(11/7-9) Monterey Car Camping: Kayak🛶Amid Sea Otters 🦋 See Monarch Butterflies 🏖️ Beach, Lighthouse + Tidepools! (DAY TRIP available)

from $0.00

Friday, Nov. 7 — Sunday, Nov. 9

Experience the best of California's coast at Monterey Bay! Enjoy perfect fall weather with sunny skies while kayaking among sea otters, visiting a Monarch butterfly sanctuary, exploring tidepools and discovering historic lighthouses — all from a well-located campground with modern amenities (think flush toilets and showers!).

WHAT WE'LL ENJOY 🥳🥳🥳

  • 🛶🦦 Kayaking in a sheltered area of Monterey Bay where families can potentially see sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions + more!!

  • 🦋🧡 Visit a Monarch Butterfly grove that is normally teeming with butterflies, but every year is different

  • 🐚⭐ Explore incredible tidepools with sea stars, crabs, mussels, sea anemones + more

  • 🗼🏠 Visit an historic lighthouse that's been restored to its time as a lighthouse that the keeper and their family lived in — one of the few open for visitors in California!

  • 🔍🗺️Enjoy a scavenger hunt with your kids and educational activities for families

  • 🎨🖍️ Toy and arts-and-craft station for the kids when we're not out adventuring

  • 🔥🍫 Enjoy classic camping fun: Campfire, stories, s'mores, stargazing and quality time away from screens

  • 🫶🏿🫶🏾🫶🏽 Community, friendship and support: Instant 'playdate' for your kiddos! We usually have kids from toddlers up to tweens join, with all of the kids playing together! You might see old MMH friends + hopefully make some new ones, too! MMH offers all kinds of support: Need help setting up your tent? Solo parenting on the adventure and need some extra support? We got you!

This is our idea of SUMMER CAMP for kids, but it's for families and we get to explore different campgrounds and parks! You will make wonderful memories with your family and friends 🏕️❤️🫂🤲🏽!!

Pricing Types:

Friday, Nov. 7 — Sunday, Nov. 9

Experience the best of California's coast at Monterey Bay! Enjoy perfect fall weather with sunny skies while kayaking among sea otters, visiting a Monarch butterfly sanctuary, exploring tidepools and discovering historic lighthouses — all from a well-located campground with modern amenities (think flush toilets and showers!).

WHAT WE'LL ENJOY 🥳🥳🥳

  • 🛶🦦 Kayaking in a sheltered area of Monterey Bay where families can potentially see sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions + more!!

  • 🦋🧡 Visit a Monarch Butterfly grove that is normally teeming with butterflies, but every year is different

  • 🐚⭐ Explore incredible tidepools with sea stars, crabs, mussels, sea anemones + more

  • 🗼🏠 Visit an historic lighthouse that's been restored to its time as a lighthouse that the keeper and their family lived in — one of the few open for visitors in California!

  • 🔍🗺️Enjoy a scavenger hunt with your kids and educational activities for families

  • 🎨🖍️ Toy and arts-and-craft station for the kids when we're not out adventuring

  • 🔥🍫 Enjoy classic camping fun: Campfire, stories, s'mores, stargazing and quality time away from screens

  • 🫶🏿🫶🏾🫶🏽 Community, friendship and support: Instant 'playdate' for your kiddos! We usually have kids from toddlers up to tweens join, with all of the kids playing together! You might see old MMH friends + hopefully make some new ones, too! MMH offers all kinds of support: Need help setting up your tent? Solo parenting on the adventure and need some extra support? We got you!

This is our idea of SUMMER CAMP for kids, but it's for families and we get to explore different campgrounds and parks! You will make wonderful memories with your family and friends 🏕️❤️🫂🤲🏽!!

    • CAR CAMPING: Park next to your campsite! Campground is easily accessible with minimal walking required with camping gear

    • Hikes and kayaking are easy.

      • No previous kayaking experience necessary

      • You should be able to walk up to 1.5 miles carrying you and your child's items. We take a lot of breaks. Hikes are stroller friendly!

    • All activities are family-friendly

    • Recommend packing light for easier setup and more fun!

  • Friday: Check-in from 4 p.m. on. Make camp, kids enjoy arts and crafts, plus games. Begin cooking dinner at 6:30 p.m., later, we'll make s'mores around the campfire (or a gas stove, depending on if fires are allowed then).

    Saturday: Breakfast at campsite then tidepools and lighthouse in the morning, followed by lunch and kayaking mid afternoon. Sunset possibly at beach, then return to campsite in the evening for dinner, S'mores and fun!

    Sunday: Breakfast, break camp, then head out to the monarch butterfly sanctuary. There are great lunch spots nearby that we can visit or we can say our goodbyes until the next adventure!

    • Bear lockers

    • Campfire (depends on park advisory due to conditions at time of our trip; can use gas stove for S’mores if needed)

    • Car camping: Park cars next to campsite

    • Drinking water

    • Very large double BBQ pit

    • Modern restrooms available at the campsite

    • Picnic tables

    • Playground within our fenced campsite!!!

