Best Beach Camping in California
Summer is upon us and its time to load up the family truckster with your camping, hiking, fishing and surf gear for some good old fashioned California Beach Camping. There are over 1000 miles of beach in California, (which seems grossly overstated by beachcalifornia.com) many of which offer overnight camping. With the help of our awesome sponsor Duraflame, we aim to provide you with the Best California Beach Campgrounds, starting with:
6. Morro Strand State Beach – Morro Bay
Morro Strand State Park is a quick 5-minute walk to the famous Morro Bay Rock and surf break. Morro Bay is west facing so it picks up NW and SW swells making it another year-round surf break. This beach is a coastal frontage park featuring outstanding picnic sites. A three-mile stretch of beach connects the southern and northern entrances to the beach. Fishing, windsurfing, jogging, and kite flying are popular.
5. Half Moon Bay State Beach – Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay State Beach is your spot if you are looking for the full NorCal experience. You are almost guaranteed to get wind, fog, rain & damp crisp mornings when staying here. Kelly Ave is one of the best and most consistent surf spots in Half Moon Bay. Four miles of broad, sandy beaches stretch out to welcome visitors to Half Moon Bay. This picturesque setting is ideal for sunbathing, fishing and picnicking. A campground provides accommodations for those who wish to visit longer.
4. El Capitan State Beach Campground – Santa Barbara
El Capitan State Beach, just north of Santa Barbara on California’s central coast offers day use and overnight camping. El Capitan has lots of shady areas with many oak and sycamore trees throughout the park. Some of the camp sites offer beautiful views from a cliff above. There is a sandy beach with tide pools and the park has lots of hiking trails. It’s a great setting for swimming, fishing, surfing, picnicking and camping, not to mention wine tasting at many nearby wineries.
3. San Onofre State Beach – Orange County
San Onofre State Beach is visited by over 2.5 million people per year so you’ll have to book far in advance. The fun surf breaks for all types of board riders make this a popular spot for beach camping in California – The Point, Old Man’s & Dogpatch. Whales, dolphins and sea lions can be seen offshore from time to time. Governor Ronald Reagan established San Onofre State Beach in 1971
2. Leo Carillo State Beach – North Malibu
Leo Carrillo State Park has 1.5 miles of beach for swimming, surfing, windsurfing, surf fishing and beachcombing. The beach also has tidepools, coastal caves and reefs for exploring. Giant sycamores shade the main campgrounds. The park also features back-country hiking. A fun soft point break is on the doorstep of the Canyon Campgroud with 135 family sites each with a table and fireplace. One of the most beautiful stretches of highway in California.
1. San Elijo State Beach – San Diego
Are you starting to understand we dig warm weather? Than there should be no surprise that our pick for Best Beach Camping in California is in San Diego. San Elijo State Beach is a long beach with a high cliff overlooking the Pacific ocean in the small community of Cardiff-by-the-Sea. This state park has a large campground facility and a day-use parking area at the north end as well. Not only are there fat, slow moving point break waves, but there is also a Mexican restaurant at San Elijo, Bull Taco Cardiff! Surf, Beach, Camping and Tacos?! Of course this is our winner.
There you have it folks, California’s Best Beach Camping. Big shout to our wonderful sponsor Duraflame. Remember to check the Duraflame aisle in your local store, they have many products that are handy for beach camping.
Thank you for Reading!
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