The best camping near Pomponio State Beach

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Pomponio State Beach adventure.

Seaside strolls serve up dramatic views at this remote beach.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Pomponio State Beach

Top-rated campgrounds near Pomponio State Beach

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The Secret Gardens by the Bay

26 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Watsonville, CA

This is a brand new listing on Hipcamp. The Secret Gardens is located about 2 minutes drive from the beach and the Monterey bay, about 12 miles away South of Santa Cruz. The beaches here are more peaceful and spread out as long as your eyes can see. We are 33 miles away from Monterey aquarium but you almost don't have to go anywhere when you are here. There are many things to do such as hiking at Land of Medicine Buddha or Forrest of Nisene Mark, Stroll around at Capitola Village, Have coffee and do awesome thrift shopping in downtown Aptos or in Soquel, Get some free foods from Free Food church on Wednesday evening (Yes, locally grown organic produce!), have a picnic on the cliff to watch the sunset, this town kind of remind you what's like to be in town without big boxes and franchise stores everywhere, life as its finest. This campground is also a great setting for your celebrations with two stages, a celebration area, a stone fired pizza oven and a sound systems (These are extras). What to expect: - Access to fully stocked kitchen: Propane powered grill and stove (commercial grade), refrigerators, freezer, pots, pans, utensils, kitchenware, dinnerware, basic spices and olive oil. - Hot showers and flushable toilettes - If you reserve a cabin, it comes with beddings (sheets, blankets, pillows) - A heater in your cabin What not to expect: - Towels - Free smores

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Blackberry Farm

6 sites · Lodging, Tents6 acres · Bolinas, CA

Blackberry Farm sits on the western side of Mount Tamalpais, tucked in the Gospel Flat area of Bolinas. The family farm and residence were established during the late 1970s on the site of the historic Peter’s Dairy Ranch. The original farmhouse dates back to the late 19th century and survived the great 1906 earthquake. Today, the 7-acre farm is being restored to sustainably support fruit orchards, cottage flower and kitchen gardens, honey bees, a boisterous flock of chickens, and naughty shetland sheep. Our self-serve farmstand attached to our barn has seasonal flowers, organic eggs, heirloom fruit, and local goods from the farm. Our property is the perfect rustic getaway for backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts. You’ll be surrounded by farm/ranch life: chickens clucking, roosters crowing, bees buzzing, and sheep bleating. We also have active nighttime wildlife: coyotes howling, raccoons foraging, owls hooting, etc. Bring earplugs if nature sounds are too much for you. We offer 4 walk-in tent sites that allow you to immerse yourself in nature. We welcome well-behaved pets ON LEASH that won’t harass the chickens, cats, sheep, other campers, or residents. Unruly pets and their campers will be asked to leave. No refund. Limit: 1 dog per site. Pitch your tent in a meadow shared by: Campsite 1 - left side of the meadow, closest to the common area and hot tub. Campsite 2 - middle of the meadow, closest to our fenced apiary and bee garden. Campsite 3 - right side of the meadow, near the orchard. (sites 1 and 3 are next to each other) Campsite 4 - front of the pasture, closest to the parking area (best for car/van campers wanting space to lounge near their parked vehicle.) Multiple sites may be booked for group camping. Sites 1 and 3 are next to each other under the Cypress Trees. Add site 2 if you would like the entire back half of the campground. Add site 4 if you'd like to have a maximum number of 16 total campers and 2 tents/per site. The common area has an outdoor shower, hot tub, covered bbq/cook area, tented (weather-protected) hangout space, and a place to stash your surfboard. The pizza oven is not available for campground use. Redwood Grove hangout areas have seating and tree swings. Please pack out your trash. We offer a recycling bin for glass bottles, cans, and clean paper. Parking is 100 yds or less from the campsites. We have a large wheelbarrow to help you cart your camping gear across the pasture to your campsite. No driving onto or parking in the meadow. Due to the narrow driveway and parking area (lack of turnaround), the site cannot accommodate RVs, trailers, or oversize vehicles beyond 16ft in length, 7ft in width, or 10 ft in height. 1 car per campsite, please. 15-minute walk to the beach and downtown.

