Campgrounds and RV parks near Westhaven-Moonstone, CA

Moonstone Beach is the local headline attraction, a broad sand beach at the mouth of the Little River that draws beachcombers, surfers, and tidepoolers. A short drive north, the park's shoreline ranges from broad sandy beaches to sheer cliffs and offers chances to explore tide pools, search for agates and driftwood, watch whales and sea lions, and catch dramatic sunsets. The Tsurai Trail next to Trinidad State Beach leads up to an overlook with views of the Pacific Ocean. Redwood National and State Parks lie a short drive north, with old-growth groves and the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. Trinidad village offers a working harbor, fresh seafood, and the historic Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse. Kayaking, salmon and rockfish charters, and birdwatching round out a typical itinerary.

The coastal climate keeps the area mild year round, but the camping calendar splits sharply into wet and dry halves. The rainy season lasts from November through April, accounting for about 90 percent of the annual precipitation, averaging about 40 inches, and the dry season, lasting from May through early November, is typically marked by low clouds and fog which usually clear by late morning. Summer is the peak booking window, when fog burns off to bright afternoons and inland heat pushes coastal visitors north. At Sue-meg State Park, May through September reservations are required to secure an individual family site, and during the rest of the year sites are first-come, first-served. Fall brings the calmest, sunniest weather of the year and lighter crowds, while winter campers should expect persistent rain, soggy ground, and the chance of coastal wind storms. Spring is wildflower season with showers still common through April. Private parks along Patrick's Point Drive generally stay open year round, though midweek availability is much easier outside summer.

Private parks along Patrick's Point Drive generally offer full or partial hookups, hot showers, laundry, and pet-friendly sites under a redwood canopy. Sue-meg State Park has no hookups; campground amenities include flush toilets, hot showers, drinking water, a campfire center, group picnic area, and hike/bike campsites, and each campsite has a table, fire ring, and grate. Facilities include restrooms, showers, a dump station, fire pits, and a maximum RV length of 31 feet. Expect cool, damp nights even in summer, frequent morning fog, and limited cell coverage in the deeper redwood loops. Sites tend to be shaded and can stay wet underfoot well into the dry season. Wildlife is active, so food lockers and clean campsite habits are important.