1. Laguna Seca Recreation Area

1. Laguna Seca Recreation Area

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Salinas, CA

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Laguna Seca Recreation Area

3.8 (34 reviews)

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We entered at the guard shack and it was alittle unclear where to join the trail. As a disclaimer, we may have done it wrong....but here are our thoughts on route 47. The trails were very narrow, looked like just for bikes. If you are going to walk your dog, there are alot of burrs on the narrow trail. Our rating is based on route 47, not the other walking trail we found after we made it to the top.

Our beautiful view from our campsite

Beast campsite I've stayed at! We were at campsite 154 and had perfect shade throughout the day. Didn't even need to use the canopy we took. At night we had perfect view of the Milky Way, we brought our inflatable mattress outside and watched the stars for hours. Restrooms were nearby and kept very clean. Showers also had warm water. The attendants were amazing and very kind. In the morning we got to see the cars racing which added to the experience. There's a 7/11 about 7mins from the site along with a Jack in the Box, vet and pizza. Love love love!

Space #

Great views & after 5pm during the week, the raceway closes so it is very peaceful. We were in the Can-Am circle, space 88.

Campsite overlooking the shooting range
Joy B.

First off, good looking out, previous Yelp reviewers for the tip on the hard ground and the need for a hammer to get tent stakes in the ground. You weren't joking! Laguna Seca was our polyester walled home for MDW, as we were in town for the Caliroots Festival just a short drive up to the Monterey Fairgrounds. This is a unique area to camp, as it land that is literally used for other forms of recreation, notably the shooting range and race track. It was rad to hear the guns firing at the shooting range in the morning, kind of like the rooster crow, but instead of a crow, it's a pow-pow! Same goes for the growling engines of the cars looping the raceway. Anyway, our camp site was in the RV area and on the outlying area of the campgrounds. From our site, we had a straight shot view of the shooting range. It was cool to be kind of at the edge of one of the hillsides, offering up sweeping super gorgeous 360 views of Salinas Valley, however it's important to note that if your camp site is not located more towards the center of the grounds, away from the edges, you will have little to no protection from the wind on windy days. What does this mean? You better have your tent set-up and stake securing skills down pat. Otherwise, your tent will be at risk to get swept away like a child's balloon, as evidenced by the sad, slanting condition of neighboring tents around us. The ground is very hard, so if you don't have something substantial to hammer the stakes in, you're kinda SOL. It's gorgeous up here, but on cold days/nights, expect a good wind chill overnight. So, be prepared for it and dress for cold. Each camp site includes a picnic bench, fire pit with grill, and an RV hookup for water and power, which you can make use of by charging your iPhone and using the semi-warmish water to clean up dishes, etc. I also love that they have recycle bins on site next to the rubbish cans. The restrooms were overall pretty clean, especially for a sold-out campsite, and if one stall was out of paper, most of the others still had some, so that never was an issue. They even had hand soap dispensers for hand washing. The showers are the push button type that you have to continue to push every 2-3 minutes to keep on. It was warmish but not impressive warm/hot, definitely decent for a campsite. However, the one thing that kind of grossed me out was how, if enough girls took showers, their collective shedding strands, etc. would clog up the shower drains. Each shower stall shared the same floor and drains across the board, so everyone kind of waded in each others water from the ankle down. Yuck, I know. Tried not to think about it and instead proceeded to attempt the quickest showers of my life so I could dry my feet from the smut. So, be sure you bring flip flops to keep your feet off the floor at a minimum, and/or try to be one of the first to shower, before the drains get janked up. Other than that, it's a solid place to camp, nice staff at the front office and easy check-in/check-out process. I'd like to come back here to do some shooting and/or racing at some point.

Alvin B.

My friends and I came here to spend the weekend while we ran the Spartan Beast to save money. The campsite is up the hill, past the race track. Driving in the camp area, there were already a lot of people set up with their tents. The individual areas are only separated by wooden stakes that says where one starts, but there was no problem at all knowing your boundaries. There was at least one wooden table with a bench per area, which we used to have dinner. The area that we had was more than big enough, being able to park two cars, set up two big tents, room for a camp fire, and more extra walking room. We went in August and it got pretty cold at night, so bring ample warm clothing or extra blankets! The bathroom is a walk down the hill. It was really clean for a campsite, and the men's had 4 shower stands, that had a push button style you had to keep pushing every couple of minutes to keep on. I suggest going early in the morning to avoid a line, and wear slippers for your protection. Hot water was available, which was a huge relief. Overall, we had a good experience here and wouldn't mind coming back!

qirk z.

