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Top Campgrounds and RV Parks in Monterey Bay, California
Monterey Bay is a body of water in Central California. Since this area is centrally located within California, RV campgrounds in Monterey Bay, CA serve as excellent starting points for RV adventures throughout California. This list rounds-up all the best RV parks, campgrounds, and resorts in the Monterey Bay area.
Monterey County Fairgrounds RV Park
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Monterey County Fairgrounds RV Park is located in the center of the Monterey County Fairgrounds. Multiple events are held at these fairgrounds every year, and this RV park is close to downtown Monterey. Del Monte Beach is only a short distance away from Monterey County Fairgrounds RV Park.
Why You’ll Love Monterey County Fairgrounds RV Park
If you’re in town for an event at the fairgrounds, Monterey County Fairgrounds RV Park is the best place to stay. This RV park is pretty small, but it’s close to all of the amenities of downtown Monterey. If you stay in the offseason, this RV park is practically deserted.
What People Are Saying About Monterey County Fairgrounds RV Park
“Nice park like location. Has onsite camping/RV facilities. A smaller venue for a fairgrounds. If a large event is occurring, parking can be challenging. Also, there is a satellite racing here.” – Eileen, Google Review
Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
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Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday is located just outside of the town of Port Watsonville. This RV park is relatively large and is located within walking distance of the beach. Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday features a camp store and other amenities.
Why You’ll Love Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
Why You’ll Love Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday The best thing about Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday is that it’s so close to the beach. KOA campgrounds are designed with families in mind, and Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday features multiple playgrounds. A fully-stocked camp store and a kitchen are also on-site.
What People Are Saying About Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
“One of my favorite campgrounds! Don’t have any complaints. I’ve stayed at more than 50 campgrounds, and this one is very well laid out (best layout I’ve ever seen) where the spots make circles around the playgrounds. (2 circles, 2 playgrounds). The fun train came by every day and the staff was so kind to go on another trip around if my kids missed the first train.” – Sarah, Google Review
Moss Landing KOA Express
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Moss Landing KOA Express is located in the small town of Moss Landing. This town surrounds an estuary, and there is a beautiful wildlife area to the north of this RV park. Moss Landing KOA Express is also located directly on the beach.
Why You’ll Love Moss Landing KOA Express
Moss Landing KOA Express is located in the small town of Moss Landing. This town surrounds an estuary, and there is a beautiful wildlife area to the north of this RV park. Moss Landing KOA Express is also located directly on the beach.
What People Are Saying About Moss Landing KOA Express
“A wonderful place to stay. It’s extremely well kept up. Close to several excellent restaurants to choose from within walking distance. Elkhorn slough is a wildlife wonderland, there is a 1.5 mile or so walking path along the slough complete with cotton tails darting across it. At the end, you can walk back to the beach.” – Sue, Google Review
Mari Dunes RV Park
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Mari Dunes RV Park is located slightly north of the town of Mari, CA. This RV park features beach access, and a Walmart is within walking distance. Mari Dunes RV Park is one of the smallest RV parks in the area so you won’t have to deal with a crowd when you stay here.
Why You’ll Love Mari Dunes RV Park
Mari Dunes RV Park is conveniently located right off Highway 1. Numerous amenities are within walking distance, and Mari State Beach is right down the road. This RV park is a great place to observe marine wildlife.
What People Are Saying About Mari Dunes RV Park
“We stayed for 3 weeks in March/April 2017. I can’t think of much I’d change except road noise from the freeway. Great location, walk to the beach, close to Monterey. We had friends over and used the pool table in the rec room. Laundry area clean and very convenient. Nice people running it. We’ll be back, baby!” – Suzzette, Google Review
Monterey Pines RV Campground
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This small campground is located within the town of Monterey. It’s only open to guests associated with the military, and it is open all year-round. Monterey Pines RV Campground is within walking distance of Del Monte Beach
Why You’ll Love Monterey Pines RV Campground
Since this is a military-only campground, there’s a good chance you’ll be surrounded by like-minded folks when you stay here. Monterey Pines RV Campground is situated within walking distance of many amenities. If you have guests coming to visit, you’ll be pleased to know that Monterey Regional Airport is right next door.
What People Are Saying About Monterey Pines RV Campground
“Really enjoyed staying here. The bathrooms are really clean (and heated!) and the RV spots are nice. The RV park is on the golf course and convenient to town. I rode my bike and walked to town daily. Great place to stay when visiting Monterey.” – Mike, Google Review
Carmel By the River RV Park
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Carmel By the River RV Park is located southeast of Monterey near Hacienda Carmel. This RV park is relatively small, and it’s surrounded by lush greenery. It’s about five miles away from Garland Ranch Regional Park and about 10 miles from Monterey.
