Where to Camp in Monterey Without a Reservation or a Hotel

1 day ago
4 min read

Years ago, I was visiting Monterey a lot. My brother was working there at the time, and I didn't want to pay for a hotel. I love to camp, and honestly, I feel safer at a campground than I do in most hotel rooms, unless it's a really nice one. So one trip, out of pure desperation to find somewhere to stay, I came across Veterans Memorial Park, and it's been our go-to ever since.

Why It Works as a Base Camp

Veterans Memorial Park sits up above the city, away from the Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf bustle, but don't let that fool you. It's only about a 10 minute drive from downtown, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the drive in and out gives you these pretty little peekaboo views of the beach along the way. It's not going to win any awards for scenery. There are no ocean views from your site, and it's not tucked into a dreamy forest like some of the Big Sur campgrounds. It's basic. But the location is unbeatable if you want to explore Monterey without paying for a hotel room.

At a Glance

How to Actually Get a Site

Right at the Campground

This has been a favorite with my kids since they were little, mostly because of the amenities. There's a playground, a basketball court, and bocce ball right in the campground, so even on a quiet day, there's something for them to do without leaving the site. There's also a lovely trail that starts right by the bathrooms called the Huckleberry Trail. It winds a little around the sites and then climbs up a lot of stairs, but when you reach the top you're rewarded with gorgeous ocean views. It's always worth doing while you're there.

Things to Do Nearby

Here's why this campground makes such a perfect base camp. You're just minutes from some of the very best of the Monterey Peninsula.

The classics are classics for a reason. The Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row are both about 10 minutes away and always worth it. And a stop my kids never let us skip is Dennis the Menace Park, an iconic playground right near Fisherman's Wharf that is always a hit and completely free.

Whenever we're in the area, we always make time for the 17-Mile Drive, and it never gets old. It starts near Pebble Beach, one of my favorite stretches, and rolls past one beautiful stop after another: Bird Rock, Fanshell Overlook, the Ghost Tree, and the Lone Cypress, a tree that has stood alone on its rocky point for over 250 years. One of the best things we've ever done here was rent bikes and do the drive on two wheels instead of in the car. It is so worth it, and I highly recommend it. I don't remember the name of the rental shop, but a quick search will pull it up.

A little further out but absolutely worth it is Point Lobos. It's a perfect place for hiking with unreal, jaw-dropping views. Fair warning: it has gotten far more popular than it used to be. Years ago we would go and it was quiet, and the last time we went it was packed, with cars lined up for what felt like miles. Go early if you can, but don't skip it. It's that beautiful.

We also always bring our kayaks for Elkhorn Slough, and it's one of our favorite things to do in the whole area. You paddle amongst sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, and every kind of bird. We bring our Oru kayak, which we genuinely love for camping because it folds down flat and packs so small, so we can throw it in the car without a roof rack or trailer and still have a real kayak when we get there. If you don't have your own kayaks or paddleboards, you can also rent them right there. It's genuinely magical, and the kind of thing my kids never forget.

Closer in, San Carlos Beach is a beautiful spot to see seals, and a lot of people swim there. Lovers Point in Pacific Grove is another gem, and the walking and biking path along that stretch of coast is gorgeous, especially in spring when the purple carpet of ice plant flowers is in full bloom. Just be mindful to stay on the path and off the flowers.

Where We Eat

Honestly? We mostly just cook at camp when we're in Monterey. But there's one exception we will happily drive out of our way for: Old Fisherman's Grotto on Fisherman's Wharf, home of what we think is the best clam chowder in the area. We've tested them all over the years, and this one wins every single time. There's a fancier sit-down side where you get the views from inside, and a more relaxed, slightly cheaper counter option. Sometimes we just grab it to go, find a nice spot along the beach, and eat it there with the water right in front of us. Perfect every time.

When to Go

We love going in June and July. It's warmer then, so you actually get to enjoy the coast without freezing, and it's the perfect time to be out on the water or wandering the 17-Mile Drive. Just remember that summer weekends and holidays are exactly when the campground fills up fastest, so pair a summer trip with an early arrival.

The Honest Verdict

It's not the prettiest campground we've stayed at, and it's a little pricier than some first come, first served spots. But considering where you are, minutes from everything Monterey has to offer, it's absolutely worth it. If you'd rather camp than pay for a hotel, or you just didn't plan far enough ahead to snag a reservation somewhere else, this is the place.

And that safety thing I mentioned at the start? I mean it. After all these years, the people I've met at campgrounds have been warm, welcoming, and kind, again and again. I've had a few genuinely creepy encounters in motels over the years, the kind that give you the creeps, and camping just feels safer to me. Oddly enough, I sleep better in a tent.

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