Here I present to you a list of San Diego beach camping sites. I will be starting up north and making my way down south, and I have also included RV camping sites. With San Diego having over 70 miles of coastline, I have found all the spots where you can experience the beach up close and personal, whether in a tent or an RV!
Each address is linked to a google map and an appropriate website so you may get more information.
Also, that information will be included if I have ever written about any area.
Let’s have a look!
Table of Contents
San Diego Beach Camping Sites
San Mateo Campground
830 Cristianitos Road, San Clemente
(949) 361-2531
San Mateo Campground is about 1.5 miles from the coast. A trail (Panhe/Trestles Beach Trail) connects the campground to the beach.
Amenities-
- all campsites have a fire pit and picnic table
- hookup sites for electricity and water
- RV sanitation station
- indoor hot coin-operated showers
- flush toilets
San Onofre Bluffs Campground
5200 Pacific Coast Highway, San Clemente
(949) 492-3156
Here at San Onofre Bluff Campground, you can experience California at its wildest. This 3.5 miles undeveloped campground is parallel to Interstate 5, so it might not be quiet. The campground is only open from May 15 to September 31.
Amenities-
- RV sanitation stations at Trail 1 and Trail 3
- free cold-water outdoor showers
- picnic area at Trail 4
- chemical toilets
San Onofre Beach Camp Pendleton
(760) 763-7263
–>San Onofre Beach Guest Services<–
The San Onofre Beach Camp Pendleton is open to all active reservists, DOD, and retired military members. This beach has a famous surf break offshore called Church which is a bonus.
If you are backpacking or camping, you might need a portable outdoor shower bag to be safe.
Amenities-
- tents, RV, Beach Cottages
- RV electric and water hookups
- pets are allowed but not on the beach
- lifeguard tower
- vending machines
Del Mar Beach Resort-Camp Pendleton
210841, 12th St, Camp Pendleton North
(760) 725-2134
Here is another Military campground on Marine Base Camp Pendleton. Again all active reservists, DOD, and retired Military are welcome to stay here.
Amenities-
- RV, Tents, Beach Villas
- full hookups
- laundromat
- firepits and grills available on some sites
- dogs are allowed on leash at all times but not on the beach
- indoor showers in the main restroom
Oceanside Harbor-RV
1540 Harbor Dr, Oceanside, CA 92054
(760) 435-4000
RV camping is available at Oceanside Harbor Beach year-round in Parking Lot 11B and May 15-Sept 15 in Parking Lot 12. No reservations are needed as it is on a first-come, first-serve basis. No tents are allowed, and there is a five-day limit of 30 days.
Amenities-
- cold showers, and flush toilets
- RV dump station near the boat launch
- great fishing possibilities on the jetties
- Oceanside Harbor Village is close by (restaurants/shops)
- volleyball courts
Oceanside RV Park
(760) 722-4404
Oceanside RV Park is another option if you are interested in San Diego Beach Camping. You are not exactly on the beach here, but it is less than a block away.
Amenities-
- full hookups
- privacy fences
- laundry
- pool and spa
- free wifi
Paradise by the Sea Beach RV Park
(760) 439-1376
The Paradise by the Sea Beach RV is adjacent and less than a block from Buccaneer Beach in Oceanside. You will find a playground, picnic area, and Buccaneer Cafe at Buccaneer Beach!
Talk about extra amenities!
Amenities
- full hookups
- heated pool and spa
- hot showers
- laundry
- wifi and cable
- small market/RV store
- Loma Alta Creek trail
South Carlsbad State Beach Campground
(760) 438-3143
I once stayed here at South Carlsbad State Beach Campground and had a fabulous time! The park sits right above the shoreline up top on the bluffs. It also sits parallel to the highway, so you hear a bit of traffic, but it does not drown out the ocean waves. I can not tell you enough how glorious it is to go to sleep with the sound of crashing waves!
Here you can camp in tents as well as RVs.
