California is one of the finest states for its amazing camping destinations! It is teeming with natural resources, abundance of wildlife and tallest trees along with vast camping grounds near the beach, river and other nature features. For these reason, the best places to go camping in California are a Mecca for outdoor and nature lovers! Check out the following for a list of the top camping locations in the state.
What Are the Best Places to Go Camping in California?
The Pacific Ocean is kissing the state’s western coast. It also has acres of mountains within its borders, making it a state for nature’s treasures ideal for campers, hikers and survivalists alike. It comes to no surprise that the best camping locations are also in California, not to mention 8 national parks, 110 state parks, 9 national forests and 6 state forests.
North Pines Campground
Located in the tranquil and rich Yosemite National Park valley, the North Pines Campground is the place to go if you’re looking for that ultimate nature adventure. The camping ground is strategically situated between the mountain range of Sierra Nevada that range at 4,000 feet.
This is the camping ground to witness and experience high granite cliffs, waterfalls and deep valleys with vast forestry. It is also an ideal camping location for its paved roads for easy access.
Camping here, you can also expect great facilities, such as a fire pit, a picnic table and a food locker.
Mendocino Grove
The Mendocino Grove is for outdoor and nature lovers in you! But it is not your typical camping destination because it provides a hotel-like range of services, including preset tents sitting upon a wooden deck, and inside each are furniture, lights, blankets and bathrooms with hot showers and organic toiletries.
Mountain Gate RV Park and Cottages
If you’re looking for the best RV parks in California, you should not miss the Mountain Gate RV Park and Cottages that offers exciting amenities. The award-winning RV Park in California’s main draws is its nearness to the Lake Shasta, the Shasta Caverns and the Shasta Cascades.
You’ll love it here because it lets you travel and camp in comfort for its well-fitted bathrooms, fenced Pet Park, convenience store, a hot tub and a pool.
Now if you love an outdoor adventure, go ahead and stroll or hike Mt. Shasta! Alternatively, you can go to one of the local breweries and wineries for beer and wine tastings waiting for you. Or for the shopaholic camper, they can try shopping at Redding.
So if you’re looking to enjoy the best of both worlds – nature and modern settings, head on to the RV park and have a memorable California camping experience.
Ponderosa RV Resort
The wonderful RV Park is one of the best camping grounds in California to explore if you’re expecting great facilities and an amazing natural backdrop. It has clean shower and restroom facilities and cool amenities.
A few attractions include the finest wineries, spacious skiing facilities and the Red Hawk Casino. Other features include a Wi-Fi connection, hot tub and pool, cellular reception and more.
The resort is the place to be if you want to discover and explore the Sierra Valley. You can also check out the vineyard for tasting homemade wines or play at the Red Hawk Casino. You can also go for a hike in one of the trails available.
Other activities include playing bocce ball or volleyball or swimming at the pool. You may also want to try heading to the stream for some fishing adventure.
Dillon Beach
The best beach camping California is within your reach by hitting the Dillon Beach where thousands of campers and outdoor enthusiasts flock to so that they can enjoy their time in the dog-friendly and scenic beach.
Campers generally set up their camps for a couple of days and access the beach for a wide range of water activities that their hearts desire.
The camping spot also offers facilities, such as fire pits and picnic tables. There is also a little town with some restaurants and a general store.
Doran Beach at the Bodega Bay
Camping in California beach for the weekend? Try it at the Doran Beach that makes it to our list of the best camping places in CA. For a more fun camping adventure, bring along firewood for some marshmallow roasting in one of the available fire pits in the location. However, see to it that you reserve a camping spot ahead of time because this beach camping ground fills up fast with fellow campers.
El Capitan Beach State Park (Goleta)
Located just outside Santa Barbara, the El Capitan camping site boasts plenty of wonderful things that campers will love. It is the ticket for those who are looking for something different from the RV beach camping style. Two amazing views waiting for you are the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands. Also, the camping ground is not too crowded, and it is very clean.
Half Moon Bay State Beach
Located just south of San Francisco, the state beach is a top choice for campers looking for beautiful and elegant beach views. If you were lucky, you might even be able to spot a whale swimming in the ocean.
Jalama Beach County Park
Accessibly located in Lompoc, the California beach camping destination offers you and the entire group with a pristine white sandy beach. Some campers even reviewed and descried this place a “hidden treasure” and “legendary.”
China Camp State Park
Aside from RV style and beach camping in the state, outdoor lovers like you can also select from a vast range of the best California state parks for camping.
One of which is the China Camp State Park that offers shoreline accommodations and history lessons. The state park is also known for its natural marshes, forests and grasslands.
Campers can also wander through the forest or explore the San Pablo Bay.
