Camping Spots In Southern California - Beach camping is California's fifth edition - between epic sunrises, sunsets and bonfires, camping right on the California coast is a wonderful way to spend a weekend (or longer!). There is nothing quite like waking up to the sound of the waves and falling asleep.
In this blog post, we've broken down our favorite California beach camping spots from North to South so you can easily plan your California beach camping trip.
Camping Spots In Southern California
Nestled in the heart of the Redwoods, Gold Bluffs Beach and Campgrounds is one of our favorite California beach campgrounds. Located at the end of an unpaved road, this secret camp lies in the dunes along ten miles of the most beautiful golden beach. There are 24 designated spaces for RVs and tents, and a 24-foot vehicle lane for RVs (no trailers allowed). There are no hookups at this camp. Reservations can be made online through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
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While dogs are not allowed on any of the park's trails, they are allowed on campus and near the beach. Just north of the campground is the amazing Fern Canyon trail, a 50-foot-long canyon lined with fern walls.
Bodega Dunes Campground is located near Bodega Harbor, within walking distance of the beach and the town of Bodega Bay. There are 99 campsites with hot showers, running water and a dump station. The average length of six is 31 feet and no extensions are available. This is a great place for people who want to be close to the beach, but there are many restaurants and shops within walking distance.
No dogs, no fires are allowed on the beach, and snow standards are maintained. Bodega Head is a popular spot for whale watching during the winter and summer months. Camping information can be found on the local Sonoma Coast Park website.
Tucked away in a grassy area near Reyes National Seashore, weekend camping at Wildcat Camps is the perfect place for backpackers to get their feet wet. From the parking lot, the campground is a short 5.5 mile drive down Palomarina Road in Bolinas. On the way, the road is filled with a perfect view of the Pacific, as long as the fog does not enter. Besides the view and beach access from Wildcat, the main attraction is Alamere Falls, a waterfall that comes out of the blue. The beach and only high tide in Point Reyes.
Best Campgrounds For Beach Camping In California
Reservations are highly recommended, especially in the hotter months, so book a site in advance. Sites 6 and 7, while smaller, are considered the best because of their unique location and views from up on the bluff. All sites are equipped with grills and picnic tables, meaning campers don't have to waste food during overnight hikes.
With ferries departing from all over the San Francisco Bay Area, Angel Island Park in the middle of the Bay offers a quick and quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. 9 beach campsites spread across the island, with SF views. Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, Celebriscityscape, and Volubilis Marin Promontory. All sites have running water and toilets.
To explore the island, hit the road to the top of Mt Livermore, the highest point on the island, or rent a bike and tour around the island.
While most campsites in California's Big Sur are reserved months in advance, the first-come, first-served 1/2-mile hike at Andrew Molera State Park is enough to deter some campers. This means that if you come early in the day, you may just get lucky and grab a spot near the main river Sur, which runs through the center of the park. The campus is an open field, so the site doesn't offer a ton of privacy, but the location more than makes up for it. In addition, Andrew Molera has the best hiking trails in Big Sur.
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As one of the oldest California State Parks, Hearst San Simeon State Park has two beach resorts - San Simeon Creek Campground and Washburn Campground. San Simeon Creek Campground has 134 campsites for tents or recreational vehicles. The maximum length of the RV is 35 feet. Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table and there are restrooms/showers.
Washburn Campground is a large campground located 1 mile from the beach on a hill overlooking the Santa Lucia Mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. There are over 60 seating areas here that include a ring and picnic tables, as well as restrooms. While you're in the area, be sure to take a tour of Heart Castle (which is unfortunately closed due to road construction at the time of writing).
Morro Bay State Beach Campground is located on the bay and has the perfect beach location for views of the famous Morro Rock. Located north of San Luis Obispo, the campground includes 134 campsites in addition to two campsites, restrooms, showers, and RV hookups. RVs up to 35 feet are allowed. The park also has a marina and an 18-hole public fairway. Expect to find royalty on the move from November to February.
In summer, the area can be 30 degrees cooler than the Mediterranean. Be sure to adjust the grill for cold weather. More campground information can be found here.
The 13 Best Lake Camping Spots In California
Montaña de Oro Public Park, which translates as "Mountain of Gold", is a real mountain on the California coast. The park features rolling hills, miles of hiking trails, secluded sandy beaches, creeks, streams and mountains, including the 1,347-foot Valence Peak.
A popular beach is Spooner's Cove, across from Bell. Flowers of golden flowers every spring, hence the name of the garden. There are 50 campsites that can be reserved up to 6 months in advance. RVs up to 27 feet are allowed in the campground. Dogs are allowed in the campground and at Spooner Cove, but there are no other beaches or trails.
Just north of Santa Barbara, Jalama Beach is a great place to get away from the crowds on your California beach vacation. The campus has 107 campsites, all of which have beach or ocean views and are easily accessible. Each campsite has a picnic table, BBQ pit, and bathrooms with hot showers are nearby. 31 sites provide electricity connection and dump stations are available. Pets (max 2) are allowed for an additional $3/night and rabies vaccination certificate.
If you are not pitching a tent, Jalama Beach also offers 7 rooms (which sleep up to 4) for rent. All the rooms are located on the hill with sea view from the wonderful balconies. Beach campsite reservations and cabin rentals are available online, up to six months in advance.
Best Spots For Glamping In Southern California
Getting to the Channel Islands requires some work, but with the chance to meet bottlenose dolphins, minke whales, and whales in the Santa Barbara Channel, the one-hour boat ride to Santa Cruz is all part of the fun. While camping is allowed year-round in 5 of the Channel Islands National Park, Scorpius Ranch Campground in Santa Cruz is accessible for most disabled weekends and has plenty of spaces.
Once on the boat of the island, it is half a mile from the hole to the camp, which is located in a forest of trees and sea grass. Once you're set, there are six different trails that range from a 1/2-mile hike to an 8-mile hike that leads to sweeping coastal vistas. What makes camping on Santa Cruz Island so special is the opportunity to get wet. The sea kayaking here is world class with sea caves, sea cliffs, and kelp forests, and for an additional fee, Island Carriers rents and ships kayaks to the island. Sea lion sightings roaming the kelp forests are almost guaranteed. Reservations are required and sites can be booked months in advance, so plan ahead.
In the Santa Monica Mountains near Malibu, Mugu State Park has two beach campgrounds - Thornhill Broome Campground and Sycamore Campground. Sycamore is on the east side of the road, so if you are looking for a true campsite on the California coast, Thornhill Broome should be your top choice here as it is right on the beach.
Thornhill Broome has 69 old sites available and Sycamore has 58 - no campsites at either camp. There are 70 miles of hiking trails around these campgrounds, making for a great weekend getaway.
Spring Guide To Waterfall Camping In California
Please be advised that due to high tides and storm surges, Thornhill Broome River is subject to flooding and closures. More camping information and reservations are available here.
California's best beach resorts are located north of San Diego in the town of Carlsbad's South Beach. Half of the campsites
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