RV Rental Monterey Bay, CA

Popular RV Rentals Near Monterey Bay, California for Any Budget

RV traveling is the best way to explore Monterey Bay, California and the surrounding area. This vibrant community boasts picturesque views and breathtaking beaches. Starting at $99 nightly, Class B motorhomes are easy to maneuver and have towing capabilities. Class C motorhomes, which provide lots of extra sleeping space, start at about $115 per night. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, travel trailers are a perfect choice. They start at $70 per night.

RVshare’s Top Vacation Destinations Near Monterey Bay, California No Matter the Duration

Start a San Jose to San Francisco road trip in nearby San Jose, only about 70 miles north of Monterey. San Jose is a bustling city in the center of Silicon Valley. Begin your seven-day adventure at the Winchester Mystery House. Constructed in 1884, this uniquely built mansion has been featured or referenced in a variety of films, novels, musicals, and television shows. Next, take a stroll through the Municipal Rose Garden, a historic garden that consists of over 3,500 rose shrubs. If you get a taste for an authentic southern Mexican meal, stop by the Mezcal Restaurant. This traditional eatery serves everything from handmade corn tortillas to Oaxacan-style enchiladas. 

Big Sur, California is well-known for its scenic views and natural attractions. You will enjoy spending time at Pfeiffer Beach. This off-the-beaten-path destination features beautiful rock formations and distinctive purple sand. Snap a few pictures of the historic Bixby Bridge. With a stunning backdrop and a total length of 714 feet, it’s easy to see why Bixby is one of the most photographed landmarks in the state of California. Conclude your six-day trip with a meal at Nepenthe. Menu items include ribeye steak, scallops, and vegetarian burgers.

A road trip from Sacrament to St. George, UT will take you right through Modesto, California. Check out the Victorian-style McHenry Mansion, a historic home that was built in 1883. If you are interested in science and natural history, you will definitely appreciate the educational exhibits at the Great Valley Museum. Don’t conclude your four-day adventure without stopping by Dewz Restaurant. This upscale eatery serves everything from prime beef to fettuccine bolognese.

Explore Monterey Bay, California in an RVshare RV Rental

Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo discovered Monterey Bay on November 16, 1542, during a Spanish naval expedition. He named the area The Bay of Pines because of the large number of pine trees he encountered. Over 50 years later, in 1595, Sebastián Rodríguez Cermeño was appointed by King Phillip II of Spain to map the American West Coast. After crossing Monterey Bay, he decided to call it San Pedro Bay, in honor of Saint Peter of Verona. The present-day name of the bay was given by explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno in 1602. He was commissioned by Spain to travel to the area to create a detailed chart of the West Coast. 

There are over a dozen communities located in the Monterey Bay area, including Santa Cruz, Capitola, Carmel, Seaside, and Marina. The population of all of the cities combined is well over 450,000 people. 

Pay a visit to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum to learn about the area’s rich surfing history. Explore the historic Steinbeck House, a Victorian-style home that was constructed in 1897. This well-preserved home still contains some of the Steinbeck family’s original furniture pieces. 

The Monterey Bay region has no shortage of welcoming restaurants. The Crow’s Nest Restaurant in Santa Cruz provides a seaside experience and an extensive menu of delicious American-style meals. First Awakenings is the perfect place for a hearty breakfast meal. Menu items include fruit crepes, Greek omelets, and calamari steak.

Discover Nearby Towns and Cities

Los Banos, California – This charming central California city has a population of over 46,000 residents. Stop by the Los Banos’ Milliken Museum, a quaint museum that features a wide variety of Native American artifacts. Grab a bite to eat at the Wool Growers Restaurant. This historic eatery serves everything from lamb chops to shrimp scampi.

• 20+ Restaurants 

• 20+ Gas Stations

• 1 State Park within 20 miles

• 6 Campgrounds within 20 miles

• 4 Dump Stations within 36 miles

• 1 Museum

Fremont, California – Boasting a population of over 234,000 residents, this gorgeous city is a great place to visit. Take a walk through the Ardenwood Historic Farm, a former family farm that dates back to the 1890s. Tickle your taste buds at the Papillon Restaurant. The menu includes a variety of delectable French dishes, including lobster ravioli and French onion soup.

• 20+ Restaurants

• 20+ Gas Stations

• 6 RV Parks within 20 miles

• 4 Dump Stations within 20 miles

• 8 Museums

• 3 RV Storage Facilities

Morgan Hill, California – Located in the Silicon Valley, this beautiful city includes nearly 45,000 residents. Take a stroll through Uvas Canyon County Park. This stunning 1,147-acre park consists of several waterfalls and hiking trails. Check out the Ladera Grill, a contemporary eatery that serves upscale dishes. 

