Campgrounds near Buellton, California range from full-service RV resorts to primitive sites in the surrounding mountains and coastal areas. Flying Flags RV Resort in Buellton provides upscale accommodations with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options. Within a 30-mile radius, campers can access Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, Jalama Beach County Park, and several state beaches including El Capitán, Refugio, and Gaviota. The Santa Ynez Valley and nearby Los Padres National Forest offer varied terrain from oak woodlands to coastal bluffs.
Reservations are essential at most established campgrounds, particularly during summer months and weekends. Many campgrounds in the region remain open year-round due to the moderate Central California coastal climate, though winter can bring occasional rain. Facilities vary significantly, with Flying Flags offering full hookups, on-site dining, and resort amenities, while more remote sites like Mt. Figueroa Campground provide basic facilities with vault toilets and no drinking water. Cell service is inconsistent in mountainous areas but generally reliable at developed coastal and valley campgrounds. A visitor to Mt. Figueroa noted, "There are no hook ups, and only pit-toilets are available. There is NO DRINKING WATER available, so be sure to bring plenty of water, especially if you plan to hike or backpack through the area."
The region's campgrounds receive consistently high ratings for their proximity to wineries, beaches, and hiking trails. Campers at Jalama Beach County Park praise the beachfront sites and famous Jalama Burger available at the camp store. Several visitors mentioned the scenic 14-mile drive to Jalama through farms and coastal sage scrub with abundant wildflowers in spring. Tent campers report preferring the grassy sites at Carpinteria State Beach over the asphalt RV areas. According to feedback on The Dyrt, Figueroa Campground offers excellent shade from live oaks and manzanita trees, with nearby hiking trails that showcase spectacular wildflower displays in early spring. Wildlife sightings are common throughout the region, with reviews mentioning black bears, coyotes, and monarch butterflies depending on the specific location and season.
"We stayed during the recent storm of the century in Central California so weren’t able to take advantage of what the park has to offer. The sites are very long and not too jammed together."
"As with many southern California lakes, there is no human contact with the water due to it being a reclamation center. Unlike many other southern California lakes, this one has a pool!"
"This park has one of our favorite locations - Buellton and Solvang in the Santa Inez Valley. We love the wading pool and kid-friendly activities. Our family will keep coming back here."
"It is located in Buellton, CA very near the historic town of Solvang, as well as Lake Cachuma and Los Padres National Forest. The campsite is in a beautiful setting surrounded by green rolling hills."
$45 - $320 / night
"It's convenient, easy drive-up and set up tent camping. The campground and the bathrooms are well taken care of and clean. It's also nice that the beach is nearby."
"This campground doesn’t feel too much like you’re out in the wilderness, but it is on a cliff above the beach on California’s central coast so who’s to complain?"
$45 - $350 / night
"Low key but nice beach side campground along California’s Central Coast. Not to far from Santa Barbara. A bit of a surfers paradise because of some of the spots not far from the campsite."
"This is the furthest spot away from the ocean we’ve ever stayed, but the site was large and exposed, which meant our solar panels were able to get all the charge they needed each day to easily power everything"
"The road winds for 14 miles through farms and the California coastal sage scrub ecosystem which when we were there, April, was just going off with wild flowers. Gorgeous sunsets to boot!"
"This campground is right next to the beach and is well loved by the many return campers I spoke with."
"If you find yourself up near Santa Barbara, this luxury RV Resort and Campground is a real splurge."
"This was the second time during our stay, where a worker came and blew the leafs away from our site. So appreciated. Hiking trails around. We like the walk to the goats and to the beach."
$30 - $34 / night
"While visiting Los Padres National forest on a Valentines Weekend, we unfortunately couldn’t do much camping near the higher altitudes due to high wind gusts so we headed toward the other camps, Davy Brown"
"Figueroa Campground is a 33-35 site campground behind Los Olivos, CA. It is surrounded by live oaks and gorgeous manzanita trees, so there is a lot of shade available."
"This is a California Highway rest area right off the 101 just north of Goleta/Santa Barbara. As the sign says, one is allowed to park their 8 hours."
"The entrance and exit are build for traffic going south, so you have to be comfortable doing a freeway u-turn if you're going north."
$45 / night
"I love that the campsite is right next to the beach, less than 5 minute walk."
$75 - $195 / night
"Common area is really cool ▫️Hosts are friendly and welcome you with a glass of wine or beer and give you a tour of the property ▫️Dog friendly
Cons ▫️Some sites have highway noise ▫️It very expensive"
TravelerSpots are wide enough to park our truck next to our trailer. Asphalt parking with dirt yard behind the spot, including a firepit and picnic table. Trees and shrubs for privacy and shade. Run by San Luis Obispo County.
