Hearst San Simeon Creek Campground
500 San Simeon-Monterey Creek Rd, Cambria, CA 93428, United States
Overview
A perfect fusion of a creek and beach, the San Simeon Creek Campground is located on San Simeon-Monterey Creek Road. It is 2 miles away from Cambria and 5 miles away from the iconic San Simeon State Historical Visitor Center.
It is one of two campgrounds located in Hearst San Simeon State Park. The other is Washburn Primitive Campground which is a mile from the beach and has almost no facilities.
A short walk from the beach, San Simeon Creek Campground has 134 campsites for tents and RVs up to 35 feet. There are also two hike and bike sites, and while there are no hookups available, water spigots are available and there is a dump station. Restrooms, campfire centers, picnic tables, and a fire ring are also available at the campground.
Dogs are allowed as long as they are kept on a leash and remain attended to. There is no group camping facilities, and San Simeon is open all year round.
Best Campsites at Hearst San Simeon Creek Campground
Below are Power Camper’s recommended sites if you want to have the best experience at San Simeon Creek Campground.
Sites 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 33, 34, 35
- Proximity to the entrance station
- Campsites 9 and 11 are in proximity to the restrooms
Sites 29, 30, 31, 32
- Proximity to showers and restrooms
- Location close to the Van Gordon Creek Road
Sites 36-38, 39, 40-45, 46, 48, 50
- Sites 36-39, 40, and 42 are close to the campfire center
- Sites 40, 41, 43, 44, 46, 48, 50, and 52 are close to water, camp host, firewood sales, and RV sanitation station
- Sites 41 and 45 are accessible campsites
Sites 70-75, 77,79,81, 93-97
- Sites 73 is an accessible campsite
- Proximity to showers and restrooms
Unique Experiences
- Enjoy the sound of waves as you sink your feet into the glistening sand at Moonstone Beach.
- Cheer on your kids to win shining medals at the Junior Ranger Program.
- Go hiking up any of the trails around the campground
- Enjoy a cowboy experience riding on any horse's back and using any of the horseshoe pits.
- Go sightseeing as you visit the Hearst Castle and Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Beach.
- Relax as you take walks along the Leffingwell Landing
- Enjoy the relaxing waters of the Hearst Memorial Beach as you swim
- Bond with friends and family as you relax at any of the campfire programs or go fishing at the Hearst Memorial Beach
Hearst San Simeon Creek Campground Campground Rules
Max Trailer/RV Length
35 FeetMax People per Site
8Fires allowed?
Only in designated fire ringsPets allowed?
NoHearst San Simeon Creek Campground Reservation Information
Reservations Allowed?
Reservations Required?
YesIf you want to visit San Simeon Creek Campground, you can make a reservation between six months and two days before your arrival date. Any of the 134 campsites can be reserved on a first-come-first-served basis.
You can make reservations online at www.parks.ca.gov or by calling (800) 444-7275 between 8 AM and 6 PM. A night at San Simeon Creek Campground costs about $35 for standard campsites and $5 per person for the hike & bike campsite.
Before you make your reservation, make sure you have the following information to make a reservation:
- Park selections
- Date you wish to start camping
- Type and size of camping equipment
- Number of people that will occupy the campsite
- Number of nights you wish to camp
- Alternative park and camping date choices
- Your phone number and area code
- Method of payment/Credit card number and expiration date
- Mailing address
Group Camping Reservations
There are no group campsites at San Simeon Creek Campground, but each site allows 8 people so you can reserve multiple sites.
Campsite Reservation Cancellations
All year round and two days before your day of arrival, you can make your reservations through ReserveCalifornia or by phone: 1-800-444-PARK (7275). There is a $7.99 cancellation fee as a penalty if a cancellation is made after 6 PM on the day of arrival.
Hearst San Simeon Creek Campground Campground Cost
Standard Campsite
$35Activities
Boating
Hiking
Bike Trails
Swimming
Snorkeling
Surfing / Windsurfing
Whale Watching
Photography
Canoeing / Kayaking
Fishing
Amenities
RV/Trailers
Hookups
Pull Through Spots
Pet Friendly
ADA Sites
Showers
Cell Service
Wifi
Campfire Rings
Grills
Campground Host
Picnic Tables
Potable Water
Directions
FAQs
Nearby Campgrounds to Hearst San Simeon Creek Campground
Morro Strand State Beach
Morro Strand is smaller than San Simeon Creek Campground with only 76 campsites. Despite this, it goes beyond having only tent-only campsites to having RVs or trailers and full hookups, which the San Simeon Creek Campground does not have.
It costs the same per night ($35) to stay at Morro Strand State Beach, and the hookup sites cost $50.
Unlike the San Simeon Creek Campground, which has multiple showers and a dump station, Morro Strand State Beach doesn’t have showers of its own and has no dump stations. There are, however, restrooms with flush toilets. While there are fishing activities at both the beach and the campground, Morro Strand State Beach also offers birdwatching.
Pismo State Beach
Pismo State Beach is much larger than the San Simeon Creek Campground and has 183 sites. There are also a variety of tents from tents only, RVs, trailers, and electric and water hookups, which is absent at the San Simeon Creek Campground.
Staying at the standard campsites of Pismo State Beach costs the same as the San Simeon Creek Campground campsites. However, the hookup sites are $50. This campground also has a picnic table and fire rings and offers the same activities you’ll find at the San Simeon Creek Campground.
Morro Bay State Park
Slightly smaller than the San Simeon, with only 120 campsites, Morro Bay State Park offers hookup sites, unlike the San Simeon Creek Campground. The standard campsites at both Morro Bay and San Simeon also cost the same.
Morro Bay State Park has a wider range of activities, ranging from a Museum, a golf pitch, birding, a roosting area, boating, sailing, and an aquarium. All of these are not available at the San Simeon Creek Campground.
Limekiln State Park
Very much smaller than San Simeon Creek’s 134 sites, the Limekiln State Park has only 29 campsites located amidst a redwood forest compared to San Simeon’s beach scenery. Limekiln offers RV sites for vehicles up to only 24 feet, while San Simeon can accommodate up to 35 feet. Both Limekiln and San Simeon are open all year round.
