California Central Coast Beach Camping Best Campgrounds

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The California Central Coast runs between Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz. With almost 300 miles of coastline, this area offers numerous camping opportunities on or near the beach. Camping along California’s central coast can be a more relaxing adventure than Southern California campgrounds. Reservations are required for most campgrounds.

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Santa Barbara County – San Luis Obispo County – Monterey County – Santa Cruz County

San Luis Obispo County Beach Camping

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Oceano Dunes Pismo Beach

During summer and on holiday weekends, thousands gather at the dunes to ride dune buggies up and down the sandy hills. Groups of people park their vehicles in circles, like old West wagon trains, and set up campsites along the beach. Camping is permitted on the south side of Arroyo Grande Creek, in front of the dune area.

No assigned campsites exist, so visitors can pull up on the beach and find an open area. Reservations can be made in advance, which is highly recommended. Please note that there are no reserved spaces, so campers must find an empty spot on the beach to set up their camp. Fires are allowed on the beach so that visitors can enjoy a campfire under the stars.

Port San Luis RV Camping

Port San Luis is the perfect destination if you’re interested in RV camping by the ocean. Unfortunately, tent camping isn’t available at this site, but you should consider it if you have an RV. The sites are generally on a first-come, first-served basis, and only ten have hookups. The rest are for dry camping. It’s important to note that only fully self-contained recreational vehicles, campers, camper trailers, or camping vans are allowed at the harbor. If your RV doesn’t have a fixed holding tank, you won’t be able to stay here.

Morro Bay State Park Camping

Morro Bay State Park is a beautiful park surrounded by various trees, such as eucalyptus and cypress. The park spans 2,700 acres and offers a beautiful campground with nearly 100 sites for tents and RVs up to 30 feet long, making it an ideal location for an extended stay. Visitors can rent canoes and kayaks from the Morro Bay State Park marina.

A popular local tradition is to paddle from the park to the massive four-mile sand spit that protects the bay from the open ocean and enjoy a picnic there. The town of Morro Bay is only a short drive from the park.

Morro Strand State Beach

Camping options include RV, Tent, and Van sites near Morro State Beach. The campground is a parking lot but boasts the most stunning ocean views along the central coast. There are 80 sites available, ranging from 1-11, 13-33, and 33-45, all located next to the beach. The campground is conveniently located two miles south of Cayucos on Highway One. Website.

Bella Vista by the Sea

Bella Vista is a small, old-school RV park located in Cayucos. The park features 35 spaces, but full-time residents occupy many. However, some trailers can be rented through various vacation rental websites. The availability of parking space for your RV can be unpredictable. Nonetheless, the park offers a beautiful view and is conveniently located just a short walk away from the beach town of Cayucos. 350 N Ocean Ave, Cayucos, California. Website.

Pismo Coast RV Resort

Pismo Coast Village RV Resort offers 400 sites, all equipped with hookups. The resort has many amenities, including a swimming pool, three playgrounds for kids, a laundromat, a store, and an arcade. A gate at the park’s south end adjacent to the state beach campground provides direct access to the beach. However, Pismo Coast Village can be busy during the peak summer season. The resort is at 165 S Dolliver St in Pismo Beach, California. Website.

Morro Dunes RV Park

Morro Dunes is an RV park at 1700 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, California. The park features 139 Full Hookup Sites just a few steps from the broad, sandy Morro Rock Beach. Although the park is somewhat dated, it is well-maintained. On most days, there is a fantastic view of Morro Rock from the RV Park, depending on the fog. If the Morro Strand Campground is full, Morro Dunes is an excellent choice. Website.

Pismo State Beach Campgrounds

There are two campgrounds in this area, North and Oceano, both run by the State of California. They have 150 campsites for RV/trailer, tent, and van camping. The North campground is home to the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the U.S. On the other hand, Oceano is closer to the lagoon and dune area. Both campgrounds offer the same amenities and follow the same rules as other state park facilities. The Oceano Campground is located at 555 Pier Ave. in Oceano, California. The North Beach Campground is at 399 S. Dolliver St. in Pismo Beach, California. See the website.

