Campgrounds and RV parks near San Carlos, CA

From a Peninsula base, RV families can reach San Francisco, Stanford, and the Pacific coast within an hour. Hiking and mountain biking are easy at Edgewood Park, Pulgas Ridge, and the Crystal Springs Regional Trail along the reservoirs west of town. The coast is the bigger draw: visitors enjoy strolling along miles of sandy beach or walking and cycling along the paved Coastside Trail, and whale watching, fishing, and surfing are popular activities. Tide pooling at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Moss Beach is a kid-friendly stop at low tide. Swimming is not recommended due to dangerous rip currents and very cold water, so plan beach days around sand play and bike rides instead of swims.

The Peninsula is a year-round destination, but conditions vary sharply between the inland bayshore and the coast. Inland San Carlos has dry, warm summers and mild, wetter winters. The coast runs cooler and foggier: summer mornings at Half Moon Bay often start in heavy marine layer that burns off by midday, and afternoon winds at exposed beach sites can be strong. Awnings should be staked or stowed accordingly on windy afternoons. Late spring and early fall typically deliver the clearest coastal weather and the warmest beach temperatures. Winter brings the wettest months and the biggest Mavericks surf at Pillar Point, but campsites are easier to book. During the peak season from May through October there is a 7-day camping limit at Francis Beach, while the rest of the year campers may stay up to 14 days. The Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival in mid-October fills coastal parks, so book early for that weekend.

Hookups vary widely. Trailer Villa RV Park offers full hookup sites with 30-amp and 50-amp electrical connections, water and sewer hookups, and a dump station, plus laundry and showers. At Francis Beach the experience is more rustic: some sites have electrical hookups, there are no water or sewer hookups at the campsites, but there is a dump station and a potable water filling station, and quarter-operated hot showers are available. The majority of campsites can accommodate recreational vehicles and trailers up to 40 feet. Coastal sites are exposed: bring layers, wind-rated awning supports, and quarters for showers. Dogs are allowed on leash in the state campground but not on the beach itself.