Bella Vista By The Sea in Cayucos California
Disclaimer: I drove across three countries in 2019, rolling in my 35-footer from Baja, Mexico, all the way to Vancouver Island. Driving solo with a full-size rig is an empowering and terrifying experience.
Your RV is everything: your home, your wheels, your freedom. When I pulled into Cayucos, California, I needed a good camp. No frills, just a real, gritty small-town vibe with good full hookups and a sense of security.
My site at Bella Vista By The Sea matched all those criteria.
So long story short, I loved it. But before you read the glowing review, check out my honest thoughts below.
The Gritty Reality of Parking a Class A at Bella Vista By The Sea
It’s no secret: RV park websites lie. Campsite descriptions are written by people who drive pop-ups. I wanted full hookups and a wide spot that didn’t take me two hours to find level ground.
Traveling without my ‘toad’ (small tow vehicle), I needed to walk to town for a meal, beer, or groceries, so the closer to downtown, the better. Bella Vista By The Sea is exactly this. If you want more information about towing a car behind your RV check out this blog post.
Across the street from the ocean, this park is close enough that the above-average price tag for this tourist-heavy section of Central California immediately justifies itself.
Roads through the park are fine, wide enough for my 35-footer, although some turns were tighter than I like. Lots of required “California Loop” (drive partway around the block to line up) but no palm trees down.
The site I got wasn’t my first choice (no specific ocean-view reservations available), but it was level, gravel, small yard, no drama on the hookups. Everything worked, everything was clean. Total win.
Is Bella Vista By The Sea a Safe Solo Sanctuary?
Let’s talk for a minute about security on the road. As a solo female traveler since 2009, security has been non-negotiable. I need to feel safe walking the dog at 5 AM and walking back from my local dive bar at 9 PM.
Overall, Cayucos is a really easy-going, friendly town. Friendly too is the RV park’s layout.
Parked are a lot of long-termers, park models, and established couples with resident cats. It’s a good sign: my community wasn't just an endless string of weekend warriors (in both human and RV form). I felt completely safe walking alone during the day and even at night.
The park is quiet and kept really clean, which is a rarity on the coast. It’s also the sign of a management that takes security and rules seriously, which is totally ironic because it is a low-drama oasis for me.
Smooth check-in even after hours when I arrived a little late. That’s a nice setup when the human elements of a park are off the clock; great indication of solid management.
Unexpected Connection at Bella Vista By The Sea
I’m kind of a quiet traveler. I get in, I set up, and I leave to explore local watering holes or beaches. I rarely make “friends” at my stops. This time I got lucky.
The people across from me were a group of Californian women. The connections clicked, and we ended up swapping stories, laughs, and a few bottles of wine over our stay. We’re still friends years later.
Hidden gems of solo travel: you are always alone, but never isolated if you don’t want to be. A little welcome anonymity makes that connection possible, and it’s a big part of what made this stop at Bella Vista By The Sea so special.
It’s proof positive that the best amenity a park can offer is not a pool or a fitness center; sometimes, it’s the safety, space, and permission to just let your guard down for a minute.
Bonus for the Road: The History & Appeal of Cayucos Dive Bars
As for the dive bars, these were the reason I stopped in Cayucos. Let’s be real, dive bars are the opposite of drama. They are full of real people, and I love them. Cayucos has a truly authentic, easy-going local dive bar culture.
It’s tiny, which makes it charming, but real: friendly local community, cheap drinks, history. The perfect antidote to the “glamping” lifestyle in Cayucos.
Again, the ability to walk from Bella Vista By The Sea made this extra attractive. No need to call Ubers or drive my giant rig after dark, just a short, safe walk back to my full hookups and safe, quiet spot in the woods.
If you're planning a massive solo drive, navigating the challenges of security, finances, and logistics is a constant grind. That’s why I wrote the Rolling Solo ebook (CA$5). It’s full of hard-won knowledge. Link to Ebook: https://she-said-it.com/book-rolling-solo/
Conclusion: Would I Return to Bella Vista By The Sea?
Without question.
Yes, this is Central Coast tourist town money, but I got what I paid for: A clean, level, full hookup site for my 35-footer. Easy walkability to a cool little town with good dive bars.
But most importantly for solo haul or long trip: ZERO DRAMA and 100% safety. Gold.
And, really, it’s these places—that are quiet, functional, and most importantly actually feel safe—that are keeping me coming back to this crazy lifestyle over and over. It’s the simple things (working electricity and a level pad) that have become the biggest luxuries on the road for me. Have you been thinking about your own road trip to Mexico? Check out my blog post about Meico driving tips here.
What about you? Have you pulled into a park that looked like a cheesy tourist trap but turned out to be an actual safe haven for solo travelers? Hit me up with your thoughts below—always on the hunt for the next “zero drama” park.