The Best San Diego Beach Camping
San Diego beach camping offers explorers the opportunity to soak in exquisite sights, watch wildlife, and make priceless family memories all within striking distance of the area’s best dining, shopping, and other attractions. Here is a list of must-visit campgrounds in the area. We are sure you will find what you need to start planning the best getaway!
What You Should Know About San Diego Beach Camping
San Diego is a great place to visit any time of the year, and is considered by many to have the best weather in the country. That being said, the nights can get down into the sixties even in the summer. Campers are encouraged to pack for long, sunny days and brisk evenings. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate RVs and trailers with full hookup sites.
There are also a couple options for more secluded tent camping. All of San Diego’s beaches offer a multitude of opportunities for watersports. If you don’t have gear of your own, many local businesses and campgrounds offer rentals.
Here is a breakdown of San Diego’s finest beach camping. Keep in mind that campgrounds fill up quickly in the summer, especially those with beachfront campsites.
Best Beach Camping in San Diego
Silver Strand State Beach
This campground has 135 sites for RV or self-contained vehicle camping only. Tents are not allowed. Any vehicle without both an enclosed drain system and a portable toilet with a holding tank will be turned away. A dump station is available for $10.00. Each site provides hookups for water and electric (50 amp). The maximum RV length accommodated 40 feet. Cold showers and flush toilets are provided.
What’s Unique About Silver Strand State Beach Campground?
Silver Strand State Beach Campground is adjacent to both the Pacific Ocean and the San Diego Bay. The first row of campsites, from site 101-137, are beachfront.
Silver Strand State Beach Campground Details
Price Range: $50-$65 Types of Camping: RV/self-contained vehicle camping only Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes, leashed and in campground only
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 from 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
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 Diego RV Parks on the Beach
Campland on the Bay
This award-winning campground has 562 sites accommodating tents and RVs. Full hookups (up to 50 amp) are available on 412 of the sites, with the remaining sites offering partial hookups or no hookups. Group sites may be reserved as well.
The shoreside campground offers a marina, boat launch, fitness center, watersports and bike rentals, pool, skatepark, playground, dog park, and a cantina. Fire pits are provided and laundry is available onsite.
What’s Unique About Campland on the Bay?
Campland on the Bay is proud of its efforts to make their camping experiences more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Harmful chemicals are not used in landscaping or property maintenance, efforts are made to reduce single-use plastic items, and over 1,160 mature trees are maintained onsite, among other efforts.
Campland on the Bay Details:
Price Range: Variable based on site selection and season Types of Camping: Tent, RV/Trailer (no bus, school bus, ambulance, or box truck conversions) Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes, an off-leash dog park provided
Sunland RV Resort San Diego
This campground offers 172 sites with full hookups (up to 50 amp electrical). Guests may enjoy a temperature-controlled pool, a whirlpool, hot showers and restrooms, wifi, and a dog park. The park puts on regular family-friendly events for guests, such as movie nights, barbecues, and costume contests. The campground is close to a trolley stop for easy downtown access.
What’s Unique About Sunland RV Resort?
Sunland RV Resort is proud to be extremely pet friendly.
Sunland RV Resort Details:
Price Range: Variable based on site selection and season Types of Camping: Tent, RV/Trailer Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes, an off-leash dog park provided
Mission Bay RV Park
This campground has 260 RV sites and offers wifi, a pool and hot tub, restrooms and showers, sports courts, and horseshoes. The campground also offers boat slip access and long-term RV and boat storage. Group rates and reservations are available. Pets are permitted for an additional fee.
What’s Unique About Mission Bay RV Park?
This campground is located right next to the beach on the De Anza Cove and offers premium bayside sites overlooking Mission Bay. Also, guests are welcome to use any and all amenities at Campland on the Bay during their stay at Mission Bay RV Park.