Why You’ll Love Carmel By the River RV Park
This RV park is located right on the Carmel River, which makes fishing easy. Swimming in the river is also enjoyable during the summer months. Even though Carmel By the River RV Park feels like it’s set deep in nature, it’s actually quite close to Monterey.
What People Are Saying About Carmel By the River RV Park
“The setting is beautiful, nestled up in the hills. Very green and lush with flowers and talk shrubs for privacy between sites. Owner and I assume his family (or staff?) are all very friendly. They offer a decent cash discount so bring money if you want to save the extra cash.” – Greg, Google Review
Salinas / Monterey KOA
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Salinas / Monterey KOA is located equidistant between the towns of Salinas and Moss Landing. It’s a relatively small RV park, but it features a large clubhouse. At the clubhouse, you can do laundry, cook in the kitchen, and stock up on supplies at the store.
Why You’ll Love Salinas / Monterey KOA
Salinas / Monterey KOA is located right off Highway 101, and Manzanita County Park is within walking distance. While this RV park feels quiet and remote, the town of Salinas is only about nine miles away. The sunsets in this area are beautiful, and the heated pool is open all year-round.
What People Are Saying About Salinas / Monterey KOA
“Loved this place, stayed there for work a little over 40 days cabins are nice beds are extremely comfy, and customer service is amazing one of the nicest ladies u will ever encounter, LACE is amazing, professional and extremely nice !” – Josue, Google Review
Saddle Mountain Ranch, RV and Campground
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Saddle Mountain Ranch, RV and Campground is situated to the east of the small town of Quail Meadows. This RV park is one of the most remote campgrounds in the region; it’s located in the middle of a thick and beautiful forest. Saddle Mountain Ranch, RV and Campground covers over 89 acres of woodland, and this RV park caters to large groups.
Why You’ll Love Saddle Mountain Ranch, RV and Campground
If you’re looking for somewhere in the middle of nowhere to forget all of your worries, Saddle Mountain Ranch, RV and Campground is the place for you. While this RV park isn’t very big, it’s surrounded by a soundproof wall of trees that maintains pure peace and quiet. Saddle Mountain Ranch, RV and Campground is especially beautiful in the summer, but it is open all year-round.
What People Are Saying About Saddle Mountain Ranch, RV and Campground
“There are a lot of good reasons for choosing this location. It’s quiet. The internet is good. Its got a pool. The grounds are really clean. One thing to consider when booking is that the spaces are really small. Only book if you are an expert at backing in. The road getting there is a one lane road with traffic going both directions.” – Daniel, Google Review
Thousand Trails San Benito
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San Benito RV & Camping Resort is located in the mountains to the west of Salinas. This RV park is operated by Thousand Trails, and it’s open all year-round. It’s near the town of Paicines, and there are plenty of nature trails in the area.
Why You’ll Love Thousand Trails San Benito
The views from this campground are absolutely stunning. If you stay in the summer, you’ll enjoy the shade provided by this RV park’s mature trees. You can start a hike into the mountains from the edge of this RV park.
What People Are Saying About Thousand Trails San Benito
“Love this place. Lots of wildlife and a very friendly staff. Thanks for a great stay. Celso, Trish, Kenya, Kathy, Steve and Misty. We appreciate your hard work. We have been here several times in the last few months. Always a good stay.” – Ruth, Google Review
Sunset State Beach
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Sunset State Beach features a quiet RV park near Salis. Camping under the pine trees and picnicking on the beach are the main attractions, and it is open year-round. You’ll be able to enjoy spectacular views of Monterey Bay when you stay here.
Why You’ll Love Sunset State Beach
Just steps from a pristine Pacific Ocean beach, this is a campground near Salis, California, for getting away from it all. It doesn’t have hookups, but the location is fantastic. During the summer, you can participate in camp events, such as campfire gatherings, ture hikes, and Junior Ranger activities. This campsite also has a glider port for remote-control glider enthusiasts.
What People Are Saying About Sunset State Beach
“This is one of my favorite beaches in the area. It is a little out of the way, but it is wilder than many beaches and a lot of tural beauty. If you want some solitude and tural beauty, this is a good place to go.” – Lansing, Google Review
Marina Dunes RV Resort
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Marina Dunes RV Park has a fantastic location near the most interesting and enjoyable attractions on the Monterey Peninsula. It has first-class amenities, such as a beautiful clubhouse, heated pool, exercise room, sand volleyball court and outdoor barbecue areas. It is located on a dune preserve.