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Kings Mountain Camp w/ ocean views

4 sites · Lodging10 acres · Woodside, CA

Breathe deep in nature on our 10-acre property on a hillside in Kings Mountain, California. Our generously sized Safari-style tents offer a unique blend of comfort and adventure. Each tent has beds, down comforters, crisp cotton linens, lights, and more. Outdoor and indoor furniture and lots of little touches will make your stay unique. Each tent is perched on a sturdy wooden platform and features a fully furnished deck, providing a cozy space to relax and soak in the breathtaking ocean (Half Moon Bay views) and forest views (Kings Mountain). All tents include a mini fridge and a stove, which are ideal for light cooking, intimate fireside storytelling, and warmth during cool mornings and evenings. We suggest you bring easy-to-prep food, drinks, warm clothes, hiking shoes, and a beanie, as it can get chilly without notice. Your designated parking space is a 6-minute walk from the campsite (downhill on arrival, then back uphill (steep) in the forest), so we recommend traveling light. Our campsite is nestled within the same property as our charming little farm. If you're interested in meeting our friendly farm animals, get in touch, and we'll be delighted to arrange a visit at a time that works best for you and them. While our animals rest peacefully at night, our vigilant dog Messy stands guard, ensuring the safety of our chickens and goats from any potential predators. Her bark is a reassuring sign that our farm is well-protected. You may also hear our chickens starting their day with the early morning egg-laying routine! Our goats roam the land all day and may visit you for pets and nuzzles. They are gentle, but please do not feed or let them inside the tent. Recharge from the day with a hot shower. Grab your fresh towels from your tent and go to your allocated bathhouses, where you’ll find an indoor shower and well-appointed restrooms. They are nicely lit and stocked with bath products. Additionally, a sink area is available for dish clean-up. Kings Mountain is famous for its hiking and biking trails nested amongst the redwoods. The closest is a 15-minute walk from our campsite, and dozens of others are within a 15-minute car ride. Tent 01 (180sqft) accommodates three people in a queen-size bed and a daybed. Tent 02 (210sqft) accommodates four people: two in a queen-size bed and two in a bunk bed Tent 03 (210sqft) accommodates four people: two in a queen-size bed and two in a twin bed + daybed Shower/bathroom (Distance from tent 1 40 feet). Shower and bathroom (Distance from tent 02 30 feet, tent 03 25 feet) List of complimentary amenities PER TENT: -Board games (uno / chess / playing cards / monopoly / scrable) -Books -Binoculars -Radio -Harmonica -Hand fans -Hot water bottle -First aid kit -Fresh eggs from our farm (you can purchase more at our farm stand) -Tea (Shangri LA tea) -Coffee (Grand Coffee SF) -Wifi (starlink) -Indoor and outdoor furniture (ie: chairs, beds, closet, containers) -Hot water kettle -Coffee maker -Mini fridge -Camping stove: one extra gas canister -Bedding: Comforters (1 per person) -Pillows (1 per person) -Wool blanket (1 per tent) -Cotton linens -Food utensils: Plates -Bowls -Cups -Mugs -Salt -Pepper and Minimal cookware -Tap water (drinkable) -Electricity (solar / limited use mindfully) -Wood Stove: Firewood for stove (heating and cooking) -Fire starter -Lighter - One parking spot per tent (inquire about additional parking when necessary) Outdoor Bath house: -Towels: hand towel (1 per stay per person), bath towel (1 per stay per person) -Hot water (limited, use mindfully), -Amenities: body wash, shower gel, hand soap, shampoo, and conditioner -Toilet - Evening campfire upon demand (in the common area), otherwise called “The Lookout”. Please note in the event of “high fire danger,” fires are not permitted. Fires are managed by us; guests are not allowed to light the fire in the lookout area by themselves. Children: Kids under the age of 10 are not allowed. An adult must accompany minors under 21 YO. Quiet Hours: For the enjoyment of all guests, we ask for quiet time all day and do not allow loud music at any time of day, and the same goes for loud discussions and partying. Think of it as a whispering experience. Please remember that our tents are made of canvas, and sound travels through the canyon. If we receive any noise complaints, you will be asked to leave.

