How much does camping cost at Seacliff State Beach Campground?

Camping fees at Seacliff State Beach Campground are $10 - $100/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Seacliff State Beach Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Seacliff State Beach Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Seacliff State Beach Campground before I book?

Yes! Seacliff State Beach Campground has 19 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Seacliff State Beach Campground?

Seacliff State Beach Campground is open Closed for the 2023 and 2024 seasons due to storm damage.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Seacliff State Beach Campground?

Seacliff State Beach Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Seacliff State Beach Campground?

Fire policies at Seacliff State Beach Campground: Fires restricted to raised fire rings in campsites; no fires allowed on main beach.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Seacliff State Beach Campground have?

Seacliff State Beach Campground has 63 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Seacliff State Beach Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Seacliff State Beach Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Seacliff State Beach Campground?

Seacliff State Beach Campground offers: Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Sewer Hookups, Pets Allowed, Camp Store. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Seacliff State Beach Campground?

Popular activities at Seacliff State Beach Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Wildlife Viewing, Beach Activities. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Seacliff State Beach Campground

4.26

119 reviews

201 State Park Drive, Aptos, CA 95003

SwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

108 ft

Price

$10 - $100/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

63 campsites

Season

Closed for the 2023 ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Full Hookups

Book on California State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

108 ft

Price

$10 - $100/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

63 campsites

Season

Closed for the 2023 ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Full Hookups

Book on California State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Seacliff State Beach Campground

$10.00 - $100.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Day-use vehicle fee is $10 ($9 for seniors). Bus parking fees range between $50 and $100.

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Provider

(831) 685-6444interp@parks.ca.gov

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

201 State Park Drive, Aptos, CA 95003

Seacliff State Beach Campground

201 State Park Drive, Aptos, CA 95003

Weather at Seacliff State Beach Campground

Current alert: Campground and day-use areas are closed as of 2023 due to storm damage.

Best Time to Camp at Seacliff State Beach Campground

Summer brings the calmest conditions and warmest water. Expect mid-60s to low-70s°F during the day, low-50s°F at night. July through September offers the clearest skies and best ocean temperatures for swimming and kayaking. Morning coastal fog can linger through June. Ocean breezes keep temperatures comfortable year-round, though winter storms reshape the beach and create dramatic wave-watching. Summer weekends fill quickly.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer is calmest and warmest for beach/swimming; note campground closed for 2023–24 seasons.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Closed for the 2023 and 2024 seasons due to storm damage.

About Seacliff State Beach Campground

Seacliff State Beach Campground sits directly on Monterey Bay, offering 63 RV sites with full hookups and ocean access. Sites accommodate rigs up to 45 feet. Fees range from $10-$100 per night. The campground functions primarily as beachfront RV parking rather than a traditional campground experience.

Seacliff State Beach Campground accommodates RV camping only, with options for full-hookup and non-hookup sites.

Historical Significance

The Ohlone people originally inhabited this coastline. Spanish colonization converted the area into Rancho Aptos. The SS Palo Alto, a World War I concrete ship, was grounded here in the 1930s and operated as a dance hall and amusement pier before storms destroyed the superstructure. The hull remains visible offshore.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the calmest conditions and warmest water. Expect mid-60s to low-70s°F during the day, low-50s°F at night. July through September offers the clearest skies and best ocean temperatures for swimming and kayaking. Morning coastal fog can linger through June. Ocean breezes keep temperatures comfortable year-round, though winter storms reshape the beach and create dramatic wave-watching. Summer weekends fill quickly.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies marine terraces above a sandy beach within Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Ancient bluffs rise behind the sites, shaped by a million years of sea level changes. Offshore, one of North America's largest underwater canyons creates nutrient upwellings that support dolphins, sea otters, and kelp beds. The rusted concrete hull of the SS Palo Alto sits just offshore, now a roosting site for pelicans and cormorants. The beach extends in both directions, accessible via a promenade trail.

Geological RegionNestled within the prestigious Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Seacliff occupies a fascinating geological transition zone where ancient marine terraces meet modern sandy beaches. The sculpted bluffs tell a million-year story of rising and falling seas, while offshore, one of North America's largest underwater canyons creates a nutrient-rich environment that supports an extraordinary diversity of marine life.

Scenic ViewsSites historically offered oceanfront views and sounds of crashing waves.

Lodging & AccommodationsLodging limited to RV camping only; no hotel-style accommodations or cabins available on-site.

Programs & ActivitiesSeacliff offers virtual and in-person field trips focusing on paleontology, marine sanctuaries, and avian adaptations. Programs include fossil brushing, sanctuary exploration, and ecology education.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2PM

Check-out

Noon

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay historically was 7 days.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum 8 people per campsite historically.

Groups

No group site accommodations are mentioned.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSites are tightly spaced in three lots (A, B, C) that reviewers consistently describe as resembling a parking lot. Expect ten feet or less between rigs. Limited privacy is the tradeoff for oceanfront access.

Reservation PlatformsReserveCalifornia (online or via phone).

