Southern California Beach Camping Reservations

Sunset Vista Rv Park Huntington Beach

Sunset Vista RV Park is about a half-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.

Silver Strand State Beach

Silver Strand State Beach is on the sand strip that separates San Diego Bay from the Pacific Ocean. Silver Strand is San Diegos most popular place for beach camping. Silver Strand features 136 campsites that are for self-contained vehicles only. Camping is only in the north lot #4. Spaces 041 to 061 and 081 to 095 are right on the beach. 5000 Highway 75 Coronado, California.

Top 6 Boondocking Southern California Locations

• ByJames V.

One of the problems with boondocking in Southern California is that the majority of large cities are located in that region. That makes it especially difficult to boondock in those areas. But that region is not without places to go.

Even though there are quite a few larger cities in Southern California, there are still very good places to boondock. However, these spots may not be too close to the beach as that is where everyone goes and if you want to get away from the crowd, you should try other locations.

To learn more about these great boondocking locations, just continue to read our article. It has the pros and cons of each spot making sure you know what you are getting into. Take a few minutes to see if these locations suit your travel plans and fit in with your ultimate destinations.

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Paradise By The Sea Rv Resort

Paradise By The Sea RV Resort in Oceanside is a paradise for roadtrippers. This 90-site campground is located right next to Buccaneer Park and Beach which includes a playground, basketball court, shaded picnic area, restrooms, and beach café.

Paradise by the Sea RV Resort is one of the most popular RV parks in California. Photo by Paradise by the Sea RV Resort

You can explore nearby towns like Oceanside, Carlsbad, and Encinitas take a road trip to Snowbird visit attractions like LEGOLAND and Sea World or just surf and enjoy the southern California sun. The campground has a resort-style pool and hot tub as well as free cable TV and WiFi. Enjoy full hookups, laundry, a relaxation garden, firepit, outdoor recreation area, and rec room.

Popular Youtubers Mortons On The Move shared their review of Paradise By The Sea in this video:

California State Park Campgrounds In Los Angeles

California State Park campgrounds are mostly reserved through ReserveCalifornia.com or via phone at 800.444.7275. Most of these campgrounds are very popular they are reservable six months in advance and generally fill up shortly after bookings open. A few select campgrounds are not reservable and therefore usually have last-minute availability . It’s always worth checking on the reservations site as well, though, for last minute cancelations.

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Point Mugu State Park

Further north, Point Mugu offers 5 miles of shoreline along with beach camping in Southern California. This park is in the Santa Monica Mountains and features rocky bluffs along with river canyons.

Point Mugu offers two campgrounds, Thornhill Broome Campground on the beach can have flooding issues due to storms and tides. Sycamore Campground is across the highway from the beach. Both campgrounds dont offer RV hook-ups though you will find showers. Thornhill Broomes beach camping is $35 a night and camping in the Sycamore Campground is $45.

Located at 9000 W. Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

Westport Beach Rv Park & Campground

Take in the ocean breeze and feel the sand between your toes when you step out of your RV at the Westport Beach RV Park & Campground. Located in Westport, California, this beachfront RV park and campground has 75 full hook-up RV sites, 50 tent sites, and 5 group sites.

Westport Beach RV Park in California. Photo by Westport Beach RV Park & Campground

Enjoy strolling the private beaches, fishing, or playing in the ocean. Park amenities include a convenience store, two restroom/shower buildings, a childrens play area, horseshoe pit, volleyball court, and laundry.

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Crystal Cove State Park Laguna Beach

With 3.2 miles of ocean beach, bluffs, canyons, and historical areas to explore, Crystal Cove State Park has plenty to entertain the entire family. This historic and beautiful area is located between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach and encompasses over a thousand acres, not including a thousand acres of underwater park.

Obviously, surfing, swimming, and hiking are easy to enjoy at this beautiful park, but this location also has opportunities for horseback riding, scuba diving, skin diving, and mountain biking.

This historic site has been the backdrop for numerous movies. The buildings on site have great significance in Southern California history, making for a unique educational journey alongside the recreation.

