The best dog-friendly campgrounds near Pacific Grove, California

Looking to experience the great outdoors with your furry friend near Pacific Grove, California? Look no further than Hipcamp, where you'll find over 580 pet-friendly camping options in the area. With options as low as $25 per night and an average price of $80 per night, there's something for every budget. Check out top campsites like The Enchanted Forest Retreat (743 reviews), DABUDAGE (367 reviews), and Terminal 4 (387 reviews) to see why they're crowd favorites. Enjoy popular amenities such as campfires, trash disposal, and showers, and engage in activities like swimming, fishing, and hiking. Start planning your pet-friendly camping adventure today!

94% (3.8K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Pacific Grove

Looking to experience the great outdoors with your furry friend near Pacific Grove, California? Look no further than Hipcamp, where you'll find over 580 pet-friendly camping options in the area. With options as low as $25 per night and an average price of $80 per night, there's something for every budget. Check out top campsites like The Enchanted Forest Retreat (743 reviews), DABUDAGE (367 reviews), and Terminal 4 (387 reviews) to see why they're crowd favorites. Enjoy popular amenities such as campfires, trash disposal, and showers, and engage in activities like swimming, fishing, and hiking. Start planning your pet-friendly camping adventure today!

94% (3.8K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Pacific Grove

1. Gro 4 Gold Plant Studio

95%

(48)

50mi from Pacific Grove · 2 sites · Tents, RVs

Come visit a magical agricultural space enriched by our most precious natural resources: land, animals, love and beauty. Situated in the most desirable mild Mediterranean climate of Pescadero, where the Pacific Ocean breezes moderate temperatures, and nestled in a valley of the Santa Cruz Mountains, we're under an hour from Silicon Valley, San Francisco and Santa Cruz. Level pasture land, creek access, majestic trees. RV parking, tent or hammock camping, and lots of room for spreading out. Bike into Downtown Pescadero, walk to Harley Farms and visit the goats, hike Butano Canyon, and you are only 3.334 miles from Pescadero State Beach.

2. Santa Cruz Mountains with ocean 👁

100%

(5)

31mi from Pacific Grove · 1 site · Tent, RV

This is a great place to get away and come camp here in the Santa Cruz Mountains, a perfect location for tent camping or come park your trailer or Motorhome/Bus. We have great hiking in the near area and 5 miles away there is great mountain biking trails. A world renoun mountain bike spot with intermediate to experienced trails for riders of all levels. 5 miles down the road as well is buzzard lagoon and is a great Dirt biking/4-wheeling location. It is a fun spot for all off road inthusiast! Your camping site is on a flat plateu and is an ideal spot to park your trailer, motorhome or tent camp. With Complete privacy with views of the pacific ocean and South county's Monterey bay with a 180 degree view as well as San jose and Morgan Hill. For the wine inthusiast, Loma Prieta winery is 5.5 miles away along with Windy Oaks Winery that is 3.7 miles away that is located on the "Wine trail" that has alots of winerys to offer in a beautiful location. A Day of fun for the family at Gilroy Gardens that is 15.5 miles away. The beach is 30-40 minutes away with great surfing and body boarding up and down the coastline. We will see you soon!

from

$60

/ night

3. Santa Cruz Mountain Camping

100%

(8)

34mi from Pacific Grove · 1 site · Lodging

Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this serene retreat is surrounded by natural beauty and offers the perfect escape into nature. Conveniently located between Downtown Los Gatos and Downtown Santa Cruz—just 25 minutes from each—you’ll have easy access to the best of both mountain charm and coastal energy. Outdoor enthusiasts will love being just minutes from the renowned mountain biking trails of Demonstration Forest, scenic hiking routes, and the beloved Summit Store for local provisions. Note that no open fires are allowed by our county but guests are allowed to have a gas or propane stove for cooking. Water is 125' front tent. Toilet is 100' front tent. Power plug is 140' from tent to charge your phone, etc. This time of year, please consider this COLD CAMPING. Our tent has 4 extra blankets but you should be prepared to keep yourself warm and prepared for winter weather. In November, you can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking in Henry Cowell Redwoods, walking along West Cliff Drive, and visiting Natural Bridges State Beach. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is open year-round, offering a chance to experience it with fewer crowds and more deals. You can also visit local attractions like the Mystery Spot, the Santa Cruz Wharf, and the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. Shadowbrook Restaurant, Located in charming Capitola, 4-miles south of Santa Cruz, the world-famous Shadowbrook opened in October of 1947 with the theme of Romance in Dining. Shadowbrook today is not only the most romantic place to dine in northern California but was designated as one of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in all of America by the 5 million voters of Open Table.

