Southern California Beach Camping: Best Campgrounds & Campsites

Discover the best places to camp on the beach along the Southern California coast. Enjoy fresh ocean breezes, the sound of crashing waves, and cozy nights by the campfire. With hotel rates often $400+/night, beach camping delivers adventure for $35–$75. This guide covers beach campgrounds from Santa Barbara to San Diego, complete with enhanced descriptions, bullet-point highlights, and pro tips for booking, packing, and thriving.

• Table of Contents
• Santa Barbara County
• Ventura County
• Los Angeles County
• Orange County
• San Diego County

Santa Barbara County Beach Camping

Jalama County Park, Secluded surf paradise, 45 miles north of Santa Barbara

Jalama Beach County Park is one of California’s best places to camp on the beach. It has 100 ocean-view campsites and seven comfortable cottages. Jalama Beach is north of Santa Barbara, and the most secluded on our list, so bring everything you need. A small restaurant and an on-site store serve the famous Jalama burger, but that’s the only available service.

Address: 9999 Jalama Rd, Lompoc, California| Reservations

Highlights & Tips

• 107 sites (100 ocean-view, seven cabins).
• Sites 1–31 closest to surf; 80–100 bluff-top privacy.
• On-site store + café (open 8 AM–sunset)14-day max stay.
• Stock up in Lompoc – 20-mile drive to nearest grocery; ice & firewood sold on-site.
• Wind protection: Bring windbreaks for tents (afternoon gusts 15–25 mph).
• Starlink-friendly: Strong cell signal at higher sites.

Gaviota State Park Camping – Historic Train Trestle Beach with Hiking Trails

Gaviota State Park is the last stop on Highway 101 before it turns inland toward Buellton and Solvang. It is a beautiful camping spot at 10 Refugio Beach Road in Goleta, California. It offers 41 developed campsites that accommodate tents and RVs up to 27 feet. The park also features hiking trails connected to the Los Padres National Forest, perfect for nature lovers. However, note that the campground is smaller, so you will be camping close to your neighbors.

Address: 17620 Hwy 101, Goleta, CA 93117 | Reservations

Highlights & Tips

• 39 sites (tents + RVs ≤27 ft).
• Hot showers + flush toilets.
• Beachcombing for agates after storms.
• Pier fishing (no license needed on the pier).
• Book 6 months out – fills within minutes of release.
• Train noise: Earplugs for light sleepers; sites 30–39 are farthest from tracks.
• Low-tide bonus: Explore sea caves 0.5 mile south.

El Capitan State Beach – Family-friendly with Tidepools & Sycamore Groves

El Capitan Beach is perfect for families looking for a beach camping adventure or to escape from the city for the day—Sandy Beach, rocky tidepools, and sycamore stands and oaks along El Capitan Creek. The campground has 133 campsites. Several campsites offer beautiful Pacific Ocean views from cliff-top locations. Gaviota State Beach is north of the town of Goleta along Highway 101.

Address: 100 El Capitan Terrace Ln, Goleta, CA 93117 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips

• 132 sites (10 oceanfront).
• Sites 1–10 premium bluff views.
• Bike path to Refugio (3 miles).
• Visitor center with wildlife exhibits.
• Pack binoculars – gray whale migration visible from sites 1–5.
• Firewood hack: Buy bundles at the entrance ($10) to avoid damp driftwood.
• Shade strategy: Reserve odd-numbered sites for afternoon sycamore cover.

El Capitan Canyon Resort: Luxury Safari Tents & Yurts 15-minute Walk to Beach

While not directly on the beach, El Capitan Canyon Resort offers fantastic coastal views and is easily within walking distance of the beach. El Capitan Canyon Resort accommodations include Safari Tents, Cabins, and Yurts. Imagine going camping; the only chore you have to do is packing your suitcase. One nice feature of the resort is that it is on the east side of Highway 101, far enough away that you don’t hear the horn of the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains as they head up or down the coast.

Address: 11560 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93117 – Resort Website.

Highlights & Pro Tips

• Safari tents ($195+), cedar cabins ($350+), yurts.
• Heated pool + farm-to-table café.
• Complimentary s’mores kits nightly.
• Book “Creek” cabins for max privacy.
• Free shuttle to the beach every hour.

Refugio State Beach Camping

If you like beach camping, Refugio State Beach is a lovely area lined with palm trees, offering a relaxing day or a fun camping trip. Campsites are located very close to the beach, with some nestled in shady palm trees. Imagine falling asleep to the sounds of crashing waves. Both tent and RV campers can enjoy this scenic coastal location.

