At the top of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz offers RVers redwoods, beaches, and a lively town.
Less than two hours south of San Francisco, Santa Cruz is known for its bustling boardwalk, wide beaches, surfing opportunities, and Redwood groves. It’s the perfect end point to an RV road trip down Highway 1 from the Bay Area or a good starting point for a trip further south to Carmel and Big Sur. Just north of town, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park offers forested hiking trails and a swimming hole for those looking to cool off. To the west, Wilder Ranch State Park features ocean bluffs, picnic areas, and horseback-riding trails. State beaches and campgrounds line Monterey Bay to the south, including New Brighton and Seacliff. RV parks sit along highways 9 and 1, and many of the state parks have RV camping but not always with hookups. Santa Cruz enjoys year-round mild weather with wet winters; fog and wind are common on the bay.