Monta de Oro State Park

Monta de Oro State Park offers a beautiful camping experience with its campground area. It has 80 campsites that provide full-service facilities. You can camp in any 47 campsites available for tents, trailers, or motorhomes in a canyon next to the Spooner Ranch House. The park has miles of hiking trails that you can explore and enjoy. Additionally, you can access the beach by taking a short walk from the campground to Spooner Cove.

San Simeon Creek Campground

If you plan to visit Hearst Castle, San Simeon Creek is the closest and most affordable place to camp. Plenty of options exist with 134 sites available for RV and tent camping. While there are no ocean-view sites, you can walk along a trail underneath Cabrillo Highway to get to the beach. For a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean, there’s also a Washburn primitive campground located further inland. The campground is at 500 San Simeon Creek Road, Cambria, California.Website.

Monterey County Beach Camping

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Treebones Resort Big Sur

Treebones Resort is more of a glamping destination than a traditional campground. The resort offers limited tent campsites, all offering fantastic ocean views. One of the available campsites features a unique twig treehouse, which can be used as a sleeping accommodation. Staying at this resort has perks, as all guests have access to its heated swimming pool, hot tub, and award-winning restaurant.

Plaskett Creek Campground

This campground is located on the east side of Highway 1 in Big Sur, California. The nearest beach is Sand Dollar Beach, one of the most extensive beaches along the Big Sur Coast. Are 44 campsites available, with a few offering partial views of the Pacific Ocean. Plaskett Creek is an excellent second choice if the Kirk Creek campground is full. Its address is 69345 Highway 1, Big Sur, California.Website.

Kirk Creek Campground

Kirk Creek offers 40 blufftop campsites, each with a stunning ocean view. Although there is a trail leading down to a rocky beach, if you prefer sandy beaches, you must drive to Sand Dollar Beach, located south on Highway 1. While the views are breathtaking, it is worth noting that poison oak is abundant in the area, so be careful where you step. Although no terrible campsites are on the grounds, the best views between sites 8 and 22 can be found. It is essential to remember that no cell phone coverage is available here, so you can fully enjoy the beautiful Big Sur coastline without any distractions. The campground is located on US Hwy 1 in Big Sur, California.Website.

Limekiln State Park Big Sur

Limekiln State Park has a small campground with a few sites with stunning ocean views. The most desirable campsites are located on a bluff on the northern side of the canyon. The park has both tent and RV sites available. If you plan to visit during the busy summer season, you must make camping reservations in advance.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Big Sur State Park offers 180 primitive campsites with picnic tables and 1006 acres of land for hiking and swimming. The Valley View Trail is a particularly scenic hike, with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the Big Sur Valley. In addition to the campground, the Big Sur Lodge also offers a range of comfortable accommodations, including rooms and cabins. The park is on Pfeiffer Big Sur Road in Big Sur, California.

Santa Cruz County Beach Camping

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Sunset State Beach

Sunset State Beach boasts a campground with 90 sites suitable for trailers and tents, all sheltered by the dunes. Whether you’re up for a beach picnic, sandcastle building, coastal habitat exploration, or just pure relaxation, Sunset State Beach has something to offer everyone. Hopefully, you’ll be able to find some time to unwind and enjoy this beautiful beach soon.

Seacliff State Beach Camping

Seacliff Campground is located right next to the beach and offers 63 campsites, of which 26 have full hookups. Only self-contained RVs are allowed in the campground, so no tent camping is permitted. On the pier’s south side is a day-use area with picnic spots on the beach. You can also visit the Seacliff visitor center, which features a tidepool tank and an aquarium. The park’s main attraction is the SS Palo Alto concrete shipwreck at the end of the pier. The Seacliff campground is on State Park Drive, Aptos, California. Website.

New Brighton State Beach Camping

New Brighton Beach State Park is a highly sought-after campground during the summer, so making early reservations is advisable. The best campsites are numbered 3, 79, 82, 87, 88, and 90, which are located on the bluff and offer stunning ocean views. These campsites are considered premium and come at a higher cost than regular sites. New Brighton Beach is located just south of downtown Capitola, a picturesque seaside town that boasts a wide range of seafood restaurants and quaint oceanfront stores. The park’s address is 1500 Park Ave, Capitola, California.

Southern California Beach Campgrounds

Big Sur Road Trip

Central Coast Day Trip Ideas