Finding Manresa Uplands Campground for the first time can be challenging. The campground is on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, just west of Highway 1. If you are coming from the north, it’s easiest to take Highway 1 to San Andreas Road. This leads to Sand Dollar Road and the campground. From Aptos it’s about a 6-mile drive. If you are coming from the south, take Highway 1 to West Beach Road, which connects to San Andreas Road and then Sand Dollar Road. The Watsonville area is about 8 miles away. Manresa State Beach is in the coastal town of La Selva Beach.
Campers can unload their gear in the lower parking lot, which has a 20-minute time limit. Overnight parking is in the upper lot, which is a longer hike from the campground. Willow Camps is the closest to the upper lot, while the Lupine and Bay camps are farther south. Stairs lead down to the beach next to the Willow Camps, and a beach trail and stairs, heading past the outdoor amphitheater, provide access from the edge of Bay Camps. Pay showers and restrooms are near all three camps. A public phone is available near the upper parking lot.
Camping at Manresa State Beach may not be suitable for everyone. Campsites are hike-in, so if you can’t manage the walk while carrying all your gear you might want to camp elsewhere. Other campsites are closer to the parking lot and require less walking, but these tend to fill up first. Two sites offer wheelchair access. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed and kept inside your tent at night. Don’t leave your pet alone; this is a wilderness area, and wild animals tend to visit the campgrounds. Manresa State Beach allows dogs, as long as your clean up after them. Neighboring Sunset State Beach does not.
Camping is available from mid-May through the end of October. Reservations are advised, especially if you want one of the ocean view sites or one that doesn’t require too much of a hike. Reserve America (reserveamerica.com) takes reservations as late as two days before arrival and as early as seven months out. When you reserve your space you will be picking a specific spot. All sites are tent only and can accommodate up to eight people.
