Local Guide

Santa Cruz, California

Explore the best campgrounds, RV parks, and outdoor attractions in and around Santa Cruz — a classic California beach town known for its Boardwalk, surfing, redwood forests, and easy access to the Pacific coast, Monterey Bay, and the greater Bay Area.

Campgrounds

40+

Things to Do

20+

Local Restaurants

Year-Round

Great Destination

Campgrounds Near Santa Cruz, California

Showing 2 of 2 campgrounds

Explore the Santa Cruz Area

Why Camp Near Santa Cruz?

Coastal beach-town base with surfing, the Boardwalk, redwoods, and easy access to Monterey Bay

Half Moon Bay coastal RV parks about 50 miles away for ocean views and seafood

Day trips for beaches, hiking, surfing, and Pacific shoreline trails

Mild coastal climate and a convenient hub for exploring the Central Coast and Bay Area year-round

Top Attractions Near Santa Cruz

Golden Gate Bridge

~75–80 miles from Santa Cruz

Fisherman's Wharf

~75 miles from Santa Cruz

Golden Gate Nat'l Recreation Area

~75–80 miles from Santa Cruz

Half Moon Bay Brewing Co.

~50 miles in Half Moon Bay

Sam's Chowder House

~50 miles in Half Moon Bay

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Things to Do Near Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz combines classic California beach recreation with redwood forests only a short drive inland. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk provides rides, games, food, and seaside entertainment beside the beach, while Natural Bridges State Beach is known for its wave-carved natural arch, tide pools, beach, and seasonal monarch butterfly activity. In the Santa Cruz Mountains, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park protects an old-growth redwood grove along with additional forest, grassland, and Sandhills habitat. Hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, swimming, and camping are among the activities offered in the park.

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Ways to Camp Near Santa Cruz, California

Redwood Camping

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park operates a developed campground in a forested section of the park near Scotts Valley.

Beach Camping

New Brighton State Beach in nearby Capitola offers developed camping above Monterey Bay.

Tent Camping

Both Henry Cowell and New Brighton accommodate tent campers.

RV Camping

New Brighton accepts RVs and has a limited number of hookup sites.

Plan a Trip to Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz is particularly well suited to campers who do not want to choose between mountains and ocean.

Spend one day around the Boardwalk and beaches, another exploring Natural Bridges, and leave enough time for an old-growth redwood walk at Henry Cowell.

Choose New Brighton when coastal camping is the priority and Henry Cowell when the forest experience matters more. Both put visitors within easy reach of Santa Cruz while offering distinctly different campground settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Beach Boardwalk is the area’s classic family attraction, while Natural Bridges and Henry Cowell add beach, tide-pool, wildlife, and redwood experiences.

No public campground is listed at Natural Bridges. Use an established campground such as New Brighton or Henry Cowell instead.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park has a developed campground within the park.

New Brighton State Beach provides camping on wooded bluffs above Monterey Bay.

Yes. California State Parks states that its campground accommodates both tents and RVs.

Yes, especially during warmer months. California State Parks specifically recommends advance reservations for Henry Cowell during the busiest summer period.