Camping on California’s 840 miles of biodiverse coastline offers the chance to have an unforgettable road trip without breaking the bank. Choose your spot – from rugged and untamed in California’s north to moderate climates, desert flowers, and the dreamiest sunsets in the south.
Wherever you land, you’ll pitch up and sleep under the stars to the sound of crashing waves. However, it’s essential to plan your sleepovers wisely – camping on California’s coast is popular, and places often fill up months in advance.
For Miles of Empty Golden Sand, Head to Silver Strand State Beach in Coronado
The southernmost beach-camping spot in California is also the warmest on this list. The deserted Silver Strand State Beach offers 10 miles of golden sand and uncrowded waves to surf. Located just 20 minutes from the Mexican border and a short drive from central San Diego, it provides a peaceful escape.
While primarily beach and ocean surrounds you, major city attractions are within driving distance. Dine with San Diego’s elite in nearby Coronado, which boasts numerous excellent restaurants.
At Silver Strand, RVs only are permitted; tents are not allowed. There are more than 100 campsites available, featuring restrooms, picnic tables, fire rings, potable water, a dump station, and electric hookups.
Top tip: Plan well in advance by contacting the California Department of Parks and Recreation to secure your spot.
Admire Soaring Views of the Pacific Ocean at San Elijo State Beach Campground
Surfers appreciate this tidy campground located atop the cliff above San Elijo State Beach, featuring stair access to the sandy shore. It’s situated just 1 mile south of the famous Swami’s surf break, known for inspiring the song “Surfin’ USA” by the Beach Boys. Nearby Encinitas embodies a relaxed Southern California surf town atmosphere, complete with meditation gardens, burrito shacks, juice bars, and vegan cafes.
Tent and RV camping is available at San Elijo State Beach Campground, with large dirt pitches separated by trees. Facilities include bathrooms with flush toilets, piped water, a camp store, and fire rings.
Top Tip: Reservations can be made up to six months ahead through California Parks; dogs are welcomed on leashes.
Surf at Dawn After Sleeping on the Beach at San Mateo Campground
While not strictly on the beach, this secluded campground is located a bit inland from the renowned San Onofre State Beach and Trestles – considered by many as the best surf spot globally.
A nature trail of 1.5 miles connects campers to the classic point break, which boasts peeling left and right-hand waves and easy paddle-outs. In addition to surfing, enjoy rugged bluff-top walking trails and wildlife spotting (keep an eye out for pelicans and migratory waterfowl) and ample swimming opportunities along the three-mile stretch of beach.
San Mateo Campground features over 150 pitches equipped with fire pits, barbecues, and picnic tables. Additional amenities include water supply, restrooms (with showers and flush toilets), and laundry facilities, with some sites offering electric hookups. A camp store sells essentials, and there’s a dump station for waste management. Reservations through California Parks are recommended.
Hike, Scuba Dive, and Snorkel at Crystal Cove State Park
Located north of Laguna Beach on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Crystal Cove State Park Campground emphasizes lower-impact or basic tent camping.
With easy access to the nearby Crystal Cove, this area includes a vast underwater park featuring outstanding scuba diving and snorkeling – watch for the two historic anchors from the 1800s and remnants of a Navy plane that crashed in the 1940s. Moreover, the state park spans 2,400 acres of undeveloped woodland filled with fascinating desert plants.
Facilities include bathrooms and showers, with a limited number of RV hookups. Please note that campfires are not allowed in the area. More seasoned campers can opt for the ‘primitive’ campsites (lacking drinking water or showers) accessible via a three-mile hike from the parking lot.
Reservations can be made via ReserveCalifornia.com; park-entry fees apply, and permits are necessary for overnight camping.
Families and Wildlife Enthusiasts Will Love Carpinteria State Beach Campground
Renowned as one of Southern California’s most popular family camping spots, Carpinteria State Beach Campground features over 150 plots facing tranquil waters. Children can splash around under the watchful eyes of lifeguards, explore tide pools, and observe harbor seals and sea lions lounging on the sand. The Tomol Interpretive Play Area is just a few minutes’ walk inland, and don’t miss the mile-long bluff-top hike offering stunning ocean vistas.
Flush toilets, multiple hookups, hot showers, picnic tables, and barbecue grills are available at the campsite, ensuring a comfortable stay for all.
