Southern California, with its extensive coastline, offers a unique camping experience that puts you just steps away from the Pacific Ocean. As a frequent camper, I’ve had the opportunity to explore a variety of beach camping sites in this region. In this blog post, I’ll share my experiences and insights of my favorite beach campsites.
Quick Overview of the Beach Campgrounds
| Campsite | Features | Activities & Recreation | Amenities & Accessibility | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leo Carrillo Campground | Nestled within a landscape of sycamores and close access to the beach. | Surfing, swimming, sunbathing, hiking and backcountry trails. | Showers, restrooms. Short walk to the beach. | Popular for its natural beauty and range of amenities. |
| Doheny State Beach Campground | Located right on the sand and offers spectacular ocean views. | Boogie boarding, biking, picnics on the beach, fishing, and whale watching at Dana Point. | Hot showers, camp store. | Booking a beachfront spot is competitive, especially in summer. |
| Crystal Cove State Beach Campground | Situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. Offers a beautiful camping experience with hikes along the beach and trails. | Hiking, beach activities, exploring historic beach cottages. | Low impact and also RV sites with water and electricity hookups. Short walk to the beach. | Known for its rustic beauty and serene beach atmosphere. |
| Newport Dunes RV Park | A luxurious oasis in Newport Beach with waterfront sites, marina, watersports rentals, and a swimming lagoon. | Watersports, swimming, enjoying the pool, marina activities. | Well-equipped with resort-like amenities. | Offers a blend of comfort and adventure, more expensive. |
| Bolsa Chica Campground | Direct access to the beach with unbeatable views of the Pacific Ocean. | Swimming, biking by the beach, enjoying spectacular sunsets. Proximity to Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve for educational visits. | Basic but adequate facilities, emphasizing natural beauty and simplicity of beach camping. | Feels like a hidden gem with its simplicity and ocean access. |
| Huntington Beach RV Campground | Located near the pier with easy access to shops, restaurants, and beach activities. | Beach activities, exploring local shops and restaurants. | Ideal for visitors looking for a lively atmosphere. | Preferable for those seeking proximity to urban amenities. |
| San Onofre Campground | Known for great surfing waves, nestled on bluffs overlooking the Pacific. Offers a rugged, natural setting. | Surfing, enjoying rocky beaches, hiking trails with stunning views. | Perfect for both tents and RVs, with beach access via winding trails. | Challenging access to the beach with a stroller, but ideal for surfers. |
| San Clemente Beach Campground | Serene spot on a bluff overlooking the ocean, known for breathtaking views and laid-back vibe. | Beach activities, evening walks along the San Clemente Beach Trail. | Peaceful retreat with easy access to San Clemente. | Perfect for listening to waves, stargazing, and enjoying the charming town. |
| Campland on the Bay Campground | Located on Mission Bay shores, offers activities and amenities for a family-friendly adventure. | Kayaking, paddleboarding, boat and golf cart rentals, live music and entertainment. | Well-equipped for RVs and tents, lively atmosphere with something for everyone. | Committed to creating a welcoming and fun experience. |
| Silver Strand State Beach Campground | Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay, offers serene and picturesque camping with easy access to water activities. | Surfing, swimming, fishing, boating, biking along scenic paths. | Peaceful with easy access to the ocean. | Unique spot with sites right on the sand, similar to Doheny. |
| San Mateo Campground | Set slightly inland, walking distance to Trestles beach. | Hiking to Trestles Beach, a world-renowned surf spot. Exploring nature. | Spacious sites for tents and RVs. | Offers a refreshing contrast to beachfront campgrounds, with a scenic hike to the beach. |
| Dockweiler RV Park | Right on the beach near the Los Angeles International Airport. | Enjoying the beach and nearby recreational activities. | Amenities include RV hookups and easy beach access. | Can get loud due to nearby airport plane traffic, but convenient for travelers. |
My Favorite Beach Campsites in SoCal
LA County Beach Campgrounds
My favorite campground in LA county is Leo Carrillo.
Leo Carrillo Campground
My adventure in Southern California started at Leo Carrillo Campground, a spectacular spot that’s as rich in natural beauty as it is in amenities. Nestled within a landscape of sycamores, the campground offers spacious sites that cater to both tents and RVs, ensuring everyone finds their perfect spot.
What truly sets Leo Carrillo apart is its access to 1.5 miles of beach, ideal for surfers, swimmers, and sunbathers. I spent my days enjoying the beach, hiking the backcountry trails, and enjoying evening campfires.
The campsite is well-equipped with showers and restrooms. The campground is not right on the sand but it’s a very short walk to the beach.
Dockweiler RV Park
I recently visited Dockweiler RV Park in Los Angeles county. It’s located right on the beach near the biking/walking trail. You can enjoy this 22 mile biking trail to nearby beaches and piers.
