South Campground — Hotel in Watsonville Water Treatment Plant

We often camp at Sunset Beach Campground at least once a year. We enjoy the generally cool weather and the fog that rolls in during the late afternoon and evening. It can get windy in the afternoon until the sun sets. We usually stay in the South site which is closest to beach access. We have our favorite sites in the South campground, and most are fairly level and spacious. There is usually a camp host on site in the South site as well; they sell seasoned wood there for $10 per bundle. We weren't as pleased this year however. Some of the majestic cypress trees have been removed, I suppose for safety reasons. The bathroom facilities in the South site have progressively worsened over the years. And the ground squirrels have run amok. Their loud chirping at 0530 is not welcome. Aside from that, it is a nice campground with easy beach access (one can drive down the hill to the beach or hike down some stairs if not carrying a lot of gear). There are trails to explore and nice vantage points for sunset enjoyment and pics. Be aware that the campground is adjacent to strawberry fields. Over the years, we have been wakened by loud music from the fields as the workers begin their day. And there are the usual campground denizens such as raccoons and skunks, so make sure to secure your food items and other essentials - raccoons are quite wily and can open coolers and gear boxes. Jumping up in the middle of the night to take care of your gear and food is no fun. Oh, and this time, I was lucky enough to catch site of a coyote in our campground. So be careful with...

Sunset Beach Campground offers a convenient and peaceful getaway near the coast, but there are a few things to keep in mind for a more comfortable stay, especially during summer.

First, be prepared for a noticeable temperature swing between day and night. It can get quite warm during the day, but temperatures drop significantly after sunset—pack layers! Because the campground is so close to the ocean, the humidity and water vapor can build up inside your tent overnight. I recommend using a ground tarp and a rainfly with good ventilation to minimize dampness.

Contrary to what you might expect, you can’t actually see the ocean from the campsites themselves. The beach is a short walk away, but the dunes and vegetation block any direct view from the campground.

Wildlife is very present and makes the stay more engaging—squirrels are everywhere, and they love snacks. Bring some nuts if you want to observe them up close (just don’t leave food unattended). We also noticed a lot of gopher holes, so watch your step around the campsite. While we didn’t run into any ticks, this is the kind of environment where it’s better to be cautious—long pants and repellent are a good idea.

The bathrooms are passable—functional but definitely showing their age. Taking a shower requires quarters. Some renovation would go a long way to improve the overall experience.

In all, it’s a decent spot for a beachside camping trip, especially if you come prepared for the quirks of...

Great place to camp! The south campground is right next to a cliff with an awesome view of the beach. Has all the stuff you'd expect from a normal state park: water spouts, bathrooms, fire pits, picnic table, etc. They had little wooden pantries with latches which was something missing from my last trip to a different park. The only bummer was the mist from the ocean caused a decent amount of condensation to build up in my tent. It was totally tolerable but there were drops of water that would occasionally fall from the top. This only happened once the sun went down, the day time was totally dry. Perhaps this is due to the fact that my tent is 30 years old so take that into consideration. Overall, I'd definitely come back here to camp again.

Also I have at&t and had cell service. 1 bar but I could still stream stuff...