94% (2.2K)
Top-rated campgrounds near Watsonville
94% (2.2K)
Top-rated campgrounds near Watsonville
Public campgrounds near Watsonville
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp 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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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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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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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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Sharon
August 2025
19 ft campervan
Loved having the whole site to ourselves. The location is beautiful and quiet - lots of wildlife to watch - birds, ground squirrels and in addition to the resident horse and donkey. Nancy was very welcoming and gave us the full rundown as well as recommendations for coffee and ice cream nearby. A very relaxing time
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Paul
July 2025
25 ft campervan
Great stay at this lovely Hipcamp. Host (Nancy) met me nearby and guided me in which was helpful - it is up a rather obscure road. Very private, in fact was lucky enough to have the whole thing to myself. Even with another group there would have been plenty of room. Very clean bathroom and a fun, old West looking outside area. Will repeat!
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Dani
July 2025
Tent
With pets
A beautiful and very peaceful place, loved the outdoor kitchen and flush toilet complete with bidet!
The very best part was the fully fenced property so my dog could be off leash the entire time.
Hannah the horse and Daisy the donkey were the icing on the cake.
Absolutely loved my stay here and would return in a heartbeat!
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Claire
July 2025
23 ft Class C
With kids
Nancy is a wonderful host and made us very welcome, the horse and donkey were a real hit with my children.
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Ellen
July 2025
22 ft Class B
With pets
Wonderful warm welcome and great to spend an evening with Nancy at her wonderful ranch. We really enjoyed giving out carrots to her horse and donkey. Thanks for a wonderful stay
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Michael
July 2025
24 ft Class B
We had a great Hipcamp time at Nancy’s ranch - she is a wonderful camp host and allowed us to feed her horse and donkey which my wife loved very much - Thanks for the farm fresh eggs too!
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Amy
July 2025
32 ft Class A
With kids
A wonderful ranch in a beautiful and serene setting. Nancy was fantastic from start to finish and we really enjoyed our stay. Highlights included: playing corn hole, a lovely walk, feeding the animals, using the bbq and sitting around the fire pit!
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Lo
June 2025
Tent
With kids
This was such an incredible camping experience! Nancy is a wonderful host, and the property has more than you could ask for. Our kids loved the pets, the neighbors, and the property. It felt super safe, so our kids ran free the entire time. We never used the shower, but the toilet was fantastic, super clean, and fully functional. It was so great to have a fridge and propane fire with a large grill. We had everything we could ask for, plus Nancy seemed to be there precisely when we needed her, but gave us our space and privacy otherwise. It was a magical experience for our group of 10. I couldn’t recommend it enough. You could stay on the property for a full weekend and never run out of things to do. Check out the nearby farm stands and say hi to the neighbors, because they are all really lovely.
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Alan
June 2025
19 ft campervan
With pets
Rustic ranch with horses and burros . Nice and quiet.
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Tina
May 2025
15 ft travel trailer
My pups and I had a wonderful time! Nancy was so sweet and welcoming getting us settled in. The spot is comfortable and quiet with excellent amenities and plenty of space to spread out and relax. My pups ran around and had a great time chasing ground squirrels. They loved it so much I had to convince them to go to bed at night! Nancy also sent us lists she made of recommendations for parks and beaches they would enjoy!
We will definitely come back!
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Cyril
May 2025
Tent
Great place to stay! Lots of activities, peaceful at night, wonderful hosts, and breathtaking views!
Easy to get to as long as you have Apple Maps.
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Lisa
April 2025
30 ft Class A
With pets
Nancy was very communicative through the whole process. Her property is so relaxing and peaceful. We have a 30 ft class A and parked at the 50 amp site. We didnt have to do a lot of leveling. Since we were the only campers there, she allowed our dogs to run freely. Her land is entirely fenced. The pups loved it as much as we did. Bring some carrots to feed Hannah and Daisy (horse and donkey). They are very sweet. If you dont have any carrots, Nancy has treats on the table by the fence where instructions are posted on how to feed them. We will definitely visit again.
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Kristine
April 2025
Tent
We really enjoyed our four nights at Mi Querida ranch. It was so beautiful and peaceful. It is close to a lot of pretty places. We loved giving carrots to Daisy the donkey and Hannah the horse. We had a wild turkey staying in a pine tree near our campsite. What a charming place and Nancy is a very nice host.
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Jamison
March 2025
10 ft travel trailer
There was enough space to park and comfortably camp in our 15’ trailer while our dog wandered the property. It was a great evening and there was a nice, clean bathroom to use. We were able to say hi to the horse and donkey in the morning while we cooked breakfast. Super friendly host.
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Tim
February 2025
25 ft travel trailer
Nancy is the best! Our weekend trip was the perfect weekend getaway for us and our pups. Nancy was extremely accommodating and a wonderful host. And the location is perfect for exploring the surrounding area. We can’t wait to return.
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Eric
February 2025
32 ft fifth wheel
Nancy was an amazing host. Super kind, helpful and a wonderful human! Got to meet some of the neighbors and learn about the area The property is beautiful and everything works as promised. Easy drive to Monterey. Beautiful eucalyptus trees! Thanks again Nancy! Would stay again!
See moreNearby public parks
Browse national and state parks near Watsonville
The best waterside camping near Watsonville guide
Where to go
Monterey Bay Beaches
There are two beach parks with campgrounds in Watsonville: Manresa State Beach and Sunset State Beach. Manresa has blufftop campsites overlooking the Pacific Ocean, while Sunset features sites that connect to the park’s 1.5 miles of beach. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings to keep you cozy after sundown, and both parks have day-use areas. For RV camping with full hookups, head north to Seacliff State Beach Campground.
Moss Landing
Just a few miles south of Sunrise, Moss Landing State Beach is another enjoyable day-use beach that’s especially popular among birders. Here, and at the adjacent Moss Landing Wildlife Area, snowy plover, harbor seals, and sea otters are frequently spotted.
Santa Cruz Mountains
After having your fill of the beach, head to the Santa Cruz Mountains—specifically, Mt. Madonna County Park, just 20 minutes from downtown Watsonville. Here campers can explore a towering redwood forest on foot or horseback to take in great views of Monterey Bay. For a deep dive into the region’s ecology and redwood forest regeneration, nearby Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is also a great option.
Pinnacles National Park
Small enough for a day trip but grand enough to blow your mind, Pinnacles National Park is a cathedral of rock in the Central Valley, about an hour’s drive from Watsonville. The park’s namesake pinnacles, made of andesite and rhyolite rock, tower over the surrounding chaparral, drawing hikers, rock climbers, and a large population of the endangered California condor. Courageous spelunkers can venture into the park’s talus caves, home to 14 species of bats, while those interested in history can stop in the town of San Juan Bautista on the drive in from Watsonville to Pinnacles.
When to go
Due to its coastal location, Watsonville’s summers are mild and pleasant compared to the triple-digit heat common in the nearby Central Valley. Winter temperatures are still very camp-able, averaging highs of 60 and lows of 40, but campers should come prepared for rain and fog, especially when tent camping.