BRING YOUR OWN PROPANE CYLINDERS, COOK/SERVING/DRINKWARE***
We are a 3-5 minute walk from the public transit system into Yosemite. Check out YARTS dot com online for schedules. WHAT WE ARE:
We are a Hipcamp that caters to SELF-SUFFICIENT campers who have some experience and realize that this is a step above what camping REALLY means. ;)
If you need a camp host available at all times, this is not the Hipcamp for you, as our host lives on-site and keeps an eye on things, but is not always there. We are a peaceful place in historic downtown Groveland to enjoy an experience in your own tent or RV under the same pines and oaks that fill Yosemite National Park that is a short walk from dining/drinking establishments and shopping. We are a place that has a super cool, vintage, outdoor kitchen with cold water, and a small propane bbq available. Campers must supply their own propane cylinders and bbq tools. We are a 3-5 minute walk from the public transit system into Yosemite. Check out YARTS dot com online for schedules.
YARTS Service Update for Spring 2022
Beginning May 16, 2022, service will resume from Sonora, Jamestown, and Groveland in Tuolumne County (Hwy 120 West) assuming that Tioga Road is open. Service will continue into September and October.
For more information, please visit yarts dot com on the web.
*Please note* Passengers are required to sign a liability and personal injury forms that acknowledges risks of infection during the present pandemic, whether or not a mask is worn. These waivers are required regardless, and are intended to document that passengers are aware of the risk to personal health before riding YARTS buses.
We are nestled in the residential area above downtown Groveland and can hear live music when businesses offer it, as well as occasional events that our neighbors host. We are a 4 year old venture on a property that has been mistreated for years and we are loving it back to health on a very limited budget.
Main Street Groveland is just a quick walk down the back streets of the Gold Rush Town. Enjoy dinner and drinks at The Iron Door Saloon, self-proclaimed as the oldest continuously operating saloon this side of the Mississippi. Enjoy the high-end Bourbon Bar and small bites at the Groveland Hotel's Provisions, espresso drinks, smoothies, and treats at Mountain Sage, or authentic Mexican food at Cocina Michiocana. We also encourage guests to take a little drive down Highway 120 to have a cold, craft beer at Around the Horn Brewery and look for our barstool! WE ARE AN AWESOME PLACE TO BE!!!WE ARE AN AWESOME PLACE TO BE!!!
WHAT WE ARE NOT:
We are not a high-end, generously funded campground with brand new furniture, a pristine campfire ring, manicured sites, and marble showers. (Although, we are people who love to visit those places!)
Please let me know you've read this far by telling me how many cigarette smokers are in your group when you send your booking request.
We are not associated with Yosemite National Park and, therefore do not have up to the minute details about what they require or have going on. You can find this information on the National Parks website; nps dot gov. We are not available at all times to answer questions about each site's specifics but have taken a great deal of time putting all of the information into the platform.
We ask our campers to read through the details on each of our sites to find what will best suit your needs.
Happy Hipcamping!!!
Roni Lynn
from
$50
/ night
Outdoor stays for every style
Find your new favourite spot.
Nearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
On the edge of Monterey Bay, about an hour’s drive south of Santa Cruz and north of Big Sur, Monterey offers pretty sea views, lots of things to see, and oceanside camping. The city’s former sardine-packing district, Cannery Row is the main hub of tourism, featuring shops, restaurants, and the celebrated Monterey Bay Aquarium. There’s also plenty to experience in the surrounding area—tee off at one of the many golf courses around the Monterey Peninsula; explore the hiking trails of the Carmel Valley or Asilomar State Beach; make a wintertime visit to Pacific Grove's Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary; or motor along 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach to see the legendary Lone Cypress. While most camping options right in town are RV parks, you'll find plenty of Hipcamps and campgrounds offering tent camping just a bit inland, like in Salinas at its Laguna Seca Recreation Area, which welcomes tents and RVs even during race events.
Monterey Peninsula
Jutting out into the sea west of Monterey, the Monterey Peninsula is home to pretty beaches, scenic viewpoints, and tons of golf courses. At its southern end, Carmel-by-the-Sea features whimsical architecture and a historic old mission.
San Francisco Peninsula
On the northern side of Monterey Bay, the San Francisco Peninsula features forests, sandy beaches, and a mix of public and private campgrounds, many surrounded by redwood trees. Popular spots include Half Moon Bay, a celebrated surfing destination, and Año Nuevo State Park, where you can see elephant seals throughout the year.
Big Sur
From Monterey, it's only a quick jaunt down Highway 1 before you reach the Big Sur coast, known for its beach views, ample camping and hiking opportunities, and artsy vibes. Popular public park destinations include Andrew Molera State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, all three of which have campgrounds.
When to Go
Monterey is a year-round destination, with mild, wet winters and dry summers that don't get too hot but do see crowds. Whale-watching opportunities are best between January and March, when migratory whales pass along Monterey’s coast. The fall and spring shoulder seasons are good times to visit for warm weather and fewer crowds, though the Monterey Jazz Festival—held the third full weekend of September—does draw in tons of visitors.
Safety at Hipcamp
Hipcamp acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.