A giant in California’s rich surf history, Santa Cruz is a spot you can’t pass up if you’re driving the length of the California coastline.
If you’re looking to spend the night in Santa Cruz, there are several highly-rated RV parks and KOAs available to you. If you’re looking for a more simplistic camping experience, the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is just north of Aptos, CA. The best camping near Santa Cruz, overall though, is found at Manresa State Beach. If you’re looking to head from campground to surf site, you won’t have to travel far. It’s only a 10-mile drive from the campsites at Manresa to Pleasure Point and other famous surf spots.