Walk-in AvailabilityLottery system for non-hookup campsites, historically available; currently closed.

Cancellation PolicyReservation holders affected by closure contacted via email for automatic refunds.

AccessibilityAccessible picnic sites, parking, restrooms, and beach wheelchairs are provided. Promenade Trail usable for approximately 0.3 miles. Beach wheelchairs are free to use with prior reservation.

Site SizeSites accommodate RVs up to 45 feet.

PrivacySites are closely spaced, offering limited privacy. Many reviewers describe the campground as resembling 'a parking lot ten feet from each other.

Total Campsites63 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose sites #1-26 for best ocean views and sounds; avoid lots with known drainage problems.

Best CampsitesSites 1-26 sit closest to the ocean. Reviews emphasize booking cancellations quickly for these beachfront spots, which offer direct views and the shortest walk to the sand.

Need help booking Seacliff State Beach Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

ReserveCalifornia Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Seacliff State Beach Campground offers oceanfront RV sites with full and non-hookup options. The campground is currently closed due to extensive storm damage caused in early 2023. Historically, it has been popular for its proximity to the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary and its beachfront location.

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Sewer hookups

Dump station

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Seacliff State Beach Campground

Activities include beachfront walks, swimming, fishing, and geocaching. However, storm damage has restricted recreational access.

Beach activities4.5/5Top 4% in California

Swimming4.0/5Top 21% in California

Long sandy beach with direct access; swimming popular and warmest in summer (mid-60s to low-70s°F).

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Seals, dolphins, whales, pelicans and cormorants commonly seen from shore.

Hiking3.0/5

Promenade Trail and nearby trails exist but storm damage has limited access.

Fishing3.0/5

Anglers report sole, flounder, mackerel, halibut and lingcod, but pier access is lost and fishing is surf/shore-based.

Biking2.5/5

Day‑use areas permit biking but no dedicated trails or bike infrastructure noted.

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Ocean vistas, bluffs, wildlife and historic pier/shipwreck offer varied photo subjects.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsStorm damage has rendered infrastructure unusable, landslides and erosion from bluffs remain ongoing concerns.

No Flush ToiletsBathrooms were described as poorly maintained in reviews, with some stating 'bathrooms need attention in the afternoon (no toilet paper)' and others reporting closures due to lack of maintenance.

Fire PolicyFires restricted to raised fire rings in campsites; no fires allowed on main beach.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 10 PM to 8 AM

Emergency ServicesSanta Cruz District Special Events Office (831) 335-8497; Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks (831) 429-1840.

Trash & RecyclingTrash cans available, but reviewers noted that additional receptacles were needed. 'Bathrooms need attention in the afternoon (no TP),' and 'need more trash cans instead of only dumpsters' were common complaints.

Water FeaturesDirect beach access; historically near SS Palo Alto and marine sanctuary.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.3

119 reviews

Satisfactory

Seacliff State Beach Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight great beachfront locations but criticize poor facilities, inadequate maintenance, and discriminatory policies.

Review Summaries

Based on 119 reviews

What Campers Love

Beachfront RV spots with ocean view, access to the beach and promenade trail, and proximity to natural attractions like the SS Palo Alto.

Based on 119 reviews

Common Concerns

Poorly maintained bathrooms and showers, limited privacy between sites, high costs, discriminatory policies against older camper vans, and rude staff.

Based on 119 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Best campsites identified as 1-26 for their proximity to the ocean.

Based on 119 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Book cancellations quickly, carry extra toilet paper, and avoid outdated campers due to strict self-contained RV requirements. Engage early in lotteries for non-reservation sites.

Based on 119 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Conditions improve during summer months for beach activities, but winter storms have caused significant infrastructure damage.

Based on 119 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'RV's back up to within 100' of the water. If you like the sound of the surf you'll love it!' - Jack Stouffer. 2. 'The beach camping is beautiful, the rangers at the gate, not so pleasant.' -...

Based on 119 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible features like picnic tables and beach wheelchairs are appreciated, though complaints about rude staff toward disabled campers were noted.

Based on 119 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Dogs are allowed but must be leashed and attended at all times. No specific pet-friendly amenities noted.

Based on 119 reviews

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Seacliff State Beach Campground

$10.00 - $100.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Day-use vehicle fee is $10 ($9 for seniors). Bus parking fees range between $50 and $100.

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Reserve California

Provider

(831) 685-6444interp@parks.ca.gov

Go if

Sites 1-26 are the draw: front-row ocean views, full hookups for rigs up to 45 feet, and the SS Palo Alto wreck just offshore drawing pelicans and cormorants. Summer is the clear sweet spot, with mid-60s days and calm water for swimming. Book ReserveCalifornia the moment closures

Skip if

Tent campers have no options here; this is RV-only and strictly self-contained. Privacy is essentially zero between sites. Several reviewers describe staff as unwelcoming, and a subset report interactions that felt pointed toward campers who didn't fit a certain mold, if you've h

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