Nothing is more quintessentially summer than a California campervan vacation. Bask in the west coast rays with the sound of waves hitting the California coastline as you rest comfortably in your campervan. We’ve put together our favorite campsites in Southern California to make your CA trip a breeze.
We’re confident you’ll look back fondly on your sun-basked trip, driving up the Pacific Coast Highway; nothing but road, blue skies, and the ocean ahead of you. Pop in and out of beach towns and take your time rambling through parks, down beaches, and over highways.
Our first Southern California campsite is San Onofre Beach. This spot offers several camp campgrounds to choose from. All are situated along the world-renowned and historical surf break. Park your campervan, walk straight to the beach, or bask in the rays from your camp spot. Several hiking trails can be found near the campsites. Explore bluffs and rocky cliffs, or head straight to the ocean for a surf. You’re well on your way to relaxation at San Onofre Beach.
Located only 1.5 miles from Trestles Beach, walk a sandy nature trail to access one of the most famous surf breaks in the world. Enjoy a fire pit, picnic table, indoor shower, and flush toilets. This site has all the modern amenities at home! Bring your bike, surfboard, or your walking shoes and enjoy the wonder of Southern California.
Dates: Year Round
Facilities: Toilets & Hot Showers
(949) 492-4872)
The Manker Flats Campground is another one of our favorites. Located deep in the Angeles National Forest, this campground is pretty no-frills compared to San Onofre Beach. But, if you want to see green and surround yourself with trees, this is the campground for you!
Camping is available with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets available. Piped water is available only in the summer months! If you choose to visit this campground, pack appropriately because you’ll be 6000 feet up. It gets cold!
From this campground, you have access to several hikes like Mt. Baldy Bowl, Devil’s Backbone, and San Antonio Falls. Bring your bear spray because it’s likely you’ll come across a bear during your stay!
If you want to see a different side of Southern California, the Manker Flats campsites should be your top option!
Dates: Spring – Fall
Facilities: Toilets
(626) 335-1251
Online Reservations
Another option for our beach camping lovers is Moro Campground in Crystal Cove State Park. This state park is just off the Pacific Coast Highway, nestled between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach.
Campers will have access to hiking, beach walking, tidepools, swimming, and so much more. Mountain Bikers can even find a few trails to rip through from this campground!
The Moro Campground is situated along the edge of a cliff overlooking the beach with picnic tables, showers, drinking water, and toilets. This campground gives you the best of both worlds: beach access and 2,400 acres of backcountry wilderness.
This site also offers Wi-Fi! Are you a WFH warrior except you’ve decided to WFH from a van? Take your conference call or zoom meeting from your camp spot while you look out over the Pacific Ocean. Sounds ideal, doesn’t it?
Dates: Year-Round
Facilities: Showers & Toliets
(949) 494-9143
Online Reservations
San Diego! The crown jewel of the Southern California coastline has one of the best campsites in the entire state! Stairs lead straight down to the beautiful Carlsbad State Beach. Enjoy swimming, surfing, skin diving, fishing, or picnicking, all just a short jaunt from your campsite.
South Carlsbad State Beach Campground is a bluff-top campground that offers drinking water, toilets, showers, trash, and a small market for any sundry needs. The best part of this campground is that not only is there beach access, but you can access the miles of open trails in Carlsbad State Park.
Take your furry friend on a nice long hike, before you spend the evening romping on the beach. I mean, who doesn’t love to end the day with a nice beach excursion! You’ll want to make sure you make a reservation because this campground is reservation only!
Dates: Year-Round
Facilities: Toilets & Showers
(760) 438-3143
Online Reservations
With nearly 800,000 acres of mystique, Joshua Tree National Park is one of the world’s most incredible natural desert treasures. Jumbo Rocks Campground lies amid the huge, steep rock formations. With close proximity to many boulders and rock formations, it is a popular camping location for families with kids. Jumbo Rocks is one of four campgrounds in the park that can be reserved during the busy winter season; it is open on a first-come, first-served basis from June 9 through August 30.
Dates: Year-Round
Facilities: Toilets
(760) 444-6777
Online Reservations
Sign Up for Campervan News, Sales & Deals
