Camping on the Beach in California

“A road trip along the Californian coast of the USA is synonymous with freedom, adventure, and discovery”

 

There is no doubt that there is nothing better than camping to enjoy this wild nature and these magnificent landscapes.

Many people think the beaches of California are covered with condos or mansions owned by Hollywood millionaires. However, even in the middle of Los Angeles, there are plenty of places to camp along the California coast.

Today we have identified several places for you, some with a view of the ocean, others directly on the beach, all in a dreamy setting.

Here is our list of the Best Places for Beach Camping in California

The 12 Best Beach Campgrounds

1. Marina Dune RV Park

 

Marina Dune RV Park is located on a nature preserve made up of dunes, it boasts one of the best locations in Monterey Bay.

Indeed, the place, accessible directly from Highway 1, is a short drive from the picturesque towns of Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. 

There are no views of the sea from the campsite, but you can reach Monterey Bay within a short walking distance from the campground.

 There are many facilities on the campsite. You can easily find a restaurant, an exercise room, an outdoor patio with a barbecue area, playgrounds, and a laundry room.

Bring a blanket and a picnic and take in the beauty of the US West Coast sunsets. 

2. San Elijo State Beach Campground

 

San Elijo State Beach is one of the best places for beach camping in California, especially for surfing enthusiasts, and also it is well known for swimming, snorkelling & picnics. The campground is located by the sea, about a 30-minute drive north of San Diego, and the campground stretches along a cliff overlooking the ocean. 

Stairs lead to the beach, popular with surfers, divers, and fishermen, and the beach environment is very camping friendly. 

A small store with convenience items and a fast-food-type restaurant is open from April to October.

Beach Reservations open six months in advance. If you already know your dates, we suggest you book as soon as possible. 

 3. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground

 

A campsite is in the heart of an old redwood forest. It is a magical and beautiful place located on the California coast in the famous Big Sur region, the campground is part of a state park nicknamed mini Yosemite.

It does not have a view or direct access to the sea but has an equally majestic setting.

The Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground is set on the banks of the Big Sur River in a forest of giant redwoods, oaks, and century-old maples.

On-site, you can practice several activities, such as hiking, cycling, or swimming in the river. In short, a small paradise for nature lovers. And this does offer a good variety of Junior Ranger activities in the hot season (from June to August).

And if you miss the sea too much, go for a walk on Pfeiffer beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in California, located less than 20 minutes by vehicle.

The best time to visit Big Sur is between April and October when the weather is good. (Should be warned that the marine layer covers most of the coastline during the morning hours during high season.) Businesses are not open as long during the off-peak season.

 4. Ocean Mesa Campground at El Capitan Canyon

 

Ocean Mesa Campground is located just 20 minutes north of the charming town of Santa Barbara. Surrounded by the Los Padres National Forest, the site offers a beautiful setting with exceptional ocean views.

You can reach the nearest beach in a 15-minute walk, but if you prefer to stay in the complex, a wide range of activities are available to you: heated swimming pool, spa and massage therapy service, hiking, evening entertainment, and projection of film and even a visit to a llama farm.

Undoubtedly, you can stay there for several days, either to appreciate the beauty of the landscape or to have fun with the entertainment offered.

5. Malibu Beach RV Park

 

Malibu Beach RV Park is located 30 minutes west of Los Angeles, in the affluent resort town of Malibu, renowned for its beautiful beaches.

The campsite, on the mountainside and facing the Pacific Ocean, is spread over three levels: levels 1 and 2 only accommodate motorhomes, and the vast majority of pitches enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the sea. 

The section for tents is kept away from motorhomes on the third level. But, the benefits are just as much from the beautiful view.

On-site, you will find a small grocery store, a laundry room, an emptying station, and a toilet block with toilets and showers.

6. San Clemente State Beach Campground 

 

The park is between Los Angeles and San Diego, within the boundaries of San Clemente, a beautiful small town of Spanish heritage.

It is a place known for high winds, hence ideal for surfing. Waves in San Clemente typically reach 2 to 3 feet.

It also houses a webcam that captures live images. From it, you can see what’s happening at the beach, check the current weather, and enjoy scenic coastal views of beaches and coastal towns in California.