Address: 10 Refugio Beach Rd, Goleta, CA 93117 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips

• 63 sites (tents + RVs ≤30 ft).
• Sites 1–20 under palms; 60–63 oceanfront.
• Lifeguard Tower 3 (summer).
• Kayak rentals at the beach ($25/hr).
• Sunset rule: Arrive by 4 PM to snag palm-shade sites.

Carpinteria State Beach: Tidepool Reserve & Seal Rookery

World’s Safest Beach” with tidepool reserve & seal rookery. Four distinct campgrounds deliver true sand-between-toes camping—Santa Cruz & San Miguel loops sit steps from the surf. Named for gentle waves and a protected reef, it’s a family favorite. World-class tidepools reveal starfish and octopus at low tide; harbor seals haul out Dec–May.

Address: 5361 6th St, Carpinteria, CA 93013 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips

• 216 sites (tent + RV).
• Sites 100–130 beachfront.
• Seal rookery viewing deck (Dec–May).
• Free ranger-led tidepool walks (Saturdays 10 AM).
• Tidepool etiquette: Touch gently, no collecting.
• Bike to town: 1 mile to coffee, farmers market, avocado toast.
• Best site: #112 – direct beach access, fire ring, seal views.

Ventura County Beach Camping

Hobson Beach Park – Intimate 29-site Surf Camp with Café & Dolphin Pods

Hobson Beach Park features 29 campsites, 13 of which are directly on the sand. The campsites are close together, but the campground’s location makes up for the lack of space. Campsites can be reserved using the Ventura County Parks Online Reservation System. A small snack shop serves breakfast and lunch; restrooms and WiFi are available.

Address: 5210 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ventura, CA 93001 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips

• • • 5 oceanfront sites.
    • WiFi + hot showers.
    • Café open 7 AM–2 PM (try the $9 burrito).
    • Site 13 = best sunrise view.
    • Surf break: Left point break for longboards.
    • Bring binoculars – morning dolphin pods 100 yds offshore.

Rincon Parkway – 100+ RV Sites on the Old PCH—oceanfront Parking Paradise.

You can’t get any closer to the beach than at Ventura County’s Rincon Parkway. Situated on the old Pacific Coast Highway, campsites have spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Reservations can be made online up to 180 days before the arrival date. Every site has a fantastic idea, so it doesn’t matter where you park. Tent camping is not allowed here, and there is no day-use parking.

Address: 4668 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ventura, CA 93001 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips

• • • 180-day booking window.
    • Self-contained RVs only.
    • World-class surf (Rincon Point).
    • Leveling blocks are essential – a slight slope to the ocean.
    • Generator hours: 8 AM–8 PM.
    • Best site: #75 – centered, unobstructed, near restroom.

Faria Beach Park – 38-site Gem with Café & Unobstructed Pacific View

Faria is another small beach campground run by Ventura County. Situated a few miles south of Hobson Beach, Faria Beach Park features 38 campsites. Numbers 7 – 34 are directly on the ocean with unobstructed views of the Pacific. All sites are offered by reservation. Getting a spot here can be challenging, especially during the summer and holiday weekends. There is a small cafe that serves breakfast and lunch.
Address: 4350 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ventura, CA 93001 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips

• • • Café serves breakfast burritos.
    • Fire pits on the beach.
    • Book 6 months ahead for summer.
    • Site 22 = closest to café + restrooms.
    • Sunset hack: Bring a camp chair to the edge of the beach.

Emma Wood State Beach – Primitive Beachfront for Self-contained RVs—90 Sites on Sand.

Emma Wood State Beach offers campers and day users an incredible place to unwind and soak up some sun with excellent beachfront camping and beautiful panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Emma Wood’s is a popular year-round destination with a 90-site self-contained campground located as close to the ocean as possible, offering moderate temperatures. Line up along the shore; trains rumble past (earplugs recommended). Ventura River estuary attracts egrets and herons.

Address: Hwy 101 & State Beaches, Ventura, CA 93001 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips

• • • No hookups; self-contained only.
    • Ventura River estuary birding.
    • Bring a hose for water filling.
    • Sites 1–20 are farthest from the Hwy 101 noise.
    • Bioluminescence in summer—stir sand at night.

McGrath State Beach (Closed)

Closed since 2019 due to flooding – Monitor parks.ca.gov for reopening. The campground may be moved to preserve the wetland if funds become available.

