Monterey Jazz Festival 2026
The world's longest continuously running jazz festival — three days on the oak-shaded Monterey Fairgrounds.
Days to go
20days · Sep 25–27, 2026
2026 dates
Sep 25–27
Monterey, CA (Monterey County Fairgrounds) · California
Search RVs for these datesWhere to sleep in California
California campgrounds we keep verified — rig limits, fees and booking windows straight from the operator. Distances to Monterey, CA (Monterey County Fairgrounds) vary, so check the map before you commit.
- Upper Pines Campground (Yosemite NP)Nearest town: Yosemite Valley · National Park Service$36/nightRigs to 35 ftBooks 5 months ahead on the 15th 7am pt via recreation.gov
- Jumbo Rocks Campground (Joshua Tree NP)Nearest town: Twentynine Palms · National Park Service$20/nightRigs to 35 ftBooks 6 months ahead via recreation.gov
- Lodgepole Campground (Sequoia NP)Nearest town: Three Rivers · National Park Service$32/nightRigs to 42 ftBooks 6 months ahead via recreation.gov
- Furnace Creek Campground (Death Valley NP)Nearest town: Furnace Creek · National Park Service$22–$36/nightRigs to 35 ftBooks 6 months ahead via recreation.gov for reservable season
Going to Monterey Jazz Fest 2026? Tell us the nights.
Local owners list their own rigs here. You get a single email when one is listed for your window.
What you need to know
The Monterey Jazz Festival is the longest continuously running jazz festival on earth, held on the oak-shaded Monterey County Fairgrounds every September (the 69th annual, September 25-27, 2026). Multiple stages, legends and rising players, and the cool coastal September that makes the Monterey Peninsula perfect. For RV travelers the natural base is Laguna Seca Recreation Area, the county campground wrapped around the famous racetrack about 15 minutes inland — dry-camping and hookup loops with views over the hills, and an easy drive to Big Sur, Cannery Row and the aquarium on your off day.
Official source: montereyjazz.org
Safety + legal
Peninsula nights drop into the 40s-50s with marine-layer damp — pack warm layers, and coastal Highway 1 is slow with an RV, so allow buffer time.
Insider tip
Laguna Seca Recreation Area (Monterey County), ~15 min inland at the racetrack, is the go-to RV base — hilltop sites and a straight shot to both the fairgrounds and Big Sur.
Plan your trip · Sep 25–27, 2026 · Monterey, CA (Monterey County Fairgrounds)
Rent an RV near Monterey Jazz Fest 2026
Search runs on your Sep 25–27, 2026 window with a one-day buffer on each side — arrive early, leave late. Whether an RV is listed for those dates depends on what California hosts have posted, so the campsite plan below is worth locking either way.
- Dates
- Sep 25–27, 2026
- Days away
- 20
- Location
- Monterey, CA (Monterey County Fairgrounds)
- Book ahead
- 12+ weeks
- Planning window
- Plan ahead
Hosting near Monterey, CA (Monterey County Fairgrounds)? List your rig and put your calendar in front of event travellers.
List your rig →Start early, arrive easy — the whole runway
The honest runway from start-looking to head-home, with a one-day buffer on each end.
Start
~12 weeks out
Give yourself ~12 weeks to line up a rig and a campsite.
Arrive
Sep 24
Roll in a day early and set up camp.
Event
Sep 25–27
Monterey Jazz Festival 2026
Head home
Sep 28
Leave a day late and skip the exodus.
Best rigs for Monterey Jazz Fest 2026
First pick first — each row opens a search for Sep 25-27, already filtered to the class.
Plan it by rig
Each class above has its own planning page for Monterey Jazz Fest 2026 — class fit and booking guidance in one place.
Frequently asked about Monterey Jazz Fest 2026
When is Monterey Jazz Festival 2026?
Monterey Jazz Festival 2026 runs Sep 25–27, 2026 in Monterey, CA (Monterey County Fairgrounds), California.
Where is Monterey Jazz Fest 2026 held?
Monterey, CA (Monterey County Fairgrounds), California.
What are the exact 2026 dates?
Sep 25–27, 2026.
What RV should I rent for Monterey Jazz Fest 2026?
Best categories: rv, trucks-vans, classic-touring. The Monterey Jazz Festival is the longest continuously running jazz festival on earth, held on the oak-shaded Monterey County Fairgrounds every September (the 69th annual, September 25-27, 2026). Multiple stages, legends and rising players, and the cool coastal September that makes the Monterey Peninsula perfect. For RV travelers the natural base is Laguna Seca Recreation Area, the county campground wrapped around the famous racetrack about 15 minutes inland — dry-camping and hookup loops with views over the hills, and an easy drive to Big Sur, Cannery Row and the aquarium on your off day.
How early should I book an RV?
Recommended lead time: 12 weeks. Event windows book up early, so search and lock your dates as soon as your plans firm up.
What safety and legal guidance applies?
Peninsula nights drop into the 40s-50s with marine-layer damp — pack warm layers, and coastal Highway 1 is slow with an RV, so allow buffer time.
What's an insider tip?
Laguna Seca Recreation Area (Monterey County), ~15 min inland at the racetrack, is the go-to RV base — hilltop sites and a straight shot to both the fairgrounds and Big Sur.
Ready to roll?
California is waiting.
Complete nightly price on every listing — your exact total itemized before you pay · 48h free cancel. Every rig near you, one checkout.
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Cross-discover same-state events you can stack with your trip, plus festival events in other states.
PickRV is an independent RV-rental marketplace and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the NFL, FIFA, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the International Olympic Committee, or any event organizer. All event names and marks are the property of their respective owners and are used here only for factual, descriptive reference.
Plan around the event · 3
Hub state · nearest city · nearest park · recommended rig category — one click each.
State rules, safety and legalLicence + towing rules, insurance basics and the non-affiliation notice.
Important: travel + safety + insurance disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. PickRV is not an insurer, legal advisor, or vehicle-safety authority. Trip planning, route selection, rig suitability, weather, and emergency decisions are the renter's responsibility. Always consult the rig manufacturer's owner's manual, your insurance provider, the U.S. National Park Service (nps.gov), NOAA / NWS weather alerts (weather.gov), state and local emergency-management agencies, and current local regulations before and during travel. Cost figures, season windows, road conditions, and fee references on this page are estimates as of May 2026 and vary by season, location, rig, carrier, and operator. Mentions of brand names, state-tourism marks, national-park feature names, or third-party programs are informational only and do not imply affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement.
Before you rent in California — key local rules
Noncommercial Class B for motorhomes > 40 ft or > 3 axles — California Vehicle Code §12804
California Boater Card mandatory by 2025 (all ages) — California State Parks — Boater Card
Green sticker / red sticker required for OHV use on public land — California State Parks OHMVR Division
0.08% BAC limit; open container prohibited in passenger area — California Vehicle Code §23222
Editorial summary, not legal advice. Verify with California DMV before relying. Reviewed in the last 4 months (as of 2026-05-24).
California rules · last verified 2026-05-10
- State rental tax
- 9.75% · not collected by PickRV
- Min driver age
- 21+ std · 25+ Class A
- Gravel roads
- Permit required
- Generator quiet
- 22:00-06:00