Amenities-
- 220 spaces-44 acres of park
- full RV hookups
- firepit and grill
- Supply store
- heated indoor token-operated showers
- flush toilets
- various Campfire Programs, Jr Ranger Programs, and Nature Walks
- no wifi
- dogs are allowed but not on the beach
San Elijo State Beach Campground
2050 S Coast Hwy 101, Carlsbad
(760) 753-5091
San Elijo State Beach Campground sits upon the bluffs over San Elijo State Beach adjacent to Highway 101, so there is car noise. There is also a railway nearby, so train noise must be considered.
Amenities-
- full RV hookups
- firepit and grill
- Supply store
- heated indoor token-operated showers
- flush toilets
- various Campfire Programs, Jr Ranger Programs, and Nature Walks
- no wifi
- dogs allowed south of Lifeguard tower 16 on a 6-foot-long leash
- walking distance to restaurants
Campland on the Bay-Mission Bay
2211 Pacific Beach Dr, San Diego
(800) 422-9386
Here we have San Diego’s most popular campsite for 45 years! Located on the shores of Mission Bay and part of Mission Bay Park, you may camp in an RV or tent.
Amenities-
- full RV hookups
- swimming pools and jacuzzi
- bathrooms and hot showers
- wifi
- a marina with 124 boat slips
- market
- laundry facilities
- boat launch
- marine rentals
- And much more!
Silver Strand State Beach
(619) 435-5184
If you are looking for a spot to park your RV on the beach, look no further than Silver Strand State Beach. Located on a 2.5-mile-long sand spit that forms the outer edge of San Diego Bay and connects Coronado Island to Imperial Beach, you have direct access to the shoreline and the calm waters of San Diego Bay.
There is one stipulation, though, and it is essential to note. The vehicle must be self-contained, having a sink, an enclosed drain system, and a portable toilet with a holding tank. There are no exceptions.
Amenities-
- electric and water hookups
- fire pits
- no tents
- restroom and cold showers
- the bayside park has bbq pits, fire rings, picnic tables
- 1.5 miles of undeveloped beach
- volleyball courts
- bike path nearby
- great shore fishing
So I hope this has given you a few ideas concerning San Diego beach camping sites! You can not go wrong at any of these; it depends on whether you have an RV or a tent. I am interested in trying out San Elijo State Beach camping site, seeing that it is in one of my favorite areas of San Diego-Encinitas.
Please feel free to shoot me any questions or comments that you may have!
Until next time!
I have always had a deep-seated passion for the Ocean Environment which ultimately led me to receive a degree in Marine Biology. Living in the San Diego area for over 30 years, I have extensively explored the 70 miles of San Diego’s coastline, and I am here to share! Please use my website to your advantage and have a look around at all the wonders that the beaches of San Diego can offer you!
I’ve been looking for a place to go on vacation during the winter when it’s freezing on the East coast and I think you just showed me where I can make my great escape.
This looks like a lovely location to visit and I love camping so that’s a plus!
Wow. I didn’t know they had beach camping sites. I hate the beach, and I’m not a camper. In fact, I hate camping. I prefer to be surrounded by modernity. Your list of campsite beaches is interesting though.
Thanks for stopping by! There are RV sites but maybe hotels are more for you. That is ok, my husband is the same way 🙂
This is so well laid out Colleen, and with the pertinent information you need for making a decision on a site that meets your needs.
I’ve done a lot of camping on the Oregon coast but you have wet my appetite for getting further south. That Del Mar Beach is calling my name!
Glad to help you out, Walter! You can not go wrong down here in San Diego 😉 Del Mar Beach Resort on Camp Pendleton is gorgeous!
Hi Colleen, This is ironic because my nephew lives in San Diego and we are going to visit him soon. We love to go camping and love the beach so what better combination is there?
He knows all about Del Mar Beach resort so this will be a awesome trip! Always loved San Diego and La Jolla too. Thanks!
~Rob
That sounds fantastic! I wish I could stay there, but I have no immediate family in the military. Have a wonderful time with your nephew at the beach!
Hello Colleen,
What an amazing website. We will be in the US sometime next year. and planning to visit some places in San Diego. We will definitely visit some of the places you mentioned here like Del Mar Beach Resort-Camp Pendleton.
Thanks.
Che
Hi Che!Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting! I hope you have an excellent time on your vacation and please stop by whenever you need any more suggestions. Make sure to call and make reservations. Thanks again!