The campground is also close to the Los Angeles International Airport, which is convenient for travelers. It has dry camping area, full hookups, pump-out station, laundromat and hot showers.
However, being near the airport, it gets loud with the planes flying overhead. Every few minutes, you can hear the planes fly over the park. This can be a bit disruptive, especially if you’re looking for a quiet getaway or are a light sleeper. This is definitely the noisiest campground I’ve ever been to because it is in the LAX flight path.
Beach Camping in Orange County
My favorite campsites in Orange County are Doheny and Crystal Cove campgrounds. I’ve been there many times and always looking forward to go back again. However, there are other beautiful beach campsites in Orange County I’ve been to. Check them out below.
Doheny State Beach Campground
My next stop brought me to Doheny State Beach Campground. I love this place because you could get a spot right on the sand.
The campground itself is a lush, well-maintained area with sites that accommodate both tents and RVs, many of which offer spectacular ocean views.
Waking up to the sound of the waves and the sight of the sunrise over the Pacific is something truly magical.
The campground’s proximity to Dana Point allows for easy access to additional recreational activities like fishing and whale watching.
The camp facilities, including hot showers and a camp store. My days here were spent boogie boarding the friendly waves, biking along the scenic paths, and enjoying picnics on the beach.
Check out my detailed Doheny campground review here.
Crystal Cove State Beach Campground
Crystal Cove State Beach Campground offers a unique blend of rustic beauty and a serene beach atmosphere. Situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, the campground provides a more primitive camping experience, ideal for those looking to disconnect and immerse themselves in nature.
Some are low impact sites and others are RV sites with water and electricity hookups. My stay was a delightful return to basics, with hikes along the beach and trails that reveal breathtaking views of the ocean and the rugged coastline.
The historic beach cottages, just a short walk away, add a touch of nostalgia and charm to the whole experience. Crystal Cove is a place where you can truly appreciate the beauty of Southern California’s coast.
Newport Dunes RV Park
There’s something truly special about Newport Dunes RV Park, a luxurious oasis nestled in the heart of Newport Beach. Unlike the more rustic campgrounds I’ve visited, Newport Dunes offers a blend of comfort and adventure.
The waterfront sites are quite expensive, however they provide stunning views and immediate access to the water. My stay here felt like a resort experience, complete with a marina, watersports rentals, and a swimming lagoon.
The sites are small but we spent most of our days on the beach anyways. The evenings were fun using the campground’s pool, creating a perfect setting for family fun.
All the park’s amenities added an extra layer of convenience to the camping experience.
Bolsa Chica Campground
Camping at Bolsa Chica Campground feels like a hidden gem experience, with its direct access to one of Southern California’s most beautiful and surf-friendly beaches.
This campground is all about the simplicity of beach experience that puts the ocean at your doorstep. The sites are spacious and ideal for both tents and RVs, with a number of them offering unbeatable views of the Pacific Ocean.
My time at Bolsa Chica was spent on swimming in the ocean, biking by the beach and enjoying the spectacular sunsets. The campground’s proximity to the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve added an educational twist to the trip.
Huntington Beach RV Campground
Another campground that is right off the biking/walking trail in Huntington beach.
Huntington Beach RV Campground is located near the pier. It’s a good fit for people who like to have easy access to shops, restaurants, and beach activities.
The campground has a friendly environment, ideal for visitors looking to experience the lively atmosphere of Huntington Beach. My stay there was relaxing but with kids, I prefer to stay in quieter and not so busy areas.
San Clemente Beach Campground
My journey through Southern California’s beach campgrounds led me to San Clemente Beach Campground, a serene spot known for its breathtaking ocean views and laid-back vibe.
Situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, the campground offers a peaceful retreat with easy access to the charming town of San Clemente.
My campsite was right on the bluff, perfect for listening to the waves and stargazing at night. I spent my days enjoying the beach and spending time with family.
The highlight of my stay was the evening walks along the San Clemente Beach Trail.
San Diego County Beach Camping
My favorite campgrounds in San Diego are Campland, San Onofre, and Silver Strand. San Mateo campground is wonderful too, although not right on the beach.
San Onofre Campground
San Onofre Campground is a surfer’s paradise, a place where the waves are great for surfing. Nestled on the bluffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean.
This campground offers a rugged, natural setting. I loved my stay here.
The campground’s sites are perfect for both tents and RVs, with easy access to the beach via winding trails that offer stunning views at every turn.
It’s somewhat challenging going down to the beach with a stroller. Going down is easy but pushing the stroller back up can be a challenge. I’ve gone up and down with e-bikes without a problem though. The beach is very beautiful with lots of rocks.
Campland on the Bay Campground
Campland on the Bay Campground is a huge family-friendly campground. Located on the shores of Mission Bay, this campground offers plenty of activities and amenities that make every day an adventure. From kayaking and paddleboarding in the calm waters of the bay to enjoying the live music and entertainment organized by the campground.