Why You’ll Love Marina Dunes RV Resort
The town of Marina is just four minutes away. There is also a park within walking distance, and so is the beach. Walmart is close by. Santa Cruz is 32 miles to the north, but the Monterey Peninsula has many attractions, including excellent restaurants, whale watching excursions, surfing-worthy waves, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, championship golf courses, Carmel by the Sea, wine tasting tours and more.
What People Are Saying About Marina Dunes RV Resort
“Quiet, clean, affordable, conveniently located. This is one of the nicest, cleanest friendliest campgrounds. We have stayed here nine different visits and have reservations for next year too.” – Jim, Google Review
Santa Vida RV Park
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This RV campground near Santa Clara, California is a few minutes from Downtown Santa Cruz. It is nestled in a 23-acre forest of redwoods, madrone, and oak. Some sites have concrete pads and grass.
Why You’ll Love Santa Vida RV Park
Why You’ll Love Santa Vida RV Park Santa Vida RV Park is a no-frills facility that is an inexpensive base for visiting all the action in Santa Cruz. The staff is friendly and helpful and will help you get your rig situated.
What People Are Saying About Santa Vida RV Park
“Nice, quiet, clean. What else do you need?” – Paul, Google Review
Pinto Lake Park
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Pinto Lake Park is a Watsonville, CA RV park that is composed of 78 acres, of which 70 are water. It is a great place for boating and fishing, and it has a baseball diamond and volleyball court. You can bring your own boat, raft, kayak, canoe or inflatable watercraft or rent one at the campground
Why You’ll Love Pinto Lake Park
This Salis campground is an excellent place for boating and fishing. If you have a boat or want to rent one, you can have fun on the lake. The walking trails are mostly easy, and there is good bird-watching. It is a no-frills park that brings you close to ture. It’s also known to be a good place for children.
What People Are Saying About Pinto Lake Park
“It’s a chill medium sized park with a disc golf course, dog park, sports fields a slough with birds and stuff.” – Itai, Google Review
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
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Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is famous for its 40-acre grove of old-growth redwood trees. Some of the trees are thousands of years old, and the park draws visitors from around the world. There are four diverse habitats in the park for you and your family to explore: river, grasslands, redwoods, and sandhills.
Why You’ll Love Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
The trees are truly awesome, making this a great place for a family outing. The sites have picnic tables and fire rings. There are many hiking trails that are suitable for individuals of any age. The town of Felton is nearby with grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations. Take a ride on the Roaring Camp Big Trees Railroad for an unforgettable adventure through the redwoods.
What People Are Saying About Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
“With multiple trails for hiking, biking, splashing in the river, and walking among the towering redwood trees, this is my favorite forest in the area. There’s camping and tons of trails.” – Erica, Google Review
Cotillion Gardens RV Park
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Cotillion Gardens RV Park is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It contains a secret garden hidden by massive redwood trees. There is a heated pool for use during the summer plus hiking trails, a playground, and a horseshoe pitch on-site.
Why You’ll Love Cotillion Gardens RV Park
This Santa Clara campground is in a beautiful redwood forest and offers access to a huge number of local attractions, including zip-lining facilities, several state parks, Seacliff State Beach, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, Winchester Mystery House, golf courses, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
What People Are Saying About Cotillion Gardens RV Park
“This is where my family used to come every summer when I was growing up. I loved it as a kid. Decided to make a reservation and absolutely wasn’t disappointed. Granted, not much has changed in over 20 years, but the memories came flooding back. My kids love it here.” – Reshel, Google Review
Smithwoods RV Park
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Smithwoods RV Park near Santa Clara is a family-owned and -operated facility. It is conveniently located near the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and provides easy access to other local activities, such as wine tasting and surfing. This full-service resort has everything you need for a fun family vacation.
Why You’ll Love Smithwoods RV Park
Smithwoods RV Park has a heated seasonal swimming pool, billiard tables, a basketball court and organized group activities. It is near the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, the beach, and other entertainment and recreation opportunities in the area. There are events and festivals held throughout the year in the area, such as the Boulder Creek Art and Wine Festival, a Civil War re-enactment at Roaring Camp and the Vintners Festival.
What People Are Saying About Smithwoods RV Park
“I brought my travel trailer here the day I bought it and stayed for six weeks. As a first-time travel trailer owner, I needed a little help. Evan helped me figure out what I needed to do to get set up and was very kind. Staff very friendly.” – Kerri, Google Review
Salinas/Monterey KOA
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Highway 101 will take you south to Salinas, where this KOA campground offers the necessary amenities for a relaxing stay. It’s near the Monterey shoreline and Carmel, where you can drive for miles along Pebble Beach. Once you’ve seen the sights in this area, you’ll never want to leave.
