Sunset State Beach Campground California
Sunset State Beach Overview
Sunset State Beach 91 campsites in three loops for tents, trailers and RVs (up to 31 feet) on a bluff above the beach and overlooking Monterey Bay. Group and hike/bike campsites are also available. The campground has two loops – South Camp (sites 1-37) and Pines Hollow (sites 38 to 61). Campsites can accommodate up to 2 vehicles and 8 people. Parking spurs range from 20 to 31 feet in length. Overflow parking is available for extra vehicles in one of the overflow parking lots located outside the Dunes and South.
Each campsite also has a table, fire ring and grate. There are no RV hookups and there isn’t a dump station or potable/fresh water to fill up RV tanks. Generators can only be used from 10am to 8pm.
Campground amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, showers and a dump station ($10). There’s also a day use area and overflow parking. Firewood is also available for sale from the camp host. Pets are okay in the campground (on a leash), but not on the beach.
Sunset State Beach – Area Recreation
Sunset State Beach is a popular destination and is located on a secluded stretch of coastland between the towns of Santa Cruz and Monterey. Outdoor activities include hiking and exploring the sand dunes, beach combing, surf fishing, sunbathing, surfing, windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking, picnicking, whale watching and wildlife viewing.
You may also be interested in Seacliff State Beach and New Brighton State Beach. Mt. Madonna County Park is also nice.
Make a Reservation for Sunset State Beach
Amenities
- BBQ Grills
- Campsite Tables
- Cell Service - Good
- Comfort Station
- Drinking Water
- Dump Station
- Fire Pit
- Fire Rings
- Grills
- Iron Ranger
- Pets OK
- Picnic Tables
- Restrooms (Flush Toilets)
- Showers
Activities
- Beach
- Beach Access
- Beach Combing
- Biking
- Bird Watching
- Boating (non motorized)
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Nature Trails
- Ocean
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Sand Surfing
- Stargazing
- Surf Fish
- Surfing
- Walking Trails
- Water Sports
- Whale Watching
- Wildlife Viewing
Watsonville, California 95076
831 763-7063
Lat / Long:
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Campsite Types
- ADA
- RV
- Tent
- Trailer
# of Campsites:
91
Campsite Vehicle Size:
20 to 31 feet.
Season:
Year Round
Elevation:
10
Sunset State Beach Comments & Reviews
Visited Sunset State Beach Campground lately? We'd love to hear about your adventure. Did you find us useful? Did we forget something? Anything our community should know before heading out to Sunset State Beach?
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are dogs allowed
Hi Betty,
Dogs are allowed (on leash) at Sunset State Beach campground, but not on the beach.
I would not say that campsite 56 was one of this park’s best. If the park is full, campsite 56 is very close to lots of other campers, no privacy at all and lots of noise. Lots of families enjoy this park, so it’s full a lot.
Looking to reserve two camp sites in September. Are there some areas within the campgrounds that are reserved for tent camping only?
Hi Nancy,
There are no ‘tent only’ campsites at Sunset State Beach. All can accommodate either a tent, trailer or RV.
Does this campsite have a dump for RV or water ?
Hi Brandee,
Sunset State Beach Campground does not have a dump station or fresh/potable water to fill up RV tanks.
There is a dump station at New Brighton State Beach. It’s $10 to use.
Awesome – thanks for the heads up / update on the Sunset State Beach dump station. We will update our campground info as well.
Hello, Are there photos of the Group campsite at the Sunset State Beach campground?
Thank you!
Hi Katie,
Sorry, we don’t have photos of the group campsites at Sunset State Beach. I’ll see if I can schedule a photographer to get those photographed soon.
Does Sunset State Ridge allow generators at all left
Hi David,
Generators can only be used from 10am to 8pm at Sunset State Beach campground.
It’s helpful.
What is the check-in process like these days? Thank you!
Not much different than in the past. You’ll check in at kiosk, but if it is not attended you can go occupy your site and a camp host/ranger will be by later to check you in.
I’m seeing that every site in Pine Hollow allows for 1 vehicle, and any extras require an additional fee, which isn’t listed anywhere. Is this a set rate? If so, how much is it?
Hi Kaitlyn,
Sunset State Beach campground has two loops – South Camp (sites 1-37) and Pines Hollow (sites 38 to 61). Campsites can accommodate up to 2 vehicles and 8 people in either loop. Parking spurs range from 20 to 31 feet in length. Overflow parking is available for extra vehicles in one of the overflow parking lots located outside the Dunes and South.
With some of the big trees down from the winter storms, some of the sites no longer look like these pictures. Site 25 no longer has the big tree blocking campsite 23. And because of this 23 now has a beautiful view of the ocean. In my opinion it rivals the view from 25. Also, just be aware that the wind is wrong at these sites but if you’re in the lower area the wind isn’t. Hope you all still enjoy the park!
Hi Lynda Lou!
Thanks for the review and feedback on Sunset State Beach. We will get a photographer out there (hopefully this fall) to reshoot the campground.
Does anyone know where the table/fire ring/general area for site 2 is?? It looks like it is only a parking space with brush all around it!
Hi Tom,
The table, fire ring/grill area is right behind the trailer parked in campsite #2. You can barely make out the fire right to the right of the trailer. It’s an open area – no brush, etc.