Camping near Santa Cruz, California
Redwoods and crashing waves are the backdrop of this seaside city by the mountains.
- Santa Cruz
96% (25809 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Santa Cruz
Within one hour of Santa Cruz
Available this weekend
12 top campgrounds near Santa Cruz
91%
(267)
SMR Carmel Camping
29 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents89 acres · Del Rey Oaks, Monterey
Welcome 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 family friendly getaway for those seeking a break from the bustle of life.
PLEASE NOTE, our RV and tent sites are pet friendly but YOU MUST ADD THE PET FEE EXTRA WHEN MAKING YOUR BOOKING. Our glamping stays are NOT pet-friendly aside from one of our luxury tents.
We charge $5 per pet and you can bring a maximum of 2 pets.
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!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from
$36
/ night
86%
(2476)
The Enchanted Forest Retreat
54 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents45 acres · Los Gatos, Santa Cruz
Welcome 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.
We have 18 campsites, 3 Glamping Tents, 2 Tiny Houses and 2 Guest Suites in the house.
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 shared BBQ grill by the fence up above the creek, and an outdoor amphitheater.
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!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Showers
Trash
from
$80
/ night
95%
(201)
WindTree
7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents64 acres · Los Gatos, Santa Cruz
WindTree is an awesome retreat perched high on top of the Santa Cruz Mountains in California, over looking the entire Monterey Bay and Santa Clara Valley. WindTree is sacred land used by many over the past 30 years for retreat and ceremony. It has also been a working "Wwoof" -ing farm for volunteers from all over the world to come and learn about organic gardening in a fun, beautiful, nurturing community restoring our sense of interrelatedness and encouraging planetary sustainability by our choices and concerns for the wellness of the environment. You can make your experience apart of this community or enjoy a quiet private camp site away from any activities. We are off the grid with solar power and our own well. We have small organic gardens with chickens and goats. You will love it up here under the stars.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from
$60
/ night
100%
(112)
Fern Ridge Flats - Private Camping
2 sites · Tents9 acres · Aptos, Santa Cruz
Nestled in a canopy of redwoods, less than 10 miles from the beach sits a private and cozy campground. Fern Ridge Flats combines the best of Santa Cruz county. Abundant trees and misty mornings await you at our property in Aptos. Equipped with electricity, water, and a picnic table for your convenience. There are trails on the land for you to explore, animals, and nature to dive into.
***************
Smoking and the use of drugs are strictly prohibited. This is a safe and quiet neighborhood with many families including my own. Please do not request to book if you have the intention of partying or using illegal substances. If these rules are violated, local authorities will be called and you will be removed from the campsite.
***************
The campsite is less than a 5 minute walk from the parking spot but is relatively steep. Although it is paved it is not recommended for anyone with mobility issues.
***************
As an added precaution to protect the lush landscape, the firepit at the campsite utilizes clean burning propane. We chose a burner that closely replicates the size and heat of a wood to enhance our campers' experience.
Toilets
Campfires
Trash
Cooking equipment
from
$65
/ night
80%
(25)
Top Of The Mountain Vineyard
6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents32 acres · Santa Cruz
Welcome to Hill Top Vineyard, nestled in the mountains of Santa Cruz; this breathtaking 30+ acre retreat is the ideal getaway.
We offer 3 RV/tent sites and 2 glamping domes. The glamping domes share a full bathroom equipped with a hot water shower and flushing toilet. There is no toilet available for the RV/tent sites so campers are required to bring their own.
Featuring four acres of vineyard, two acres of seasonal pond, winding trails, and sweeping vistas of the surrounding mountains. Just imagine waking up slowly with a cup of coffee from one of the local coffee shops while you watch the wildlife come to life. Evenings are best spent enjoying the stunning sunsets in front of the 2 acre pond.
Located just 15 miles from the world-famous beaches of Santa Cruz that have some of the most sought-after surf breaks, and if beaches aren't your thing, Henry Cowell State park is less than ten miles away and has some of the gorgeous hikes in all of Santa Cruz County.