Point Mugu State Park Camping – Sycamore Canyon

There are two campgrounds at Point Mugu State Park—Thornhill Broom on the beach and Sycamore Canyon, with ocean views. Point Mugu State Park features more than 70 miles of hiking trails and five miles of pristine ocean shoreline surrounded by rocky bluffs and jagged pinnacles.

Address: 9000 W Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips

• • • Sycamore Canyon: 58 sites (tents + RVs ≤31 ft), 1.5 miles inland.
    • 70+ miles of trails – Ray Miller Trailhead to waterfalls.
    • 5 miles of shoreline – rocky coves, tidepools, bioluminescence.
    • Sycamore book 6 months out – sites 40–50 have partial ocean views.
    • Bring water shoes – rocky beach, no sand at high tide.
    • Hike-in bonus: La Jolla Valley (permit required).

Thornhill Broome – Primitive RV Beach Parking—Park directly on the sand (rocks)

Thornhill Broome Beach Campground is part of Point Mugu State Park. The main attraction here is pulling up your RV and parking on the beach—nothing between you and the surf except the rocky shore. Thornhill Broom campsites are considered primitive and accommodate a maximum of 8 people. Reservations are Non-Site-Specific. All campsites are directly on the beach.
Address: 9000 W Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 | Reservations
Highlights & Pro Tips

• • • 63 beachfront sites.
    • Rocky shore; bring water shoes.
    • Nighttime bioluminescence (summer).
    • High tide alert: Park above the tide line.
    • No reservations – first-come, first-served (arrive by 10 AM).
    • Best site: #30 – center, flat, easy access.

Los Angeles County Beach Camping

Leo Carrillo State Park – Canyon camping with Secret Beach Tunnel

Stretching just a mile and a half along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, Leo Carrillo State Park is a perfect destination for day use or an overnight camping trip. Leo Carrillo’s campground is inland from the beach in a canyon lined with giant sycamores. There are 135 campsites, including several group sites. Beach access is through a tunnel under the Pacific Coast Highway.
Address: 35000 W Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips

• • • Tidepools + sea caves.
    • Dog beach (leashed).
    • Sites 1–20 closest to Canyon Creek.
    • Book the “Canyon” loop for shade.
    • A flashlight is mandatory for the tunnel.
    • Best site: #15 – Creek Sounds, Sycamore Shade.

Dockweiler RV Park – LAX Flight Path with Fire Pits & Beachfront Hookups

If you like the sound of planes, you will love Dockweiler. This state beach sits beneath the takeoff path from the Los Angeles International Airport. If you can get past the noise of the planes, the beach here is wide and sandy and has plenty of fire pits. There are 118 total RV hook-up spaces at Dockweiler. About half of the sites back up to the beach (1-82). No tent camping is allowed.
Address: 12001 Vista del Mar, Playa del Rey, CA 90293 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips

• • • Full hookups
    • Fire pits + bike path to Manhattan Beach
    • Plane noise peaks 7–10 AM
    • Sites 1–40 = oceanfront
    • Bring noise-canceling headphones or embrace the roar

Orange County Beach Camping

Bolsa Chica State Beach – Bike Path to Huntington Pier—RV-only

Bolsa Chica State Beach is between Huntington Beach and Seal Beach. Beach camping at Bolsa Chica is limited to recreational vehicles only. Be sure to bring along your bicycles when camping at Bolsa Chica. The beach trail runs south to Newport Beach and north to Long Beach. Fire rings glow nightly; surf lessons 0.5 mile north. Huntington Beach, California.

Address: 17851 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips.

• • • 57 sites with hookups.
    • Bird sanctuary across PCH.
    • Sites 30–40 = closest to the beach path.
    • Sunrise yoga on the sand at 6:30 AM.

Huntington Beach RV Park – Walk to Pier—Parking Lot Camping

Sunset Vista RV Park (HB RV Park) is half a mile south of the Huntington Beach Pier. This campground is a parking lot adjacent to the beach where you can park your RV. The location is excellent. Everything you could ever want, including the Pacific Ocean, is within walking distance. The downside is that it can get very noisy, with numerous fire rings on the beach. Depending on the wind, you’ll also get a lot of smoke in the evenings.

Address: 103 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips.

• • • Fire rings on the beach.
    • Surf lessons are 0.5 miles north.
    • Wind shifts smoke – position RV door upwind.
    • Best site: #50 – near pier, less smoke drift.

