Where to sleep
We've camped every one of these. Clifftops, redwoods, dunes, and stargazing summits — all within a tank of gas, and every single one fits our campers where big rigs can't go.
The reason people fly across the world. Redwoods on one side, the Pacific on the other — and your camper fits in every site an RV can't.
45 min from MontereyThe classic Big Sur night: campsites under old-growth redwoods along the Big Sur River, with the famous purple sand of Pfeiffer Beach minutes away. Book early — everyone wants this one.
1 hr 30 min from MontereyEvery site sits on an open bluff a hundred feet above the Pacific — arguably the most spectacular campground on the entire West Coast. Fall asleep to waves, wake up to whales.
1 hr 35 min from MontereyKirk Creek's mellow neighbor: a grassy meadow ringed by pines, a short walk from Sand Dollar Beach — the biggest sandy beach in Big Sur. Quieter, greener, and easier to snag.
1 hr 25 min from MontereyRedwoods, a waterfall, historic lime kilns, and a beach cove — all in one tiny park. Creekside sites feel like a secret; the hike to Limekiln Falls is a perfect morning.
40 min from MontereyWalk-in meadow sites a mile from a wild, driftwood-strewn beach where the Big Sur River meets the sea. Rustic and first-come flavored — bring your sense of adventure.
Minutes from pickup. Perfect for your first night, late arrivals, or trips built around Cannery Row dinners and Carmel beach days.
5 min from MontereyMonterey's hometown campground: pine-shaded sites on the hill above downtown with peeks of the bay. Walk to Cannery Row dinner, stroll back to your camper. First-come, first-served.
15 min from MontereyCamp on oak-dotted hills above the legendary WeatherTech Raceway. Race weekends are electric; every other night it's rolling-hill sunsets and easy access to everything Monterey.
15 min from MontereyA peaceful oak-shaded ranch tucked into Carmel Valley, minutes from Carmel's beaches and wine-tasting rooms. Pool in summer, quiet stars at night.
15 min from MontereyTucked into the dunes with a boardwalk straight onto miles of wide, uncrowded Marina State Beach. Sunset walks, sand between your toes, and full facilities.
A little further out, a lot of reward: sea otters at sunrise, observatory stargazing, and volcano spires with condors overhead.
25 min from MontereyBase camp for Elkhorn Slough — the best sea-otter kayaking in California, right from the harbor. Strap the kayak add-on to the roof and paddle with the otters at sunrise.
50 min from MontereyA summit campground with a public astronomical observatory and views from Monterey Bay to the Santa Lucias. On a clear night the Milky Way feels close enough to touch.
1 hr 15 min from MontereyCalifornia's youngest national park: volcanic spires, talus caves, and condors riding the thermals overhead. The east-side campground has a pool — surreal and wonderful in spring.
Campsite fees run $30–60 a night — pair one with our camper from $69/night and you're still under half the price of a Monterey hotel room. Every rental includes our local guidebook with the sites we couldn't fit on this page.
Book your camper