any favorite camping spots near Gilroy?

[Linda R002]

We find ourselves with a few days between when we leave Pacifica California and must be in Fresno. It will be during the week and we don't need electric or water but wouldn't turn it down. We don't want to go too far off the beaten path but would welcome some peace and quiet. Mapquest says that we should go down 101 and then turn at Gilroy and go across I-5 until we hit 99 and then turn towards Fresno. We will have a high price camp spot in Pacifica only because it is all we can find close to the Golden Gate park where we will work and then be at the fairgrounds in Fresno where they will have full hookups the next week. We will have Monday and Tuesday nights to camp between the two so any suggestions would be appreciated.

[BobB]

You will take Hiway 152 from Gilroy to 99. San Luis Creek CG is a pleasant place to stop, about an hour east of Gilroy. I was there a couple weeks ago. It's quiet and there are paved trails along the water (forebay). Plenty of wildlife and fishing too. It's located across the hiway from the San Luis Dam. The CG is about 2-3 miles from the hiway. $20 for electrical hookup. The toilets are pits and you would have to drive to the other CG for a shower. The visitor center is interesting too, mostly about the CA water projects. I've never camped at Gilroy. Casa de Fruita also has an RV Park with electric and cable TV, but it's kind of a tourist trap. It's between Gilroy and San Luis Dam.

[Linda R002]

Thank you. We will check into that campground. We are not looking for glitz or tourist stops as we have that where we are this weekend. We are paying as much for a camp site in an RV park as sometimes you can get a motel. But at least we have our own home and Dallas gets to come. And the big thing is that during the week we get to have our home with no worries and no extra motels.

[Adrian W]

I assume you know Gilroy's source of FAME http://gilroygarlicfestival.com/

Garlic. We spent one night in Gilroy in a motel, outside of the room, the air had a very strong garlic smell, I do not think we noticed it inside of the room. This was in a June a few years ago.

There are several State Parks/Beaches along the coast (kind of out of the way to Fresno, but nice camping), such as Sea Cliff State Beach near Santa Cruz.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=543

Or Big Basin Redwoods SP (if not too cool and wet this time of the year) also near Santa Cruz. http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=540

One could cut over to Fresno via Watsonville & Los Banos.

[Bobbie Mayer]

The Fairgrounds near Hollister have camping, too, and it is supposed to be nice.

[Anne3358]

We find ourselves with a few days between when we leave Pacifica California and must be in Fresno. It will be during the week and we don't need electric or water but wouldn't turn it down. We don't want to go too far off the beaten path but would welcome some peace and quiet. Mapquest says that we should go down 101 and then turn at Gilroy and go across I-5 until we hit 99 and then turn towards Fresno. We will have a high price camp spot in Pacifica only because it is all we can find close to the Golden Gate park where we will work and then be at the fairgrounds in Fresno where they will have full hookups the next week. We will have Monday and Tuesday nights to camp between the two so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Big Basin Redwoods SP is a great Park. It's located near Boulder Creek. From Highway 1 take State Road 9 to Road 236. The Park has some easy hiking trails or just look at some 'huge' trees. <g>

Then there is Costanoa Coastal Lodge and Camp . It's a very nice Park. You'll find cabins and RV spaces, with hook-ups. This is a beautiful location. Costanoa is located 30 minutes north of Santa Cruz on Highway 1.

[MarkC]

Mt. Madonna County Park is only about 10miles from Gilroy. I've never been there before, but will be checking it out this summer. 118 total campsites, 17 have electric and water.


http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/parks