Coasted down the corkscrew on my bicycle, top speed 41mph. whoohooo! Thanks for hosting the Twilight bike events! Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kyI5PwOAto

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Many reasons to cone here .. for me it's the Spartan Super.. great venue for a great race

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14 years ago

We are Monterey County residents. We come to Laguna Seca for the Mountain Bike races and activities. Primo :)

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Review Highlights - Laguna Seca Recreation Area

Friendly staff, great view points of the raceway, clean bathrooms and showers.

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Moss Landing KOA Express - Check In, General Store, Bathroom and Shower

Moss Landing KOA Express

4.0(107 reviews)
15.3 mi

I really love KOA campgrounds. This one is a hidden little spot between Monterey and Santa Cruz,…read moreless than a 1/2 hour drive to each. Really nice staff, very clean and safe. The spots are very close to each other, but this is a small campground, maybe 50 spots. The KOA person guided us into our spot, made it easy because if it was just me and the wife... well you know! Moss landing is an old fishing town, very small, abut very historical and interesting to walk around. The ocean beach is walking distance from the campground. I will return to this place, very safe and very secluded. Nice clean laundry room, landscaping is beautiful, location is in a very secluded area in the farming community. Very tight spots, you are really close to your neighbor. But that's OK, this is a place you stay at, and go out during the day to see the sites around the area. There is no stores or restaurants in the area. Only one deli (which is really good but only open to 3pm). So you will need to have food and supply with you.

I am a big fan of KOA and have stayed at all of the three levels that I thought they had up till…read morenow. This one is a small KOA - the manager tells me it's the first KOAExpress. The other levels, journey, destination and resort are increasingly fancy, but generally have some kind of market, a cafe or restaurant, pools, jacuzzis and the like - more so at the higher levels. Well, this one was a fraction of the size of most of those. it was very well kept, nice level paved sites, excellent bathrooms - two full bathrooms, where you get your own toilet, sink and shower and door It's essentially located right in the harbor, there's a gate that will get you to the docks. Including all the whale watching boats . A bunch of sea lions were my neighbors on a rock on the other side of the fence. There are a couple of restaurants within walking distance as well, so that makes up for not having one on site

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Moss Landing KOA Express - Sunset

Sunset

Moss Landing KOA Express - Moss landing KOA

Moss landing KOA

Moss Landing KOA Express - Makes you wonder why humans can't do this

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Makes you wonder why humans can't do this

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

4.4(408 reviews)
22.6 mi

One of our favorite SP throughout CA - beautiful location along the Monterey coast, tucked away in…read morethe redwoods, with a beautiful and well-designed campground with plenty of sites near the river as well as away from civilization. Campsites are notoriously difficult to obtain due to popularity and bad-actors utilizing bots to book sites, but if you're lucky enough to get a reservation, spending a few days in the wilderness here is as good as it gets. Bathrooms are clean and showers are hot (coin operated). Day use parking is small, but there is plenty of room on the river for your family to post up, have something to eat/drink, and stay cool in the hot summer weather. Best recommendation.

BEST SPOT TO SEE RED WOODS. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is a sprawling, 1,000-acre sanctuary…read morecentered around the pristine Big Sur River. Often nicknamed "mini Yosemite," it trades direct beach access for dramatic inland scenery, boasting spectacular valleys, forested peaks, and dense groves of ancient coast redwoods. Ancient Redwood Groves: The park is famous for its majestic coast redwoods, with some trees measuring over 1,000 years old. Accessible walkways, like the Redwood Deck, allow visitors to stand among these towering giants. Diverse Hiking Trails: Trails cater to all skill levels, ranging from the flat and easy Nature Trail loop to the challenging, steep ascent up the Buzzards Roost Trail, which rewards hikers with panoramic views of the ocean and mountains. On-Site Lodging and Camping: Unlike many rugged coastal stops, this park features developed accommodations, including a large campground alongside the river and the historic Big Sur Lodge, which provides comfortable cabins and a restaurant. The redwoods you see growing in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (as well as nearby Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park are Coast Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), the tallest living species of tree on Earth. The groves found throughout the park are particularly special because they mark the southernmost boundary of where the coast redwood species naturally thrives in significant numbers. Because they are located at the southern edge of their natural geographic range, the climate here is slightly drier and warmer than the dense, misty rainforests of Northern California. While they generally do not reach the record-shattering heights of their northern cousins in Humboldt or Redwood National Park, they are incredibly impressive, with many individual trees in the park towering well over 200 feet tall and thriving for upwards of 800 to 1,000 years. They rely heavily on the marine fog flowing through the Big Sur River gorge to stay hydrated during the dry summer months

