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San Diego beach camping is a great way to spend your vacation in Southern California any time of the year. Last updated January 18, 2010. From north to south, these are the places for beach camping in San Diego county.
Beach camping in San Diego is a unique experience, allowing you plenty of time to swim, surf, and enjoy the picturesque San Diego sunsets.
San Onofre - San Diego State Beach Campgrounds
If you are looking for Southern California beach camping, San Onofre State Beach is a scenic spot just south of Orange county in north San Diego county. There are 3.5 miles of sandy beaches, great surfing and two San Diego beach campgrounds here, with a total of 308 campsites. San Onofre Bluffs Campground has sites for tent and RV camping right along the beach bluffs near the Pacific Coast Highway 101, with short trails to the beautiful sandy beach. There are fire pits and picnic tables in the camp sites but no hookups. San Onofre San Mateo Campground is 1.5 miles inland from the beach, connected by a scenic path. This campground includes both tent and RV camping, hot indoor showers, firepits, picnic tables and hookups.
Camp Pendleton
San Onofre Beach and Del Mar Beach
Military Beach Camping in San Diego
My dad was in the military, and I remember camping at many places as a child, but never did we get to go camping at San Diego Beaches like Camp Pendleton. Some rate these as the best beach camping in San Diego, California, so if you qualify (active duty or retired military personnel or dependents), take advantage of these excellent beaches and campgrounds on Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Reserve. San Onofre Beach, not to be confused with the public one, has tent and RV campsites and group camping exclusively for military personnel. Located at the north end of Camp Pendleton, between the popular Trestles and San Onofre Surfing beaches. About 15 miles south on Camp Pendleton is Del Mar Beach, which also has tent and RV campsites and group camping. Camp Pendleton’s Del Mar beach has a very nice, deep sandy beach, excellent surf spot next to Oceanside’s North Jetty, and a small marina. This beach can handle large crowds in the summer, which it gets on weekends. These military campgrounds have great beaches and views, especially if you can get a campsite right next to the beach.
Harbor Beach Campground
RV Beach Camping San Diego
Harbor Beach is a beautiful beach in Oceanside California, near the Oceanside beach and marina. Harbor Beach Campground is a first come, first serve inexpensive place for RV or trailer camping or overnight parking, if you are lucky enough to get a spot. This is a small parking lot with spaces and fire rings, nearby restrooms, but no hookups. There is a lot to do in Oceanside, with its 3 miles of beaches and nearby California Surf Museum, and proximity to Carlsbad attractions. If you want luxurious San Diego beach camping, this is not your spot, but the price is right and the Oceanside beaches are lovely.
South Carlsbad State Beach
Camping in San Diego for Tent and RV
If you are looking for a quiet spot for beach camping in San Diego CA, South Carlsbad State Beach is your place. Popular with families who want to get away from it all, this is a quiet spot located on the bluffs, with stairs down to access the beach for swimming and surfing. This California State Beach campground has 222 tent and RV campsites with full hookups on the bluff, restrooms and showers, and a camp store, but not much else nearby as it is mostly surrounded by residential neighborhoods and the Pacific Ocean. No day use allowed, so all of this makes this spot a little quieter than San Elijo State Beach Campground just a few miles to the south. Reservations are a must in the summer, and this popular campground sells out early! Nearby are some of the popular attractions in Carlsbad, including Legoland, Sealife Aquarium, the Flower Fields, and the Carlsbad Lagoon.
San Elijo State Beach Camping
for Tent and RV
San Elijo State Beach is my favorite of the San Diego Beach campgrounds, located on the Pacific Coast Highway 101 on the bluffs just south of Swami’s surf spot. This is one of the most desirable spots for beach camping in Southern California. You can walk or bike ride to the charming strip on historic 101 of old Encinitas, with many restaurants and shops. This California State Beach campground has 171` tent and RV campsites with full hookups on the bluff, restrooms and showers, wi-fi service, a camp store and a yummy taco stand. The beach is accessed by steep sets of stairs and is popular with surfers, swimmers, and walkers, as day use is also permitted. Reservations are a must in the summer, and this popular spot for San Diego beach camping sells out early!
Campland on the Bay in Mission Bay
Tent and RV Camping San Diego
Campland on the Bay is a private campground in San Diego’s Mission Bay Park, on the northern shores of Mission Bay. If you love water sports this is the place to be. You can rent anything from sailboats, motorboats, pedal boats, water skis, canoes, jet skis and kayaks, or bring your own boat to launch. This is in the heart of San Diego, so you are close to Mission Beach, SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and much more.
Silver Strand State Beach – Coronado
RV San Diego State Beach Camping
Silver Strand State Beach is a popular RV beach campground on Coronado, not far from the world famous Coronado Beach and its adjacent Coronado dog beach. There is a nice bike path along this area, with plenty of beaches to explore and views to experience. This location for San Diego beach camping is beautiful – a nice sandy Pacific Ocean beach right in front of you, and the San Diego Bay right behind you. While this is one of the loveliest San Diego beach camp grounds in terms of location, it is limited to self-contained vehicles, motor homes, or trailers. There are no hookup facilities.
Chula Vista RV Resort and Marina
RV Camping San Diego Bay
Just across the San Diego Bay from Silver Strand State Beach is Chula Vista RV Resort and Marina, a premier RV resort with 237 RV sites and full hookups. The sites are landscaped with trees and shrubs. The resort contains a private swimming pool, jacuzzi spa, store and two restaurants. Nearby are landscaped parks and its own 552 slip marina. Close to everything in San Diego, this is perfect for boat lovers. You are also close to Balboa Park, Seaport Village, San Diego Zoo, Coronado and much more.
Camping Jokes
If you like camping jokes, here are some good ones from a tent camping website. Camping Jokes
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