Tent campsites near Aliso Viejo, California range from remote backpacking sites in the San Gabriel Mountains to beachfront locations on Catalina Island. Most sites sit between 33-34 degrees latitude with coastal options staying relatively mild year-round. Inland campgrounds experience greater temperature fluctuations, with summer highs regularly exceeding 90°F and winter nights dropping to near freezing at higher elevations.
What to do
Beach activities at Doheny State Beach: The campground provides direct beach access for swimming, surfing, and fishing. "I love the sound of the waves and the fog horn. There are great bike trails to ride on," notes Karissa J. about Doheny State Beach Campground.
Mountain biking in Marin County: China Camp State Park offers popular mountain biking trails with varying difficulty levels. "Located on the west side of the San Rafael/Richmond Bridge, on San Francisco Bay, this park is extremely popular with mountain bikers," writes Nathaniel S. about the trail system near China Camp State Park Campground.
Island exploration on Catalina: Two Harbors Campground serves as a base for exploring Catalina Island's natural areas. "The location is awesome, two harbors has a summer camp feel. Easy little walk to town, great for those who dock their boats," explains Morgan F. about Two Harbors Campground.
What campers like
Seclusion at Mount Lowe: This hike-in campground requires effort to reach but rewards with quiet surroundings. "It was eerily quiet at night. We were the only ones there and can hear our own hearbeats laying there at night," describes Stacy C. about Mount Lowe Trail Campground.
Beachfront camping at Little Harbor: Campsites directly on a secluded beach provide a unique coastal experience. "Such a beautiful campground, and if you're lucky enough (like we were) you may get the whole place to yourself. The beach is beautiful, and there's nothing like the sunsets here," says Morgan F. about the experience at Little Harbor.
Wildlife encounters: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. "We loved our stay here for a birthday trip! The sites are large and can fit multiple tents... At night we had deer walking directly through our site as we were eating dinner (seriously on a few feet away)," shares Hayley K. about camping at Two Harbors Campground.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have poor or no cellular coverage. "No AT&T service. Only one car per campsite," reports Michelle W. about Manker Campground.
Wildlife precautions: Raccoons and other wildlife can be problematic at many sites. "The raccoons here are AGGRESSIVE! They won't attack you, but they will walk right up to your camp and try to steal your food," warns Rosie C. about China Camp State Park Campground.
Campsite spacing: Site privacy varies significantly between campgrounds. "The location is obviously great but the sites are on top of each other. No privacy and are definitely built for RVs and Trailers," explains Morgan F. about Doheny State Beach, while tent-focused sites at other locations offer more separation.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly beaches: Doheny State Beach offers safe swimming areas for children. "This campground is sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and some active train tracks. But it's quite possibly the most beautiful yet easiest camping you'll do, shy of setting up a tent in your yard," shares Carley O.
Accessible backpacking: Spruce Grove Trail Camp provides a manageable first backpacking experience for families. "This is a backpackers campground. First come first serve, picnic tables and fire rings included. I think there is only about 8-10 sites. Nice creek flows though the campground," explains Brittany N. about Spruce Grove Trail Campground.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds feature historical sites and nature programs. "China Camp was a Chinese shrimp fishing community. You can hike there from the campground (8 miles round trip) and see spectacular views of the bay and its marshlands," says Laura F. about the educational hiking options at China Camp.
Tips from RVers
Beach camping with limited hookups: RVers at Doheny State Beach need to prepare for dry camping. "Beautiful beachfront camping steps from the sand. Dry camping with a dump station available. Great sunsets and beautiful sand," reports Paul N.
Dump station access: Doheny State Beach offers dump services for a fee. "Dump site: When we first arrive it was out of order with a 'clogged signed'. It was fixed the following day. There is a $10 fee, they have a convenient credit card machine," explains Manuel P. about the facilities at Doheny.
Water fill locations: RV water access points aren't always clearly marked. "RV tank filling also available at the same location of dump site only a few feet away as you drive out. You can screw in your own hose and your good to go," notes Manuel P. about the water situation at Doheny State Beach.