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Redwood Retreat: Camping & Cooking

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents16 acres · Watsonville, CA

Located on 16 acres, Redwood Retreat is nestled among majestic redwood trees. Don't let weather worries keep you from booking-we give a 100% refund in the case of inclement weather! We have a cottage, a tent cabin with a queen air mattress, and two camping sites for up to 4. Sites 1 & 2 combine nicely for a group of up to 8 and site 3 can accommodate a group of 6 (w/ host approval). Enjoy the owls, ravens, doves, hummingbirds, and salamanders and NO WIFI. Harken back to the days of yore cooking in the outdoor kitchen, playing darts, cornhole, ring toss, or ask to use the telescope & binoculars to star gaze. (Learn about Redwood Trees by copying and pasting this URL into your web browser- https://www.giantsrising.com/discover/#mytreestory) When you book you will receive an extensive list of recommendations of things to do in the area with web links, links to camping recipes, as well as seasonal menus for food that you can order from Chef Mima. Our common area includes bbq's, propane burners, picnic tables, propane griddle, cooking supplies, dish-washing area as well as outdoor games. Other amenities such as shower, fridge, microwave, toaster oven, more cooking supplies and books are also available to you in another common area. The terrain on our property is NOT hikeable and you may NOT WALK OFF THE PROPERTY but we provide you with links to many trails as well as recommendations for lots to see and do in the area. We are equi-distant between Monterey and Santa Cruz (also approximately 30 minutes but depends on traffic) for all of your more "touristy" desires. Under 2 hours to San Francisco. Imagine a peaceful, serene neck of the woods with NO WIFI. Feel the restorative power of nature building resilience and buffering tomorrow’s stress. Welcome to Redwood Retreat in the mountains above the sweet town of Corralitos, approximately a half hour to either Santa Cruz or Monterey and 20 minutes to nearest beach. If you are the type of camper that likes to play music or be loud, this is not the camp for you. This is a refuge from that. When multiple sites are reserved, this spot is perfect for family vacations, company retreats, small celebrations etc. It is strongly recommended that you book all three sites if you wish to entertain. No amplified noise. A noise curfew is in effect from 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. for anything but talking. Sound carries and we must respect neighbors and other campers.THX!

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The Ranch at Cross Road

11 sites · RVs, Tents84 acres · Livermore, CA

Welcome to the ranch at cross road! We are a family owned organic farm in the heart of Livermore wine country. We have 10 camp sites spread across the property for you to choose from. The property is 15 minutes from Lake Del Valle and some of the best wineries and breweries California has to offer. Settle in and enjoy amazing sunsets every night with us! We accommodate tents,Travel trailers, Fifth wheels, Toy haulers, Pop-up campers, Class A RVs, Class B RVs, Class C RVs, Campervans, and Cars. Our guests love us too! "I had a wonderful stay at Matt’s ranch! It was easy to find even as it was starting to get dark, and the campsites were well lit and easy to find. The ranch is beautiful. It was such a treat to stay here. I would definitely stay again."

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Dreamy California Coast Airstreams

4 sites · Lodging30 acres · Pescadero, CA

This is private 30 acres property overlooking the stunning Tunitas Beach and Pacific ocean from a breathtaking ocean cliff view. Stunning sunrise and sunset greet you in these fully equipped Airstreams. Fully loaded with all the amenities to make your glamping experience perfect. Fire pit, BBQ, Pizza oven, A/C, Heater, full kitchen with all necessary cookware and serving dishes to cook inside the airstream or on the BBQ or Pizza oven outside. Comes will full bathroom with hot shower. Truly a rare and memorable experience, located within 9 mins of Half Moon Bay shopping. Beach access short walk or drive.