The campsite is set on top of a small sandstone hill very typical of the Californian coast. It offers 160 sites with picnic tables, fireplaces, and grills. About 70 sites have water and electricity. There is also an area for groups.

It is a perfect place for active people like swimming, surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking, and biking. You can also spot whales and sea lions here.

7. Cape Banco State Park Campground oregan

 

Sunset over the West Coast from Camping Beach at Cape Banco State Park

It is on the eastern tip of the state, the campground offers 52 spacious sites with water and electricity. You can enter the Cape Banco State Park through a hiking trail.

However, the campground cannot be reserved online in advance like most Californian campgrounds, It operates on a “first come, first served” basis.

The park has over 12km of hiking trails that lead to the beach, ocean viewpoints, and the 1870 Cape Blanco Lighthouse. 

All the campsites are stunning and secluded with lots of wild areas. The ocean views from the bluff, the lighthouse, the old homestead, the trail along the cliff, and the beach access are stunning.

8. Emma Wood State Beach Ventura

 

Between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, Emma Wood State Beach is another place where you can camp in front of one of the most beautiful beaches on the California coast: its brown sandy beaches and the special color of the sea are mind-blowing. It is perfect for surfing, and when you look behind, you can see the foothills of the transverse Range.

The campsite is located on a narrow strip of land sandwiched between a highway, a railway line, and the sea. It has 86 pitches and 86 parking spaces along the tarmac road, which gives access to the beach. This space is reserved entirely for self-contained RVs. So there is no service other than dry latrines and nearby fire “pits” in round stones.

If you’re travelling with multi-RV friends, you can head to the Ventura River Group Campground at the park’s south end. It can accommodate 20 recreational vehicles and up to 50 people. There is also a small “en route” section that accommodates late travellers (and early departures the next day).

In the summer, reservations are required, but for the rest of the year, it operates on a first-come-first-served basis.

9. Manchester Beach KOA 

 

Manchester Beach KOA is one of the scenic beaches of Manchester. It is easily accessible (a 20-minute walk or short drive) to the ocean.

The campsite is set in a shady copse of coastal pines near Manchester Beach State Park. You can find local attractions such as coastal scenery and beaches, majestic redwoods with beautiful birds, the quaint village of Mendocino, Point Arena and Point Cabrillo historic Lighthouses, and Anderson Valley Wine Country at this KOA.

 So this place is known as the hidden treasure of the Pacific Coast Highway.

This place has everything for camping, such as a pétanque court, swimming pool, family activities, recreation room, general store, etc. 

What is KOA? KOA means Kampgrounds of America. There are more than 500 KOA campgrounds in the US and Canada, making it the largest private campground network in the world.

10. Leo Carrillo State Park Campground

 

The Leo Carrillo State Park is located between Malibu and Ventura on the iconic Pacific Coast Highway or PCH (often called Highway 1), one of the most beautiful roads in the American West.

The campsite, established in the middle of giant sycamores, has 135 sites, all equipped with a picnic table and a ring to make a fire. 

Leo Carrillo State Park has several miles of beach (accessible on foot from the campsite) for swimming, surfing, fishing, and even whale watching.

The campsite is also the starting point for several hikes, including the Nicholas Flat hike, which winds through wildflowers and various plant species to a seasonal pond.

Reservations are best from May to October and during the holiday season.

11. Kirk Creek Campground

 

campsite overlooking the ocean on the west coast of the USA

All sites enjoy stunning ocean views. 

Kirk Creek Campground is located on the Big Sur coast, on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. All the grounds enjoy an exceptional view which is even more sublime at sunrise and sunset. But the campground has no water and electricity facilities.

Campers visiting in winter will have every chance of spotting whales from their location since they migrate along the coast between November and February.

From the campsite, a short path will lead you to a rocky beach. In addition, you can also get to Sand Dollar Beach in a few minutes by car, which is the largest sandy beach on Big Sur.

12. Sunset Bay State Park

 

As its name suggests, the park is one of the Best Places for Beach Camping in California to see stunning views of the sunrise.

If you want to experience some of the best scenery on the coast, Sunset Bay State Park is worth a visit. Featuring nearly 400 acres of beautiful sandy beaches, along with towering sea cliffs, it is the perfect place to spend the day outdoors in the fresh air.