Hike-in primitive sites are available for dry camping with pack-in pack-out rules, or Moro Campground has 57 RV campsites. Twenty-seven are for campers or RVs under 38 feet, and 30 are for tents or low impact soft-sided trailers under 25 feet. Sites are $50-$75 per night.

Restrooms with token showers are on-site, and if you want a night off from the RV, there are cottages for rent in the historic district.

Located near Ventura, California, Emma Wood State Park is 112 acres of pure nature escape.

There are no amenities besides some dumpsters and sometimes outhouses, depending on where you are. You must bring your own water and power sources.

Silver Strand State Beach Campground

Silver Strand State Beach Campground is a great location along the San Diego coast to enjoy beautiful sunsets over the Pacific and still be close to all the attractions of San Diego. Directly across the highway from the beach on San Diego Bay are the Aquatic Center and popular Crown Cove.

The campground is limited to self-contained RVs or trailers. No tent camping is allowed. Reservations are strongly recommended. The campground gate closes at night at varying times depending on the season, usually between 7 and 9 PM.

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San Clemente State Beach Campgrounds

San Clemente State Beach campgrounds are located at 225 Avenida Calafia in San Clemente. The state beach offers two campgrounds, one designated for RVs or trailers and providing them with full hook-ups. The other called the Tent Campground actually can accept small RVs, but there are no hook-ups. In addition, there are two Group Sites adjacent to the tent campground.

Visitors to San Clemente beaches enjoy fishing and sight-seeing from the San Clemente Pier, relaxing at Calafia Beach, strolling along the San Clemente Beach Trail, and surfing at spots like T Street and Toads. The visitor center has programs for Junior Rangers and Ranger Buddies.

Calafia Beach

Relax Lakeside At Bonelli Bluffs

Lakeside camping in LA county is possible at Bonelli Bluffs RV resort and campground in San Dimas, California! Our lush property is much more than a place to pull into and rest your head. It’s a community surrounded by majestic mountain views, lush landscapes, and resort-style amenities. Vacations should feel special and revitalizing – at Bonelli Bluffs, it’s easy.

We’re located just 45 minutes east of Los Angeles, at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. Here, Bonelli Bluffs offers a peaceful reprieve from city life. Come enjoy nature, relax and explore the nearby attractions in San Dimas, California. Moreover, you don’t even need to leave the campgrounds to have a good time. Our amenities include a beach-front park, two sparkling pools, outdoor fire pits, and activities galore.

While the natural beauty and views bring most visitors to Bonelli Bluffs, the nearby town of San Dimas is also highly appealing. Here, and in the nearby town of Pomona, you’ll discover fantastic restaurants, shops and plenty to see and do.

So, if you’re looking for the perfect place to bring your RV or to pitch a tent and camp, you’ve found it at Bonelli Bluffs. Moreover, we offer hundreds of sites on our 2,000 acres of meticulously preserved campgrounds for RVs and tents. Visit our RV resort in San Dimas, California, to experience the beauty for yourself.

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National Park Camping Near Los Angeles

One way to pull off a last-minute camping trip is to head for a campground that either doesn’t take reservations at all or holds back a certain number of sites for walk-ups. Almost all national parks fall into this category. If you want to be sure of securing a campsite, plan on getting there early, though. And if you don’t mind going primitive as a last resort, there are almost always a few primitive sites available somewhere in a national park.

Key San Clemente Beach Campground Regulations

Be careful when you make your reservation that your vehicles will fit within the space allowed at your site.

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San Elijo State Beach Cardiff By The Sea

This narrow, bluff-backed park is 40 miles north of San Diego between Encinitas Beach and Solana Beach. San Elijo offers camping, swimming, surfing, picnic areas, and a seasonal snack bar and store.

RVs and campers are limited to 35 feet. At the base cost, you can camp for $35/night at standard sites or $50 for oceanfront without hookups. For a premier camping experience, you can pay $60/standard with hookups or $75 premium ocean front with hookups. T

This campground is on the ocean and near town, so you can walk to shopping and food. Campers report train and road noise but beautiful views.

Located on the beach near Carlsbad, this campground is close to town amenities and attractions while still allowing camping oceanside.