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Whiskey Hill Barn and Camp

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Watsonville, CA

Stay within minutes of Manresa, Sand Dollar, and Sunset State beaches. There are excellent biking and hiking opportunities on the Watsonville and Elkhorn sloughs, or commune with the redwoods in the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. The air is amazing here, between the salt sea and redwood forest. We welcome you to relax and refresh on the Monterey Bay coast.

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Hidden Spring Ranch

6 sites · Lodging, Tents6 acres · Santa Cruz, CA

Magical 6 acre permaculture ranch just a few minutes to town, beaches and restaurants. Take a bath under a clear night sky, enjoy the morning birdsong and take a stroll on or off the property. We have free ranging chickens, a hidden spring surrounded by two creeks and wild plums. Happy Valley is a secret little gem of Santa Cruz. Plenty of space for relaxing, and amazing location for both convenience and adventures. (2 of the 3 sites have the tubs please read individual descriptions to find out if the one you chose has one)

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Fern Ridge Flats - Private Camping

2 sites · Tents9 acres · Aptos, CA

Nestled in a canopy of redwoods, less than 10 miles from the beach sits a private and cozy campground. Fern Ridge Flats combines the best of Santa Cruz county. Abundant trees and misty mornings await you at our property in Aptos. Equipped with electricity, water, and a picnic table for your convenience. There are trails on the land for you to explore, animals, and nature to dive into. *************** Smoking and the use of drugs are strictly prohibited. This is a safe and quiet neighborhood with many families including my own. Please do not request to book if you have the intention of partying or using illegal substances. If these rules are violated, local authorities will be called and you will be removed from the campsite. *************** The campsite is less than a 5 minute walk from the parking spot but is relatively steep. Although it is paved it is not recommended for anyone with mobility issues. *************** As an added precaution to protect the lush landscape, the firepit at the campsite utilizes clean burning propane. We chose a burner that closely replicates the size and heat of a wood to enhance our campers' experience.

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Strawberry Fields Forever

5 sites · RVs5 acres · Watsonville, CA

Welcome to southern Santa Cruz County, home of some of the longest and most beautiful beaches in central California. We are located in La Selva Beach, a five-minute walk to Manresa State Beach. We are a small, working farm with vegetable and flower gardens, chickens and bees. There are many excellent places to hike, walk, surf, swim, tide pool or just sit and enjoy the view. SELF CONTAINED UNITS ONLY We offer quiet campsites with fantastic views of the three hundred acres of strawberry fields that back up to our property. Our campsites provide water and electric hookups and only appropriate for self-contained recreational vehicles and trailers. One of the sites has no size constraints on RVs or trailers. Our Valley View site is limited to rigs 26 feet long or less. We do not offer personal hygiene services e.g. porta potty, sinks or showers). We do not accommodate tent camping. We love to host guests and will provide information about things to do and see in our area. We often loan our State Parks pass so that you can venture out to Point Lobos, Wilder Ranch, Sunset Beach, Natural Bridges and more. Our property is peaceful and restorative. Our sites are about 30 yards apart. Each camp site includes a fire pit and a bundle of wood. Surf boards, Boogey boards and wetsuits are available for rent from the surf shop on site. We are 15 minutes from the village of Capitola, 30 minutes from downtown Santa Cruz and 45 minutes to Monterey. There is a Dump station 5 minutes down the road at the KOA (for a fee).

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#2 HMB Highway Overnight Rest Stop

2 sites · RVs1 acre · Half Moon Bay, CA

WELCOME PLEASE READ! Overnight parking and Rest Stop on South Highway One. One vehicle only, Car, Pickup Truck, Small Van, Motorcycle are Welcome. Private road and shared picnic area for One of Two Parking Spots. Walk to beach bluffs 10 minutes. Potable water. Bathrooms. Fire pit and wood and picnic table (shared area) Tents okay. An abundance of seasonal wildflowers and wild berries Year round. Observe rare. Species of birds Close walk to town for shopping and festivals. ********************************************* Next to FARM horses and chickens. Ocean may be loud. Highway may be heard. No pets please. No towable Trailers or RVs over 20 feet. Noise curfew is sundown. No parties in this location. Check in after 2pm Check out is noon.