ScoutIncredible beach camping
LegendWe stopped here for an overnight. Not at all crowded in March, which we like. It is a very large resort so during peak season will have a different feel than now. We liked the premium spaces better than the classic as those sites didn’t have a picnic table. The restrooms by the front office are very nice. Lots to do for kids with a playground and for older kids/adults, a lounge with a pool table. Guests are allowed to use the fitness room at the adjacent Sideways Inn. Would stay here again in the off season. Friendly staff.
LegendLovely state park campground with access to the beach over some dunes and waterways. Pismo Beach is a huge and beautiful beach. Even with a lot of people it cannot feel crowded. If you are willing to get your feet wet crossing some creeks that empty into the ocean you can walk to the pier along the beach. This park is a delight compared to the cramped RV Parks right next door. Clean bathrooms and showers. Shower tokens $1 for 2 will get you a 4 minute shower. Peaceful place on a Sunday in March.
GuideBooked a couple of nights here at the last minute and, while crowded, I was pleasantly surprised at how quiet and tidy this campground was.
It is however the off-season and not a place I’d consider otherwise as I can only imagine how wild it must get when kids are off of school, as it is right on the beach.
The sites are pretty leveled and the facilities offer all one needs, and it’s all very clean. Spigots for free water refill are also available throughout the campground.
At $25/night, this is a wonderful and very safe campground for all.
TravelerAlways clean and friendly sites are big a lot of new attractions on site restaurant and bar and I HIGHLY recommend the Clam Chowder
RangerWe loved this BLM campground. We got lucky that the road had been graded after the storms. The blooms appeared almost magically as the sun hit those areas. We saw more already on the second day on our way east. Stunning
GuideWe didn't expect much, but we stayed one night enroute from San Diego to San Francisco.
The lake was pretty, the site was nice, but we couldn't see the lake from the site. We just didn't spend much time here.
GuideWe had never visited Pismo Beach before, but wanted to camp on the sand (it's allowed!)
We drove onto the beach from the Pier Avenue entrance to Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area and headed south. There were a few other vehicles, but we found out the area right near the ramp was day use only.
Continued south on the sand about a mile until we got out of the day use area . There is a creek you have to cross before you can overnight camp. And the internet told us that at high tide it's not passable. So we timed our crossing to be at lower tide.
There's lots of hard packed sand, but the hard packed sand is where the tide comes up to. Then inland of the hard packed sand is some medium packed sand, and inland of that is soft white fluffy sand. You want to park on the medium sand.
We tried to get a little further inland so we wouldn't wake up in the middle of the night with our camper drifting out to sea, but as soon as you get onto the soft sand, you sink like a rock. We had brought two sheets of 2'x4' OSB just in case we got stuck (to put under our dually wheels) and ended up using them since we went a LITTLE too far inland.
But once you're settled, it's a lot of fun!
We loved sitting on the beach with a campfire!
We only stayed one night, but we're likely to go again next time we go up that way!
Campgrounds surrounding Buellton, California sit at elevations ranging from sea level to over 4,000 feet in the nearby mountains. This region experiences a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and mild winters, though mountain campgrounds can see nighttime temperatures drop near freezing during winter months. Most campgrounds open year-round due to the moderate weather, with springtime bringing wildflower blooms across the hillsides.
Hike Figueroa Mountain trails: Mt. Figueroa Campground provides access to numerous trails with varying difficulty levels. "We brought our dog with us and she had a great time. There are TONS of awesome trails around to walk, hike, or bike," notes camper Bailey A. about the Mt. Figueroa Campground. The trails are especially beautiful in spring when wildflowers bloom.
Explore tidepools: Jalama Beach County Park offers excellent tide pooling opportunities during low tide. "The beach is very big and beautiful. You can walk quite a distance if you go to the left; to the right, there is a lot of driftwood but is still somewhat walkable," reports reviewer Lee D. about the Jalama Beach County Park. Marine wildlife sightings are common along the shoreline.
Wildlife photography: Cachuma Lake Recreation Area provides excellent bird watching and wildlife photography opportunities. "Cachuma Lake is a great place for wildlife viewing and birding. I am a photographer, and love seeing all of the birds that hang out around Cachuma - ducks, coots, Western and Clark's grebes, loons, osprey, hawks, turkey vultures, turkeys, quail, American white pelicans, cormorants, etc," shares Amanda M. The lake also offers pontoon boat tours specifically for wildlife viewing.
Beach access: El Capitán State Beach Campground sits directly above the coastline with easy beach access. "Anything on the beach side is your best bet, otherwise you will get stuck by the train and highway, and that's no fun for anyone," advises Alisa B. about the El Capitán State Beach Campground. The campground has both oceanfront and inland sites.
Swimming pools: Several private campgrounds near Buellton offer swimming pools for when ocean temperatures aren't ideal. "Flying Flags RV Resort& Campground is one of my favorite RV resorts. Free WiFi, a full laundry facility, pools, and a hot tub, every aspect of your stay is covered," says reviewer SmallRVLifestyle V. about the Flying Flags RV Resort. Many campers appreciate having pool access during hot summer months.