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Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Family Camping September 12-14, 2025  THE JOY LUCK CLUB

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Family Camping September 12-14, 2025 THE JOY LUCK CLUB

Kirk Creek Campground

Kirk Creek Campground

4.3(193 reviews)
43.3 mi

Site 29! Had a great stay here. Stayed April 7th and 8th. First day and night were clear and we…read morewere able to see so many stars at night. As far as the campsite it self, i was a little scared that it would be too sloped, but it wasnt bad at all. We used a tent and set it up on the left side and kept the table/bench in the middle. We still had awesome views of the water. Everything was so green it looked like it was a filtered photograph. You could see the vault bathroom from our site but we couldn't smell it. The smell was very prominent though around the area where the host was staying. Bring a bucket, diapers (to soak up the pee), and thick plastic bags if you dont want to use their vault bathrooms. We didnt encounter any raccoons personally, but did see their prints all over our cooler (locked) and table in the mornings. We saw a groundhog and it spent an hour digging up a hole. Firewood was $15 a bundle. we have verizon for our cell service and had no signal at all. It actually went out about 20 miles before arriving to the campground. We were able to use the satellite option on our phones to send out a couple of text messages. Wish we lived closer cause the drive from Orange County was long. Enjoy the photos

Kirk Creek Campground offers one of the most breathtaking coastal views you'll find anywhere in…read moreCalifornia. Waking up right on the cliffs above the ocean is incredible and truly makes the trip worth it. There's no cell service, though newer iPhones with satellite messaging can still send and receive texts if needed. Just be prepared: the campground is very rustic. There's no water, no power, and only basic latrines. At $45 per night, it feels a bit steep considering the lack of amenities, but that's the Recreation.gov rate- and the scenery does soften the sting. If you're driving in, know that Nacimiento-Fergusson Road is not recommended for large vehicles, trailers, or anything that struggles with braking downhill. For larger rigs, Highway 1 is definitely the safer and better option. The surrounding area is amazing, with tons of hikes, beaches, and spots to explore. You can even find local jade along the beaches and in riverbeds, which is a fun bonus. The campground hosts are enthusiastic, friendly, and genuinely helpful- one of the highlights of staying here. The only major downside is the raccoon situation. They go absolutely wild at night- climbing on tables, chairs, coolers, even cars and trailers. They will try to open anything they can, so make sure everything is secured or locked up. It would be great to see the park system address this, because they're definitely a persistent (and bold) nuisance. Overall, Kirk Creek is stunning, quiet, and unforgettable- as long as you're ready for a rustic experience and some energetic nighttime visitors.

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Kirk Creek Campground - Bubbles site 29

Bubbles site 29

Kirk Creek Campground - Fam photo from site 29

Fam photo from site 29

Kirk Creek Campground - Site 29 views

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Site 29 views

Fort Ord Dunes State Park - Old Army Remnants.

Fort Ord Dunes State Park

4.5(51 reviews)
6.5 mi

This is a fairly new state park. It is a small section of coastline in the town of Marina, just a…read morecouple of small towns north of Monterey. It used to be owned by Fort Ord which was a US Army base from World War 2 to about 1994. They used this coastline which was mostly sand dunes to train soldiers mostly in rifle and artillery fare. There are a few remnants of structures from the past but most are gone. There are plaques now to tell you what used to be where. I found it to be a good educational read. Some of the trails are going under renovation so I had to improvise my hike here. The trails seem like they come close to the highway and a few entry points going to the beach. The beach I went to was very empty due to the rough coast. It is usually pretty windy, and the water very cold, rough and with rip tides. Not really a beach to lay a blanket and/or play in the water. It was very peaceful tho in that strong nature sense. Parking is free, low crowd density, good for shorter non-strenuous hikes, I think I can find a purpose for this place.