I’ve gone there multiple times and every time my stay was filled with joy and excitement. The sites are well-equipped for both RVs and tents, ensuring a comfortable stay for all.
What sets Campland apart is its commitment to creating a welcoming and lively atmosphere with something for everyone to enjoy.
Check out my comprehensive Campland review here.
Silver Strand State Beach Campground
Silver Strand State Beach Campground is similar to Doheny were you can get the site right on the sand. This unique spot, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay, offers a serene and picturesque setting for camping.
The campground’s location provides easy access to both the ocean and the bay, allowing for a diverse range of water activities, from surfing and swimming to fishing and boating. The facilities are basic but adequate, emphasizing the natural beauty and simplicity of beach camping. The one thing I didn’t like is that they closed the bathrooms already at 5:30 pm.
The highlight of my stay was biking along the scenic path that runs through the campground, offering stunning views of both the ocean and the bay.
San Mateo Campground
San Mateo Campground is set slightly inland from the coast, it offers a refreshing contrast to the beachfront campgrounds, with its lush, rolling hills and easy access to some of Southern California’s most pristine beaches.
This campground is not right on the beach. However, it’s a walking distance to Trestles beach. Even better if you have a bike, you can bike to Trestles to surf or just enjoy the beach.
My experience at San Mateo was a peaceful relaxation in the nature. The campground is well-equipped with spacious sites for tents and RVs, clean facilities, and hot showers.
One of the highlights was the trail that connects the campground to Trestles Beach, a world-renowned surf spot, offering a scenic hike and excellent surf.
Making Reservations for Beach Camping
When I plan a beach camping trip, I ensure that making reservations is a priority, as popular campgrounds fill up quickly. I usually check each campground’s reservation policies as they can vary. State parks often provide an online reservation system, such as ReserveCalifornia.
Here’s a quick guide I follow:
- Choose the Campground: I select from numerous beachfront options, such as Doheny or Crystal Cove campground.
- Book in Advance: I typically reserve at least six months ahead of time, especially for peak summer months. Some campgrounds might allow booking up to a year in advance.
- Details to Provide: I’m ready with details like the number of people, tents, and vehicles, as this information will be necessary upon reservation.
- Stay Informed on Regulations: Each campground has its own set of rules and regulations. I always check these to avoid any last-minute surprises.
Beach Activities and Adventures
Southern California’s coast offers numerous activities for adventure seekers. Whether you’re looking to ride the waves or explore coastal trails, there’s something for everyone.
Surfing and Swimming
Surfing: Southern California is synonymous with great surfing spots, with waves suitable for all levels. Beginners can take lessons at gentler beaches like San Clemente State Beach, while more experienced surfers often head to spots like lower Trestles.
Swimming: Many beaches along the coast provide ideal settings for a swim with their clear waters and sandy shores. Always check local conditions and lifeguard instructions for the safest experience.
Hiking and Biking Trails
Hiking: For those who enjoy scenic treks, SoCal beaches often have adjacent trails offering breathtaking ocean views. For example, the trails around Crystal Cove State Beach provide spectacular lookout points.
Biking: Several beaches feature well-maintained biking trails. Cyclists can enjoy the coastal breeze on paths like those near Morro Strand State Beach, which combine sunbathing opportunities with an active day out.
Wildlife Watching
Tide Pools: Rocky tide pools are excellent for observing marine life in its natural habitat. I always recommend visiting during low tide for the best experience.
Whales: For those interested in larger marine animals, certain times of the year afford the chance to spot whales migrating. Keep binoculars handy and your eyes on the horizon!
Seasonal Considerations for Beach Camping
When planning a beach camping trip, consider the weather as a key factor.
Spring: I’ve found the spring months to be pleasant with the weather warming up and fewer crowds. This can be an ideal time for those who prefer a quieter campsite. During spring, the low tide is especially revealing, offering wider beaches and exposing tide pools.
Summer: As many campers know, summer is the most popular season, with warm weather and sunny skies. However, I remind campers to book well in advance as sites fill up quickly. Additionally, Southern California beaches are prone to overcast mornings, a phenomenon known as “June Gloom.” Despite this, I ensure my afternoons are spent enjoying the peak of the summer sun.
Fall: My favorite camping experiences often happen in the fall when the weather remains warm, but the summer crowds have dissipated. The water temperatures stay comfortable, and I find the low tides exceptional for exploring coastal marine life.
Winter: While Southern California doesn’t have harsh winters, I prepare for cooler temperatures and potential rain. The beach experience is still rewarding. Plus, winter low tides offer a unique beach camping experience.
Exploring Southern California’s beach campgrounds has been an adventure filled with sun, surf, and unforgettable memories. Each of these campground offered its own unique charm, from the rustic beauty of San Onofre to the lively atmosphere of Campland on the Bay. Southern California’s coast has something for every camper.
