We stayed in a few different NoCal RV parks for weeks at a time during the summer of 2015. This one is the most memorable and is oddly my favorite. I say "oddly," because, at first glance, it really is "just a parking lot." But it has some special features I don't think you'll find at other other NoCal RV parks. I think of it as breathtaking raw beauty to the back and sides, but you wouldn't know it at the entrance.
We picnicked a few feet away from our RV while we watched the whales jumping in the Pacific Ocean, ran, Trikked, walked and hiked beautiful trails accessible by foot from the back gate of the RV park in either direction. The laundry mat and general store weren't bad nor were they "special," but the staff was friendly and there is a grocery store, as well as restaurants, few coffee shops (one where you're likely to find a busker playing), a bakery and your basic grooming services and stores within walking distance (I had a spectacular time riding my stand up 3-wheeled electric-assisted Trikke in the area).
It doesn't have most of the amenities of a "luxury RV park," where one can enjoy spa services, entertainment, and organized activities onsite. We didn't even see the ubiquitous dog poop bag dispensers and trash depositories you find at most commercial RV parks. If you've seen reviews complaining about how close together the spaces are, I'll confirm it: "Yes, you may wind up in a space so close to the next RV to you that you and your neighbor may find your slides touch when extended (or perhaps you won't be able to extend them." But we didn't have that problem.
We were there once in our first RV (an old, 36' Class A without slides) and a second time with our next RV (an Itasca diesel pusher by Winnebago with three slides). And we were fine both times. We were in the lots with full hookups and 50 amp service, just one row away from those parked in the row that offers an unobstructed view of the ocean but has no hookups as I recall.
We had stayed there for three weeks and wanted to stay another, but were told the July 4 weekend was booked. Staff recommended a private little park in Half Moon Bay (where we did go, it was a sweet place, nothing to do in the park but had easy access to the intercoastal trail (and I wound up somehow on the golf course at the Radisson nearby). We returned to Pacifica for another 3 weeks but it was "the season" and--while this was in 2015 and could have changed--at that time, you can book a maximum of two three-week stays during the season. Of course, there are exceptions for those who lease a longtime stay and there were a few timers there, but not many.
This is not an experience similar to what you will experience at, say, the at the KOA park in Petaluma, where we were keenly aware that we were staying at a family vacation spot with tons o'kids and multi-generation family groups, with tree-lined rows of late model RVs, each separated from the other by a shaded, grassy area with a picnic table. That place offers "organized activities" for guests (as one would find at a camp). We saw a lot of multi-generation families there. It was nice, but there wasn't much within walking or biking distance, not for the biking trails we looked forward to riding, having read about them on the website, but staff didn't know where the biking paths were. So you can stay at the Petaluma KOA and enjoy a pretty site without much else unless you like those organized activities. I'm sure my kids would've liked it when they were younger. There are also cabins for rent at the Petaluma park, which don't exist at the park in Pacifica.
When you first pulled into the place, I thought it wasn't going to be a great experience. But after an hour or so, I was pleased to be there and would love to return. read more