100% (195)
Top-rated campgrounds
100% (195)
Top-rated campgrounds
Stories from the community
C
Carolyn
5 days ago
16 ft travel trailer
Beautiful property! Amazing views and super quiet. Felt far away, but there is a lot nearby. Will definitely rebook!
See more
Nicholas
1 week ago
19 ft campervan
With pets
Great Camping Spot! Beautiful drive up the mountain to some amazing views. Hosts were very friendly and the bathrooms were really clean. Highly recommended.
See more
K
Kegan
3 weeks ago
Tent
With pets
Beautiful location and nice and communicative hosts! Definitely make sure you have a 4x4 as the listing says because the last little climb gets pretty steep. Overall, would stay again.
See moreA
Annie
November 2025
Tent
Group trip
Lovely lovely time. Karina is so kind.
The view is something I won't forget. And the animals. They were just too cute!!
See more
Dalton
November 2025
Tent
Karina and Chris are great hosts that have created a seamless stay. The Ranch was very quiet and secluded, and we were greeted by their pigs, sheep, goats, and their dogs, all of who were very friendly and patient with our small dogs. We spent evenings walking the forest roads around the mountain ridge and taking in the orange sunsets!
The wind snuck up on us in the middle of the night, which was to be expected high up and close to the ocean. It was by no means unpleasant, but something to think about when you're picking a spot of your tent - there's plenty of cover. We had cell service, which was a nice convenience.
All that to say, La Montaña Ranch is magical and we'll definitely be back!
See more
D
Diana
October 2025
20 ft campervan
With pets
I love the scenery warmth and freedom at Fredog Farms!
See more
Jessica
October 2025
19 ft campervan
Nice and close to solvang. Very cean and quiet site.
See moreK
Keegan
October 2025
Tent
Group trip
It was an amazing campsite! We saw 3 dogs and huge pig too which was super fun. Gorgeous view, and not too far from campus.
See more
Mandana
October 2025
Tent
With pets
We all loved camping at Sierra and Darin's land. It is a beautiful and quite serene area where groups of campers get quite a bit of privacy and space from others. The hosts are so kind, communicatice, and welcoming. We really enjoyed the welcome tour, learning about all the creative projects they have started to expand the services offered to campers. We will be going back and recommending to our friends and family.
See more
A
Amy
October 2025
14 ft travel trailer
I’m new to camping and this was my first campsite with my dog. What a wonderful campsite it was! Sierra & Darin are super passionate about everything they have to offer guests and they give you a tour when you arrive. There are several water stations on the property for dogs to drink from. Lots of land to hike around with your dog off leash. The umbrellas at the picnic tables have lights on the underside which was cool. Sites are spaced out nicely. It’s a great place to stay and I will definitely go back.
See more
J
Jeremiah
October 2025
23 ft campervan
With pets
Sierra and Darin have an epic place to camp! Their property is well maintained and clean. They provide gas fire pits at the campsites and ports potties throughout.
The best part was their hospitality and open arms for new friends. They have a stocked bar and welcomed us with a great selection of beers to sip on as we took our little ones to see the chickens and goats.
I do think that our dog had the most fun of us all. Being off-leash and able to explore was her favorite thing, and she enjoyed hanging out with the other pups of the campground.
We will certainly be back, as one night was not enough.
See moreT
Trey
October 2025
25 ft Class C
With pets
We stayed 4 nights. Karina was responsive. The Range was a wonderful view with the neighborly pigs, goats and sheep visiting, along with their friendly dogs. We worked on training our ‘city’ dogs with new friends.
The 25’ RV we travelled in slowly made the exciting hillside drive up and down.
Karina and Chris have dedicated themselves to off the grid living, a constant work. We had a lovely visit of their home with a million $$ view.
See moreL
Lawrence
October 2025
Tent
I loved everything about Freedog Farms! I checked in late at night, and Sierra and Darin were kind enough to stay up and greet me at the gate. Not only that, they gave me a welcoming tour as well. Very kind, responsive, and helpful hosts, would definitely recommend this place to others.
See moreJ
Jake
October 2025
20 ft travel trailer
With pets
What a great weekend! The extraordinarily friendly owners meet you at the gate and you get a tour of the camp. Beautiful rolling hills of the central coast, large camp sites, and even though it's right off the freeway, you feel miles from civilization. Our dogs loved cruising around off leash to smell all the smells. Highly recommend!
See more
Steve
October 2025
20 ft pop-up camper
This was our second time camping here and it was just as nice as the first. This time we stayed at Salinan and it’s a very private site with great views perfect for star gazing. I’m glad I have 4x4 to get to this site as it’s steep and rocky. The site is mostly level but I used leveling blocks for a perfect night’s sleep in my truck. In the morning we woke up to a beautiful sunrise and panoramic views. Karina and Chris are great hosts, very communicative!
See moreG
Genevieve
October 2025
16 ft car
We had such a wonderful time staying at Sierra and Darin’s! The property was so special and our site had an incredible view. Their hospitality was especially moving, we felt so welcomed and comfortable. We hope to be back some day!
See more
A
Allie
October 2025
16 ft car
With pets
My husband, dog, and I spent two nights at Freedog Farms. Sierra and Darin were welcoming and friendly. We loved the tour of the property and the beer was great. The views were amazing, I would love to see it in spring when everything is green.
See moreJ
Jim
October 2025
10 ft campervan
We love staying at Chris & Karina’s land. It is private and quiet with beautiful views. They are great hosts. This was our 3rd stay and we can’t wait to return!
See more
W
William
October 2025
24 ft Class B
The countryside is fabulous and so are the people. Treat yourself to the experience and enjoy it fully. Thanks for the great hospitality.
See more
J
Jeremiah
October 2025
Tent
I truly enjoyed my stay at the Salinan Campsite! The stars were incredible and you could even see the Milky Way. You really feel like you are up in the mountains, even though you are only a few minutes from SLO.
See more
The best private sites RV camping near Santa Maria guide
Where to go
California's Central Coast
The stretch of coastline between Ventura County and Monterey Bay offers some of the most fantastic scenery in the state, if not the country. Here you'll find sandy beaches, windswept rocky cliffs, and tons of little beach towns, plus miles of beach-facing and inland hiking trails.
The Santa Ynez Valley
If you're up for a bit of wine tasting, the Santa Ynez Valley won't disappoint. This area—located between the Santa Ynez and San Rafael mountains—is full of vineyards and tasting rooms, with the largest concentrations found in towns such as Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, and Solvang.
Ventura County
South of Santa Maria, Ventura County offers many public beaches—many of which have tent and RV sites. The county also encompasses the Channel Islands, five of which are protected as part of the Channel Islands National Park. Ventura County also features plenty of inland spots to visit, from the new-age town of Ojai to the rugged Simi Valley.
When to go
Santa Maria offers good camping weather year-round, with mild winters and hot summers. Temperatures are highest from June through September, but if you plan to spend much time at nearby beaches during this period, expect some summer crowds. If visiting in winter or early spring, it’s wise to be prepared for rain. Those who like strawberries should come in spring, when the annual berry harvest is celebrated with the Santa Maria Strawberry Festival.