Where Can I Rent A 4
4-person camping tent rentals available via Cloud of Goods in San Diego now. We have a range of 4-person camping tent rental models from popular brands to fit to your needs. Simply make a reservation online on CloudofGoods.com and one of our local rental shop partners in San Diego will meet you with your San Diego4-person camping tent rental.
Drive Time: 45 Minutes
Its probably no surprise that the first killer camp spot on our list is a beautiful beachside campground. Less than an hour outside of San Diego, San Elijo State Beach Campground is something straight out of a Cali surfers dream, where you can park your car or van, hop out, and hit the waves.
But if you think this campsites only for serious surfers, think again. San Elijo is a great family beach too, with its mellow breaks and shallow water near the shore.
Theres also boogie board and stand up paddle board rentals, showers on site, and family activities so not everyone in your family has to be subject to the beach bum life .
This is a popular spot, but if youre lucky and reserve early, some campsites offer incredible views of the sunset over the coastline. Regardless, all sites come with a picnic table and fire pit, so you can top off an amazing day at the beach with a round of smores and campfire stories.
Best Free Camping Near San Diego
Free camping near the city is possible to find, but prepare to do a little extra planning if you want to snag free tent sites.
Often, an outdoor enthusiast looking for free camping will search for land thats administered by the Bureau of Land Management .
Unfortunately, San Diego doesnt have a lot of BLM land nearby, just the McCain Valley Resource Conservation Area where dispersed camping isnt even allowed.
With that said, the Cottonwood Campground is only $6/person, if youre willing to go for cheap instead of free.
One of the best areas near San Diego for dispersed camping is Cleveland National Forest.
You can camp for free at Corte Madera Mountain, which is a strenuous hike in, and Pine Creek Road, which allows for car camping.
Otherwise, if youre looking for more dispersed camping in San Diego County check out Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which has eight primitive campgrounds. These primitive campgrounds also have the luxury of pit toilets .
These are the eight campgrounds that allow dispersed camping at the state park:
Get your FREE California Travel Planner including printable checklists and my favorite two-week itinerary for the state.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Meredith Dennis
Looking for more San Diego travel and California camping inspiration? Check out these related posts below!
You May Like: Free Camping With Discover Pass
Best Camp Spots An Hour From San Diego
in Camping / by Roofnest Team
When most people think of San Diego, they think of palm trees and beaches of petting giraffes at the San Diego Zoo and shopping in La Jolla. But the San Diego area is also home to an incredibly dynamic landscape that offers an escape for every type of outdoor enthusiast.
Fly fishing, kayaking, standup paddle boarding and of course surfing can be found within an hours drive of this bustling city. And from hiking the 5-peak challenge to tearing up the trails on your mountain bike at Mission Trails Regional Park, adventure addicts are in good hands in southern California.
But we cant forget our most prized way to spend time outdoors sleeping under the stars with our favorite people. And with year-round temperate weather, nature lovers would be remiss not to take advantage of the incredible camp spots around San Diego County.
With a population of almost 1.5 million, the last way you want to kick off your camp trip is with a bumper-to-bumper slog down the highway. Thats why weve put together a list of our favorite local tent camping spots that are less than two hours away from the heart of San Diego.
Dont Miss: First Come First Serve Camping Utah
Jalama Beach County Park
Jalama Beach County Park is one of Californias best places to camp on the beach. With 100 ocean view campsites and seven comfortable cottages. Jalama Beach is north of Santa Barbara, just south of Vandenberg Air Force Base. This campground is the most secluded on our list, so be sure to bring along everything you need.
A small restaurant and a store on-site serve up the famous Jalama burger, but thats the only service available. This Santa Barbara County park and campground address are 9999 Jalama Road, Lompoc, California.
You May Like: View From My Seat Camping World Stadium
South Carlsbad State Beach Campground
Why its worth camping at: Amazing beach access and warm, sunny water.Address: 7201 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008Phone number: 438-3143Cost: $35-$50/night .Amenities: Flush toilets, picnic table, fire ring, pay showers, general store, RVs and campers up to 35 ft, RV hook-ups, dump station, and campfire programs.
If youre looking to experience a stereotypical Southern California beach vacation full of sunbathers and surfers look no further than South Carlsbad State Beach Campground.
As the name suggests, the South Carlsbad State Beach Campground offers beautiful beach camping near San Diego.
Located at the impressive South Carlsbad State Beach, the campground is 30 minutes from downtown San Diego.
South Carlsbad State Beach is known for its wide, sandy beaches and warm water, and is a popular spot for families and surfers.
The state beach is three miles from the town of Carlsbad, CA .
The campground offers all the basic amenities youd expect, including flush toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, but can also accommodate RVs and campers up to 35 feet. As a bonus, there are staff-guided campfire programs as well.
Note: while dogs are allowed in the campground, they arent allowed on any of the state beaches.
Why its worth camping at: Stunning ocean views and water sports.Address: 5000 Hwy 75, Coronado, CA 92118Phone number: 435-5184Cost: $50/night , $65/night .Amenities: Picnic table, fire ring, electric and water hookups, and dump station.
