Best Beach Camping in California

California’s coastline stretches over 800 miles, offering countless places to camp steps from the ocean. But not all beach camping is created equal. Some popular spots are overcrowded, while hidden gems offer solitude and stunning vistas. Here are the best places to pitch your tent where the ocean is your backyard.

1. Crystal Cove State Park, Orange County

Why: Crystal Cove combines pristine beaches with backcountry camping. Three backcountry campgrounds (Lower Moro, Upper Moro, and Deer Canyon) require at least a 3-mile hike inland from Moro Campground parking lot. This is car-free camping—meaning your neighbors won’t have generators running all night.

Best Time: October to May for fewer crowds and cooler temperatures. Summer sees 3,000+ daily visitors.

Pro Tip: Reserve sites at Upper Moro or Deer Canyon. These camps are farther from the trailhead and feel genuinely remote.

Important: You’re not camping on the beach itself. These are backcountry sites in the 2,400-acre wilderness area inland. No beach camping or camping near the cottages is allowed.

Amenities: Pit toilets, picnic tables. No drinking water at backcountry sites. Pack everything in, pack everything out. Wood and charcoal fires strictly forbidden.

Reservations: Reserve through ReserveCalifornia.com; sites open 6 months in advance and fill quickly.

2. Big Sur Camps, Monterey County

Why: Big Sur is unmatched for dramatic coastal scenery. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park offers campgrounds minutes from Highway 1. The Moro Campground at Crystal Cove has ocean views from a blufftop location. You’ll sleep with unobstructed sunset views.

Best Time: September to October—prime Big Sur weather without summer crowds. Wildflowers peak March-May.

Pro Tip: Day-hike to McWay Falls (classic Big Sur cove) in the morning, then spend afternoon at your camp. The combination is unbeatable.

Amenities: Pfeiffer has full services including restrooms and token-operated showers.

Reservations: State park sites require reservations through ReserveCalifornia.com.

3. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Carmel

Why: Point Lobos offers rare views on dramatic headlands surrounded by sea otters, harbor seals, and rocky shores. The coves are impossibly beautiful. Cypress trees frame views of turquoise water and sea stacks.

Best Time: April-May and September-October. Wildflower season and calm seas make these ideal.

Pro Tip: Wake early to watch sea otters in the coves. Bring binoculars and a good camera.

Important: Point Lobos does NOT have camping facilities. It’s a day-use only park. No overnight camping or parking allowed. If you want to visit Point Lobos, you’ll need to camp elsewhere and visit during the day.

Nearby Camping: Look for campgrounds in Carmel or Big Sur for overnight stays, then visit Point Lobos during day hours (opens 8 a.m., closes 5 p.m., last entry 4:30 p.m.).

4. Salt Point State Park, Sonoma County

Why: The North Coast’s best-kept secret. Salt Point feels like your own private ocean. Dramatic sandstone formations, tide pools filled with starfish, and bluffs that rival Big Sur’s drama—all without the crowds. Cypress groves and wildflower meadows complete the scene.

Best Time: June through October. Winter storms make November-May unpredictable but less crowded.

Pro Tip: Explore the honeycomb sandstone formations at low tide. Visit the dramatic tide pools at Tidepool Trail (0.5 miles from camp).

Amenities: Campground has potable water and flush toilets. Primitive pit toilets near beach sites.

Reservations: Less crowded than Big Sur; usually available with shorter notice through ReserveCalifornia.com.

5. Humboldt Lagoons State Park, Eureka

Why: Redwoods meet the Pacific at Humboldt. Camp beside a brackish lagoon with coast redwoods as your backdrop. The northern California coast is misty, wild, and less crowded than the south. Hiking trails connect redwood groves to secluded beaches.

Best Time: September-October for weather and whale migration. May-June for wildflowers.

Pro Tip: Kayak on the lagoon at sunrise (rental boats available), then explore Gold Bluffs Beach hike. The offshore sea stacks are magnificent.

Amenities: Full service campground with showers, restrooms, and drinking water.

Reservations: Reserve through ReserveCalifornia.com. Less crowded than southern sites.

6. Año Nuevo State Park, San Mateo County

Why: Elephant seal breeding colonies make this unique. December-April, massive male seals battle on the beach while you camp nearby. It’s nature documentaries live in your backyard. The rest of the year, it’s a quiet beach with excellent tide pooling and seal watching.

Best Time: December-March for elephant seals (breeding season). June-August for seal pups.

Pro Tip: Book ranger-led walks to witness seal interactions. These are educational, thrilling, and exclusive to registered campers.

Amenities: Primitive campground; bring water, pack out all trash.

Reservations: Extremely limited and competitive. Book at opening day (usually August for following year).

7. Torrey Pines State Reserve, San Diego

Why: Torrey Pines offers dramatic sandstone cliffs, rare Torrey pine trees, and golden sand. Less dramatic than Big Sur, but excellent for weekend escapes near San Diego.

Best Time: October-April for comfortable temperatures. Summer heat is brutal.

Pro Tip: Sunset hike to the bluffs, dinner at your camp, then stargazing. The light show is phenomenal.

Amenities: Nearby campgrounds with full services including showers, restrooms, and beach access.

Reservations: Check San Diego County Parks for nearby camping options.

Beach Camping Essentials

Bring extra water. Beach winds and salty air increase dehydration. Carry more than you think you’ll need.

Sand in everything is normal. Accept it. Bring ground sheets under your tent to minimize sand inside.

Layer up at night. Coastal air cools significantly after sunset, even in summer. Bring fleece and warm layers.

Protect from wind. Position your tent with the entrance facing away from prevailing coastal winds (usually from the north-northwest).

Tide planning matters. Check tide charts before setting up. Never camp below the high tide line or near tidal streams that swell with incoming water.

Final Recommendation

For first-time beach campers, Crystal Cove State Park backcountry sites combine accessibility, beauty, and solitude. For experienced backcountry campers seeking dramatic scenery, Big Sur is unmatched. For solitude and unique wildlife, Año Nuevo or Humboldt Lagoons deliver unforgettable experiences.

California’s coast is diverse enough that every type of camper finds their perfect beach basecamp. Pick one, book early, and prepare for nights you’ll remember forever.