Manresa Sb Campground

About

Manresa State Beach Campground rewards visitors with a unique walk-in tent camping experience on scenic coastal bluffs above the Pacific Ocean. The campground features over 60 walk-in tent sites spread across three loops in a native coastal scrub meadow environment with coyote brush, coastal sagebrush, and lizardtail. Each site includes a picnic table, fire pit, and food storage cabinet. Parking is in a separate lot near the campground entrance, requiring a short walk to sites. This tent-only campground does not accommodate RVs or trailers of any kind. The beach is accessible via a trail from the campground, and nearby Manresa State Beach offers surf fishing for species including starry flounder, California halibut, and barred surf perch. The area supports diverse wildlife including Allen's hummingbirds, various finches, brush rabbits, and offshore marine mammals such as gray whales, dolphins, and sea otters. The campground operates seasonally from mid-May through October. Dangerous rip currents, frigid water, and deep offshore dropoffs make the beach suitable primarily for experienced surfers. Campground amenities include restrooms with outdoor showers and drinking water. Dogs are permitted on leash in the campground but not on the beach.

Directions

From Highway 1 south of Aptos, take San Andreas Road southwest and continue for several miles. Turn right on Sand Dollar Road and veer left to Manresa Uplands Campground at 205 Manresa Uplands Road, Watsonville.