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Veterans Memorial Park (City Park)

Overview

Veterans Memorial Park is a hidden gem operated by the City of Monterey, offering a rare opportunity to camp within city limits. Tucked away on a forested hillside, this park provides a serene, natural escape just minutes from the busy coastal waterfront. Unlike the luxury resorts found further inland, this municipal park offers a rustic camping experience within a lush, 50-acre environment. It is a popular choice for travelers who prefer a first-come, first-served system over rigid reservation schedules, though space for larger motorhomes is notoriously limited.

Location & Surroundings

The park is situated at the top of a hill on Skyline Drive, providing a distinct sense of seclusion despite being close to downtown. Surrounded by a thick canopy of Monterey pine and oak trees, the atmosphere remains cool and shaded even on sunny California days. The winding roads leading up to the park can be narrow and steep, but the reward is a quiet environment where the sound of the ocean breeze filters through the trees. It serves as an excellent central base for exploring the entire Monterey Peninsula.

Amenities & Park Features

The campground provides essential facilities designed for smaller rigs and traditional campers. Many sites offer water and electrical hookups, while others are geared toward a more primitive stay. On-site features include the following:

  • Restrooms with coin-operated showers for guest convenience.
  • A community playground and large lawn area for recreation.
  • A convenient dump station located within the park grounds.
  • Individual campsites equipped with picnic tables and fire rings.

Nearby Attractions & Things to Do

Staying here places you within a short drive of world-class coastal attractions. You can spend the morning at the Monterey Bay Aquarium or strolling along the historic shops and restaurants of Cannery Row. Nature lovers will appreciate the proximity to the scenic 17-Mile Drive and the rugged hiking trails at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. For those who prefer to stay close to camp, the park itself features nature trails that weave through the wooded hills, offering occasional glimpses of the bay through the forest.

Who This Park Is Best For

This park is ideal for travelers with smaller RVs or camper vans who value a natural, park-like setting over high-end resort amenities. It is a perfect fit for flexible road trippers who enjoy the spontaneity of non-reservation camping and the rustic charm of a municipal forest. If you are looking for an affordable and quiet retreat that still offers quick access to urban coastal attractions, Veterans Memorial Park is one of the most unique options in the region.

Amenities

- Recreational Facilities

• Playground

- Policies

• Pets Welcome
• Tent Camping Allowed
• No Reservations

- Other Amenities & Services

• Restroom and Showers

- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)

• Fishing
• Hiking
• Boating
• Kayaking/Canoeing
• Marina
• Watersports

- Facility

• Type (Public Park)

- On-Site Rentals

• 

- Sites

• Spaces Available (40)
• Grass Sites (40)
• No Hookups (40)
• Fire Rings

User Reviews

Matthew P.

October 20, 2025

This is a very useful campground in the middle of Monterey. Handy to everything from Point Lobos to Pebble Beach and Monterey itself. First come first serve, which is great, as you don’t have to find a half empty campground that is “full”. The sites are too crowded together and hard to level for rvs. But it has showers and a dump station. I like the three day only limit, as it keeps it limited to real visitors/tourists rather than long-timers filling the campground.

Larry Saavedra

September 18, 2025

Warning. My wife and I have camped at the park for several years, and returned in 2025. The cost has nearly doubled, although they do give a discount to seniors and Vets. The men's showers are gross. But there is a lawn for kids. That's the good news. This year we planned on spending 4 nights, and on the last night a very strange individual parked his car next to our spot and set up a tent. About 2 in the morning I saw this person running around with a light on his head and stick in his hand. Apparently his dog had taken off. When we found the dog he beat the dog. I heard its cry. He then began talking with the dog and yelling at it. It cried again from being abused. He started his car and roamed around the camp ground again all night until we had had enough and we picked up and left. What a major disappointment. This person was totally off his rocker. I also noticed that people are staying longer than the maximum 3 days... I believe this place is a homeless encampment now. We will never go back. I called the person who was supposedly in charge and he didn't have much of a response. You've been warned.

David Falby

September 09, 2025

We go there about once or twice a year for friends' birthdays. Great park with play structure that kids enjoy, quality tables. I think there are grills there but may be misremembering. We've never camped there, but we have friends who do and who love it, even though they live close by.

Louis V.

August 17, 2025

This is a great campground. I stated here for two nights for Monterey Car Week because Hotel/Motel rates were 3-4x the normal going rates this week. Rates here are $47/night if you're camping with one vehicle. It $13 more for an additional vehicle. The system is first-come-first-served and you're able to check in at anytime of the day. First you go around and look for a vacant site. They will either have no reservation slip clipped to the site marker post or if the site is empty and there is a slip, check to make sure the that group has already departed for the day. Some people come by in the morning, claim a site and leave for the day to come back at night, so make sure your aren't taking someone's site. Then when you do find a site you want to take, either leave belongings or someone from your group there to show that the site has been claimed. You go to the Self registration booth and pay your appropriate fee. Make sure you do pay your fees because they have someone checking every morning. They do allow non-campers to use the showers for a $4 fee and limited to 10 minutes You pay at the self registration booth. Fill out an envelop, enclose your fee, display the reservation slip on your dash and park near the showers. I'm not sure how much they enforce this, but why risk it to save $4. My only (very minor) complaints: They typically don't allow overnight parking on the grounds if you're not a registered camper, but my first night there, the trail head parking lot was full of cars with people sleeping in them. I'm not sure if they let them slide because it was Monterey Car Week, but the next night they were all gone. I was a little mad because I was car camping as well and felt like I paid the fee for nothing. These people were also using the restroom and showers, keeping us registered people from using them. Now on to my second complaint. Check out time is 12 noon. On the day of my check out, I decided to pack up the van, leave to grab breakfast and come back to shower and get ready for the day. I left at 10am and when I came back 30 mins later, the hosts have removed my reservation slip that was clipped to my site marker, rendering my site up for grabs, even though I'm technically paid up until 12 noon. Luckily when i came back, my spot was still empty. My third complaint. They close the restrooms and showers around 10am for about half an hour to clean them (which I'm thankful for). But closing them at this time poses an inconvenience if you're trying to get ready before you check out at 12 noon (hence why I left as mentioned above). Once the restroom/showers open back up around 11, everyone bombards it, hoping to get ready before check out time. Overall, still a fantastic campground and will definitely be coming back.

Lisa Andersen

August 17, 2025

A lovely not oversized Campground. Well-maintained always clean bathrooms on a daily basis sterilized. Beautiful Oak and pine trees offering plenty of shade even though it doesn't get hot there. Water spickets available near campsites. And a beautiful green playground park. A 3-day Max you can stay for $47 a day, if you are a veteran or a senior you can take $5 off. The Rangers are friendly and helpful.

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Map for Veterans Memorial Park (City Park)

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