Rv And Camping Gear In Demand
Three peer-to-peer rental marketplaces specialize in recreational vehicles: Outdoorsy, RVshare and RVnGo. All three allow RV and trailer owners to sign up free of charge and set their own rental rates. When your vehicle is rented, owners generally pay a commission to the site in exchange for providing the marketing platform and collecting payment from the renter.
Over the last three months, bookings have jumped 4,300% at Outdoorsy, the company says. RVshare reported an 81% rise in Fourth of July reservations.
Travelers are choosing the freedom and inherent safety of social distancing in a fully self-contained rig in pursuit of outdoor adventures, said David Kosofsky, co-founder of GoRVRentals, a site that helps people find local RVs, pop-ups and trailers.Not all campers require an RV. And several sites, including Loanables, RentNotBuy and FriendWithA, will help you rent out simpler camping equipment such as sleeping bags, tents, lanterns and camp tables.
You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Bees Camping
Roofnesting In Southern California
Wherever your wanderlust takes you, theres nothing like pulling up to your camp spot and popping open your roof top tent in a few seconds. Less setup time means more time for surfing and hiking for telling stories and making friends in the great outdoors. And to us, that extra time in nature is a priceless reward.
But dont just take our word for it. A member of our Roofnest Flock, Penny Sprague, can tell you all about her adventures across Southern California with her roof top tent.
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Paso Picacho Campground
Location: 13652 Highway 79, Julian, CA 92036
Take the quick 45-minute drive from San Diego for a weekend getaway among the oak trees at 5,000 feet means cool air, waterfalls, wildlife, and 100 miles of terrific hiking trails.
Paso Picacho Campground offers 80 sites. They have a maximum trailer length of 30 feet.
The campground has fire rings, picnic tables, and a water spigot at each campsite, along with a scattering of flush toilets and coin-operated showers. There is a dump station within the campground.
For those who want a little more privacy, try reserving sites 6 or 7 since they are off farther to themselves.
Those who are new to camping, just testing it out, or lack the equipment, reserve a park cabin.
These 12x 12 cabins have bunk beds, a wood stove, a fire ring, and a picnic table. Campers can purchase wood and ice from the camp host.
Pets are welcome in the campground but are not permitted on the trails or left alone at the campsite.
The park rangers offer various interpretive programs that you will want to take part in throughout the summer. The 2-mile hike to Stonewall Peak or the 3.5-mile hike to Cuyamaca Peak are camper favorites and offer breathtaking views of Lake Cuyamaca, the surrounding desert, and the Pacific coastline.
After a day of hiking, head into Julian to the to try out one of their apple pies.
Read Also: Free Camping Near Coos Bay Oregon
Hoffmaster State Park: Muskegon Michigan
With three miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, there’s a lot to see and do on this popular campground. It has massive grounds 297 sites in all with tons of beautiful views, hiking trails, and even skiing trails. Even though the area seems secluded, visitors noted that you can take a short trip into a nearby town or even to a local brewery. Camping fees range between $25 and $37 per night. More information can be found on the Pure Michigan website.
Your Convenience Is Our Priority
When you Rent an RV from us you can rest assured that we will provide the convenience and comfort you need for a perfect vacation.
The following items are available upon request, some comes at no additional cost and some other provided for a small fee that helps with the cost of maximizing hygiene for you and your loved onesâ:
- Kitchen: pots, pans, cooking utensils, coffee pot, silverware, dishware, drinking cups, kitchen towel and coffee mugs.
- Linens, bedding, blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and large towels for shower use only.
- Cleaning supplies that will assist on keeping the trailer clean and have what is necessary to return it to us as clean as provided.
- Outdoor rug, outdoor table and 2 camping chairs
- Restroom hand towel and TP.
We firmly believe that our customers should sleep like a rockandwake up fully restedâ¦
This is why we have upgraded most of our RVs mattresses with 3â³ memory foam toppers, high thread count on all our linens as well as mid firm pillows.
Hygiene is our TOP PRIORITY!!
REVIEWS
Also Check: National Park Service Rv Camping
Read Also: Camping Near St Mary’s Glacier
Where Can You Camp For Free In San Diego
Most dispersed BLM camping near San Diego is free, but some campsites do require a fee, and Leave No Trace principles always apply. Cleveland National Forest allows permitted, dispersed camping, and within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park near , Fish Creek and Blair Valley Campground are popular primitive camping spots.
Hearst San Simeon State Park
Along the central California coast, media mogul William Randolph Hearst built an American icon, Hearst Castle. Set on a bluff above the Pacific Ocean, its now a state park. This park boasts over 20 miles of beaches.
Head to the Elephant Seal Boardwalk to see a large rookery from a boardwalk. Located along Highway 1, 5 miles north of Hearst Castle Rd. and free.
San Simeon Creek Campground offers tent and RV sites without hook-ups for $35. The RV size limit for all campsites is 35 feet. The Washburn Campground features primitive sites for $20.
