Monterey, California, is a beautiful city located in the central coast region of the state, home to the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. There are wineries and vineyards within an hour's drive of the city, and the downtown section of the city has art galleries, gourmet restaurants, sidewalk cafes and boutique shopping. Swimming, surfing, fishing, sailing and boating are all found along the rugged shoreline.
Monterey Count Fairgrounds
The Monterey County Fairgrounds offers a full service RV park. Sites can accommodate large RVs and those with slide-outs. Full hookups (water, sewer, 40- or 50- amp electric) are standard. There are hot showers, private toilets, Wi-Fi, picnic tables and barbeque grills. Pets are welcome, and there's a 10-percent discount for senior citizens. Reservations should be made during summer months; certain dates are not available for RVs, such as during the county fair.
Monterey County Fairgrounds
2004 Fairground Road
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 372-5863
montereycountyfair.com/main_home.php
Santa Cruz/Monterey KOA
The Santa Cruz/Monterey KOA is a full-service campground. RVs of all sizes can be accommodated with either pull-through or back-in sites. Each has 20-, 30- or 50- amp electric, water, sewer, cable TV and Wi-Fi. Guests can enjoy a pool, guest house with small kitchen, playground, shower room, private toilets, picnic area, gym and coin-operated laundry room. All major credit cards are accepted. Pets are welcome but need to remain on leashes on the grounds.
Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA
1186 San Andreas Road
La Selva Beach, CA 95076
(831) 722-0551
koa.com/where/CA/05113/
Moss Landing KOA
Moss Landing is locate in the Monterey Bay sanctuary. As well as having full hookups (cable TV, water, sewer, Wi-Fi, and 20-, 30-, or 50-amp electric) and sites that can handle RVs of all sizes, Moss Landing is also a nature lover's playground. Elkhorn Slough is nearby and guests can tour the grounds. Fishing is available and guests can join whale watching charters right from the harbor. Amenities include hot showers, private toilets, guest house, laundry room, playground and barbecue rings. All major credit cards are accepted. Pets are welcome but need to be leashed. Good Sam and AAA discounts are available.
Moss Landing KOA
7905 Sandholdt Road
Moss Landing, CA 95039
(831) 633-6800
koa.com/where/Ca/05448/
About The Author
A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Coufal now resides in California. He has written for publications including "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Coufal attended Syracuse University and was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey, Belize and much of Alaska.