• 20+ Restaurants

• 19 Gas Stations

• 1 State Park

• 1 National Forest within 40 miles

• 6 RV Parks

• 3 Dump Stations within 15 miles

• 1 Museum

• 2 RV Storage Facilities

Best National Parks Near Monterey Bay, California

Pinnacles National Park is located just 49 miles outside of the Monterey Bay area. This gorgeous park spans over 26,000 acres and features towering pinnacles, grasslands, woodlands, and bat caves. You will also run into a wide variety of native animals, including eagles, wild turkeys, cougars, and prairie falcons. Hiking, rock climbing, camping, and bird-watching are just a few of the activities you can enjoy in this massive park.

Located 193 miles away, Kings Canyon National Park stretches over 461,901 acres of land. This immense park consists of large sequoia trees, including the enormous General Grant Tree. The park is also made up of streams, lakes, rivers, and peaks. Available activities include rock climbing, bouldering, fly fishing, and kayaking. 

Channel Islands National Park is located about 263 miles away. Spanning nearly 250,000 acres, this gigantic park includes a total of five islands. The park boasts volcanic rocks, direct access to the Pacific Ocean as well as thousands of plant and animal species. You can enjoy a host of activities, such as camping, backpacking, scuba diving, and hiking. 

Popular State Parks in and Near Monterey Bay, California

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park sits along the Big Sur River and stretches over 1,000 acres of land. This scenic park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and swimming. 

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a 4,650-acre park that includes grasslands, redwood trees, sand hills, blue herons, coyotes, black-tail deer, and much more. Available park activities include horseback riding, picnicking, hiking, and swimming. 

Sunset State Beach, which is located on Monterey Bay, measures 302 acres in size. While visiting this beautiful park, you can enjoy swimming, surfing, whale watching, and beach walking. 

Must-See Monuments and Landmarks in and Near Monterey Bay, California

Constructed in 1933, the Golden Gate Bridge boasts an impressive height of 746 feet. This California landmark is one of the most recognizable bridges in the world.

Alcatraz Island was once used as a maximum security prison. The prison housed several notorious inmates, including Al Capone, Bumpy Johnson, and Mickey Cohen. 

The Monterey Bay Aquarium offers beautiful ocean views and features over 35,000 animals. African penguins, jellyfish, brown pelicans, and sea lions are just a few of the animals you may encounter during your visit. 

Upcoming Events Near Monterey Bay, California

• Monterey Bay Oktoberfest – Held during the month of September in Carmel-By-The-Sea, this lively event honors the German heritage with dancing, live music, and a beer garden party. 

• Santa Cruz Comedy Festival – This October festival is held outdoors and features two hours of food, fun, and laughter. 

• Good Old Days Festival and Parade – This unique event takes place during the month of May in Pacific Grove. The festival includes lives music, parading sheep, and a variety of food booths. 

Popular POI Activities in and Near Monterey Bay, California

• Monterey Bay – Serving as a bay of the vast Pacific Ocean, Monterey Bay offers a host of water-themed activities, including kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing. 

• Huckleberry Hill Loop Trail – This 1.9-mile loop trail is perfect for walking or hiking. 

• Junipero Serra Peak – Known as the tallest mountain in The Santa Lucia Mountains, this 5,857-foot peak is great for hiking and mountain climbing. 

RVshare’s Top Picks for Nearby RV Parks and Campgrounds

Fernwood Campground and Resort is located less than 5 miles from Pfeiffer Beach. The campground offers water hookups, electrical hookups, Wi-Fi access, showers, and an on-site restaurant. 

The Santa Cruz Ranch RV Resort sits near Santa Cruz Beach. Wi-Fi, water hookups, electrical hookups, and sewer hookups are available. You will also have access to water activities, a boardwalk, and laundry facilities. 

Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday is a family-friendly site that consists of an on-site camp store, a clubhouse, and two playgrounds. Showers and full hookups are available.

Best RV Dump Stations Near Monterey Bay, California

The state of California boasts at least 100 conveniently located dump stations. A number of these stations are in or near the Monterey Bay area. Oak Hills RV Village is open year-round and provides free dumping services for registered guests. The Arco Gas Station also provides year-round services. Guests can access the dumping station for a minimal one-time fee. The dumping station at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds is available for registered guests. 

Popular RV Storage Facilities in and Near Monterey Bay, California

With a wide range of available storage facilities, you shouldn’t have any trouble storing your RV near Monterey Bay. SV Boat and RV Storage is a secure facility with lots measuring up to 40 feet in length. Prices start at $130 a month. Garage Unlimited of Monterey provides 24/7 access and units that measure up to 52 feet in length. Jenkins RV Storage is also available around-the-clock. Units range from 23 to 37 feet in length.