Lake San Antonio Resort

Lake San Antonio, near Bradley in Monterey County, is now managed directly by Monterey County Parks after years of shifting between private operators, and camping is booked through the county's own reservation system rather than a resort-branded site. It sits well off the beaten path in the oak-studded hills between the Salinas Valley and the Central Coast, making it a genuine backcountry stop rather than a roadside pull-off. The south shore area holds tent, partial-hookup, and full-hookup RV sites among the more than 500 campsites spread across the lake's north and south shores, though access days and hours vary by season, so it's worth calling ahead before making the trip. Fishing and boating are the main draws, alongside the wide-open quiet of the surrounding hills.