Both campgrounds are located next to each other and the entrance at 5000 San Simeon-Monterey Creek Rd. in Cambria.
Nearby: The Hearst Castle requires a separate timed ticket available online or at the Visitor Center at 750 Hearst Castle Rd.
Notes
Don’t Miss: Free Rv Camping In Florida
Campland On Mission Bay In San Diego
Campland is a privately-owned campground on the northern shore of Mission Bay in San Diego. Its great for families as the kids can play in the water without fear of big waves and rip currents. It also means there are more water-based activities for everyone to enjoy.
Other beach camping options are available in Orange County and the rest of Southern California.
If the campgrounds are full and you still want to enjoy an outdoors setting then consider glamping in California.
Sunset Vista Rv Park Huntington Beach
Sunset Vista 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 is within walking distance, including the Pacific Ocean.
The downside is it can get very noisy, and there are a ton of fire rings on the beach, and depending on the wind, you will get a lot of smoke in the evenings. 103 Pacific Coast Hwy Huntington Beach, CA 92648. website. Their website is in dire need of an upgrade.
Recommended Reading: Good Camping Spots In Florida
San Elijo State Beach
A short half-hour drive north, the San Elijo State Beach campground sits on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. You can watch beach volleyball or check out the surf without leaving your tent. The campground welcomes tents and RVs, and provides picnic tables, flush toilets, and a gift shop. Plus, youre only a short walk from all kinds of fun beachside activities.
This spot is awesome. Especially if you score some good surf. The facilities are always clean. All types of camping are welcome here. The sunsets are out of this world and the beach is clean. My tip is to book way ahead in advance.Luke M.
The Best Beach Camping Grounds In San Diego
San Diego, situated on Californias Pacific coast, is one of the ideal spots for campers because of its golden sand beaches located by the serene green seas, flooded with an infinite amount of sunshine most of the time. Most of the locations possess all the required amenities for RV as well as tent campers, helping to make their stay a comfortable and fulfilling one.
Recommended Reading: 11 Mile State Park Camping
Bird Island Basin: Padre Island National Seashore Texas
Windsurfers and kayakers have definitely found a little bit of paradise on this little campground. It’s also amazing for people who love to fish or observe bird life it is called Bird Island, after all. Camping fees are $8, or $4 for seniors. There is a communal fire pit, though grilling is also permitted unless otherwise noted. One thing to remember: It’s dry camping only, which means no electricity or running water, though there are showers available. Information on making a reservation can be found on the National Park Service website.
Mission Bay Rv Resort
Why its worth camping at: Campsites are located right on the water and its very dog-friendly.Address: 2727 De Anza Rd, San Diego, CA 92109Phone number: 219-6900Cost: $110-$145/night , $140-$175/night , and $205-$225/night .Amenities: Restrooms, showers, recreation lounge, watersports rentals, and access to the amenities at Campland on the Bay .
Mission Bay RV Resort is located right next to De Anza Cove Public Beach and offers RV camping as well as boat mooring.
The beachfront offers paved walking and biking trails, as well as watersports rentals during the summer.
If youre looking for dog-friendly camping in San Diego, this is a good option because youll have access to the off-leash dog park at Campland on the Bay.
The campground accepts class A, B, and C motorhomes, travel trailers, and 5th wheel trailers, as well as smaller teardrop campers.
Their fee schedule is tiered based on weekdays vs weekends and includes five different options based on proximity to the water and size of the site.
Ive included their summer rates above, but their winter rates are about $30 lower for each category.
You May Like: Camping World Of Tallahassee Midway Fl
Newport Dunes Luxury Beach Camping
Newport Dunes Resort provides the perfect home away from home for guests to have fun in 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 dont need an RV to stay here. There are plenty of overnight options, including tent camping and cottage rentals. Newport 1131 Back Bay Dr, Newport Beach, California.
Stone Creek Campground And Idyllwild Campground
Why its worth camping at: Mount San Jacinto offers a stunning wilderness to explore.Address: 2118 CA-234, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA 92549 25905 CA-243, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA 92549 .Phone number: 659-2607Cost: $25/night , $35/night , and $45/night Amenities: Picnic tables, fire ring, barbeques, amphitheater, pit toilets , flush toilets , electric hookups, RVs up to 24 feet, full hookups , and showers .
Mount San Jacinto State Park has two developed campgrounds within about five miles of one another.
To give you an idea of location, Idyllwild Campground and Stone Creek Campground are two hours northeast of San Diego, off Highway 243 near Palm Springs.
Idyllwild is the more developed of the two campgrounds and includes showers, flush toilets, and full RV hookups. It has 28 tent and RV sites and is frequented by Pacific Crest Trail hikers.
Stone Creek Campground has 44 sites and is a bit more primitive, but still has vault toilets and potable water, along with standard campground amenities like picnic tables and fire rings.
Both campgrounds follow the same fee schedule.
Reservations for either campground can be made here.
You May Like: Birch Bay State Park Camping