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.