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Peace, Love and Sunset Ranch

16 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Watsonville, CA

This is camping made easy. No need to bring your cooking supplies, stoves, barbeque and dinnerwares ! We have them all. If you like to be social and have bonfire and have a nice chat with fellow campers from somewhere else, this is the place for you. We are committed to provide good beds and beddings because we know how important good sleep is (even when you camp!) so we just spent time, money and energy to replace all of our camping mattresses with memory foam mattresses!!! We had people swear that this is the best bed they ever slept in. The campground is located in a serene oakwood grove area of the property. Its a peaceful getaway with an abundance of bird varieties and occasional wild turkeys passing through. Take a stroll around our 5-acre property and catch a breathtaking sunset from the hillside. We're only 11 minutes away from Mount Madonna State Park and just 10 minutes from a local healthy grocery store and yoga studio. The beautiful Pajaro Dunes coastal area is just a 15-minute drive away, and the Santa Cruz Fairground is only two minutes away. Our location is surrounded by family friendly farms such as Gizdich ranch and nurseries, hence why it's considered the salad bowl of the United States. The Santa Cruz beaches are only 15-25 minutes away, while Monterey Bay Aquarium is just 30 minutes away and Gilroy Gardens is about 25 minutes away. The wine trail is also nearby. There are plenty of activities to enjoy nearby, including horseback riding at Mount Madonna Stable, Mount Madonna Retreat Center, hiking at Mount Madonna State Park, wine tastings at various wineries with stunning views, kayaking at Elkhorn Slough or any beaches, yoga at Watsonville Yoga or onsite, swimming, scuba diving in Monterey, visiting the Hanoman temple at Mount Madonna retreat center, and attending any events at the Santa Cruz Fairground. Julie, our campground manager offers horse lessons for anyone starting at age 8 + but not heavier than 180 lbs. The property has 3 stalls for hot showers, 1 hand washing sink, 3 flushable toilettes, 1 communal outdoor kitchen with supplies of cookwares, dishes, mugs, glasses, utensils, pots and pans, coffee mugs, and 1 sink with hot water, 3 fire pits (2 of them is fire burning and 1 of them is propane), camping stoves, 1 gas barbeque and there is an electricity in the communal kitchen area. Propane for fireplace is included and Firewoods are available for sale. Board games, Books, Magazines, Lawn games are available as well as drawing papers and coloring pencils/markers/oil paint for our little artists. Your parking spot is within a very short walking distance and there is a wagon for you to use to haul your belongings to your camp site.

The best camping near Pomponio State Beach guide

Overview

About

At the mouth of Pomponio Creek, this windswept beach is hemmed in by high sandstone bluffs, some of which tower almost 200 feet high along the shore. Seaside walks are the main activity here, and it’s possible to trek all the way to San Gregorio State Beach (to the north) or Pescadero State Beach (to the south). Keep your eyes peeled for seashells and seabirds along the way, and pack a picnic to enjoy in the scenic coves of Pomponio Creek. There’s no camping at Pomponio, but campers can find options along the coast or at the surrounding state parks.

When to go

Pomponio State Beach makes a good spot to escape the summer crowds—it rarely gets busy, even in peak season. Come in spring to spot western snowy plovers nesting on the beach, or in winter to enjoy the views all to yourself (especially if you visit on a weekday). Water temperatures can be very cold, even in summer, so it’s best to stay shoreside. The beach is open from 8am to sunset year-round.

Know before you go

Pomponio State Beach is located off the Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1), along the San Mateo coastline. It’s about a 12-mile or 15-minute drive south of Half Moon Bay.
Daily parking fees are charged at the state beach.
Facilities at Pomponio State Beach include barbecues, picnic tables, and vault toilets. There are no lifeguard patrols, and swimming and surfing are not recommended.
There are accessible parking spaces, vault toilets, and picnic sites at Pomponio State Beach.