The Best Beach Camping Near Los Angeles
The Los Angeles area offers plenty of wonderful options for camping, whether you enjoy sleeping under the night sky in a tent or plan to take your RV! Abundant wildlife, beautiful beachside scenery, and unique locations all make for memories that will last a lifetime.
What You Should Know About Beach Camping Near LA
Of course, watersports abound on Los Angeles beaches and opportunities are plentiful for divers, surfers, swimmers, and outdoors enthusiasts of all kinds. Travelers and families will also revel at the beautiful sandy beaches, sweeping dunes and oceanside scenery, and incredible campgrounds. Most areas are open year-round as Los Angeles weather is temperate, and most campgrounds are within striking distance to nearby stores, shopping, and entertainment.
Get your sunscreen, beach towels, and firewood ready for beach camping that is second to none!
Best Los Angeles Beach Camping & RV Parks
Dockweiler State Beach
There are a handful of sites accommodating RVs and trailers up to 45 feet in length, although most accommodate up to 40 ft RVs and trailers. Camper vans may not exceed 20 ft in length, and while COVID persists, all RVs must have a self-contained toilet. No tents are allowed. A new dry camping area has been added to accommodate self-contained units up to 19 ft in length. To utilize the dry camping area, your RV or camper van must have a bed, dinette, sick, and a small water source. Note that SUVs modified for overland camping, hitched trailers, and truck camper shells are not considered self-contained units and are not permitted in the dry camping area. Restrooms, showers, and a laundromat are available.
What’s Unique About Dockweiler State Beach Campground?
Not only do campers get front row access to the expansive, sandy beach at Dockweiler State Beach but also have direct access to a 22-mile bicycle trail that connects the park with Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, and Redondo Beach Pier, Venice, and other nearby attractions.
Dockweiler State Beach Campground Details
Price Range: $45-$75 Types of Camping: RV/Trailer Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes, in campground only
Bolsa Chica State Beach
This campground offers 50 RV or trailer only campsites with hookups for water and electric. RVs up to 40 feet in length are accommodated at most sites. Picnic tables, outdoor showers, restrooms, a concession stand, and 200 beachside fire pits are available. A beach wheelchair is available for rent.
What’s Unique About Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground?
visitors (and their dogs) can enjoy a paved multi-use trail running 8.5 miles along the coast between Bolsa Chica and Huntington State Beaches.
Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground Details
Price Range: $55-$65 Types of Camping: RV/Trailer only (no pop-outs or awnings) Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes, leashed in the campground or on the multi-use trail
Crystal Cove Moro Campground
This campground offers 57 sites, of which 27 are designated for RVs or trailers and offer hookups for water and electric. The remaining sites are designated as “low impact” and accommodate tents, soft-sided trailers, and van conversions. A dump station is available onsite. There are also many uniquely secluded backcountry hike-in or bike-in-only sites that require 3-4 miles of travel to get to camp from the campground parking. There are also 46 vintage cottages for rent within the federally listed Historic District of the park.
What’s Unique About Crystal Cove Moro Campground?
This campground offers an incredibly rare opportunity to enjoy expansive open space and a natural seashore within Orange County. Visitors can explore 2,400 pristine acres on foot or by bike as well as 3.2 miles of beach. Divers can also explore an offshore underwater park spanning 1,000 acres and featuring a Giant Kelp forest.
Crystal Cove Moro Campground Details
Price Range: $55-75 Types of Camping: RV/Trailer, tent, hike/bike in Fires Allowed: No, only compressed gas BBQ grills or compressed gas fireplaces are allowed Pets Allowed: Yes, leashed in the campground or on the multi-use trail
Doheny State Beach
In addition to an assortment of other tent and RV sites, Doheny SB Campground offers 33 oceanside campsites for those who wish to camp just a few steps from this well-loved beach. There are no hookups available in Doheny State Beach Campground. However, campers do have access to fresh water and an on-site dump station, and generators are allowed between 10:00 pm and 8:00 am. Doheny State Beach Campground allows RVs and trailers up to 30 feet in length. Fire rings, hot showers, and group camping are available. There is also a large, grassy day use area.
What’s Unique About Doheny State Beach Campground?
Doheny SB is California’s first state beach and encompasses over 62 square acres. This is one of the area’s most popular beaches for surfing, surf fishing, and beachcombing. There is also an aquarium on site in the visitor center.
Doheny State Beach Campground Details
Price Range: $10-$60 Types of Camping: RV/Trailer, tent, hike/bike Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes, leashed and in the campground
San Clemente State Beach
Half of this 160-site campground provides full hook-ups for RVs up to 35 feet, and the other half accommodates tents or small RVs and does not provide hookups. Hot showers and restrooms with flush toilets are available, as is public WiFi. Fires are allowed in designated fire pits. Leashed dogs are allowed in the campground but not on the beach or trails.
What’s Unique About San Clemente State Beach Campground?
Located at one of the most picturesque beaches in California, this campground provides stunning views from atop sandstone bluffs, a diverse array of plant and animal life, and fabulous conditions for swimming, surfing, and fishing.
San Clemente State Beach Campground Details
Price Range: $40-$65 Types of Camping: Tent, RV/Trailer, Walk-in/Bike-in Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes, leashed and in campground only
San Onofre State Beach
Campers at San Onofre State Beach can stay at either San Onofre Bluffs Campground (open from May 15 through September) or San Mateo Campground (open year-round). Water and electric hookups are available at sites 1-67 in San Mateo Campground, and no hookups are available in San Onofre Bluff Campground. Both campgrounds offer group camping. San Onofre Bluffs Campground is located oceanside, with multiple quarter-mile trails leading from the bluff to the beach. San Mateo Campground is located inland, with a 1.5-mile trail leading to Tresles Beach.
