Outdoors Camping The 7 Best Places for Beach Camping in Southern California By Betsy Malloy Betsy Malloy Facebook Twitter Betsy has been writing about California for nearly more than two decades as TripSavvy's expert on the state. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 03/22/22 Julian Starks / Getty Images If you think beach camping in Southern California is impossible because every inch of the coastline is packed with condos or lined with mansions, you are only partly right. If you know where to look, you can find places to go camping at a Southern California beach, even in the middle of busy Los Angeles. This guide was designed to help you find a great place to camp next to the ocean in SoCal. And to help you avoid a frustrating camping failure when that campground that sounded just great turns out to be across a busy highway from the ocean. These are the best places to camp at the beach in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego—and they are all located right on the coast, not across the street or a block away. 01 of 07 Dockweiler State Beach iStock / Getty Images Plus Los Angeles has only one beach campground, but it's in a most spectacular spot. Dockweiler State Beach is situated just below LAX's takeoff and approach path, between Marina Del Rey and Manhattan Beach. The west-facing beach has a sweeping view of Santa Monica Bay, and it's right on the bike path that runs from Redondo Beach to Santa Monica. The only catch? It's for RVs only. View Map Address 12000 Vista Del Mar, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293-8518, USA Get directions Phone +1 424-526-7777 Web Visit website 02 of 07 San Clemente State Beach San Clemente State Beach is known for its scenery and ocean views. The beach is about a mile long, at the foot of a steep bluff. The campground can accommodate campers and trailers up to 30 feet long, with hookups and a dump station. View Map Address 225 Avenida Calafia, San Clemente, CA 92672, USA Get directions Phone +1 949-492-3156 Web Visit website 03 of 07 Bolsa Chica State Beach Jonathan George / Getty Images Bolsa Chica State Beach is a popular place for surf fishing and has a beautiful shoreline, but only RVs are allowed–no tents. It's also one of the best beaches in Orange County for wildlife watching. View Map Address Bolsa Chica State Beach, California, USA Get directions Web Visit website 04 of 07 Chula Vista RV Resort Chula Vista RV Resort has 237 spaces with full hookups adjacent to a private, 552-slip marina. Amenities include a general store, a ladies' boutique, picnic area, swimming pool and spa, laundry, full restrooms, club rooms, and two full-service restaurants with waterfront dining. View Map Address 460 Sandpiper Way, Chula Vista, CA 91910-4052, USA Get directions Phone +1 619-422-0111 Web Visit website Continue to 5 of 7 below. 05 of 07 Doheny State Beach iStock / Getty Images Plus Doheny State Beach is a big park with a campground on the south side, where some of the campsites are only steps away from the beach. It can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet long. The only downside at Doheny is that significant events like the Doheny Blues Festival can disrupt camping and vehicle access. View Map Address Doheny State Beach, Dana Point, CA 92624, USA Get directions 06 of 07 Silver Strand State Beach Silver Strand State Beach is on the Coronado Peninsula. It can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 40 feet long. If you have a large vehicle that would block two campsites, they offer an oversized vehicle rate. All RVs must be self-contained. Sites 101 through 137 are immediately next to the beach, but no campsite is more than a few steps away. View Map Address 5000 CA-75, Coronado, CA 92118, USA Get directions Phone +1 619-435-5184 Web Visit website 07 of 07 San Elijo State Beach iStock / Getty Images Plus San Elijo State Beach is between Del Mar and San Elijo north of San Diego, near the community of Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Facilities can accommodate campers up to 35 feet long. Reservations recommended. View Map Address San Elijo State Beach, Encinitas, CA 92007, USA Get directions Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email