Mission Bay RV Park Details:
Price Range: Variable based on site selection and season Types of Camping: Class A, B, & C motorhomes, trailers, cab-over campers, and teardrop trailers (no tents, conversion vans, converted school or transit buses) Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes
Fiddler’s Cove RV Park
Overlooking the San Diego Bay, Fiddler’s Cove RV Park is open only to MWR cardholders and their guests. MWR cardholders include active duty military and family, DOD employees, retirees, veterans who have received either a Purple Heart or a Medal of Honor, veterans who are former prisoners of war, and veterans with service-connected disabilities and their caregivers.
This campground offers a full-service marina, boat rental, dog park, bike paths, laundry, wifi, restrooms, dump station, grills, patios, and a camp store.
What’s Unique About Fiddler’s Cove RV Park?
If you are a WMR cardholder, you won’t beat the price or the bayside views at Fiddler’s Cove RV Park. Keep an eye out for beachside sites!
Fiddler’s Cove RV Park Details:
Price Range: $25-$65 Types of Camping: RV/Trailer Fires Allowed: Yes Pets Allowed: Yes
Free Beach Camping San Diego
Free camping is hard to come by on the California coast, particularly in Southern California. San Diego 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, Yaqui Wash Primitive Campground, Blair Valley, Culp Valley Primitive Campground, and Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves, or Fish Creek Wash Primitive Campsite.
San Diego Beach Camping Reservations
It can feel impossible to get reservations at any beach campground in San Diego–the weather can’t be beat, the coastline is strikingly gorgeous, and the sandy beaches are second to none. Popular campgrounds are often sold out as soon as dates are made available.
However, PowerCamper now makes it possible to be notified immediately of any camping reservation cancellations at Silver Strand State Beach, San Elijo State Beach, and South Carlsbad State Beach! Sign up today to stay in the know and snag those hard-to-come-by spots!
Enjoy the spontaneity and convenience of exploring the best destinations in Southern California with PowerCamper.
Common San Diego Beach Camping Questions
Keep your San Diego beach adventure stress free by planning. With over 30 beaches in San Diego, you can be sure to find whatever you seek whether that is a lively dog beach or a bonfire after a day of swimming and surfing!
How Many Beaches Are In San Diego?
There are 31 beaches in San Diego, each offering a unique Southern California experience!
What Beaches Have Fire Pits In San Diego?
Fire pits are placed at Glorietta Bay, Silver Strand SB, Border Field State Park Beach, Mission Beach, Mission Bay, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Shelter Island Shoreline Park, Moonlight State Beach, Oceanside Beach, Tourmaline Surfing Park Beach, Playa Pacifica Park, Ski Beach Park, South Shores Park, Harbor Beach, Mission Beach Boardwalk, and San Onofre State Beach.
What Beaches In San Diego Allow Dogs?
Off-leash options include Ocean Beach Dog Beach, Coronado Dog Beach, Fiesta Island Park, and Del Mar Dog Beach. Leashed options include La Jolla Shores, Pacific Beach, and Mission Beach. Del Mar South and Main Beaches, Cardiff State Beach, and Imperial Beach. Be sure to check leash-only beaches for restrictions as many of these beaches only allow dogs during certain times of the day.
What Beaches In San Diego Allow Bonfires?
Note that any fire on a San Diego beach must be contained in a fire pit and coals must be properly disposed of according to city code. Bonfires are permitted at Glorietta Bay, Silver Strand SB, Border Field State Park Beach, Mission Beach, Mission Bay, Mission Beach Boardwalk, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Shelter Island Shoreline Park, Moonlight State Beach, Oceanside Beach, Tourmaline Surfing Park Beach, Playa Pacifica Park, Ski Beach Park, South Shores Park, Harbor Beach, and San Onofre State Beach. Many beaches have concrete fire pits on site, but beachgoers can also bring BBQ-style pits or other fire containers. Check up-to-date city regulations to ensure your fire pit will be permitted.
Are Tents Allowed On Coronado Beach?
Tents are allowed between 5 am and 11 pm. While many beachgoers use dome tents or easy-up shelters for shade during the day, city code prohibits overnight camping on the beach.
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!
