95% (3.7K)
Top-rated campgrounds
95% (3.7K)
Top-rated campgrounds
Public campgrounds near Santa Cruz
Stories from the community
J
Jennifer
October 2025
Tent
With pets
Nancy has truly thought of everything to make a stay at her place effortless and relaxing. From personally greeting you and guiding you to the site on your first visit, to pampering you with extra amenities, she goes above and beyond. Her property is stunning—exactly what I was hoping for, both for myself and my two high energy dogs. It’s the perfect spot to unwind and disconnect, all while staying conveniently close to town.
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Shari
October 2025
Tent
With pets
This was my second time camping on Norris and Roberta’s land. They are both so welcoming, and I just love all their goats and sheep and chickens…and the new baby llama! My campsite was very private, making it easy for me to walk my dogs. This is my go-to HipCamp when I am in the area.
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Patrick
October 2025
Tent
This place was so much fun. Great people to hang out with and the animals are so friendly.
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Sebastian
October 2025
Tent
With pets
It was my puppy’s first time camping and this was the perfect spot. squirrels for her to chase, large fenced area for her to run around safely, a horse and donkey that she was obsessed with, comes with the perfect amenities for camping such a wonderful spot will be back soon
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Beth
September 2025
13 ft Class C
With kids
Norris and Roberta were so welcoming and awesome. Our 6yr old LOVED all the animals and it was an easy trip into Moss Landing and Monterey!
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Justin
September 2025
Tent
With kids
Norris and Roberta were the friendliest host. Our family had such a wonderful time at their site, exploring the farm. They welcomed us as if we were old friends and gave took our kids around to hang out with their animals, pick fresh fruits, and run around the property. Our kids loved their dogs too! Norris and Roberta took extra effort to make sure we were comfortable, which we greatly appreciated. The campsite we used was shaded and peaceful with plenty of space for a 6 person tent. Folding tables were available too. The communal fire-pit was nice with some mood string lighting around the area, and Norris/Roberta spent extra time making sure our kids were having fun. So grateful to them for opening up their home and hosting us!
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Kristen
September 2025
Tent
Loved this place!! Will definitely be back :) the hosts were so friendly and welcoming too
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Crystal
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Elkhorn Ranch HIP Camp is absolutely a hidden gem for families especially if kids are wild about animals. My children came home with stories about goats, lamas, sheep, cows, dogs, cats, and even the friendly farm dogs who take their sheep-protecting duties seriously (but only bark at night because those coyotes are out there somewhere, plotting a sheep heist!). During the day, those dogs were like gentle, furry tour guides, happy to let my kids snuggle and play.
The children hit the jackpot when the owner's grandkids showed up. They roamed from hay to sunflower patch, chasing each other in farm freedom. The owner, a super helpful and kind Jamaican gentleman, even made us feel like part of the family.
You can zip over to Moss Landing for some beach fun, and the apple farms in Watsonville or Salinas are just up the road, so picking fresh apples was the icing on our farm-fresh cake. We also took the Ottertunity to kayak in Elkhorn Slough to see the sea otters.
Our only “complaint” (if you can call it one) was a little nighttime puppy concert. The dogs only bark when the sheep need guarding, and it felt reassuring, like farm security on furry paws. I was annoyed at first because I was tired. Then he stopped and I was mostly reassured that there were not coyotes around us.
We’ll be back for more s’mores, sunflower selfies, and sheep serenades.
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april
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Very nice host. Calm environment and fun for the kids.
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Naomi
September 2025
16 ft car
With kids
Very welcoming hosts and spacious camping area. Has everything you need clean outhouse, warm water to wash dishes, and communal fire pit. The animals were friendly and fun to have around. Thanks Norris and Roberta!
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Oliver
September 2025
10 ft pop-up camper
With kids
Nancy was a lovely host. The site is fairly basic but has a rustic charm
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Corianne
September 2025
Tent
With kids
We love camping here! It was our second time and our kids can't wait to come back next year. We love all the animals, super friendly people, nice camp sites, camp fires and the location: perfect to explore Elkhorn slough and the coast.
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mathew
August 2025
Tent
With kids
Norris and Roberta were excellent hosts and we had at great time at the farm. My daughter loved playing with the baby goats and the guard dogs who were very friendly. The campsite was clean and well maintained. We were able to use the grill and had a great time hanging out near the fire pit. It's close to other attractions like moss landing and Carmel as well. Would recommend to anyone looking for a camping at farm experience.
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Emilio
August 2025
Tent
With kids
Norris and Roberta's land is truly wonderful, a special place for kids that love animals. From the moment you drive in they where extremely welcoming and shared everything. We were so fortunate that we had a former worker from there with his daughter that treated us like family.
I visited with my three daughters and we slept on our tent, camping is easy with the convenience of having a bathroom, place to wash dishes, community fire pit, community stove and so much more. We met wonderful people from all over the world.
There is no question that we are coming back, and hopefully soon. Roberta and Norris are so welcoming and genuinely love to share their land and animals, so much so that we were invited to see newborn sheep in the near future. My daughters literally spent our whole drive back home talking about it.
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Randy
August 2025
22 ft Class C
The hosts are awesome, friendly and accommodating. Support this Hip camp, real people here. Respect to Norris and team!
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Chinh
August 2025
23 ft travel trailer
With pets
Our entire family loved Nancy’s ranch. Our kid enjoyed the Daisy the Donkey and Hannah the Horse; our dogs chased endless squirrels for miles, and we enjoyed the beautiful surroundings in a quiet area. We will definitely be back.
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Gabriel
August 2025
Tent
clean place, friendly hosts. Cute animals, goats, a lama, chickens, two friendly dogs.
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Matilda
August 2025
Tent
Really kind hosts! Very friendly. Nice communal fire-pit for the evenings, and clean bathrooms
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Boobalan
August 2025
Tent
Fun with animals. Very hospitable and welcoming hosts. It's all you want for a weekend. I and my wife got to feed the goats.
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Dana
August 2025
Tent
With pets
The tent site was perfect for two small tents, and a small walk up a hill from the wonderful community kitchen and firepit. The kitchen had hot water and was stocked with smores supplies and coffee cups.
I felt very close to the hosts, which turned out fine. It's a small piece of property with large garden and animals, so it felt a bit like we were in their space. They, however, did not make me feel that way. Super friendly and even told us the history of the farm.
Conveniently close to the beach!
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