We arrived at Smithwoods RV Park in the Santa Cruz mountains on Friday, October 22, 2010 about 2:00 in the afternoon. Smithwoods is a family owned and operated RV park whose roots goes back to 1920 when Charles Bidwell Smith bought the land. According to the history of Smithwoods RV Park as published in the park guide, Smith turned the plot of land into “an Auto Park where people could park their cars or caravans and stay a few days.”
Originally called, “Big Trees Auto Park,” it was one of the first RV parks in the United States. And from our experience, it is one of the best run. That’s because the owners and their families are actively involved and present daily on the park grounds. They deliver on what is sometimes just a marketing slogan found online or in marketing brochures: “We are committed to making your stay as enjoyable as possible.” This statement is backed up by the family and staff who themselves seem to enthusiastically enjoy what they do.
We checked in and a staff member (I think it was Tony) led us to our RV site, #116. He patiently helped me back-in and position the RV so it was ideally situated (his idea) parallel to the patio slab. So when we opened the door it was perfectly positioned to be able to step down and right onto the cement. Note to other RV park operators: Create a favorable first impression with your campers, smile and act like you’re glad to see them when they check in; and give them some added assistance getting situated – it will help them get off to a great and enjoyable start.
We chose this site off the site map because it backed up to the San Lorenzo River, and seemed to be in a quieter area of the park. We found the space to our liking with the hook-ups on our left side, there’s a lattice fence off our right separating us from a permanent mobile home. There are some huge redwoods to our left and behind, and a nice, private fire pit area just behind and to the right of where the RV is situated. Site #117 on the other side is also a great setting, although it doesn’t have a cement patio slab like #116.
Site Selection
A little further down the road there are a small number of really nice and private sites nestled in the woods called, The Point. You’ll see this area on the video. We especially liked site “H” or “K.” The latter is tucked in between fairly heavy vegetation and trees on both sides and set back a bit more from the rest of the RV sites.
While there’s no tent camping at this RV park, there are a good number of permanent, RV or mobile home-like residences throughout the park. Configured mostly around the parameter, there are a few full-timers scattered throughout the park, like the one, #M115 right next to us. These are shown in light blue on the park guide site map.
Click map for larger image (will open in new browser tab)
Walk-Around Video of Smithwoods RV Park
As we did with Edgewater Resort on Clear Lake at Kelseyville, we took video of this park as we walked around and explored. We do this to give others, who may be looking for an RV Park and can’t get enough good images from park web sites, a more comprehensive view of what the park is like – from the eyes of another camper. (It also helps us remember some of the choice spots we want to come back to!)
Park Experience
There were quite a few open sites this weekend which is to be expected this time of year. Yet, we were told they expected around 200 people at the annual Halloween Spaghetti Dinner. We were surprised to see the outdoor pool still open. People swimming in it said it was heated and quite warm. There’s a good number of recreational and social amenities throughout the park – certainly something for everyone to enjoy. There’s a ping-pong area, kids play ground (closed off during our stay for repairs), a wiffle ball field, a basket ball area and Kelly’s Tease, an indoor billiards room with two tables. (Kelly was the married name of Bette, one of the Smith’s four children who purchased the park after her parent’s death with husband, Don.)
They also have what is labeled the “Event” building signed, “The Skipper’s Hide-A-Way,” one of several park gathering points. They serve coffee drinks and pastries in the morning.
Tonight (Saturday, Oct. 23) we’re going to their annual Halloween Spaghetti Dinner in the Lodge on this the weekend just before Halloween. I will be appearing as Phantom of the Opera with Trisha masquerading as a red-caped diva by my side. Poor Hunter will be keeping watch alone in the RV. Following that, the kids are coming around the park for trick or treats. The Smithwoods RV Park web site advertises other “Park Events” such as:
- New Year’s Day Bingo
- Meet the Easter Bunny
- Memorial Day BBQ
- Summer Ice Cream Socials
- Patriotic Wheel Parade
- Golden Bone Dog Show
- Outdoor Movie Nights
- Karaoke
- Labor Day Wiffle Ball Tournament
- Breakfast With Santa
If these other events are as well-attended and fun as the Halloween Spaghetti Dinner they would be tough to miss! Check out the following video of Chris Lennen entertaining with some rousing Karaoke. (Chris is one of the owners along with mom, Brenda, brother Rick and their wives Leslie and Debbie.)
Halloween Spaghetti Dinner Karaoke with Chris Lennen
All sites have movable fire pits and there are also some group fire pits. It was evident to us there were several groups of campers who had gathered this weekend and we got the feeling this is a popular go-to place for family and friends to gather. We met one couple who have been coming here for a number of years and live just an hour a way. Overall the park is well-maintained. One of the men’s restrooms however had 2 of the 3 toilets/urinals out of order. The showers are in the building up by the pool.
WiFi is propagated from about the center of the park, but from where we are at #116, only have 1 bar (very low) signal strength. It seemed to work fine though, there was just one time it dropped and re-connected. Our at&t wireless coverage fluctuated between 1-3 bars on our Blackberry and iPhones, but also seemed adequate to check email, Twitter, Foursquare, Facebook, etc. That is until the rain came down.
Following the Halloween Spaghetti Dinner, and while watching the Giants win the NL Pennant over the Phillies (Yay!) we lost what little WiFi signal we had. I guess it can be blamed on the rain that started coming down in buckets and continued all through the night and on into the next morning.
On the second time Greg checked in on Foursquare, he became the Mayor of Smithwoods RV Park which makes him feel very important and proud! He thinks RV parks like this should put special offers on Foursquare for things like a free night of camping, a free game of billiards, or may be even name a park street or RV site after them…now that would keep us coming back!
Summing it all up
We’re really glad we chose this RV park and are already making plans to return. Breakfast with Santa? The rain late Saturday and Sunday kept us from the hiking trails and enjoying more of what this park and nearby community has to offer (Henry Cowell State Park, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, etc). So, if you’re looking for a well-run, family RV park with lots of character in a beautiful setting among Big Redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountain area, look no further, this park is it. My only suggestion is to fix up the plumbing in the restrooms and brighten them up with some fresh, lighter-colored paint. Thanks, for a very enjoyable weekend!
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