The Francis Beach Campground at Half Moon Bay State Beach is a RV friendly campground on the San Francisco Peninsula, with direct access to the beach and close proximity to the town of Half Moon Bay. Half Moon Bay State Park encompasses approximately four miles of beach-front real estate that provides fantastic walking trails and ocean views. The campground has 52 developed campsites suitable for tent or RV camping, however there are some walk-in campsites that are designated for tent camping only. The tent camping only sites are grouped together along the beach, and provide fantastic views of the sunset.
The campsites at Francis Beach Campground all include fire rings and include access to bathrooms and showers.
Francis Beach Campground – Half Moon Bay State Beach – Bottom Line
Francis Beach Campground at Half Moon Bay State Beach is primarily an RV campground, with big spaces and beach front camping, but it is a disaster for tent campers. As a tent camper you will likely hear generators all night instead of the sound of the ocean, even if you camp at the tent-only walk-in campsites. However, Francis Beach could be a good jumping off point if you intend to hike the Coastal Trail, but Francis Beach Campground is terrible if you value privacy and nature. If you have an RV and want to camp around others that have RVs, Half Moon Bay State Beach is for you. This is not an experience the NextCampsite crew prefers. Even as an RV campground, there are other campgrounds that we would select over Half Moon Bay.
The best campsites are (not RV friendly) campsites 36-38, as they are the walk-in tent campsites.
Francis Beach Campground Features
| Campground Type: | Organized |
| Number of Campsites: | 52 Campsites |
| Cost: | $35/Night |
| Use Level: | High |
| Dogs Allowed: | Yes – Dogs are allowed in the campground only, and are not allowed on the beach. |
| Fire Rings: | Yes |
| Drinking Water: | Yes |
| Toilets: | Yes |
| Showers: | Yes |
| Trash/Dumpsters: | Yes |
| Hiking Access: | Yes – Walking Trails |
| Beach/Lake Access: | Yes |
| RV/Trailer Length: | 40 Feet |
| RV/Trailer Amenities: | None |
| Cell Phone Service: | None |
| Wifi: | None |
| Operating Season: | Campground open year round |
| Other: |
Pro Tip: Dogs are allowed on the beach at nearby Poplar Beach, which is just a short walk (0.75 miles) south on the Coastal Trail.
Getting There
| Address: | 95 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 |
| Geo Coordinates: | 37.468634,-122.445781 |
| Nearest City/Town: | Half Moon Bay, California |
| Elevation: | 15 Feet |
| Location: | San Mateo County, California |
| Paved Road Access: | Yes |
| Proximity to Stores: | 1 mile to Half Moon Bay, California |
| Directions: | Francis Beach Campground is located a half-mile west of Highway 1 on Kelly Avenue in Half Moon Bay. |
Connect
| Phone: | Facebook: | Francis Beach Campground – Half Moon Bay State Beach Facebook Page | ||
| Web: | California State Parks | Twitter: |
| Reservations: | Online Campsite Reservations |
When To Go
Fall & Winter – Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground is busy in the spring and summer and usually the campsites are completely full with RVs. However in the fall and winter, the campground is a less busy and is more friendly to tent campers. Also, you may be able to catch a glimpse of migrating whales during the winter.
Winter average temperatures average in low 40’s, and highs in the mid 50’s. Summer average temperatures top out in the mid 60’s with lows in the upper 50’s.
What To Do
Beach Play – The main reason people camp at Half Moon Bay State Beach is for access to the beach. With miles of beach, it is easy to find a private sandy spot to kick back on the sand for the day.
Coastal Trail – The Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail is 11.5 miles long and runs through Half Moon Bay State Beach, and is adjacent to Francis Beach Campground.
Francis Beach Campground – Half Moon Bay State Beach Pictures
I’m not sure if you have ever been to this campsite, but if you have, you would know the RV sites have power and water. Which means absolutely zero generator noise. The correct bottom line you should be writing about would be the costal winds that can really pick up in the evening. Either way, it is a great campground on the ocean.