4. The Little Poppy Cabin! 🌸

16mi from Pacific Grove · 1 site · Lodging

Accessible from Carmel. READ FULL DETAILS OF LISTING BEFORE BOOKING Centrally located between Carmel and the Heart of Big Sur. On a paved road with quick and easy access to Hwy 1. Adorable little cabin in the redwoods, with upstairs lofted sleeping area (double bed), sleeps 2 people. Kitchen, stove, mini fridge and private bath. Stairs are very steep to loft, with open railing upstairs. Please review pic's before booking. Adults only. The larger main cabin on property, is rented separately. Our cabin is in the Santa Lucia mountains and immersed in nature. Please be aware that wildlife is apart of the rugged Big Sur Coast and mountains. Wildlife encounters are something that is not out of the ordinary. From raccoons, skunks, deer, mountain lions, bats, mice, spiders snakes and all types of birds. We have exceeded measures of to keep occurrances to a minimum and have monthly pest control services. BUT can't guarantee you will not be met with wildlife. ANY ENCOUNTERS DURING YOUR STAY, WILL NOT BE ISSUED A REFUND. If you do not feel comfortable with the paragraph, then please do not book our cabins. Recommendations in Big Sur is Ventana Inn, Post Ranch or something in Carmel or Monterey. 1 Dog allowed, pre-approved by owner and $70fee. No aggressive breeds. Under 50 lbs. Must be leashed, picked up after, not allowed on furniture or left alone. Not allowed in the lofted sleeping area, due to step stairs, open railings. Not safe for animals! If you have a hairy dog, please keep the hair swept and under control. It is not fair for our cleaners to do de-fur the cabin. We allow dogs as a wonderful courtesy and don't want it abused. There is NO cell reception in our area, due to the mountain range. You loose reception once you leave Carmel and head south, or leave Big Sur and travel north to the property. WIFI is available but can be intermittent due to rural location. Text and wifi available, no cell reception, once logged into our internet. INTERNET IS NOT GUARANTEED DURING YOUR STAY. At the beginning of our road, it has a "road closed sign". You CAN get to our cabin. Our road is residential and a dead end. So there is not need to go past our cabin. All hiking and site seeing is along Hwy 1.

5. Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

100%

(10)

30mi from Pacific Grove · 3 sites · Lodging

We only book one group at a time so whether you are a couple or a large group, you get the whole place privately to yourself. Our home is a short distance away in case you need anything. Located an hour drive from the bay area, Camp Cruz is a year-round glamping retreat in the redwoods ideal for people who want a private outdoor getaway in the forest without giving up basic living comforts. It is a perfect destination to unwind, recharge, and create special memories in nature. We are also only 30 minutes from Monterey/Santa Cruz for guests who want to enjoy the coastal cities. We offer guests 2 private bedrooms: the Raven’s Nest (an aircrete dome) and/or the Owl’s Nest (a yurt). More guests are welcome if you bring your own camping tents. There is a fully equipped covered kitchen with stove, fridge, barbecue grill, electric coffee maker, tables and chairs, and more. The kitchen also has a ping pong table. There is also a large geodome furnished as a game room with couches, a lounge area, pool table, foosball table, a stereo, games, and music equipment. There are clean composting toilets, hot showers, a propane fire pit, heaters for the cold, a hammock bungalow, a meditation pagoda, a deck overlooking a creek, and disc golf baskets. With a fair balance of sunlight and shade, we have a garden, some outdoor play equipment, and lots of open space to spread out and relax. Free wifi is available. We run a nonprofit outdoor education camp for underprivileged youth, and your stay supports our work. Winter lodging.... It can get seasonably cold in the Santa Cruz Mountains during the winter. If visiting in the winter, rest assured we have everything covered to enjoy your stay. We have propane heaters in all main spaces for your comfort. If the power goes out, we have a standby generator that will power up camp provided we are home to turn it on. We have a woodstoves in the Owl's Nest and Eagle's Nest. We provide a fire starter log for each woodstove for each night of your stay, and guests are responsible for bringing firewood to keep the woodstoves going for continued warmth throughout each evening.

Public campgrounds near Pacific Grove

95%

(53)

Sunset Campground

20mi from Pacific Grove · 85 sites · Tents, RVs · in Sunset State Beach

Pretty cool when you wake up and you are above the clouds...

83%

(3)

Bottchers Gap Campground

20mi from Pacific Grove · 11 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

97%

(18)

Bay Camps

21mi from Pacific Grove · 14 sites · Tents, RVs · in Manresa State Beach

96%

(13)

Lupine Camps

21mi from Pacific Grove · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Manresa State Beach

The campsite has it own private beach access

88%

(8)

Willow Camps

21mi from Pacific Grove · 85 sites · Tents, RVs · in Manresa State Beach

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

The outdoor kitchen with Eagle’s Nest/Game Dome in the background

F

Fiona

November 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

We loved camping at Camp Cruz! We had a wonderful weekend in the peaceful woods and were able to spend amazing quality time together <3. This property was incredible in ways we couldn't have imagined! Thank you for having us for Renee's 30th birthday.

N

Noah

November 2025

Weekend Trip to Santa Cruz Mountain Camping

The tent and bed were very spacious. The view of the stars at night and the mountains in the mornings was beautiful. In November it was very cold at night as expected but it was much easier to stay comfortable and warm here than in a regular tent.