There are 215 sites ranging from $35-$50 for no hookups and $60-$100 for hookup sites. There are restrooms with showers, fire rings, a dump station, and a seasonal store for necessities. The maximum RV length is 35 feet, and you can book six months in advance.

Gorgeous sunsets await you, and, of course, you can do as many water activities as you like, stroll along the sand, or bike on the boardwalk.

Finding Dispersed Camping In Southern California

This is not going to be too difficult to do or find in Southern California. If you do not know what dispersed camping entails, all the term refers to is camping outside of designated campsites. In other words, you are going to be roughing it even when you have a trailer or RV attached to your car.

The positive aspects of disperse camping are that, one, it is usually free to do, and two, you can do it usually on federal land without any issues. A third reason to do this type of camping is that you get to test your camping skills and fortitude.

The negative aspect of this style of camping is that you are basically on your own. There are no campground managers nearby to assist you if you have problems. Also, you are unprotected from many elements including wild animals and those humans who do not care to follow the law.

Also, and this can be either a good or bad aspect, you will be away from any cell phone signals. There may be weak ones but those are as bad or as good as being without a signal at all. The areas to check in Southern California would be the differentNational Parks, National Recreation Areas, and National Forests.

There are websites available that should fill you in on the rules as well as how safe these areas are. There will be fire warnings so pay special attention to those as the higher the warning the less likely you will be able to have a fire.

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Best Beach Camping In Southern California

Pack the marshmallows and the sand bucket for unforgettable beach camping in Southern California. Though make your plans early, with limited camping facilities, especially for RV beach camping, parks fill up way in advance. And theres even some cottage and retro trailers to rent for your getaway in case you dont own a tent.

Occupancy Limits And Other Rules

Campsites at Southern California beaches are for no more than eight people and two vehicles. Fires are allowed only in fire rings or camp stoves. Alcohol is allowed only in the campground, not on the beach. At most campgrounds, check-in time is 2 p.m. and checkout time is noon. Pets are allowed, but dogs must be on leashes no longer than 6 feet. Campground “quiet times” run from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

References

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What To Pack For Your Beach Camping Trip

As for any camping trip, youll want to pack your essentialstent, sleeping bag, warm clothes, and a comfy camping chairbut here are a few beach-specific items you should remember to bring with you when you camp:

• Beach blanket: Be sure to pack a beach blanket for days lounging on the beach. If youre hiking in, something small and lightweight like Matador Pocket Blanket Mini will be the easiest to pack.
• Swimsuit: Especially in Northern California, the water can be too cold for swimming, but it never hurts to bring a bathing suit just in case.
• Quick-dry towel: Skip the bulky beach towel and bring a lightweight camp towel to dry off with. Packtowel is a good option.
• Sunscreen: Pack an eco-friendly sunscreen, like Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Lotion SFP 50, to keep your skin safe while you swim and hike.
• Dry bag: If youre kayaking or spending time on a boat, use waterproof dry bags like those by Sea to Summit to keep your gear from getting soaked by rogue waves.

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The Benefits Of Staying At A Koa Campground In California

What makes KOA your best option for camping in California? At KOA campgrounds, you have access to an unmatched camping experience, including convenient amenities and plenty of activities. Some of the many features that youll find at KOA campgrounds include laundry facilities, playgrounds for the kids, clean bathrooms with hot water and much more.

Many people enjoy camping in California for a variety of different reasons. No matter your reason, you’ll enjoy the best possible experience when you choose to stay with KOA. Let loose and have some fun when you select from among our many campgrounds in California.

Make RV, tent, cabin or other camping reservations for your next camping trip in California today!

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San Elijo State Beach Camping

Reservations at San Elijo State Beach campground fill quickly, partly because it is one of the southern-most state beach campground in California. The bluff-top location offers wonderful views of the ocean coupled with the sounds of the surf. Access to the beach from most campsites is via long stairways.

Among the popular amenities at the campground are token-operated hot showers, a camp store, a fast food restaurant , campfire programs in the summer, and a good number of sites with hook-ups.

Among the drawbacks of camping at San Elijo are the horn-blowing trains that roll by on the nearby tracks at night. Previous campers suggest avoiding sites that are close to the rinse-off showers for people returning from the beach.