The Best Camping Near Oceanside CA
Oceanside is a fabulous destination for families, couples, and solo travelers. Visitors enjoy seven sandy beaches, strolls along The Strand or the Oceanside Pier, and nearby San Diego area attractions. There are many opportunities to fish, surf, beachcomb, and sunbathe. The Oceanside area has famously temperate weather and offers something for everyone. This guide to camping near the Oceanside area will help you find the perfect homebase for your next adventure!
What You Should Know About Camping Near Oceanside CA
While some campgrounds close for the winter months, most camping and outdoor activities in the Oceanside area are available year round. The majority of campgrounds offer full hookups and can accommodate most RVs. For campers looking for campgrounds with the most amenities and onsite activities, one of Oceanside’s many RV resorts may be the best fit. Otherwise, campers can enjoy serene and scenic surroundings at one of the many local State Beach campgrounds.
These campgrounds are dog friendly; however, dogs are not allowed on Oceanside beaches or most State Beaches. Your pooch can run free at Oceanside’s Del Mar Dog Park or the nearby Cardiff State Beach, or join you on leash on The Strand, the San Luis Rey River Trail, and at the Guajome Regional Park.
You simply cannot go wrong with planning a getaway to any of the campgrounds we’ve researched. Grab your beach towel and your camp chair and get ready to soak in some of the best sights in sunny Southern California!
Best Beach Camping near Oceanside CA
South Carlsbad State Beach
This campground has 220 sites, including sites with full hookups, double hookups, no hookups, and one group site. Approximately half of the sites have ocean views. Fires are allowed in designated fire pits.
The campground has a laundry facility, hot showers, flush toilets, and a shop. Leashed dogs are allowed in the campground but not on the beach. Beach wheelchairs are available for rent.
What’s Unique About South Carlsbad State Beach Campground?
This bluff-top campground is popular for its scenic views, its proximity to an expansive five-mile stretch of sandy beach, and nearby dining and entertainment in Carlsbad.
South Carlsbad State Beach Campground Details
Price Range: $35-$100 Types of Camping: Tent, RV/Trailer Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes, leashed and in campground only
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 the campground. Additional areas are open to dogs at San Onofre Bluffs Campground.
San Elijo State Beach
This campground has 165 sites, including sites with full hookups and a group site. Approximately one-third of the sites have ocean views. Fires are allowed in designated fire pits. The campground has a laundry facility, hot showers, and a camp store.
Leashed dogs are allowed in the campground but not on the beach. The beach can be accessed via multiple staircases leading from the campground or a day use area. Beach wheelchairs are available onsite.
What’s Unique About San Elijo State Beach Campground?
This bluff-top campground is popular for its expansive, scenic views. Snorkelers and divers can also enjoy a nearby reef.
San Elijo State Beach Campground Details
Price Range: $35-$75 Types of Camping: Tent, RV/Trailer Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes, leashed and in campground only
Harbor Beach
Camping at Harbor Beach is permitted on a first-come, first-served basis in two beachside parking lots. Lots 11A and 11B are open year round and Lot 12 is open from September 15 through May 15. Campers may stay for a total of 5 nights in any 30 days.
Restrooms are available, and campers can easily access dining and shopping in the town of Oceanside. Note that pop-outs, slide-outs, and awnings cannot be used and tents are not allowed.
What’s Unique About Harbor Beach?
Camping at Harbor Beach is all about location—stay just a stone’s throw from the Oceanside City Pier, four miles of palm-lined beach, and all the amenities of downtown Oceanside. Rent kayaks, view sea lions, or visit any of Oceanside’s six other nearby beaches.
Harbor Beach Details
Price Range: $30.00 (September 16-May 14); $35.00 (May 15-September 15) Types of Camping: RV/Trailer Fires Allowed: No Pets Allowed: Leashed in the parking lot and along The Strand.
Best RV Camping near Oceanside CA
Oceanside RV Resort
This solar-powered campground offers all modern amenities, including but not limited to a pool and hot tub, clubhouse, game room, dog park, laundry, wifi, and cable. Guests can also rent a kitchen. Campers may select their site from a variety of options based on their equipment type and hookup preferences. Campers appreciate the privacy fences located at every RV site.
What’s Unique About Oceanside RV Resort?
This campground offers glamping in spacious canvas-sided accommodations. Glampers also enjoy beautiful wood floors, rustic decor, and a large front porch.
Oceanside RV Resort Details
Price Range: Variable based on site selection and dates of reservation; weekly and monthly rates are available Types of Camping: RV/Trailer, pull through, back in, full hook up (30 amp electrical), tent, glamping tents Fires Allowed: In Pets Allowed: Yes, with breed restrictions for dogs
Paradise by the Sea RV Resort
This campground offers a resort-style pool and hot tub, laundry, wifi, and HD cable. Campers may select their site from a variety of options based on their equipment type and hookup preferences. Access to Buccaneer Beach is a quick walk away on the Loma Alta Creek Nature Trail.