Name That Dune…read more Formerly part of the Fort Ord Army post, this 1k-acre oceanfront state park consists of four miles of beach lined with the eponymous sand dunes. It is also one of California's newest state parks, as it has only been officially open since 2009. The Good: * Private parking lot * Free to visit! * Dogs allowed on recreation trail but not the beach or spur trails that lead to the beach. * Great beaches with amazing views * Great place to ride your bike as there's a little over 4 miles of paved trails The Meh: * Port-o-potties in the parking lot * Local Outdoor Enthusiasts™ hanging out in the parking lot. The Ugly: * Part of the paved trail was closed during our visit (April 11th, '26) Conclusion: Great state beach with not many amenities.

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Fort Ord Dunes State Park - Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Fort Ord Dunes State Park - Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Fort Ord Dunes State Park - Fort Ord Dunes State Park

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Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Uvas Canyon County Park - Boxelder Bugs mating. Oo wee!

Uvas Canyon County Park

4.6(283 reviews)
34.6 mi

This review is specifically for the Waterfall Loop Nature Trail within Uvas Canyon Park, one of the…read moreBay Area's many "hidden gems." Nothing like a relaxing hike along a pristine nature trail to clear the mind and nourish the soul. I noticed that one recent review calls this hike "easy" but as we were climbing the stairs from the parking lot, we encountered two young women who looked to be in their 20s who were going in the opposite direction, returning to the parking lot. "It's beautiful," one of them volunteered to us, "but it's really HARD!" And indeed, on the trail we encountered young people who were visibly panting, even though the Waterfall Loop trail is shorter and easier than others in the park. So you might want to take that into account, FWIW, as the expression goes. It might also be helpful to mention the following: * The rules of this park call for purchasing an entry pass/parking permit online BEFORE you arrive. The reason is the limited number of spaces. Your permit is good for entry during a ONE-HOUR WINDOW for which you make your reservation. The person in the car ahead of us hadn't purchased a permit in advance and was able to use a credit card to purchase it at the entry gate but that might only be done when ample space in the lot is available. * To access the park, you must drive through a private 110-acre resort (Sveadal, meaning Swedish Valley), owned and operated by the Swedish American Patriotic League since 1926. It's a SINGLE-LANE road that is NOT LEVEL (quite rocky). You will want to make sure that your vehicle is in reasonably good shape for this drive. The only really scary part of this road for us was that at a couple of points, the incline is steep enough that you can't see ahead of you on this single-lane road. So you have to trust that no other vehicle is going faster than it should be coming toward you, in the opposite direction. * One more point ("muy importante"/very important): If you're coming for the waterfalls, use your preferred AI platform to check to make sure that the water will be flowing at the time of your visit. That's because the falls are generally seasonal and dependent on the amount of rain during preceding months. The falls are not large and thundering but they are nonetheless quite beautiful and soothing. PS: For those who don't know Spanish but may be interested: The Park is named after the Spanish word for grapes (uvas), referring to the abundance of wild grapes (Vitis californica) that early settlers found growing along the creek and throughout the canyon.

The best hike I've ever been on! Great views with multiple waterfalls throughout the trail and a…read morehuge plus that the park is completely dog-friendly. Easy parking but you have to reserve a spot ($6) ahead of time. We only booked a day before and there were still a lot of availabilities. The reserved hour is only a time frame of when you have to arrive to the park but you can stay for as long as you would like. My printer ended up not working the day of so I called the park and they were so nice in offering that I just write my reservation number on paper and place it on my dash. The weather was so nice when we went (mid March) and almost all of the trail was beautifully shaded. We did the Waterfall Loop trail which was about 3 miles and lasted about 1 hr & 40 min. Moderately challenging and such a fun workout with absolutely amazing views. I loved everything about this park!

Photos
Uvas Canyon County Park - Greater Periwinkle

Greater Periwinkle

Uvas Canyon County Park - Lower waterfalls with my crush

Lower waterfalls with my crush

Uvas Canyon County Park - Lower Falls trail

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Lower Falls trail

Laguna Seca Recreation Area - campgrounds - Updated July 2026

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