    • Showers available at the campground

    • Standard campground trash and recycling facilities

  • CAMPERS
    EARLY BIRD 🐦 MMH FEE: $300/per family* ($350 after Oct. 26)
    EARLY BIRD 🐦 MMH FEE: $245 for single-income family* ($275 after Oct. 26)

    *Family means you, your partner and kids. One tent + car per family. 
    **NOTE: After 2 kids, $10 charge for each additional child to cover treats + educational materials.
    *No refunds are provided 30 days before departure date.
    *Camping trip takes place rain or shine

  • KAYAK VENDOR TOUR (for people age 3+; 1.5-hour tour)

    *$66 per person (all tours are done in double kayaks; fee includes a 10% tip for the kayak guides, which is standard)

    *GROUP DISCOUNT: If more than 17 people join the kayaking, we'll get a 10% discount. (Miranda will send refund of difference if we get discount). 

    For kayaking, please make separate payment + list how many people you are paying for + your last name if it’s different on your Venmo/Zelle:

    — Zelle (650-888-2765)

    — Venmo https://bit.ly/mommyandmehikingvenmo 

  • Day trip is Saturday, Nov. 8, starting at 10 AM

    EARLY BIRD 🐦 FAS FEE: $125 per family* per day ($175 if book after Oct. 26)
    EARLY BIRD 🐦 MMH FEE: $90 for single-income family ($140 if book after Oct. 26).

    Day trippers can hang out at the campsite and make S'mores in the evening.

    *Family means you, your partner and kids. One car per family at the campsite. 
    **NOTE: After 2 kids, $10 charge for each additional child to cover treats + educational materials.

    —Prices increase after Oct. 26 so book early
    Spots are limited and the only way to hold your place is by adding this adventure to your cart and checking out.
    For kayaking, please see kayaking fees tab
    No refunds are provided 30 days before departure date.
    Camping trip takes place rain or shine

    1. Add this adventure to your cart and checkout!

    2. Join the WhatsApp chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JV20irIilZzBgjWxHizCEx

    3. Complete loaner kit request: https://bit.ly/loanerkit

  • The campsite is located on a hillside that has flat spots for tents. The campsite has a very large double BBQ, plus a large parking space, many picnic tables and storage lockers. The ground is a mix of sand, dirt and grass.

    Most of the campsite is NOT shaded.

    The flush toilets and a playground are located within the fenced campsite. Showers are further away in the campground.

  • What We Provide

    We are focused on providing the best family camping experience possible by offering families the chance to join a community of like-minded families who love the outdoors. We handle all the planning for busy parents, organizing well-planned, fun and educational activities like hiking, kayaking and caving, while providing camp classic experiences like S'mores and stories around the campfire, plus arts and crafts. Our goal is to create memorable adventures while managing all the logistics so you can focus on making memories with your family.

    Campsite Reality & Expectations

    We work hard to secure the best available campsites for our group while managing the realities of California's extremely competitive camping landscape. Booking campsites in California is challenging, with only seconds to secure anything when reservations open, if availability exists at all.

    Campsite conditions vary significantly and may include:

    • Different ground surfaces (grass, dirt, or gravel)

    • Sloped or uneven terrain

    • Varying levels of shade (from heavily wooded to open sun)

    • Different views and proximity to water features

    • Natural wildlife including wasps, insects, and other critters

    • Varying noise levels from other campers

    • Different facility conditions and accessibility

    • Parking offsite: In some cases, families will have to park in overflow parking when number of vehicles exceed the maximum per site. Overflow parking could be a walk or drive away. The guide will drive you to your car if need be.

    Group camping logistics: When group campsites aren't available, we book individual campsites as close together as possible, though proximity cannot always be guaranteed. In these situations, we designate one site as "Camp HQ" for group activities like S'mores, arts and crafts, and community gatherings. You may need to walk or drive short distances between your assigned campsite and Camp HQ.

    Weather and environmental factors: Outdoor conditions including weather, temperature, and natural elements are beyond our control and can affect your camping experience.

    Agreement

    We do not make promises about specific campsite features, views, terrain, or conditions. Our commitment is to secure the best available sites and provide exceptional programming and community experiences. By booking with us, you acknowledge and accept these conditions as part of the authentic outdoor camping experience.

    • All logistics 

    • Guided hikes

    • A digital guide for our adventure that includes natural + cultural history of the area

    • A camping checklist

    • Assistance with camping set-up

    • Scavenger hunt and educational activities 

    • Arts and crafts for the kids

    • An iron-on patch as a memento of the camping trip plus a small journal for parents to document the adventure! (campers only)

    • S'mores 

    • Firewood + charcoal

    • First-aid kit

    • Loaner kit of hiking gear (48-hour notice). Please inquire about what gear is available; I have items for kids and adults, like single/double jogging strollers, Baby Bjorn infant carrier, toddler backpack carrier, beach wagons, etc. Complete loaner kit request form

    • Kayaking: You must pay for this separately (see KAYAKING FEE tab on this page)

    • Food (we can potluck the side dishes if people want)

    • Camping gear (though I have some hiking gear and limited camping gear that you can rent: loaner kit request form)

  • Generally sunny skies with temps in the low 70s during the day in October while the nights can reach around 50 degrees. The dunes provide excellent protection from ocean breezes. Please ensure that you have a season-3 sleeping bag (which is the most common one; it's great for everything except snow). I'll be keeping an eye on the weather and will advise you as we get closer to the trip.

    Low 50s can be warm for some but cool for others. Here are some tips to keep you warm overnight: https://mommymehiking.myshopify.com/blogs/news/10-winter-camping-tips-or-how-to-stay-warm

WHERE WE ARE STAYING: MONTEREY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK