CALIFORNIA BEACH CAMPING

Thanks to Hollywood, California’s beaches are world famous. They’ve been the star attraction in countless movies like Beach Blanket Bingo and are often the haunt of paparazzi hoping to catch sight of a Malibu-dwelling celebrity. California beaches are also extremely popular with campers. Who wouldn’t like to get away from the summer heat and hang out where the breeze is cool and the surf just steps away? Unfortunately, they’re so popular that reservations fill up early in the spring for the peak season of mid-June to the end of August. Even in the cooler months, beach campgrounds fill up fast on Fridays, so reservations are a good idea.

California State Park Campgrounds

The state of California maintains a system of 270 state parks. Out of that total there are about 30 with campgrounds on or near the beach. They’re scattered up and down the coast from Tolowa Dunes State Park in the north to Silver Strand State Beach south of San Diego, although the greater concentration occurs in the southern half of the state. These southern beaches are also the most popular. If you want to do some beach camping on short notice, the farther north you go the easier it will be to find a spot. You should always check for site availability and RV accommodations, if necessary, before heading out.

Privately-Owned Campgrounds

As with the state parks, privately-owned campgrounds and RV parks are scattered along the coast from one end of the state to the other. You can stay at resorts, like the Chula Vista RV Resort, where you’ll find a 552-slip marina, boat launch area, two full-service restaurants and a ladies boutique. Or if you prefer a spot where the natural amenities—surf, wildlife, redwoods—provide the entertainment, check out the Westport Beach RV Park about 17 miles of Ft. Bragg. This park offers tons of no-frills things to do: walking on the beach at low tide, horseback riding, kayaking, and exploring nearby Mendocino are just a few. And despite its name, there’s also tent camping along the private creek.