M

Mike

November 2025

Tent

1 night at Santa Cruz Mountains with ocean 👁

Beautiful view at sunrise. Whether you come up from the Los Gatos or the Morgan Hill/Gilroy side, it will go off road but you just have to take it slow and the average car would do just fine. Great spot tho, perfect space for tent camping.

I

Ian

October 2025

18 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Santa Cruz Mountains with ocean 👁

Beautiful spot. Definitely off grid - the last 3ish miles of the road are pretty gnarly but we saw Priuses at the top and we were just fine in our 2wd camper.

S

Sophia

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Santa Cruz Mountain Camping

cute stay. it was clean and easy to get to for the weekend visiting santa cruz.

J

Jeff

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Santa Cruz Mountain Camping

Easy in, easy out. Bedroom was made nicely. Property manager was very kind.

Lisa

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Santa Cruz Mountain Camping

Very clean site with a beautiful view. Instructions were clear making it easy to find. One of the best hipcamp sites I've stayed at so far.

Bethany

September 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Santa Cruz Mountain Camping

This is a great getaway for anyone looking for a peaceful private retreat! The land has some beautiful views and the glamping setup is clean and simple! Shelly is also a very welcoming host, she came down to the campsite to check on me and we ended up chatting for a long time. This little hideaway in the mountains is a place I’d love to come back to! Bonus - I saw deer on my drive out two mornings in a row!

C

Cindy

August 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

This is a really cool place and the kids had tons of fun. So much to explore for them - they loved the variety. It was a great joy to see them covered in mud and laughing loudly in the middle of the trees. The facilities are very functional and convenient. We don’t have to pack much and it is a very smooth camping experience. It is definitely on the pricier side; we will come back with a larger group to optimize the experience next time! Thank you for having us!

Christopher

August 2025

20 ft Class B

Weekend Trip to Santa Cruz Mountains with ocean 👁

Super easy to find, the road was not terrible coming in from 17. Little chalkboard sign on the left “Panoramic View”. Absolutely great spot! Great view of Monterey Bay and the town below. Walk across the site and you’re looking at the South end of San Jose. Beware of thorns and mind the dust.

S

Shivata

August 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

Our glamping stay was absolutely wonderful! The place was serene and peaceful, with the meditation area being my personal favorite spot to unwind. The host was amazing—warm, attentive, and thoughtful, with a personal touch to every detail. We felt so well taken care of and truly relaxed. We loved every moment of our stay and would definitely recommend it to friends and family.

R

Ruben

August 2025

With pets

2 nights at Santa Cruz Mountain Camping

So comfortable and peaceful. Bed and pillows were better than my own 😂. Would definitely stay again! More than one night next time

Lorena

August 2025

With pets

2 nights at Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

We had the most amazing stay! My son celebrated his 14 birthday with his closest friends. Our group of nine (plus a small dog) couldn’t have asked for a better setting. My son and his friends pitched a huge tent in the center of the property, my daughter and her friend stayed in and loved the adorable dome, and I enjoyed the cozy comfort of the yurt! Ismael was a wonderful host - even uncovered his drum set for them in the geo-dome! The entire property was perfect for our group - teens played pool, ping pong, grilled up great food. The outdoor kitchen was fully stocked too! It’s just a great place, but what really made the experience special was the way it brought everyone together - these young people got to hang out and make memories they’ll never forget. Ismael rocks, and we can’t wait to come back next year!

K

Kaitlin

July 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

Our two family group loved this site. The space was impeccable and had just the right amount of space for our little kids to play and explore. The propane fire pit was such a wonderful addition, that allowed adults some relaxing time after the kids went to bed, with enough proximity to feel comfortable. The creek was definitely the highlight of the stay — the shade, shallow running water, and abundance of banana slugs made it a trip we’ll never forget. Thank you for sharing your magical space with us! ♥️

Jeff

July 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

Fantastic for our group of 13 + a small dog! We'd love to visit again in the future The kitchen was fully stocked with everything we needed, we just had to bring the food. We comfortably fit multiple tents across the property while the folks who rented the yurt and dome felt very cozy as well. Showers worked well with hot water, and bathroom was functional (between a port-o-potty and an outdoor toilet - a bit of a smell but you're out in the wild!) Be sure to bring bug spray, though they have some as well. Host was super communitive before and during our stay - you're in great hands!

Aaron

April 2025

Group trip

1 night at Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

The property is so amazing! My group and I loved staying here for a night. Beautiful creek going right through the property, plenty of places to sit or lay back and enjoy the peaceful sounds of the mountain redwood forest. Great sheltered outdoor kitchen and huge BBQ grill, we cooked up a feast. The hot showers were a most welcome feature. Amenities for guests are so plentiful we didn't even have time to enjoy them all! Ismael was really helpful and responsive to my questions as I was planning out our camping trip. He's super down-to-earth and it was a pleasure to meet and chat a bit in person. Would love to come back again!!