Campgrounds and RV parks near Interlaken, CA

The coast is the main draw. Sunset State Beach has a wide sandy beach with tall dunes, surf fishing, and bluff-top views over Monterey Bay. Pinto Lake supports fishing, kayaking, and small non-motorized and electric-motor boating, with a 5 MPH speed limit and a launch ramp next to the campground. Swimming and wading are not permitted in the lake. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk sits roughly 16 miles north for amusement rides and arcades, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a similar distance south. Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve in Moss Landing is a short drive away for kayaking and bird watching. Inland, Mt. Madonna County Park and the redwood groves of the Santa Cruz Mountains offer hiking and shaded picnics. Pinnacles National Park is within day-trip range to the southeast.

The Monterey Bay coast has a mild, marine climate. Summers are dry and comfortable, with morning fog that often burns off by midday and afternoon onshore wind. July and August book heavily at coastal parks, and the ReserveCalifornia window for Sunset State Beach opens six months ahead of arrival on a rolling basis, so coastal sites are scarce on short notice. Fall brings the warmest daytime temperatures of the year along this coast, with September often the clearest, warmest month and lighter crowds after Labor Day. Winter is the wet season, with most rain falling between November and March. Coastal campgrounds remain partly open, but expect cool nights, occasional storms, and muddy ground at unpaved sites. At Sunset State Beach, the South Camp loop operates year-round while the Dunes and Pine Hollow loops close from October through mid-March. Spring sees wildflowers, returning whale traffic offshore, and steady but moderate rainfall through May. Allergy sufferers should note that local agricultural fields are active most of the year.

Site styles vary widely. Sunset State Beach has roughly 85 to 90 sites split across three loops set among Monterey pines on a bluff, with picnic tables, fire rings, food lockers, and shared restrooms with flush toilets and coin-operated showers. There are no hookups and no dump station on site, and maximum RV and trailer length is 31 feet. Cell service is limited at the state beach. Pinto Lake RV Park offers 28 RV-only sites with full hookups arranged in two rows, many with lake views, and accepts rigs up to 45 feet. The KOA on San Andreas Road provides full hookups, Wi-Fi, a pool, and cabins for renters traveling without an RV. Expect cool, breezy evenings near the coast even in summer, and pack layers and a food storage plan since wildlife is active in beach campgrounds.