Why You’ll Love Salinas/Monterey KOA
At the Salinas/Monterey KOA Campground, you’ll enjoy your time at the facility almost as much as your trek to the beaches. You can swim in the heated pool or get in on a game of ping-pong or billiards. The on-site playground keeps the kids busy while you read or chat with your neighboring campers.
What People Are Saying About Salinas/Monterey KOA
“The park had really clean showers and toilets and a heated swimming pool we got into, which was fabulous and so much fun.” – Teresa, Trip Advisor Review
Salinas/Monterey KOA
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The Salinas/Monterey KOA is located on the Monterey Peninsula close to Monterey, Santa Cruz, Carmel and Pebble Beach. It is a full-service park in the Salinas, CA area that is suitable for a family vacation. It offers discounts when certain events are going on in the area, like the Laguna Seca Moto GP Race and the Artichoke Festival.
Why You’ll Love Salinas/Monterey KOA
This RV park has a great location on the Monterey Coast. It also has an impressive list of on-site amenities to help make a great vacation for children. It’s close to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the 17-mile scenic drive near Carmel. There are also amazing whale-watching tours available nearby.
What People Are Saying About Salinas/Monterey KOA
“Whalefest. Beautiful view, lovely people, fresh air and awesome food. One of my favorite places in California.” – Charlotte, Google Review
Redwood Resort
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In 1896, this park was established as a “rest resort,” and it soon became the center of attention in Boulder Creek. The RV park replaced the old cabins in 1970, and the property now welcomes guests from all over the country. The current owners, Dan and Joe, work to keep Redwood Resort up to date for the residents and traveling campers.
Why You’ll Love Redwood Resort
Short-term camping is permitted at Redwood Resort each year from May through September. The warm months are appropriate for sitting in the shade of the redwoods and walking around the RV park’s four beautiful acres. When you’re not swimming in the pool or playing ping-pong, you can pay a visit to Big Basin State Park or perhaps the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
What People Are Saying About Redwood Resort
“You wanna party all night? Not your place. You wanna be camping alone in the remote wilderness? Not your spot. You want a clean, organized, family-friendly place to camp, then go to this RV (and tent) park. Campers were a mix of families with young kids and teenagers, couples, and a few groups of friends. Very dog-friendly.” – Michele, Facebook Review
Thousand Trails Morgan Hill
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Why not spend your time in the San Jose area parked on a 66-acre spread featuring tree-covered hills and hiking trails? Morgan Hill RV Resort offers this kind of setting and the extra amenities that you need to enjoy your visit. As a Thousand Trails campground and an Encore RV resort, the park offers comfort, convenience, and friendly service.
Why You’ll Love Thousand Trails Morgan Hill
Uvas Creek actually runs through this RV park and adds beauty to the campground’s design. With an Olympic-size pool, the facility has a modern flair in spite of its wooded environment. Guests can spend their days playing volleyball, shooting hoops, hitting some tennis balls, or trying their hand at miniature golf.
What People Are Saying About Thousand Trails Morgan Hill
“The park is so, so nice. Clean and feels so comfortable to be there. RV parking is easy, and all the spots are great. Employees are nice and professional and easy to talk with. A pleasure to stay here!!” – Lloyd, Trip Advisor Review
Betabel RV Resort
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Betabel RV Resort is a top-rated Good Sam RV park near Salinas, CA. It is located in the quiet countryside but convenient to the activities and cities of the Central Coast. It offers long-term RV parking near Salinas, CA as well as RV sites that you can use for shorter stays and vacations.
Why You’ll Love Betabel RV Resort
Betabel RV Resort combines a relaxing countryside location with many resort amenities. It has everything you need for a comfortable stay and provides easy access to local attractions. The top nearby attraction is the historic San Juan Bautista Mission, which is the oldest continuously in-service Spanish mission in California. The resort is near Highway 101, which will take you to the beach.
What People Are Saying About Betabel RV Resort
“Very secure, clean and comfortable. Surprisingly convenient to many destinations while feeling out in the country with a beautiful hillside setting.” – Sherides, Google Review
Maple Leaf RV Park
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Maple Leaf RV Park is in a wooded area south of Santa Clara near many local attractions. This RV park in the Santa Clara, California area caters to families. It is a peaceful place close to Silicon Valley.