Newport Dunes – Luxury Glamping in a Protected Lagoon

Newport Dunes Resort provides the perfect home away from home for guests to enjoy the Southern California sun. While most guests arrive by RV, stopping for just a few days’ rest as they continue to their final destination or staying for an entire vacation, you don’t need an RV to stay here. There are plenty of overnight options, including tent camping and cottage rentals.

Address: 1131 Back Bay Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips

• • • Tent sites, cottages, RV hookups
    • Kayak/SUP rentals
    • Luxury beach camping spot.
    • Summer water park with inflatables.

Crystal Cove Beach Cottages – 10 Beachfront, 14 Bluff-Top

Twenty-four cottages at Crystal Cove range from beachfront to bluff top. All of the cabins have a microwave and refrigerator. ADA-accessible units have a small electric stove. If you don’t want to cook on your beach vacation, you can dine at the beachfront Beachcomber Restaurant. Crystal Cove Beach Cottages are some of California’s most sought-after beach rentals—located midway between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach along Coast Highway.

Address:35 Crystal Cove, Newport Beach, CA 92657 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips

• • • 24 cottages (sleep 2–8): 10 beachfront, 14 bluff-top.
    • Full amenities: fridge, microwave, stove (ADA units); shared BBQs.
    • Beachcomber Café on-site (breakfast + sunset dinners).
    • Free parking for guests; no day-use fees.
    • Book 7 months ahead – the lottery system opens on the 1st of the month at 8 AM.
    • Best units: #1–5 (beachfront, private patios).

Moro Campground, Crystal Cove

Moro Campground offers spectacular ocean views from all of its sixty campsites. Unlike some other beach campgrounds, there are no bad campsite options. No open fires are allowed anywhere in the park. You may use compressed gas BBQs on the beach or at the campground.

Address: 8471 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips

• • • 60 sites (tents + RVs ≤30 ft)’
    • All sites ocean-view – bluff elevation 50–100 ft’
    • Flush toilets + coin showers ($2/3 min)’
    • 3.5-mile trail to beach & historic district
    • Gas BBQs only – no open fires
    • Book 6 months ahead – fills in <5 min at 8 AM PST’
    • Best sites: 1–10 (sunset views), 50–60 (most privacy)’
    • Pack propane stove – no firewood sales on-site’
    • Hike early: 7 AM, low-tide access to hidden coves’

Doheny State Beach – Surfing Mecca next to Dana Point Harbor

Doheny State Beach is next to Dana Point Harbor in South Orange County. Some of the campsites at Doheny are directly on the beach. There are 16 RV campsites only. To balance the campsites, you can use a tent, a pop-up trailer, or the back seat of your car. There is also a separate group tent site at the far end of the campground.

Address: 25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629 | Reservations
Highlights & Pro Tips

• • • Surf museum on-site.
    • Sites 1–16 oceanfront.
    • Dana Point Harbor is within walking distance.
    • Bike path to San Clemente.
    • Train noise can be annoying.

San Clemente State Beach – Bluff-top With Some Ocean-View Sites

San Clemente State Beach has 160 bluff-top campsites. Most sites do not have a beach view. However, campsites 57-72 have a partial ocean view. A paved trail leads down to the wide sandy beach. The park’s visitor center is the original 1934 ranger’s Cottage. Open most weekends. The visitor center has interesting historical photos and information on native animals and plant life.

Address: 225 Avenida Calafia, San Clemente, CA 92672 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips

• • • Sites 57–72, partial ocean view
    • Best sites: 60–65 (corner views, less wind)
    • Historic Ranger Cottage is a Museum
    • Nearby San Clemente Pier and Trestles Beach.
    • 160 sites (tents + RVs ≤40 ft),
    • 1-mile paved trail to beach (ADA-accessible),
    • Book 6 months at 8 AM – view sites gone in <10 min,
    • Pack binoculars – whale highway Dec–April,
    • Surf check: Trestles, 5 miles north,

San Diego County Beach Camping

San Onofre State Beach – Surfing Legend with Bluffs & Inland Sites.

