Ocean-Front Camping - California's Best Camping

California's Best Ocean-Front Campgrounds

Campgrounds listed in this index have ocean-front sites or campsites which overlook the ocean. Campgrounds are shown by county, listed from south to north. Campgrounds that are inland, without views of the ocean, are not included here.

Even campgrounds that rank green triangles can offer wonderful camping experiences. Especially people with RVs may well find our recommended green triangle campgrounds as scenic and enjoyable as any along the coast.

More information about any of these beaches, including recreation opportunities and detailed maps, see California's Best Beaches.

San Diego County

Silver Strand State Beach - south of Coronado, self-contained RVs or trailers only.
San Elijo State Beach - north of Del Mar, on a bluff overlooking ocean.
South Carlsbad State Beach - on a bluff overlooking ocean.
San Onofre State Beach - Bluffs Campground along Old Pacific Coast Highway, summer only.

Orange County

San Clemente State Beach - sites 74 - 90 in the Tent Campground have the best bluff-top ocean views.
Doheny State Beach - beach-front campsites.
Crystal Cove State Park - Moro Campground has ocean view sites, but is not ocean-front. 10 minute walk to the beach.
Bolsa Chica State Beach - located north of Huntington Beach. Beach-front camping for self-contained RVs or trailers only.

Los Angeles County

Dockweiler State Beach - beach-front campground for RVs or trailers only, full hook-ups

Ventura County

McGrath State Beach - flooding problems have kept McGrath State Beach's campground closed.
Emma Wood State Beach - located near Ventura. North Beach Campground has beach-front sites for self-contained RVs or trailers only.
Faria Beach Park - located 7 miles north of Ventura, beach-front sites
Rincon Parkway Campground - although not one of our featured campgrounds, Rincon has 127 RV or trailer parking spaces along the road next to the beach, between Faria and Hobson beaches.
Hobson Beach Park - located 10 miles north of Ventura, beach-front sites

Santa Barbara County

Carpinteria State Beach - very popular beach-front camping south of Santa Barbara
El Capitan State Beach - located 20 miles up the coast from Santa Barbara. Very popular campground on bluffs overlooking ocean, most campsites do not have ocean views. Sites #84, 85, 105, 107, and 108 have the best ocean views.
Refugio State Beach - located 17 miles up the coast from Santa Barbara. Beach-level campsites close to the sand.
Gaviota State Park - located 33 miles north of Santa Barbara, can be very windy and somewhat inland campsites have limited ocean view
Jalama Beach County Park - one hour drive north of Santa Barbara, many beach-front campsites

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San Luis Obispo County

Morro Strand State Beach Campground - campsites for RVs, trailers, and tents along the edge of the sand with views of the ocean and Morro Rock. Some sites have full hook-ups.

Monterey County

Kirk Creek Campground - campsites on a bluff overlooking the ocean in southern Big Sur
Limekiln State Park - some campsites close enough to have partial views of ocean and certainly to hear the crashing surf.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park - Two primitive, walk-in campsites overlooking the ocean at spectacular McWay Cove.

Santa Cruz County

Seacliff State Beach - RV only campground with all sites along the edge of the beach.
New Brighton State Beach - Premium campsites on bluff overlooking Monterey Bay

San Mateo County

Half Moon Bay State Beach - Set up camp next to the ocean at Francis Beach Campground in Half Moon Bay State Beach. Some campsites have electrical hook-ups. Hot showers are alwys welcome after a day in the sand.

Sonoma County

Doran Regional Park - Ocean-front campsites looking out on Bodega Bay.
Wright's Beach Campground - Sonoma Coast State Park, campsites along the edge of the beach.

Mendocino County

Westport-Union Landing State Beach - primitive sites along the bluff with great ocean views.

Humboldt and Del Norte Counties

Agate Campground - Patrick's Point State Park, premium campsites with partial ocean views, close to Agate Beach trail.
Big Lagoon County Park - campsites among the trees with views of the Pacific and Big Lagoon
Gold Bluffs Beach Campground - Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, tent-only campsites along the edge of the beach.
Nickel Creek Campground - Redwood National Park, walk-in tent sites next to Enderts Beach. Ocean views limited from campground.