Big Basin State Park is a few towns over and is one of the few places in the
world where you can see coastal redwoods. The location also offers easy access to silicon valley and the greater bay area if you're interested in a day trip to the city.
Amenities include RV/oversized vehicle parking, private trails, and more!
Book your stay today at Hill Top Vineyard to experience the ultimate getaway, where you'll find peace in nature's embrace.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from
$90
/ night
97%
(392)
Redwood Retreat: Camping & Cooking
5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents16 acres · Watsonville, Santa Cruz
Located on 16 acres, Redwood Retreat is nestled among majestic redwood trees. We have a cottage, a tent cabin with queen bed, two camping sites for up to 4, and a hot tent tent heated with wood burning stove. Sites 1 & 2 combine nicely for a group of up to 8 and sites 3 & 4 combine well for a group of up to 6. Enjoy the owls, doves, hummingbirds, and salamanders. Corralitos is ideal for biking, hiking (unfortunately, the terrain on our property is NOT hikeable), wine tasting, and the beach is 30 minutes away. We are equi-distant between Monterey and Santa Cruz (also approximately 30 minutes but depends on traffic) for all of your more "touristy" desires. Under 2 hours to San Francisco. We will send a very comprehensive list of recommendations for things to do, places to go, and things to see & do in the Santa Cruz/Monterey area when you book, as well as specific directions to get here. PLUS, chef Mima has a host of things to offer in terms of culinary temptations like a whole line of SENSATIONAL SKILLETS. Menus are sent when you book. Why not line up a COOKING CLASS ($85. per person plus ingredients) for a 3 hour class and DINING ON THE DECK with your new culinary creation. Scroll to bottom of photo gallery for latest photos. Ask for the current list of classes Mima spent 6 years at renowned Chez Panisse restaurant before starting a career as a caterer in the food industry. SEE ADD-ONS!
Imagine a peaceful, serene neck of the woods with NO WIFI. Feel the restorative power of nature building resilience and buffering tomorrow’s stress. Welcome to Redwood Retreat. in the mountains above the sweet town of Corralitos, approximately a half hour to either Santa Cruz or Monterey and 20 minutes to nearest beach. If you are the type of camper that likes to play music or be loud, this is not the camp for you. This is a refuge from that. When multiple sites are reserved, this spot is perfect for family vacations, company retreats, small celebrations etc. It is strongly recommended that you book all three sites if you wish to entertain. No amplified noise. A noise curfew is in effect from 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. for anything but talking. Sound carries and we must respect neighbors and other campers.THX!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
Cooking equipment
from
$75
/ night
100%
(34)
Fern Ridge Camper
1 site · Lodging9 acres · Aptos, Santa Cruz
The first 5 bookings get a 20% discount! Act fast!
**************
Come and camp like its 1949 in our retro Boles Aero trailer at Fern Ridge Camper. Much like Airstream, Boles Aero was building top of the line campers out of aircraft grade aluminum; providing chill vibes and highly functional spaces. Come enjoy our blast from the past in our completely original Boles Aero trailer. Apart from the camper itself, which sleeps two comfortably, our site comes equipped with outdoor dining, string lights, and a fire pit to enjoy the stars. Situated at the front of our property, the camper provides a private feel, while still being conveniently located. 10 minutes from town, 15 minutes from the closest beach, and 30 minutes from the beach boardwalk our site is close enough to all Santa Cruz has to offer, while secluded enough to enjoy the natural spaces unique to the Santa Cruz mountains.
Toilets
Campfires
Trash
Cooking equipment
from
$80
/ night
100%
(8)
Up Shit Creek
3 sites · Lodging, Tents12 acres · Boulder Creek, Santa Cruz
12 Acres in the Redwoods. Creekside, many many swimming holes lots of open spaces private driveway secluded location lots of chickens usually an endless supply of eggs for breakfast. Small supervised campfires available. Hot showers, wood-burning stove and kitchen amenities running water.
