The Soquel area was originally inhabited by the Ohlone people, an association of over 350,000 California natives consisting of tribes and unions of 50-500 people. The Ohlones had the name "Osocalis" for the creek that runs near Soquel. The creek and town were later named Soquel, which was first used for the creek in an 1833 Mexican land grant. Many believe that Europeans first traveled through the region in 1769.
For historians of the American 1960s subculture, Soquel has the legacy of being home to the first "Acid Test," which were LSD parties advertised by author Ken Kesey and other Beat Generation figures before LSD became illegal in 1966. Bands such as The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane gained followings through performing at these events. The Acid Tests are known for their influence in transitioning California's counterculture from the Beat Generation to the Hippie movement.
Nowadays, Soquel is a fairly quiet town with a population of just under 10,000 people. Anna Jean Cummings Park is a 95-acre park popular with locals. The park hosts picnics and barbecues, has fields for soccer and softball, and features a lovely coastal prairie terrace area. The Heart of Soquel Park was recently built in downtown Soquel, where you can take a stroll along Soquel Creek. Other popular parks include Soquel Lions, Richard Vessey, and Willowbrook Park.
Soquel is also home to wineries that offer tours of their vineyards, such as Bargetto Winery's Soquel Vineyards. Hunter Hill Vineyard and Winery is another local favorite for tasting wines and soaking in the California sun.
Monterey Whalefest - Monterey celebrates the migration of whales through the area every summer with pop-up symposiums and exhibits.
San Jose Jazz Winterfest - A compliment to San Jose's Summer festival, this event showcases trailblazing jazz musicians from across the country each February.
Obon Festival - The Obon Festival is held every summer in San Jose's Japantown and features authentic Japanese food, music, and over 1,000 traditional Japanese dancers.
SF Sketchfest - San Francisco's Sketchfest is two weeks of non-stop comedy performances held throughout the city every January.
Camping at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - Camp among the unique and towering redwoods in this nearby state park. It's also a popular spot for biking, picnicking, and horseback riding.
Surfing in Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz is world-famous for having incredible surf. If you've never tried, there are plenty of places to rent boards and take your first lesson.
Rock climbing at Pinnacles National Park - This park is full of caves, mountains, and valleys formed by ancient volcanoes. Here, climbers can find easy to advanced rock climbing amongst stunning views.
The Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday is right on the beach and perfect for a family affair. It has numerous playgrounds, a camp store, and a kitchen on site. The Mari Dunes RV Park is ideal for beachside campers wanting to bring their RVs and offers plenty of amenities, including laundry facilities and showers. From Santa Cruz Harbor RV Park, you'll find views of the marina just outside your window, and each site has sewer, electricity, and water hookups. There are many other great choices for campgrounds and RV parks near Monterey for more ideas and details.
Pacific RV and Boat Storage has two locations near Soquel in Santa Cruz. They have outdoor storage starting as low as $100 per month, or you can store in one of their RV-sized shipping containers for up to $400 a month.
There are plenty of options for RV storage in Monterey, which is less than an hour from Soquel. One option is Garage Unlimited of Monterey. Garage Unlimited has ample indoor storage for your RV, electric meters, a dump station, and freshwater fill. Storage Pro is another option in Monterey, and it features a residential on-site manager and a well-lit, secure lot.
Picnicking, stargazing, rock-climbing, and spelunking keep locals coming back to Pinnacles National Park again and again. There are 16,000 acres of mountainous wilderness to explore.
Yosemite National Park is among the most-visited national parks in America. Yosemite is known for its breathtaking waterfalls. There are over 750 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy hikes and guided tours to advanced ventures deep into the High Sierras.
Kings Canyon National Park protects ancient groves of sequoia trees, crystal-clear mountain lakes, and unique rock formations. Photographers and sightseers will enjoy impressive views of the Sierra Mountains and the towering sequoia. Hiking, horseback riding, and camping are the most popular activities in the park.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park is California's oldest state park and is only 30 minutes from Soquel. Ancient coast redwoods and a rich variety of other plant and animal life are found in the park, with elevations ranging from sea level to 2,000 feet. Hiking trails bring you past waterfalls and other beautiful sights.
New Brighton State Beach is nearby and offers expansive shoreline views and easily accessible campgrounds, including over 100 sites for RVs. It became a state park in 1933 and is known for its great wildlife viewing opportunities. You can see a variety of birds alongside marine mammals such as dolphins, whales, and sea otters.
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is 10 minutes away from the center of Soquel, making it the perfect place to break from urban life and picnic or take a short hike. While there's no camping available at The Forest of Nisene Marks, the 30 miles of trails in this enchanting and heavily forested area can be enjoyed regardless of how long you stay.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is 40 minutes south of Soquel, in Monterey, California, and is one of the top landmarks in California. This famous, deeply educational aquarium employs some of the country's top marine biologists and offers visitors delightful exhibits and exciting marine life.
Head north to San Francisco and you'll find the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the most famous and photographed landmarks in the world. It's a must-see for anyone visiting the area.
Less than 30 minutes away from Soquel is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The boardwalk is featured in classic films such as "Harold and Maude" and "The Lost Boys." This ocean-side amusement park offers thrilling rides and lovely views of the Pacific.
The Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA Holiday is right on the beach and perfect for a family affair. It has numerous playgrounds, a camp store, and a kitchen on site. The Mari Dunes RV Park is ideal for beachside campers wanting to bring their RVs and offers plenty of amenities, including laundry facilities and showers. From Santa Cruz Harbor RV Park, you'll find views of the marina just outside your window, and each site has sewer, electricity, and water hookups. There are many other great choices for campgrounds and RV parks near Monterey for more ideas and details.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Soquel, CA, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Soquel?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Soquel from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Soquel?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
