RV park S.F. area, trips to Monterrey, Santa Cruz, 6 Flags

Latviaman wrote:
Lake Del Valle in Livermore definitely meets your needs.

That might work but looks like its closed now due to storms. We're not headed that way till May so will keep checking.

In Monterey we have Veterans Memorial Park, which is a first come first serve park. It's nice, but I have to tell you, there are more homeless there then ever before because of the free showers....so make sure you put all of your stuff away each day and lock it up.

We like the campground on Mount Madonna, I believe it's a Santa Clara County park. It's really nice with electric and water hookups (and a dump station).

There is a KOA in La Selva Beach (I believe they call it the Santa Cruz KOA), it's super pricey, but nice enough. There are some state parks, but they are always booked 6 months in advance, and only New Brighton and Sea Cliff has some electric hookups.

On Highway One, closer to San Fran is Half Moon Bay State Park (always booked) and has a few electric sites.

Costanoa, closer to Santa Cruz is really nice and I believe also a KOA (pricey).

Be aware, most of Big Sur's campgrounds are all closed right now after our crazy storms and landslides.

Lake Del Valle in Livermore definitely meets your needs.

lhenry8113 wrote:
There is a small KOA between Santa Cruz and Monterey called Moss Landing KOA. Very clean, right next to the ocean and beach, 3 great restaurants in walking distance and a Marina. Definitely one of our favorite campgrounds. Not the S.F. Bay area but a little jewel to know about if in the area. Lars

X3. And another plug for Phil's Fish Market. Their cioppino haunts my dreams. Don't be put off by the line of people out in the parking lot. Service is fast, and the food is worth it!

jfkmk wrote:

Lwiddis wrote:

Amen to that! On a good day you're talking a 2 hour trip, on any normal day anywhere near the hours-long rush hour, you're over 3 hours for the trip one way.

On our last trip we stayed in a hotel in Dublin area. Had no trouble driving down to Monterrey for the day. We left around 9 in the morning and returned around 7pm.

6 Flags is in Vallejo in the north bay and Santa Cruz and Monterey are below the south bay, 2-3 hours apart on the best day. If you want to do a theme park, there is Great America in Santa Clara that is much closer in the south bay. Come to Santa Cruz and see the sea lions for free from the wharf and the otters at the harbor. Whale watching in Moss Landing and the Monterey Bay Aquarium are all more up close and personal than the animal park at 6 Flags. There are KOAs in Moss Landing and also south of Santa Cruz in La Selva Beach (Santa Cruz South KOA) that would provide good locations for seeing the area. It gets busy quick here so reservations are a must! If you are bringing kids, I would say the Santa Cruz KOA would work the best. New pool going in right now.

Laguna Seca Raceway is a great place to stay and gives you access to the coast. Santa Cruz is some distance but the coast drive is good. 6 Flags is far. So is SF but it's not on your list.

The short answer is no. Best to move the rig to minimize the commute. There are some decent parks south of San Jose that are reasonably "central".

Lwiddis wrote:
Day trips to Santa Cruz and in particular Monterey from San Franisco won't be much fun. I suggest staying in Monterey. Veterans' Park if you dry camp is great.

Amen to that! On a good day you're talking a 2 hour trip, on any normal day anywhere near the hours-long rush hour, you're over 3 hours for the trip one way.

TyroneandGladys wrote:

lhenry8113 wrote:
There is a small KOA between Santa Cruz and Monterey called Moss Landing KOA. Very clean, right next to the ocean and beach, 3 great restaurants in walking distance and a Marina. Definitely one of our favorite campgrounds. Not the S.F. Bay area but a little jewel to know about if in the area. Lars

X2

If you stay there, be sure to go to Phil's Fish Market for lunch

If you are going to be there the weekend of the Wharf to Wharf race in July, make your reservations now. The KOA is quite expensive that weekend, but could be the only game in town.