What’s Unique About Paradise by the Sea RV Resort?
This RV resort is adjacent to Buccaneer Park and it is easy to walk from the resort to Buccaneer Beach.
Paradise by the Sea RV Resort Details
Price Range: Variable based on site selection and dates of reservation; weekly and monthly rates are available Types of Camping: RV/Trailer, pull through, back in, full hookups (up to 50 amp electrical), tent Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes
Oceanside Harbor Beach Parking Lots
Camping at Harbor Beach is permitted on a first-come, first served basis in some beachside parking lots. Lots 11A and 11B are open year round and Lot 12 is open from September 15 through May 15. Campers may stay for a total of 5 nights in any 30 days.
Restrooms are available, and campers can easily access dining and shopping in the town of Oceanside. Note that pop-outs, slide-outs, and awnings cannot be used and tents are not allowed. See https://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=52737 for more information.
What’s Unique About Harbor Beach Parking Lots?
Camping at Harbor Beach is all about location—stay just a stone’s throw from the Oceanside City Pier, four miles of palm-lined beach, and all the amenities of downtown Oceanside. Rent kayaks, view seals and sea lions, or visit any of Oceanside’s six other nearby beaches.
Harbor Beach Parking Lots Details
Price Range: $30.00 (September 16-May 14); $35.00 (May 15-September 15) Types of Camping: RV/Trailer Fires Allowed: In fires-pits on the beach Pets Allowed: Leashed in the parking lot and along The Strand.
Lake O’Neill Campground
Only 25 minutes away from the many beaches and amenities of Oceanside, Lake O’Neill Campground offers a variety of sites for tents and RVs. Full hookups are offered as are hot showers, flush, toilets, volleyball, miniature golf, and hiking, among other activities. A peninsula equipped with a stage, cabanas, BBQ grills, and other amenities can be rented for your special event. Boat rentals are available as well
What’s Unique About Lake O’Neill Campground?
All campers at Lake O’Neill Campground are military members or their civilian guests. This campground offers a secluded way to enjoy this area of California. Campers can enjoy boating and fishing on the lake, in addition to a multitude of other onshore activities.
Lake O’Neill Details
Price Range: $20-$40 Types of Camping: RV/Trailer, tent, full hookups available (up to 50 amp electrical) Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Leashed with payment of an additional fee; breed restrictions in place; pets not allowed in lake or on the beach.
Guajome Regional Park
Less than ten minutes from Oceanside Beach, Guajome Regional Park offers over four miles of hiking trails, birdwatching, fishing, and a day use area equipped with a picnic area and basketball courts. Hike to the nearby historic Rancho Guajome Adobe for a taste of 19th-century Spanish-American architecture and ranch life.
Make this trip memorable for the whole family by exploring the area on horseback with one of the many local outfitters. The campground offers 33 sites with full hookups. Hot showers and flush toilets are available onsite as well.
What’s Unique About Guajome Regional Park?
In addition to being quite close to all beautiful Oceanside beaches, this Park allows campers to explore diverse scenery, enjoy a taste of history, and camp a bit off the beaten path.
Guajome Regional Park Details
Price Range: $33 plus reservation fees Types of Camping: RV/Trailer, tent Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes, on leash
Free Camping near Oceanside
Free camping is hard to come by on the California coast, particularly in Southern California. Oceanside does have big box stores, such as Walmart, that often allow overnight parking. Those looking to camp for free are encouraged to consider visiting inland locations such as Anza Borrego State Park (which offers free camping at the Yaqui Wash Primitive Campground) or Corte Madera Mountain.
Common Oceanside Camping Questions
As with any adventure, a little planning goes a long way to making sure everyone enjoys the trip. Here are some pointers to keep in mind about visiting beautiful Oceanside, California.
Can You Sleep On The Beach In Oceanside?
No. Oceanside has an ordinance in place prohibiting sleeping on the beach between the hours of sundown and sunrise, or otherwise occupying a tent or shelter on the beach.
Can You Park An RV At Oceanside Harbor?
Yes. RV parking is available and there is a $10 per day parking fee.
Can You Drink Alcohol On Oceanside Beach?
No, public consumption of alcohol on Oceanside Beach is prohibited.
Is Oceanside Beach Dog Friendly?
No, dogs are not allowed on Oceanside Beach. However, leashed dogs may be walked along The Strand.
Is Oceanside Pier Open?
Yes, the Pier is open from 4 am to 10 pm.
What Is The Water Temp In Oceanside CA?
The water temperature varies daily and seasonally, but can be checked here.
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!