San Onofre State Beach features 3,000 acres of Southern California coastline between San Clemente and Camp Pendleton. The park includes San Onofre Bluffs, San Onofre Surf Beach, and San Mateo Campground. San Onofre Bluffs stretches along Old Highway 101, offering day-use parking and camping. San Mateo Campground is about 1.5 miles inland from the beach. A trail connects the campground to Trestles Beach, a world-class surfing site. Basilone Road exit off I-5, San Clemente, California.
Address: Basilone Rd exit, I-5, San Clemente, CA 92672 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips

• • • Trestles trail (1.5 miles)
    • Sites 1–50 oceanfront bluffs
    • Campsites are on paved parking lots.
    • Steep trails to the beach.
    • Minimal privacy
    • Summer: sites are packed

South Carlsbad State Beach – Bluff-top with Steep Stairs—220+ sites.

South Carlsbad State Beach is between Highway 101 and the Pacific Ocean. There are over 200 campsites here, half of which are premium sites with ocean views. Several stairs lead down to the beach, but they are relatively steep. Every location has a picnic table and a fire ring. A hedge on one side of the site offers some privacy. However, the spaces are close together. The beach here is rocky, with very little sand to play on.

Address: 7201 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008 | Reservations

• • • Highlights & Pro Tips
    • Sites 1–110 ocean view.
    • Nearby dining options.
    • Hedge for privacy.
    • Beach access via steep staircase..

San Elijo State Beach- Cardiff’s Iconic Bluff Camping—170 sites

San Elijo State Beach offers bluff-top camping, with about half of the 170 campsites having uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean. Campsite assignments are made upon your arrival unless you reserve a specific site. Peak-season reservations are necessary, but you should not have problems getting an ocean-view campsite after the busy summer.
Address: 2050 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff, CA 92007 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips

• • • Cardiff Reef surf break – longboard heaven.
    • Snack shop + taco stand.
    • Beach Access via stairway.
    • Book 6 months at 8 AM PST – oceanfront gone in <3 Min.
    • Best sites: 100–120 (center bluff, reef views).
    • Bring reef booties – rocky entry at low tide.
    • Sunrise hack: Site 110 = first light over water.

Silver Strand State Beach – Bay + Ocean Beach Camping—136 RV sites

Silver Strand State Beach is on the sand strip that separates San Diego Bay from the Pacific Ocean. It is San Diego’s most popular place for beach camping. Silver Strand features 136 campsites for self-contained vehicles only. Camping is only in lot #4 in the north. Spaces 041 to 061 and 081 to 095 are right on the beach.

Address: 5000 Hwy 75, Coronado, CA 92118 | Reservations

Highlights & Pro Tips

• • • 136 RV-only sites (self-contained, full hookups),
    • Sites 041–061 & 081–095 = direct beachfront,
    • Bay side: calm swimming, paddleboarding,
    • 10-mile bike path to Coronado Bridge & Hotel del Coronado,
    • Book 6 months out – prime beachfront sells out in minutes,
    • Best sites: 050–055 (center beach, closest to showers),
    • Bring bikes – flat path, no cars,
    • Sunset bonus: Watch Navy ships glide past on the bay side,

Oceanside Harbor – Budget RV Dry Camping—First-come, First-served

Camping is allowed year-round in Harbor Beach’s Parking Lot 11B, while in Parking Lot 12, it is permitted only from mid-September to mid-May. 15. The parking fees vary depending on the season and average $30.00 to $35.00 daily. A reservation is not required, and the camping arrangement is on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping is allowed for a maximum of 5 nights within any 30 days. Pop-outs, slide-outs, awnings, and tents are strictly prohibited. Barbeques and stoves are not permitted in parking lots, landscaped areas, or sidewalks, but can be used on the beach. Also, no portable fire pits are allowed.
Address: Harbor Dr, Oceanside, CA 92054 | Info

Highlights & Pro Tips

• • • Camping is allowed for up to 5 nights.
    • No portable fire pits are permitted.
    • Camp sites are on a paved parking lot.
    • Steps to the beach.
    • Walk to Harbor Pelican Deli Mart and Fish Market

Roberts Cottages Oceanside (Glamping)

Roberts Cottages are on the strand, only steps to Oceanside’s vast sandy beach. These are primarily one-bedroom cottages built in 1924 as vacation homes. Today, many of these unique beach cottages can be rented. While not cheap, the location is breathtaking, and the average price is $1500 per week during the summer. Oceanside is midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, making it an excellent family vacation destination. Roberts Cottages reservations.
Highlights & Pro Tips

• • • $1,500+/week summer
    • BBQ + beach chairs provided
    • Midway between Los Angeles and San Diego.
    • Oceanside Harbor and Pier are an easy walk.
    • Every Cottage has an Ocean View.

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