[A bit of its history: This place used to be a shrimping and fishing village (1880s). Today, visitors especially children can go for a historical tour in the museum.]
Cold Springs Campground
Take one and a half hours driving from the Sequoia National Park’s entrance to reach the tent-only camping site. In the camping destination, pretty much the only sound you will hear is the Kaweah River’s flow beside you. This camping area is covered with evergreen and aspen trees. For amenities, there is a water pump and a picnic area in the camping ground.
Crystal Cove State Park
The state park is for adventure and outdoor lovers who want to rediscover their connection with nature! Campers will be able to explore and be in the Orange County backcountry in one of the tent camping sites available. Here, there are also some trails to lead you through the vast wildlife backcountry in a land area totaling 2,400 acres.
Campers can also try different activities on offer, including swimming through tide pools or underwater caverns, snorkeling and scuba diving.
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Big Sur
If you’re looking to pitch your camping trip in a cool and amazing location, choose the Big Sur where the Heart Castle, Carmel and Monterey are found. For some outdoor fun, you can go hiking in one of the best trails where to find hundreds of trees that can support your hammock. Another thing not to miss in the Big Sur is the Valley, which provides you with a perfect spot for your camping trip.
Pineknot Campground
The camping site offers some of the best views of the San Bernardino Mountains. It is sitting just right at the Snow Summit Ski Resort’s base. You will stay cool in the camping ground that will get you to 6,900 feet above sea level, not to mention its shaded portions for its pine, oak and fir forest.
This camping site is one of the best places to go camping if you want to beat the summer heat. During the off-season, visitors enjoy it at the ski trails where to find bike paths to let them, go up and down the mountains.
For great water activities, such as canoeing and sailing, you can head on to the Big Bear Lake that is located just five minutes away from the camping destination.
Sequoia National Forest
Camping in California Sequoia National Forest is another top choice for those looking to feel and experience more of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. You can stretch out your hiking boots traversing in more than 800 miles of trails.
Campgrounds are widely available in the national forest. You can also ahead and set up camp in the Kings Canyon National Park where to enjoy the smells, sights and sounds of nature!
Palomar Mountain State Park
Sitting on top of the Palomar Mountain, the state park gets you at about 5,000ft above sea level. You will get some of the best camping adventures in the state going to this park near the San Diego County.
If you’re looking to beat the summer heat, you might want to pick this camping park for its 1,862-acre land covered with shady, coniferous trees. There are also lookout points for getting a great desert view (east) and ocean view (west).
Redwood National and State Parks
This is one of the best campgrounds in California that you can pick if you’re looking for nature adventure! The camping park is popular for its century-old trees and also for having a part of it is recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can set up camp near the Pacific Ocean or near the forest.
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Clio’s Rivers Edge RV Park
A recipient of the Best Rated Park Award in the USA, the Clio’s Rivers Edge RV Park is a must-visit RV park for that ultimate camping experience. A few reasons campers are drawn into this camping destination is the great Sierra Mountains’ view and plenty of activities on offer, such as golfing, horseback riding and so many more. The place is also chosen for the great service it providers campers with, and also one of the reasons they keep coming back.
Lake Tahoe
Do you want it by the lake instead of camping in California coast? The Lake Tahoe is the perfect spot for you, a must-visit location ready for your camping tent. Trailer spots are also available in the camping destination. Also, Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe National Forest are offering over 20 camping grounds and have excellent fishing spots and hiking trails.
Yosemite National Park
Perhaps one of the most popular national parks all over the world, the Yosemite National Park is not only visited for its historical background and picturesque beauty but also for an amazing camping trip. Annually, it receives almost four million visitors, so you may want to plan ahead and get here fast!
The park is covering more than 1,100mi of terrain and has been one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
What can you expect here? Campers and outdoor adventurers love it at the park because of its wilderness, waterfalls and old sequoia trees.
The park also keeps campers active with plenty of amenities, including putting green, volleyball court, playground and dog park. A few other features include a cable TV, a Wi-Fi connection and an escort service, ensuring you’re provided with all the services you need.
Boulder Creek RV Resort
Sitting near Eastern Sierra Nevada, the Boulder Creek resort offers complete facilities, such as hot showers, hot tub and pool, laundry facilities and mini mart.
Without you feeling homesick, you can try staying here for a long period of time as desired. So if you’re looking to live away from home and camp with nature for a while, you may want to think about staying here for a week or a month, depending on your preference.
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Final Thoughts
These are the best places to go camping in California that you can use as reference when comparing and weighing your options.
Do you think we missed a camping place in CA on this list? We’d like to hear from you! Tell us in the comments.
Also, have you had the chance to camp in one of these campgrounds? Share your experience with the community.