Dark night skies: The more remote campgrounds offer excellent stargazing opportunities. "This is a really good place to camp. It's far from anything major so the night sky is very visible," explains Noah about Mt. Figueroa Campground. The higher elevation sites typically provide clearer viewing conditions compared to coastal locations.
Insect activity: Several campgrounds report seasonal insect issues. "In August, as other reviews mention, there are a lot of flies from sun up to sun down. Harmless but annoying," warns Noah about Mt. Figueroa. Another reviewer adds, "The flies were absolutely unbearable. No chance of relaxing without being totally swarmed by flies and eaten alive by whatever my family got bit up by."
Water availability: Mountain campgrounds often lack drinking water. "No water at all so make sure you pack it in!" advises Christopher B. about Mt. Figueroa Campground. Similarly, Gaviota State Park has limited facilities, so campers should arrive prepared.
Wind conditions: Coastal campgrounds can experience significant wind. "Despite the often overcast skies and evening winds, the weather is almost always enjoyable," notes Codee C. about Jalama Beach County Park. At night, campers should secure tents and belongings against potential strong gusts.
Accessible playgrounds: Several family-friendly campgrounds include play areas for children. "We had a blast! The camp has a pool, playground, 24 hour bathroom and showers included with your stay," shares Mario R. about Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara. The campground also offers bike rentals and easy access to beach activities.
Swimming options: Cachuma Lake Recreation Area offers alternatives when beach swimming isn't ideal. "Cachuma also has a pool (for an additional fee), gameroom, playgrounds/jungle-gyms, and disc golf courses available," reports Amanda M. about the Cachuma Lake Recreation Area. Note that swimming is not permitted in Cachuma Lake itself.
Junior ranger programs: State parks like El Capitán and Refugio offer educational programs during summer months. "The campground and the bathrooms are well taken care of and clean. It's also nice that the beach is nearby," mentions Dianne S. These programs typically run on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Site selection: RV sites vary significantly in size and amenities throughout the area. "Getting out was a little tighter because of the narrow roads. It was okay, just smaller than other campgrounds," cautions Tonya C. about Flying Flags Resort. RVers with larger rigs should call ahead to confirm site dimensions.
Hookup availability: Only certain campgrounds offer full hookups. "Our site had 30 amp Hookup but had to get water from the spigot by the bathrooms before we hooked up. Also easy dump site on way out," shares Samuel N. about Jalama Beach. Many campgrounds offer partial hookups or none at all, so planning is essential.
Reservation timing: Popular RV campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer months. "Just wish it was easier to get a weekend reservation in the summer," notes Dianne S. about El Capitán State Beach. Reservations for state park campgrounds typically open six months in advance and fill within minutes for summer weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What RV parks and campgrounds are available in Buellton, California?
Buellton and the surrounding area offer several options for RV travelers. Flying Flags RV Resort is the premier RV destination in Buellton itself, featuring full hookup sites in a beautiful setting surrounded by rolling hills. For those willing to venture a bit farther, Oceano Campground — Pismo State Beach provides both hookup and non-hookup sites with decent separation between campsites, particularly in the non-hookup area. The campground offers flush toilets, sinks, and showers, with excellent beach access. Other options in the region include Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach and several private RV parks that cater to varying preferences from basic to luxury accommodations.
Where can I find camping near Buellton, CA?
Buellton offers excellent access to several camping options in the Santa Ynez Valley. Mt. Figueroa Campground is a scenic 33-35 site campground nestled behind Los Olivos with abundant shade from live oaks and manzanita trees. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table, though amenities are basic with pit toilets and no hookups. For beach camping within driving distance, Jalama Beach County Park offers a stunning coastal experience about 30 miles west of Buellton. The 14-mile access road winds through farms and coastal sage scrub, leading to beautiful beachside camping that's especially gorgeous during wildflower season in spring. Other nearby options include Los Padres National Forest campgrounds and several state parks within a short drive.
What amenities does Flying Flags Buellton offer for campers?
Flying Flags RV Resort in Buellton provides an extensive array of amenities for a premium camping experience. The resort features numerous full hookup RV sites complemented by rental options including tents and cabins for those without RVs. Families particularly enjoy the wading pool and kid-friendly activities that keep children entertained. The grounds are exceptionally clean with well-maintained facilities throughout. Campers appreciate the convenience of an onsite restaurant, eliminating the need to leave the property for meals. The location is another major advantage, situated near historic Solvang, Lake Cachuma, and Los Padres National Forest. Spring, particularly April and May, offers perfect weather for camping at this resort. The beautiful setting amid green rolling hills enhances the overall experience, making it a favorite destination for many returning campers.
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