RV Rental Aptos, CA

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In Santa Cruz County is the beautiful rural town of Aptos, meaning “the people” in Ohlone, the language of the ancient Ohlone Awaswas people. Just 75 miles south of San Francisco, on the northern end of Monterey Bay, Aptos is a coastal city near Santa Cruz, California. This picturesque region includes Rio Del Mar, is home to the historic Aptos Village, and is the gateway to the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. A local landmark is the Cement Ship, and the seaside is stunning and a great place to enjoy the Pacific Ocean shoreline. You won’t run out of things to see and do, so book an RV in Aptos, California, today.

Discover Aptos


Experience the Sites and Scenery

One of the prettiest spots on the California shore is Seacliff State Beach, on Monterey Bay, right in the town of Aptos. Just off of famous Highway 1, on State Park Drive, the beach is also well known for the concrete ship, SS Palo Alto, lying in the water. This historic experimental ship now serves as an artificial reef for marine wildlife. There’s a lovely visitors center and restrooms, as well as hiking and walking areas, horseshoe pits and volleyball courts. Above the cliff line are a variety of restaurants so you can enjoy a nice bite to eat after exploring this coastal area. Dress in layers, as the evenings get chilly, and there is often fog.

For hiking, jogging or bicycling, and even birding and wildlife photography, you can’t beat Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. There are miles of trails, from strenuous climbs to easy walks, through beautiful stands of majestic redwood trees, and among year-round streams and creeks. The terrain starts at the sea and goes all the way up steep coastal mountains. There are over 40 miles of trails, so you could spend days exploring this gorgeous park. There is no RV camping, but there is a hike-in spot that’s just gorgeous. Check in at the entry gate. Parking is readily available for your Aptos camper rental.

An easy 30-minute drive northwest in your Aptos motorhome rental is the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. This is a highly accessible place to see the redwood forests and hosts a variety of habitats from the redwoods to grasslands, and sandhills to wetlands. Visit the demonstration redwood slice to read the rings marked with historical events. So old, the tree was middle-aged when Sir Francis Drake navigated the globe for the first time. There are a wide variety of hikes and walks, from short to extended, and easy to strenuous. The road can get a little windy, so use care when driving your Aptos RV rental, and check road conditions before you set out.

Another nearby park, just an hour’s drive away in your Aptos rental motorhome, is Henry W. Coe State Park. Occupying more than 87,000 acres of wild lands, this park features beautiful mountain ranges and deep canyons, and is the largest state park in California. Mountain lion spottings are relatively common in this wild place, and there are wonderful, “secret” trails that are not very well known as this park often gets overshadowed by more well known national and state parks nearby. Visit this hidden gem, and enjoy a walk along the ridge or a pretty river walk, where the trail drops into a valley. Drive-in campsites are available and make sure to visit the interpretive center at the Coe Ranch Entrance.

City Attractions

When you visit Aptos, make sure to stop at the Bayview Hotel. Originally built in 1878, this hotel is a Santa Cruz County landmark, and is one of the county’s oldest operating hotels. It’s been a state historic monument since the 1970s and is an absolutely stunning example of western architecture.

Founded in 1791 by Father Lasuen, at Mission Santa Cruz you can see an adobe residence, learn about the area in the interpretive center, and visit the original mission replica, built in 1932. A crowd favorite is the original hand-carved baptismal fountain that was once in the original mission church.

When exploring the area with the RV rental near Aptos, make sure to visit the beautiful campus at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Soak in the gorgeous sites of the university, which sits on top of a steep hill, with rolling fields and stunning vistas. The arboretum is worth a stop or take a tour of the UCSC Farm and Garden. There’s a lovely open space, and the Rincon Trail will connect you with Spring Box Trail and a lovely natural spring koi pond.

Kids of all ages love the Monterey Zoo, located in nearby Salinas, California. Something unique about this small zoo is that when you arrive, you are given a customized tour by a trainer, giving you an opportunity to get to know the animals up close and personal. You’ll appreciate how dedicated these trainers are and how well cared for the animals are. Parking for most size rigs is available, so you should have no problem accessing the zoo, but you might want to call in advance to make sure.

Where to Park It

You won’t have any problems finding a place to park your motorhome rental near Aptos. Do a search for RV camping in the area, and you’ll find several private RV parks, like Seacliff Center RV Park and Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday in nearby Watsonville. These RV parks offer perks like laundry facilities, full hookups, WiFi and TV, camp stores and swimming pools. Public campgrounds are also available at Seacliff State Beach. Expand your search beyond the immediate area, and you’ll find camping near Pinto Lake City Park and near Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

A quick 30-minute drive to Marina, California will land you near a Walmart store which may permit overnight parking. Just check in with the customer service desk before parking it for the night.

The Food

Northern California is known for its great food, especially in and around the San Francisco area. Fresh seafood is the main specialty, but also classic international flavors like French, Italian and Asian can be found right in Aptos. The Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College is celebrating decades of fresh, seasonal produce, with many fruit and vegetable offerings available from local farmers. You’ll also find locally roasted coffee, raw milk and cheese, homemade soaps and salves, house and garden plants, and much more.

Northern California is gorgeous, and what better way to explore this area than in a camper or RV. Book an RV rental in Aptos, California, today.

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Popular nearby hiking trails and campgrounds


  • Hiking TrailLocation
  • Aptos Creek and West Ridge Trail Loop to Sand Point Overlook, CAThe Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, CA
  • Oak Rige Trail, CAThe Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, CA
  • Loma Prieta Grade Small Loop, CAThe Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, CA
  • Old Growth Trail, CAThe Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, CA
  • Twisted Forest Trail Loop, CAThe Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, CA
  • Epicenter to Five Finger Falls, CAAptos, CA
  • Loma Prieta and Bridge Loop Trail, CAThe Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, CA
  • Buggy Trail, CAThe Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, CA
  • Porter Trail, CAThe Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, CA
  • Terrace Trail, CAThe Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, CA

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