This is our home, it is private, eclectic and filled with natural beauty. That being said, it is by no means pristine. We have the occasional junk pile like most off grid homesteaders do. We do not throw out some things that others would. We try to find a use for old and weathered equipment and materials. Our cabin is built completely with recycled and reclaimed materials. Like I said, we do not like to waste anything, so you may notice a few parts and pieces laying around.
WiFi works in the cabin but sometimes it can be spotty and not the fastest.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from
$65
/ night
99%
(73)
Brigadoon
3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Watsonville, Santa Cruz
Stay within minutes of Manresa, Sand Dollar, and Sunset State beaches. There are excellent biking and hiking opportunities on the Watsonville and Elkhorn sloughs, or commune with the redwoods in the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. The air is amazing here, between the salt sea and redwood forest. We welcome you to relax and refresh on the Monterey Bay coast.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from
$65
/ night
100%
(40)
Audrey Edna Cabin at Alpine Ranch
1 site · Lodging350 acres · Loma Mar, San Mateo
Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all.
At one time, the ridge of the Santa Cruz Mountains was a thriving center for trade between tribes of the coast and the bay, which we still find evidence of today in cultural sites and artifacts throughout the region. Native people have cared for this land since time immemorial, including the local Muwekma and Ramaytush Ohlone who are still active in the area today. This property specifically is host to a tributary to one of just a handful of waterways that support salmonids in this region, which are a species of tremendous importance to native people.
Over 1000 acres here were eventually purchased by entrepreneur Ridgeway Rowley, who built a home on the ranch in the 1880s as part of an unsuccessful wedding proposal to Fannie Page, daughter of a local mill owner (ever heard of Page Mill Road?) After being rejected by Fannie, Rowley operated the ranch for a decade in conjunction with his work as District Attorney and publisher of the Palo Alto Weekly, before eventually returning to his hometown of Cortland, NY, where he lived as a bachelor until his death. Over the course of the 20th century, the ranch was divided, some parts of which became Pescadero Creek County Park. POST purchased the 350 acre home property, now called Alpine Ranch, in 2012 through our Heart of the Redwoods campaign, an initiative to protect 20,000 acres of Redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Alpine Ranch borders Pescadero Creek County Park and Sam McDonald County Park, adding to the area’s protected open space and containing more than a mile of tributaries to Pescadero Creek, which flows year-round and is a major spawning stream for steelhead trout.
The Audrey Edna Cabin at Alpine Ranch is situated at one of the property's most scenic overlooks. The cabin was built in the early 1900's, and completely reconstructed up to modern building codes by POST in 2018 so that all could enjoy this special place.
Potable water
Toilets
Cooking equipment
from
$100
/ night
98%
(302)
Organic Farm with Multiple Choices
6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Felton, Santa Cruz
Come camp at our organic farm walking distance from the redwoods at Henry Cowell State Park and Roaring Camp Railroad.
Please read through the description for each site before you book so you can choose which site is best suited for you. Also, please note we love kids, but this is an actual working farm with animals, farm equipment, and unfenced ponds. If you bring your children, you must stay with them 24/7 and supervise them. Also due to our own animals we do not allow dogs in any of the sites, thanks for understanding. All sites have a 2 person, 1 car limit.
The Tall Oaks campsite has access to a shared outdoor restroom with a flush toilet and shower. There is also an outside sink and picnic table as well as a water spigot. There is no kitchen so please bring your own camping set up or stove. No fires are permitted at the campsite but we have a large communal campfire ring and dining area in our meadow. We have quiet hours between 9pm-9am as there are 4 units on this property, all within a good distance of one another. The Tall Oaks campsite is not large enough to accommodate an RV, trailer or high top camper van.
Our other site is appropriate for Camper Van Parking for up to 20ft and have high roofs. We CAN NOT fit RV’s or trailers on this pad, it’s not big enough, so vans only please. The spot is level and is next to our barn/farm stand. You will be close to the goats, chickens and horses but they are all relatively quiet, no roosters to wake you in the morning! There is a picnic table and access to a shared bath house which is a short walking distance from your parking area. In addition to your picnic table there is a shared outdoor meadow space with tables and a communal fire pit. Please bring your own wood.