It is a great place to swim, fish, or boat, and you can walk along the route’s extensive network of hiking trails when finishing them. Also, allow you to take in untouched coastal forests, seasonal wildflowers, and mountain peaks.

Reservations at Sunset Bay State Park open six months in advance. Make sure to read the information carefully when choosing the size of your place. It should match the size of your rental motorhome.

13. Pismo State Beach Oceano Campground

 

Pismo Beach is a destination that many people love to visit. It is located on the California coast between Los Angeles and San Francisco, a great place to stop while boondocking, especially if you have a surfboard in your luggage.

You can easily find a place to stay in the campground, which is full of scenic beaches and mountains.

It is also a wide beach, and vehicles, including RVs, motorcycles, and ATVs are allowed within the Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area (DSVA).

Until recently, you could spend the night at Oceano Dunes SVRA for free. Today, you can still camp on the sands of this extraordinary beach – without service, it goes without saying – but there are costs, and you have to book in advance,

The Campground has 103 sites that can accommodate RVs up to 36 feet. There are no pitches directly on the beach, but the sea is very close at the end of a path through the mountains.

There are many activities to do in the surrounding area. These include Pismo Beach swimming, horseback riding, fishing, surfing, wildlife viewing, and birdwatching. Also, interesting is the unique Bubblegum Alley, Pismo Pier, Dinosaur Caves Park, Margo Dodd Park, etc.

If you happen to be in Pismo between October and February, you can also visit the Monarch Butterfly Garden, where thousands of butterflies migrate to Mexico. Otherwise, the town of Pismo and its cafes, restaurants, and surf shops.

Can you camp for free on the beach in California?

 

Yes, you can pitch a tent in some places in California for free, thanks to the Bureau of Land Management and National Forests’ dispersed campgrounds.

But because dispersed camping sites don’t have amenities like restrooms, fire pits, trash cans, or picnic tables, be sure to pack everything you might need.

That is,

• • Camping lanterns (rechargeable is best)

• • Water bottles and water filters

• • Sleeping bags.

• • Sleeping pads.

• • Camping pillows

• • Camp chairs and tables

• • Map and Compass (Or a charged GPS) …

• • Weather-Appropriate Clothing and Rain Gear

• • Headlamps or flashlights (with extra batteries)

• • Self-defence kits – (tire repair kit, first aid, knife, travel lighter, whistle, etc.).

Also, there are few places to camp in California, so you should get there early. And camping is best done with a 4-wheel drive vehicle or a highly equipped RV, as it is often off the main roads.

It’s always a good idea to ask a local security guard about the special regulations in your chosen location.

For example, some areas may have open fire restrictions. Most states and cities in California only allow you to burn fires during certain times, especially due to the risk of wildfires.

Here are some of the Best Free / Dispersed Campsites in California

• • Alabama Hills

• • Painted Canyon

• • Seal Beach

• • Prewitt Ridge

• • Owens River Road

• • Hope Valley

• • American Girl Mine

• • Furnace Creek Road

• • Carrizo Plain

• • Keysville SRMA

• • Lava Beds Road

Can you park an RV at the beach in California?

 

Californian beach campgrounds (as well as campgrounds in national parks) can be reserved online. Moreover, all park campgrounds are managed collectively at www.recreation.gov, which is very convenient.

The problem, however, is that popular parks and campgrounds fill up quickly. It is hard to secure a tent site, especially during the summer holidays. For example, one campground at San Elijo State Beach Campground accepts reservations five months in advance but sells out within minutes of reservations opening.

Some campgrounds do not have reservations and operate on a first-come, first-served basis on the day (Ex . Cape Banco State Park Campground).

Also, most beach campgrounds are far from major cities, so if you don’t have a place to stay, you’ll be a little lost. Therefore, it is wise to take an RV.

In most California beaches, RV parking is prohibited by law in the beach area. Unlike the East Coast, most oceanfront RV campgrounds are privately owned.

But some beaches have RV campsites, and You can park your RV there for a fee. Some RV parks have tent camping and RV hookups.

California also has RV-friendly campgrounds that must be reserved in advance.