What’s Unique About San Onofre State Beach Campground?
Campers at San Mateo Campground enjoy Tresles Beach, a world-renowned surfing spot, in addition to over three miles of sandy beach at San Onofre State Beach. San Onofre Bluffs Campground is oceanside and has astounding views of San Onofre State Beach. Both campgrounds offer the opportunity to see plentiful wildlife.
San Onofre State Beach Campground Details
Price Range: $40-65 Types of Camping: Tent, RV/Trailer Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes, leashed and in campground only. Additional areas are open to dogs at San Onofre Bluffs Campground.
Other Beach Tent Camping Near Los Angeles
Whether you are looking to enjoy a camping getaway in a tent or in your RV, California’s State Beaches are ready to welcome you. If you are still looking for that perfect getaway, check out some other options outlined below.
Two Harbors Campground on Catalina Island
This campground has 47 tent sites accommodating up to 12 guests apiece. Campground amenities include chemical toilets, hot showers, picnic tables, BBQs, firepits, and a general store with groceries, beer, and wine. Two group sites are available. The campground also rents out camping gear such as sleeping bags, pads, tents, and cooking supplies.
What’s Unique About Two Harbors Campground?
Enjoy Catalina Island from the resort town of Two Harbors when you stay at this campground. Visitors to the Channel Islands enjoy abundant wildlife, island views, and great hiking opportunities. This campground offers campers the opportunity to rent everything they might need to camp or to rent a cabin equipped with army cots, lanterns, a propane stove, shade, picnic table, fire pit, and ocean views.
Two Harbors Campground Details
Price Range: $30-$75 (varies seasonally) Types of Camping: tent/ boat-in Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: No
Hopkins Wilderness Park
This campground offers three overnight campgrounds that each accommodate 40 campers. There is also an amphitheater available to rent. Restrooms are available onsite. There will be staff onsite to support your visit.
What’s Unique About Hopkins Wilderness Park Campground?
Camping on this 11-acre dune wilderness preserve offers unparalleled access to study and observation of four separate ecological habitats including forests, meadows, streams, and a pond. This is a great opportunity to get groups of schoolchildren or scouts out for a memorable weekend.
Hopkins Wilderness Campground Details
Price Range: $340 staffing fee per night plus $5 fee per camper Types of Camping: tent only Fires Allowed: No Pets Allowed: No
Thornhill Broom Campground at Point Mugu State Park
This campground is comprised of 62 primitive campsites. The sites are arranged in a row along the beach. Campers are advised to prepare for windy conditions. Amenities include fresh water, picnic tables, a cold shower, fire rings, and portable toilets.
What’s Unique About Thornhill Broom Campground?
Camp directly on the beach at Thornhill Broom Campground. Experience the peace and serenity of this oceanside location with your pet- leashed dogs are allowed both in the campground and on the beach!
Thornhill Broom Campground Details
Price Range: $35 Types of Camping: tent/RV/trailer Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes
Sycamore Canyon Campground on Point Mugu State Park
This campground has 31 sites for tents and RVs. There are also hike/bike in sites and a group site. Note that the group site allows only tent camping. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided at each site, and there is access to restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers. No hook ups are available at Sycamore Canyon Campground. Trailers may not exceed 13’ 6” in height.
What’s Unique About Sycamore Canyon Campground?
This campground is popular for being only a three-minute walk away from the beautiful Sycamore Cove Beach. Campers also enjoy 70 miles of hiking trails at Point Mugu State Park.
Sycamore Canyon Campground Details
Price Range: $10-45 Types of Camping: RV/tent/trailer Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes, in the campground and on a leash
Malibu Beach RV Park
This campground offers 142 RV sites and 35 tent sites. Full hookups are available at every site, and campers will either enjoy a mountain or an ocean view. Amenities include laundry, dishwashing station, convenience store, hot showers, restrooms, wifi, cable, horseshoe pits, propare service, and a patio area with fire pits and heaters.
What’s Unique About Malibu Beach RV Park?
Camp near the ocean in year-round comfort with all the amenities of home.
Malibu Beach RV Park -Details
Price Range: $30-$75 (varies seasonally) Types of Camping: tent/RV/trailer (no converted cargo vans, school buses, non-DOT approved cab over campers, vehicle tents, or sleeping in vehicles allowed) Fires Allowed: Propane fires only in the RV area, no fires in the tent area Pets Allowed: Only in the RV area, not in the tent camping area (breed restrictions apply)
Whatever your camping preferences may be, there is a perfect place in the Los Angeles area for your next getaway!
Common LA Beach Camping Questions
The fun is endless on Los Angeles County beaches, whether you’re a diver, a surfer, or just prefer to sunbathe! Keep the following regulations in mind and you’ll be good to go.
Can you sleep at Venice Beach?
No, the beach is open from 5 am to 10:30 pm. However, there are some nearby camping opportunities.
Can you stay overnight at Huntington Beach?
No, the beach is open from 5 am to 10 pm. However, there are many nearby camping opportunities offering beachside sites.
Can you sleep on Dockweiler Beach?
No, the beach is open from 6 am to 10 pm. However, there are many nearby camping opportunities offering beachside sites including Dockweiler State Beach Campground.
Are tents allowed on Santa Monica Beach?
No, tents are not allowed on Santa Monica Beach or any other beach in Los Angeles County.
About the Author
Josh Shogren
Josh Shogren is the owner of Power Camper. He is a lifelong camper and loves finding the hidden gem campgrounds and camping sites!