Why You’ll Love Maple Leaf RV Park
If you are visiting any of the attractions in the area, such as Great America, the Winchester Mystery House, the Tech Museum, Levi’s Stadium or the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Maple Leaf RV Park is a great choice. There are excellent amenities there, including a pool, to make your RV experience a good one.
What People Are Saying About Maple Leaf RV Park
“I loved staying here! So clean! No place in the area can compare to the cleanliness of the bathrooms and all the spots. The staff is really nice and easy to get a hold of. I would recommend anyone staying here for long-term or weekly.” – Stephanie, Google Review
Gilroy Garlic USA RV Park
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On Highway 101 south of San Jose is a small town where the residents boast that they live in the “Garlic Capital of the World.” Gilroy Garlic USA RV Park derived its name from its hometown of Gilroy and the area’s claim to fame. You may even be able to smell the garlic in the air at your campsite.
Why You’ll Love Gilroy Garlic USA RV Park
The roads at this RV campground in the San Jose, California area are nice and wide, and the spaces are roomy enough to accommodate most big rigs. Once you are settled in, you can explore the grounds and check out the clubhouses equipped with large TVs. The little on-site store offers supplies and a book exchange for avid readers.
What People Are Saying About Gilroy Garlic USA RV Park
“I really enjoy staying here! The staff is very friendly. We have an Italian Mastiff, which is a huge dog that they allow! There aren’t many RV parks that allow big dogs, so love that! Love that they have a gated area for dogs. Everyone here is quiet and keeps to themselves. Love that it’s right behind a shopping center. So convenient!” – Ali, Yelp Review
Trailer Villa RV Park
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Redwood City is right across the bay from Fremont and has a few trailer parks that accept temporary campers. Trailer Villa is one of the recently updated parks with a new area in the back; the older section in the front is for long-term residents. Whether you get a pull-through site on the salt flat or a nearby back-in spot, you’ll have access to the modern bathroom facilities.
Why You’ll Love Trailer Villa RV Park
As an urban RV park near Fremont, Trailer Villa is a short drive away from the Bay Area attractions. It’s a good place to park your rig while you visit family and friends. The sites along the back of the premises offer a pleasant view of both the bay and the mountains.
What People Are Saying About Trailer Villa RV Park
“…it is very quiet, which makes for a good nights sleep. It is also very clean. The showers and laundry facilities were very new and nice. This campground is super close to the freeway and is a great location if you want to see San Francisco or San Jose.” – C.B., Yelp Review
Sanborn County Park
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If your RV is small, then you may be able to reach Sanborn County Park in Saratoga. The road that leads to it is quite curvy and rrow; at some points, it becomes a one lane road. Once you arrive at this 3,453-acre park in the Santa Cruz Mountains, you’ll be glad that you went through the trouble to get there.
Why You’ll Love Sanborn County Park
In the summertime, you can watch plays by the Silicon Valley Shakespeare performers right in the park. The hiking trails at Sanborn County Park stretch a total of 22 miles and display acres of trees and shrubs. The wildlife that you’ll encounter will greatly enhance your camping trip.
What People Are Saying About Sanborn County Park
“Beautiful park nestled in the Saratoga hills…lovely trails for ture hikes through the redwoods, RV and tent camping, as well as an outdoor theater for evening plays throughout the Summer. Family from out of town bring their trailer and love being here, yet are only minutes from downtown Saratoga for shopping and dining.” – Garth, Trip Advisor Review ,
In Summary
Now that you’re familiar with the options available for RV camping in Monterey Bay, it’s time to come to a decision. However, having so many great options in terms of Monterey Bay campgrounds can make it hard to make a final choice.
If you’re most interested in being able to access the beach every day, an RV park like Moss Landing KOA Express might be perfect for you. But if you’re more interested in visiting the attractions of downtown Monterey, a Monterey Bay, CA campground like Monterey Fairgrounds, might be more to your liking. No matter which RV park you choose, you’ll find that Monterey Bay is a beautiful and relaxing place to enjoy an RV vacation in California.
Explore other Campgrounds & RV Parks near Monterey Bay
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to camp in Monterey Bay, California?
How much does it cost to camp in Monterey Bay, California?
The top 10 campgrounds we selected all show daily, weekly and monthly rates for you. Pricing will vary.
How much does it cost to RV park in Monterey Bay, California?
Pricing will vary. The top 10 RV Parks we selected all display daily, weekly and monthly rates for you.
How long can you stay at an RV Park in Monterey Bay, California?
Staying at an RV Park for a long period of time will vary on the campground & RV Park you choose. View our post for more information.
Are there pet friendly RV Parks & Campgrounds in Monterey Bay, California?
Yes. The majority of campgrounds we selected in this blog allow pets.