You don’t need to travel far or spend a lot to enjoy summer in Monterey County.

Sloan Campi here, deciding where to go on my next local camping trip.

Summer is my favorite season in Monterey County—there’s a buzz of activity that suddenly fills the air and evaporates the fog of winter. My colleagues and I got to sample some of those activities when reporting for this week’s issue of the Weekly, which we dub our “Summer Fun” issue. 

The cover stories focus on taking advantage of a new route from Monterey Regional Airport to Chicago and how to enjoy a weekend there, and camping and glamping in Monterey County. There are also features by Staff Writer Katie Rodriguez, who got to experience horseback riding through Salinas River State Beach, and by Features Editor Dave Faries on picnicking, spotlighting the Snack Shack at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove. 

My reporting on camping took me to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, where I got to experience bikepacking and RV camping. It turns out that Laguna Seca is a great destination for camping options not too far away from civilization, and it’s open and staffed year-round. 

When you think of Laguna Seca, your mind may immediately go to the motorsports events that happen there, but it also hosts other community events. 

Outside of the racing season’s weekends, events include Cars and Coffee, Twilight Cycling and Race to the Stars, an event that partners with Monterey Institute for Research and Astronomy to gaze at the night sky away from lights. Campers there have the option to wake up on mornings tucked away in the hills. And they can do it using a tent, a rented or brought RV, or with their bike packed with simple amenities.

One of the things that surprised me was the accessibility of Monterey County’s camping options. And roughing it this summer doesn’t always mean foregoing modern comforts unless that’s your thing. With inflation and prices where they are, the biggest draw is the budget-friendly options you have when it comes to visiting Monterey County for camping. Sites at Laguna Seca are all less than $100 per night, even for an RV that includes a stove, bedding, television and even a fireplace. 

Monterey County may not be in the leagues of camping at Joshua Tree, the Colorado Rockies or Yosemite National Park. But you don’t have to travel far to find a way to experience that beauty, even with a hint of solitude. 

I’d love to hear what that is and how you plan to have your own summer fun. Send me an email to share your favorite ways to experience Monterey County summers.