Enjoy Your Solitude at Gaviota State Park Campground
Found in the wild and pristine Gaviota State Park, this campground offers around 40 pitches nestled beneath a striking old railroad trestle. Trails lead down to the beach and adjacent pier (a popular fishing spot) as well as up to the Gaviota Wind Caves—bizarre sandstone formations with unique twists and turns, situated just a mile away.
Campers can also embark on a hike to the summit of Gaviota Peak for breathtaking panoramic cliff views overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Keep an eye out for mountain lions in the area.
Camping pitches come with fire rings and picnic tables. Facilities include toilets, showers, and drinking water. Both tents and RVs are welcome, although electric hookups are not available.
Bring Your Dog Along to Jalama Beach County Park Campground
Located between Santa Barbara and Pismo Beach, at the end of a winding road, Jalama Beach County Park features over 100 campsites available for tents, trailers, and RVs, all offering ocean views to the west and mountains to the east.
Hikes around the area wind along dramatic cliffs, making it a prime location for whale spotting during migration seasons while kite-boarders enjoy the powerful winds.
Many of the neat pitches are bordered by privacy hedges, each equipped with a picnic table and barbecue pit. Additionally, seven cabins are available for early planners, alongside electric hookups, hot showers, restrooms, and potable water. Dogs are welcomed here too. For good hearty meals, the Jalama Beach Store and Grill serves tasty clam chowder and delectable homemade apple pie while stocking most essentials you may have forgotten.
For more information, visit countyofsb.org.
Camp Next to a Private Waterfall at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Campground
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Campground has just two camp spots, both offering stunning views above the iconic 80ft-tall McWay Falls, cascading directly into the azure Pacific Ocean below. This stop is a must-see on any Big Sur Coast or Highway 1 road trip, allowing campers to relish the tranquility once day visitors depart.
It requires a half-mile hike through lush tropical forests and towering 300ft redwoods to reach these environmental pitches, where fire rings, picnic tables, and restrooms are available, though water and firewood must be brought by campers.
For reservations, visit ReserveCalifornia.
For a Last-Minute Hook-Up, Try Pillar Point RV Park
Located just 20 miles south of San Francisco, Pillar Point RV Park does not accept reservations for its 49 sites, allowing RV travelers to arrive and see if there’s an available spot.
The primary attraction here is Mavericks – a colossal wave reaching heights comparable to an apartment building. Adventurous surfers train their entire lives to ride these towering waves, while onlookers find watching the spectacle equally exhilarating. However, camping spaces become scarce when Mavericks is “on.”
This beautiful camping spot offers more than just surfing; explore nearby activities such as wine tasting, fishing, or enjoying a 6-mile walking and biking trail adjacent to the campsite, as well as boating options at the nearby marina where you can purchase the catch of the day.
RV facilities include electricity and water hookups, complimentary cable TV, and WiFi, though campers must arrive with fully functioning toilets as there are no restrooms, showers, or laundry facilities on-site.
Shipman Creek Campsite: An Off-Grid Camping Adventure
The wilderness camping spots along California’s Lost Coast Trail offer a challenging adventure not meant for the faint of heart; accessible only on foot via a vigorous hike along rugged beaches and coastal landscapes. The entire trail spans 25 miles, requiring approximately three days in the wild while carrying all essential food and equipment.
Those who embark on this journey will be rewarded with awe-inspiring mountain views, wildflower meadows, ancient redwood forests, and thrilling rivers and tides to navigate. It’s crucial to bring a tide table to avoid getting trapped or swept out to sea, and watch for sea lions and Roosevelt elk along your trek.
At the beach-side Shipman Creek campsite, facilities are nonexistent, but camping is free with a backcountry permit.
How to Get There: The Lost Coast Trail begins near the mouth of the Mattole River at Mattole Beach, which features a parking lot, car campground, potable water, and pit toilets. The trail concludes at Black Sands Beach, starting at Mattole Beach at 3750 Lighthouse Rd, Petrolia. Permits are essential.
Steep Ravine Beach: Hot Springs and Cabins
Located an hour north of central San Francisco, Steep Ravine Beach features a cluster of primitive cabins without running water, electricity, or plumbing, all offering stunning views over the Pacific Ocean and a small rocky beach.
This spot is ideal for individuals looking to disconnect from the world and enjoy the hidden Steep Ravine Hot Springs at low tide. Additionally, a clothing-optional bathing grotto maintained by locals exists nearby.
Reservations are available through ReserveCalifornia.
