Known for its redwood forests, dramatic Pacific coastline and historic cable cars, Northern California is a wonderful place to spend a few days. While you’re there, you can explore some of the great cities, such as San Francisco and San Jose. These cities are also anchors for Silicon Valley, the technology hub of the region.
Sunset State Beach
Located in the south county of Santa Cruz, Sunset State Beach offers more than just a great surf spot. It’s also home to a campground and a variety of recreational activities. Some of the more popular include sand dunes, hiking, and whale watching.
During the summer months, lifeguards are on duty. There are two parking lots, the Lower Ramada Picnic Area and the Upper Ramada Picnic Area. The former has covered picnic areas and a barbeque area. The latter is at the end of the park road and has some basic picnic facilities.
Sunset State Beach is a great place to explore sand dunes. It has a remote controlled glider port. The park also features a junior ranger program. There are also some nice day use picnic areas.
The campground has 85 sites. The sites can accommodate up to eight people and two vehicles. The campground is located on a bluff above the beach. There are some restrooms and showers, as well as potable water. It’s also pet friendly. Some fellow campers warn that the most popular sites are crowded.
Seacliff State Beach
Located just south of the border of Santa Cruz and Monterey, Seacliff State Beach is a great place to camp and spend some time in the outdoors. It’s a popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing. The sandy two-mile beach is tucked under sandstone cliffs and offers easy access to the water. The campground is situated along the sand and includes semi-sheltered picnic tables, charcoal grills, and flush toilets.
The campground is open year-round. It features a full hookup area on the northern end of the beach. There are 26 sites with water, sewer, and electric hookups. These are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Most of the campsites are near the water. The bluffs protect them from wind. The campground is also close together without much privacy. However, there are a few spots that are more private.
The Seacliff State Beach Campground is situated next to the ocean, allowing for panoramic views of the bay. The campground has power and dumping stations. It is located about a mile up the coast from the state beach.
Tomales Bay
Located near Point Reyes National Seashore, Tomales Bay is the largest unspoiled coastal embayment in California. This 15-mile long inlet is protected and offers several beautiful beaches for boating and beach camping. There are also three major outdoor recreation areas in Tomales Bay State Park.
The best way to explore Tomales Bay is by kayak. You can find some great kayak rental outfitters nearby. You can rent a kayak for up to 48 hours. You can also take a guided tour to see the bioluminescent waters.
If you are looking for a more remote experience, consider Tomales Bay for boat-in only beach camping. This type of camping requires a boat and is available on the west side of the National Park. If you are staying in the State Park, you will need to visit the Bear Valley Visitors Center to pick up a fire permit.
While there are no official Tomales Bay campsites, you can enjoy beach camping at several other beaches along the coastline. These are listed from south to north.
Bodega Dunes Campground
Located on the northern coast of California, Bodega Dunes Campground is part of Sonoma Coast State Park. It is a popular destination for campers in the summer. The campground is near beaches, golf courses, and hiking trails. There are also charter boats available to take you out to sea.
The day use area of the campground includes a boardwalk that leads to the beach. There are also showers and a dump station. There are also 98 campsites to choose from. Each has a dry RV, a wet RV, or a tent. There are also hiker/biker campsites. There is also an overflow area for self-contained RVs. There are 18 year-round campsites.
The campground is located close to the South Salmon Creek and North Salmon Creek beaches. These are excellent for swimming and beach combing. You can also check out the Point Reyes National Seashore, which is 20 miles south of the campground. There are also several whale watching areas along the coastline.
Wright’s Beach Campground
Located near the beach in northern California, Wright’s Beach Campground is a small campground within Sonoma Coast State Park. This is a great place to camp for exploring the coast.
There are 27 developed campsites at Wright’s Beach Campground. They include tent camp spots and RVs. Some sites have full hookups and some have fire pits. Most of the campsites offer a view of the ocean.
The sites are about a short walk to the beach. Each site has a picnic table. There are two restrooms at the campground. One has hot water. They also have fire pits that are deep and have a cooking grate.
There are two types of sites available at Wright’s Beach: a premium site and an economy site. The premium site has a direct ocean view. These sites cost about $45 per night. The only downside is that they do not have as much privacy as the economy site.
The other type of site is a loop that is pretty private. The campground has an overflow area that is paved with parking spurs. If you have an RV, you can stay here on a first-come, first-served basis.
Clam Beach County Park
Located near McKinleyville, California, Clam Beach County Park is a great beach camping destination. It offers a spectacular view of the ocean. It has clear waters and miles of open sandy beach. It is also one of the few dog-friendly beaches in the area.
While you’re here, check out the nearby Phillips House Museum. You can also go snorkeling at the nearby Reef. You might even be able to spot the gray whales during their annual migration.
The Hammond Coastal Trail is a paved walking and biking trail that follows the route of the old Hammond Railroad line. The trail is a part of the California Coastal Trail. It’s mostly car-free and runs for about five miles.
In addition to the beach, Clam Beach County Park has two parking areas, a day-use area, and an overnight camping area. The overnight camping area is a short walk to the water, and has a long level parking area for large rigs. It has some amenities, like picnic benches and a host. The overnight camping area is only $12 per night, and you can camp on the beach.
Anchor Bay Campground
Located on the Pacific Ocean, Anchor Bay Campground in northern California offers an excellent camping experience. Located on the beach, the campground offers a quiet and friendly atmosphere.
Anchor Bay is a beautiful coastal area that features a huge stand of redwoods. It is a popular vacation destination for surfers, divers, and fishing enthusiasts. There are numerous towns in the area.
Anchor Bay Campground is a six acre privately owned campground that lies on the edge of a narrow gulch filled with native redwood trees. It is located on the Mendocino County coast along Highway One. The campground is open year-round and offers 27 overnight camping spots. The campground offers tents and RV hookups.
The campground has a fish cleaning station, showers, and a wetsuit washout zone. It is also near restaurants and other amenities. There is a small fee to use the beach.
It is a popular location for surfing, whale watching, and fishing. There is also a nice snorkeling and diving area at this site. It is home to some of the best abalone hunting in the area.
Gold Bluffs Beach Campground
Located on Gold Bluffs Beach in northern California, Gold Bluffs Beach Campground is a popular place for visitors to explore the redwood coast. This park has a lot to offer, including ocean views, camping and showers.
There is also a hike and bike area to explore, and a visitor center. The beach itself has an amphitheater and fire pits. You can also check out the 75-mile hiking trail system that runs along the coastline.
While there are no hookups at this campground, there are solar heated showers and flush toilets. There are also potable water spigots and a picnic table. The park accepts a variety of passes, including National Park Service and California State Parks passes.
The campground is designed for tent camping. You will find 26 campsites available. The first two sites are on the ocean side and are reserved. The other campsites are on the grassy plain. Most sites are ocean view sites, but some are a little closer to the beach.