Lastly if you want to splurge for an indoor accommodation, we have a cute little building called the Pottery Shed and a Vintage Trailer. Both of these sites have double beds and their own private patios and fire pits. The trailer has its own outdoor shower, the Pottery Shed shares the outdoor bath house with the camp sites.
All spaces are a good distance apart from one another. The tent site and the Pottery Shed have the most privacy.
Our guests love us too! "This place is amazing! Such a hidden gem, we loved camping amongst the turkeys, chickens and horses under the trees ✨"
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from
$55
/ night
92%
(257)
Felton Open Space Camp Sites
10 sites · RVs, Tents14 acres · Felton, Santa Cruz
Next to Historic Winery in the heart of Santa Cruz Mountains in the quaint town of Felton. Located between two state parks, Henry Cowell and Fall Creek. Just 6 miles, up in the mountains, from the Pacific Ocean and the Monterey Bay. Half a mile from the famous Roaring Camp Railway. Wine & Cider tasting next door at Hallcrest Vineyards; Dine in Felton, hiking, biking and local shops to explore. Please note when booking that each of the sites are limited to two adults only. Children are welcome.
Pets
Toilets
Trash
from
$45
/ night
Under $50
Star Hosts in Santa Cruz
Nearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
Camping near Santa Cruz guide
On the northern edge of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz is a city of ancient redwoods, surfing beaches, and coastal mountains. Here, Hipcampers can sleep under forest canopies or wake up to views of the Pacific Ocean. Santa Cruz rates among California's top surfing spots, with a shoreline that varies from sandy beaches to dramatic cliffs and tidal pools. Not far from downtown, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has amusement park rides and games for in-town thrills. Or you can stroll down the wharf to shop and dine on the water. You’ll find numerous recreational and wildlife viewing opportunities around the bay
Where to Go
Big Basin Redwoods
Big Basin Redwoods State Park is home to a 2,000-year-old Redwood named Mother of the Forest, which stands 300 feet tall. The protected groves of coast redwoods in Big Basin and neighboring Little Basin are among the state’s most magnificent—and resilient. Once recovered from wildfires and reopened to the public, these camps will again offer tent spots and cabins for rent.
Felton
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park covers 40 acres of old-growth redwood trees in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Henry Cowell boasts a popular swimming hole known as the Garden of Eden, as well as trails for hiking and horseback riding. Next door in Felton is Roaring Camp Railroads, where you can ride a steam locomotive through the forest.
Capitola
New Brighton State Beach sits on a bluff surrounded by eucalyptus trees. In addition to tent sites, the campground has RV sites with hookups, but trailers looking for an RV park should check Seacliff State Beach. Sunset State Beach Campground, which lies further south along Monterey Bay, overlooks a quiet, uncrowded beach near Pajaro Dunes. Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA isn't far if you're looking for family camping with lots of amenities.
Monterey
Follow Highway 1 around the bay all the way to Monterey, home to a state-of-the-art aquarium. En route, it’s worth a stop at Elkhorn Slough—part of the Moss Landing State Wildlife Area—where campers can rent a kayak and paddle among the sea otters.
When to Go
Summertime in Santa Cruz attracts crowds, and the beaches and campsites tend to fill up. Book ahead and plan your trip well ahead of time, or explore during the off-season. Autumn and spring are typically temperate, while cooler months may require preparations for rain. From December to February, thousands of monarch butterflies overwinter in Monarch Grove, a natural preserve at Natural Bridges State Beach where you can visit tidepools year-round.
Know Before You Go
- Some parks and forest trails may remain closed due to dangerous conditions or fire damage.
- Dogs are allowed in some campsites, picnic areas, and select trails in California state parks.
- Participate in the Crumb Clean Campaign to protect the marbled murrelet, an endangered seabird that nests in the forest canopy.
- Surfboards and equipment, including wetsuits, can be rented at Cowell Beach on the Santa Cruz Wharf.
- Felton features a historic downtown where campers can purchase provisions at a natural foods store, find delicious eats, and enjoy wine tasting and craft beers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Top cities near Santa Cruz
Safety at Hipcamp
Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.